Support bracket for supporting cooler duct in rotary cooler
By employing bridging elements and indirect welding support bracket design in the rotary cooler, the thermal stress problem of the cooling pipe support bracket under high temperature environment is solved, achieving efficient thermal expansion adaptation and mechanical performance protection, and reducing the risk of deformation and failure.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202480048027.X
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-07-20
- Filing Date
- 2024-07-19
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-17
AI Technical Summary
The support brackets for the cooling pipes inside the rotary cooler are susceptible to thermal stress in high-temperature environments, which can lead to deformation or failure. Furthermore, the existing direct welding method cannot effectively adapt to thermal expansion, increasing the loss of mechanical properties and the risk of fatigue.
The slender rods of the support bracket are indirectly fixed to the outer shell surface of the rotary cooler by bridging elements. The hollow steel structure provides an indirect welded connection, avoiding direct contact, and gaps are left in the radial holes to accommodate thermal expansion. Heat-resistant metal materials and flexible elements are used to reduce friction and allow thermal expansion.
It effectively reduces the impact of thermal stress on the support bracket, lowers the risk of deformation and failure, improves mechanical performance and structural integrity, provides flexible disassembly and maintenance capabilities, and reduces heat transfer and material wear.
Smart Images
Figure CN121548719A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to a novel pipe support bracket for supporting cooler pipes along the inner circumference of a rotary cooler. Cooling pipes mounted on the inner circumference of the rotary cooler are secured to the outer surface of the cooler housing via the newly designed pipe support bracket, which allows for thermal expansion in both lateral and linear directions, thereby preventing thermal stress on the support bracket. Background Technology
[0002] Rotary coolers are commonly used in various industrial processes to cool materials such as minerals, cement clinker, and other granular materials. These coolers typically consist of a rotating cylinder or drum equipped with cooling elements to facilitate heat transfer and cooling of the material.
[0003] Although rotary coolers come in different designs and configurations, internal cooling ducts are preferred. These ducts are typically arranged along the length of the drum or cylinder and are connected to a coolant circulation system that allows for the controlled flow of a cooling medium such as air.
[0004] The primary purpose of the internal cooler pipes in a rotary cooler is to remove heat from the material being processed. As the material moves through the rotating drum, it comes into contact with the cooling pipes. Heat from the material is transferred to the cooling medium circulating through the pipes, causing the material to cool.
[0005] Cooling pipes are typically made of materials with good thermal conductivity, such as steel. These materials effectively transfer heat from the material to the cooling medium. The diameter, spacing, and length of the cooler pipes are determined based on factors such as the material's heat load, the desired cooling rate, and the properties of the cooling medium.
[0006] Because the material discharged from the furnace and transported to the rotary cooler is at high temperatures, the inner shell and pipes of the rotary cooler will experience temperatures as high as 1100°C. However, the outer surface of the rotary cooler, continuously cooled by water through a water shroud, will remain at a low temperature of 30°C. This huge temperature difference between the inner and outer shells will pose a challenge in providing proper support for the cooling pipes inside the rotary cooler. In addition to ensuring proper support for the cooler pipes within the cooler shell, thermal expansion of the pipes must be allowed to prevent high thermal stress. Summary of the Invention
[0007] Therefore, the present invention provides a support bracket for supporting cooler pipes in a rotary cooler, comprising:
[0008] a) A vertical, slender column that provides the main structure of the support bracket, the support bracket having,
[0009] - The first end is adapted to be indirectly fixed to the surface of the outer casing of the rotary cooler.
[0010] - The second end, adapted to support one or more cooling pipes; and
[0011] b) A bridging element adapted to bridge between the rod and the outer casing surface of the rotary cooler.
[0012] The bridging element eliminates direct contact between the slender rod and the rotary cooler housing, and minimizes the rod's susceptibility to deformation or failure under different thermal cycling conditions in the rotary cooler.
[0013] In an embodiment of the invention, the first end of the rod is adapted to be indirectly fixed to the outer surface of the rotary cooler via a bridging element.
[0014] In embodiments of the invention, the bridging element is an intermediate material, typically a hollow steel structure, which serves as a bridge between the slender rod supporting the bracket and the outer surface of the rotary cooler. The hollow steel structure can be of any shape, including but not limited to a circle.
[0015] In one embodiment of the invention, one end of the bridging element is fixed to the surface of the outer casing of the rotary cooler, while the other end of the bridging element is fixed to the first end of the elongated rod and the support bracket.
[0016] In one embodiment of the invention, the elongated rod of the support bracket passes through a radial hole in the rotary cooler housing to attach to a bridging element fixed around the outer housing surface of the radial hole, so as to avoid direct contact between the support bracket and the housing wall.
[0017] In one embodiment of the invention, the radial hole on the rotary cooler housing is adapted to provide a gap of at least 3 mm between the slender rod of the support bracket and the housing wall of the rotary cooler to accommodate the contraction or expansion of the housing due to thermal cycling without damaging the rod.
[0018] In one embodiment of the invention, the second end of the rod is a curved saddle that supports at least one pipe and secures it in place.
[0019] In an embodiment of the invention, the second end of the rod is adapted to accommodate cooling pipes of different sizes and shapes.
[0020] In embodiments of the invention, the saddle is provided with means for adding flexible elements (e.g., bushings) to prevent friction between the cooling conduit and the saddle and to allow thermal expansion of the cooling conduit.
[0021] In embodiments of the present invention, the support bracket is made of a heat-resistant metal material, including stainless steel or any other suitable metal or alloy.
[0022] In embodiments of the invention, a fastening technique such as welding, bolting, clamping, or other suitable fastening techniques is used to secure the first end of the elongated rod to one end of the bridging element.
[0023] In embodiments of the invention, the other end of the bridging element is secured to the radial hole on the outer surface of the rotary cooler using a fixing technique such as welding, bolts, clamps or other suitable fastening techniques.
[0024] In one embodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned fixing technique is a welding process.
[0025] In embodiments of the invention, the rod is adapted to support multiple cooling pipes in a stacked or parallel configuration along the inner circumference of the rotary cooler.
[0026] Further currently preferred embodiments and further advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description and the appended dependent claims. Attached Figure Description
[0027] The invention will now be described in more detail by way of non-limiting examples of presently preferred embodiments and with reference to schematic diagrams, wherein:
[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a support bracket for supporting cooler pipes in a rotary cooler according to the present invention.
[0029] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, showing an elongated rod of a support bracket being fixed to the housing of a rotary cooler via a bridging element.
[0030] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, showing multiple support brackets fixed to the inner circumference of a rotary cooler. Detailed Implementation
[0031] Supporting the cooling pipes within a rotary cooler presents a significant challenge that needs to be addressed to ensure the smooth operation and lifespan of the cooling system.
[0032] Cooling pipes undergo significant temperature variations due to the hot materials and the cooling medium flowing through them, particularly in rotary coolers used in the high-temperature processing of minerals such as spodumene and lithium. The temperature from the cooler inlet to the outlet is expected to vary between 1100°C and 100°C. This thermal circulation within the rotary cooler can have a significant impact on the support brackets that hold the cooler pipes or other components in place.
[0033] First, the high operating temperatures within the rotary cooler affect the mechanical properties of the materials used in the support brackets that support the cooler's piping. For example, prolonged exposure to high temperatures can lead to material degradation, strength loss, and reduced stiffness. These effects can increase the susceptibility of the brackets to deformation or failure under thermal cycling conditions.
[0034] Secondly, temperature changes inside the rotary cooler cause the cooler pipes and other components to expand and contract. This thermal expansion and contraction can exert forces on the support brackets. If the brackets are not designed or installed to accommodate these movements, it can lead to stress concentration and potential failure points. Over time, this cyclic loading can cause fatigue and ultimately compromise the integrity of the brackets.
[0035] Therefore, supporting the cooler pipes inside the rotary cooler with fixing devices fastened to the inner shell surface of the rotating shell wall is ineffective. Furthermore, sufficient allowance for thermal expansion of the cooler pipes is necessary to reduce excessive stress on the brackets.
[0036] Taking these factors into account, this support bracket is designed to be indirectly welded to the outer shell surface of the rotating housing via bridging elements, while fully allowing for thermal expansion of the cooler pipes.
[0037] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of a support bracket for supporting cooler pipes in a rotary cooler, according to the present invention, is shown.
[0038] The support bracket (1) according to the invention typically consists of a vertical rod or column (2) providing the main support and a bridging element (3). The first end (4) of the rod is adapted to be indirectly fastened to the outer shell surface (9) of the rotary cooler (7) via the bridging element (3).
[0039] The second end (5) of the rod typically has a curved saddle that supports at least one pipe and holds it securely in place. The shape and size of the saddle are designed to match the pipe size and prevent any excessive movement or slippage. Preferably, the saddle is provided with means (6) for adding a flexible element such as a bushing to prevent friction between the cooling pipe and the saddle and to allow thermal expansion of the cooling pipe.
[0040] The bridging element (3) is mainly used as a bridge between the rod (2) and the housing of the rotary cooler (7), wherein one end of the bridging element (12) is fixed to the outer housing surface (9) of the rotary cooler (7), and the other end of the bridging element (11) is fixed to the first end (4) of the slender rod. This eliminates direct contact between the slender rod (2) and the housing of the rotary cooler (7) and minimizes the sensitivity of the rod (2) to deformation or failure under different thermal cycling conditions of the rotary cooler (7).
[0041] The bridging element (3) according to the invention is an intermediate material, typically a hollow steel structure, which serves as a bridge between the rod (2) supporting the bracket (1) and the outer shell surface (9) of the rotary cooler (7). This intermediate material is typically made of a compatible metal, such as steel, and is designed to provide a strong connection while acting as a sacrificial component during welding. The bridging element is a hollow steel structure and can be of any shape, including but not limited to circular.
[0042] By utilizing indirect welding, the support bracket (1) can be attached to the rotary cooler (7) without being directly welded to the outer shell surface (9) of the rotary cooler (7). This indirect support system protects the rod structure (2) of the support bracket (1), which is welded to the rotary cooler (7) via bridging elements (3) to undergo minimal thermal cycling between the inner shell surface (8) and the outer shell surface (9) of the rotary cooler shell (7).
[0043] As described above, the shell of the rotary cooler (7) is subjected to significant temperature variations between its inner shell surface (8) and outer shell surface (9), ranging from 1100°C to 100°C. This thermal cycle in the rotary cooler (7) can have a significant destructive effect on the support bracket (1) that holds the cooling pipes or other components in place.
[0044] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of the invention is shown, illustrating the fixing of an elongated rod of a support bracket to the housing of a rotary cooler via a bridging element.
[0045] To protect the support bracket (1) from such damage, the slender rod (2) of the support bracket (1) passes through the radial hole (10) on the housing of the rotary cooler (7) to attach to the bridging element (3) fixed to the outer housing surface (9) around the radial hole (10) to avoid direct contact between the support bracket (1) and the housing of the rotary cooler (7).
[0046] The radial hole (10) on the housing of the rotary cooler (7) provides a gap of at least 3 mm between the slender rod (2) of the support bracket (1) and the rotary cooler (7) to accommodate the contraction or expansion of the housing (7) due to thermal cycling without damaging the rod (2). Furthermore, since the rod (2) is fixed to the bridging element (3), direct heat transfer from the housing of the rotary cooler (7) to the support bracket (1) is reduced. In view of this, it is observed that the temperature stress of the support bracket (1) of the present invention can be far below the expected limit and is negligible.
[0047] Depending on the specific requirements and available equipment, various welding techniques can be employed, including arc welding (e.g., MIG or TIG welding), resistance welding, or other suitable methods. The welding process connects the bridging element (3) to the rod (2) of the support bracket (1) at one end (12) and to the rotary cooler housing (7) at the other end (11), thereby effectively forming a strong and reliable connection.
[0048] In this approach, indirect welding offers several advantages over direct welding. A key benefit is that it minimizes the risk of thermal deformation or damage to sensitive components. By using bridging elements (3), the heat generated during welding is distributed more evenly, thereby reducing the likelihood of warping or deformation in the rod structure (2).
[0049] Furthermore, indirect welding offers flexibility in disassembly and maintenance. In cases where replacement or repair of the support bracket (1) is required, the support bracket (1) can be easily removed by removing the bridging element (3), thus preserving the integrity of the main structure. This saves time and cost compared to direct welding, in which the entire weld joint would need to be cut or ground away.
[0050] Furthermore, indirect welding allows for better control over the welding process and joint integrity. By utilizing intermediate materials, welders can carefully manage heat input and welding parameters, thereby ensuring high-quality welds with improved mechanical properties and structural integrity.
[0051] Besides welding, the intermediate material can be secured to the rod (2) of the support bracket (1) and the rotary cooler (7) using other fastening techniques such as bolts, clamps, or any other suitable fastening techniques. However, the welding process effectively produces a strong and reliable connection.
[0052] To further improve the quality of the support bracket (1) during the cooling process, the rod (2) is made of heat-resistant material, including stainless steel or any other suitable metal or alloy.
[0053] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, showing multiple support brackets fixed to the inner circumference of a rotary cooler.
[0054] In the arrangement of the cooling pipes according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inlet of the cooling pipe and the rotary cooler are fixedly connected to each other, and the pipes toward their outlet ends are supported at regular intervals by support brackets (1), which are attached to the outer casing surface (9) of the cooler to provide a load-bearing structure with limited exposure to thermal cycling conditions and also allow limited movement to limit the frictional force of the material on the cooling pipes. The outlet end of the cooler pipe is supported by a sliding support to allow linear thermal expansion. The cooler pipes are supported by the support brackets (1) in a parallel configuration along the circumference of the rotary cooler (7).
Claims
1. A support bracket (1) for supporting cooler tubes in a rotary cooler (7), comprising: a) a vertical elongated bar (2) providing the main structure of the support bracket (1) having, - a first end (4) adapted to be fixed indirectly to the outer shell surface (9) of the rotary cooler (7), - a second end (5) adapted to support one or more cooling tubes; and b) a bridging element (3) adapted to bridge between the bar (2) and the outer shell surface (9) of the rotary cooler (7), wherein the bridging element (3) eliminates the direct contact of the elongated bar (2) with the shell of the rotary cooler (7) and minimizes the susceptibility of the bar (2) to deformation or failure under different thermal cycling conditions of the rotary cooler (7).
2. The bracket (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first end of the bar (4) is adapted to be fixed indirectly to the outer shell surface (9) of the rotary cooler (7) by the bridging element (3).
3. The carrier (1) according to claim 2, wherein The bridging element (3) is an intermediate material, preferably a hollow cross-section steel structure, which serves as a bridge between the elongated bar (2) of the support bracket (1) and the outer shell surface (9) of the rotary cooler (7).
4. The carrier (1) according to claim 3, wherein The cross-section of the hollow steel structure is circular.
5. The carrier (1) according to claim 3, wherein One end of the bridging element (12) is fixed to the outer shell surface (9) of the rotary cooler (7) and the other end of the bridging element (11) is fixed to the first end of the elongated bar (4) of the support bracket (1).
6. The carrier (1) according to claim 5, wherein The elongated bar (2) of the support bracket (1) passes through a radial hole (10) on the shell of the rotary cooler (7) to be attached to the bridging element (3) fixed to the outer shell surface (9) around the radial hole (10) to avoid direct contact of the support bracket (1) with the shell wall of the rotary cooler.
7. The carrier (1) according to claim 6, wherein The radial hole (10) on the shell of the rotary cooler (7) is adapted to provide a gap of at least 3 mm between the elongated bar (2) of the support bracket (1) and the shell wall of the rotary cooler (7) in order to accommodate the shrinkage or expansion of the shell due to thermal cycling without damaging the bar (2).
8. The carrier (1) according to claim 7, wherein The second end of the bar (5) is a curved saddle that cradles and secures at least one tube in place.
9. The carrier (1) according to claim 8, wherein The second end of the bar (5) is adapted to accommodate cooling tubes of different sizes and shapes.
10. The carrier (1) according to claim 9, wherein The saddle is provided with means (6) for adding a flexible element such as a bushing to prevent friction of the cooling tubes with the saddle and allow thermal expansion of the cooling tubes.
11. The carrier (1) according to claim 10, wherein The support bracket (1) is made of a heat-resistant metal material including stainless steel, aluminum or any other suitable metal or alloy.
12. The cradle (1) according to claim 11, wherein the first end of the elongated rod (4) is fixed to one end of the bridging element (12) using a fixing technique such as welding, bolting, clamping or other suitable fastening technique.
13. The cradle (1) according to claim 12, wherein The other end of the bridging element (11) is fixed around the radial hole (10) on the outer housing surface (9) of the rotary cooler (7) using a fixing technique such as welding, bolting, clamping or other suitable fastening technique.
14. The cradle (1) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein The fixing technique is a welding process.
15. The cradle (1) according to claim 1, wherein The rod (2) is adapted to support a plurality of cooling ducts in a stacked or parallel configuration along the inner circumference of the rotary cooler.