Separator, separation system and self-cleaning heat exchanger

Abstract

The invention relates to a solid-liquid separation device and particularly discloses a separator which comprises a separator main body (1), a cover plate (2) arranged at the top of the separator main body (1) and a central pipe (3) penetrating through the cover plate (2) and extending into the separator main body (1), and a plurality of water permeable holes (4) are formed in the part, extending into the separator main body (1), of the side wall surface of the central pipe (3). The separator is smaller in size and lower in cost under the same separation load. In addition, the invention also relates to a separation system and a self-cleaning heat exchanger.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a solid-liquid separation apparatus, and more specifically, to a separator. Furthermore, this invention also relates to a separation system and a self-cleaning heat exchanger. Background Technology

[0002] Liquid-solid self-cleaning heat exchangers are a type of high-efficiency heat exchange equipment, mainly used for heat exchange of fluids prone to scaling, such as wastewater generated during the production process of a four-nozzle gasifier in coal gasification. This wastewater has high hardness, and traditional equipment is prone to scaling during use, requiring cleaning at least twice a month. However, using a self-cleaning heat exchanger can solve this problem.

[0003] Existing self-cleaning heat exchangers employ a natural settling separator with a central tube. The solid-liquid mixture enters from the top of the central tube and simultaneously flows into the inner cavity of the separator body through the bottom opening of the central tube. The circulating particles then settle naturally due to gravity. After heat exchange, the fluid flows upward through the annular gap between the outer wall of the central tube and the inner wall of the separator, and then flows out through the outlet. Under this condition, the strong upward flow field formed by the post-heat exchange fluid in the annular gap disturbs the circulating particles. This disturbance significantly reduces the settling rate of the circulating particles and may even entrain them, causing some of the circulating particles to flow upward with the heat exchange fluid and be discharged from the outlet. This disturbance is particularly pronounced when the size (cross-sectional area) of the annular gap is small.

[0004] Therefore, to avoid entrainment of circulating particles and minimize interference with their free settling rate, the main current approach is to increase the diameter of the separator body, thereby increasing the cross-sectional area of ​​the annular gap and reducing the intensity of the upward flow field formed by the fluid in the annular gap after heat exchange. Obviously, this leads to excessively large equipment size and high costs. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a separator that is smaller in size and lower in cost under the same separation load.

[0006] Another technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a separation system in which the separator is smaller and less expensive under the same separation load.

[0007] Another technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a self-cleaning heat exchanger, wherein the separator of the self-cleaning heat exchanger is smaller in size and lower in cost under the same separation load.

[0008] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides a separator, which includes: a separator body, a cover plate disposed on the top of the separator body, and a central tube passing through the cover plate and extending into the interior of the separator body, wherein a portion of the side wall of the central tube extending into the separator body forms a plurality of water-permeable holes.

[0009] Preferably, the permeable hole has a non-circular cross-section.

[0010] Preferably, the diameter of the permeable hole is 1mm-2mm.

[0011] Preferably, the total area of ​​the permeable holes is greater than half the cross-sectional area of ​​the central tube.

[0012] Preferably, the central tube and the separator body are arranged coaxially.

[0013] Specifically, the bottom end of the separator body has a particle outlet, and the side wall of the separator body has a water outlet.

[0014] Preferably, the bottom of the separator body forms an inverted cone with a radius that gradually decreases from top to bottom.

[0015] Preferably, the bottom of the central tube forms a tapering section with a gradually decreasing cross-sectional area from top to bottom.

[0016] Based on the above-mentioned separator technical solutions, the present invention also provides a separation system, which includes the separator of any of the above technical solutions.

[0017] Based on the above-mentioned separator technical solutions, the present invention also provides a self-cleaning heat exchanger, wherein the self-cleaning heat exchanger includes the separator of any of the above technical solutions.

[0018] Through the above technical solution, the present invention provides a separator in which the sidewall of the central tube extending into the separator body forms multiple water-permeable holes. The solid-liquid mixture enters the central tube from the top. During the flow of the solid-liquid mixture from the top to the bottom of the central tube, the fluid in the mixture can be discharged through the water-permeable holes from the central tube into the annular gap between the outer wall of the central tube and the inner wall of the separator body. Particles in the solid-liquid mixture are trapped inside the central tube by the water-permeable holes. When the solid-liquid mixture is discharged from the bottom of the central tube, some of the fluid has already left the central tube through the water-permeable holes. Therefore, the flow rate of the fluid discharged from the bottom of the central tube is significantly reduced compared to existing separators. Consequently, the upward flow field intensity formed at the bottom of the central tube is weaker, resulting in a smaller impact on the settling rate of particles. Thus, the separator of the present invention can achieve the separation of solid-liquid mixtures of the same flow rate using a smaller annular gap size (cross-sectional area), achieving the same or even higher solid-liquid separation efficiency. Furthermore, since the separator of the present invention can be made smaller in size than the separator of the prior art under the same separation load, the cost of the separator of the present application is lower. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the separator according to a specific embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the separator according to a specific embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the circulating fluidized bed device of the self-cleaning heat exchanger according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures 1. Separator body; 2. Cover plate; 3. Central tube; 4. Water permeable hole; 5. Particle outlet; 6. Water outlet; 7. Inverted cone section; 8. Annular gap; 9. Closing section. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The embodiments of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The detailed description of the following embodiments and the accompanying drawings are used to illustrate the principles of the present invention by way of example, but should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention. The present invention can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all technical solutions falling within the scope of the claims.

[0022] These embodiments are provided to make the invention thorough and complete, and to fully express the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. It should be noted that, in this invention, unless otherwise specified, the directional terms "top," "bottom," "upper," "lower," etc., used to indicate orientation or positional relationships are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. These terms are used only for the purpose of facilitating and simplifying the description of the invention, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention. The directional terminology of this invention should be understood in conjunction with the actual installation state.

[0023] It should be noted that, in the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more; words such as "including" or "comprising" mean that the element preceding the word covers the element listed after the word, and do not exclude the possibility of covering other elements as well.

[0024] It should also be noted that, in the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention depending on the specific circumstances. When a specific device is described as being located between a first device and a second device, an intermediary device may or may not be present between the specific device and the first or second device.

[0025] All terms used in this invention have the same meaning as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains, unless otherwise specifically defined. It should also be understood that terms defined in general dictionaries should be interpreted as having meanings consistent with their meanings in the context of the relevant art, and not as idealized or highly formalized, unless expressly defined herein.

[0026] Techniques, methods, and equipment known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, they should be considered part of the specification.

[0027] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the separator of the present invention includes a separator body 1, a cover plate disposed on the top of the separator body 1, and a central tube 3 extending through the cover plate 2 into the interior of the separator body 1. The solid-liquid mixture to be separated flows in through the inlet at the top of the central tube 3, flows downward along the central tube 3 to the bottom of the central tube 3, and flows out through the outlet at the bottom of the central tube 3, entering the annular gap 8 between the outer wall of the central tube 3 and the inner wall of the separator body 1. The portion of the side wall of the central tube 3 extending into the separator body 1 forms a plurality of water-permeable holes 4. The pore size of the water-permeable holes 4 is smaller than the particle size of the particles in the solid-liquid mixture. During the flow of the solid-liquid mixture in the central tube 3, a portion of the fluid can flow into the annular gap 8 in advance through the water-permeable holes 4, while the particles in the solid-liquid mixture are trapped in the central tube 3 by the water-permeable holes 4 and discharged downward through the outlet at the bottom of the central tube 3. Because some fluid is pre-discharged into the annular gap 8, compared to existing separators, the separator of this application discharges a smaller flow rate of fluid from the outlet at the bottom of the central tube 3. The upward flow field formed by the fluid at the outlet at the bottom of the central tube 3 is weaker, making it less likely to entrain particles at that outlet. This results in less impact on the free settling of particles and less influence on their natural settling rate. Therefore, compared to traditional free settling separators, the separator of this invention can achieve the separation of solid-liquid mixtures with the same flow rate using a smaller annular gap 8, achieving the same or even higher solid-liquid separation effect. Furthermore, the smaller annular gap 8 results in lower cost, smaller footprint, and better economic efficiency for the separator of this invention.

[0028] The permeable holes 4 of the present invention can be configured in various shapes. As a preferred embodiment, the shape of the permeable holes 4 is different from the main shape of the particulate matter to prevent the permeable holes 4 from being completely blocked by the particulate matter and affecting the water permeability. Since the particulate matter in the wastewater after heat exchange in the liquid-solid self-cleaning heat exchanger is mainly spherical, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the permeable holes 4 are non-circular holes, specifically square, elongated slits, or even irregular shapes, as long as they can retain particulate matter while allowing water to pass through.

[0029] As a preferred embodiment, the aperture of the permeable hole 4 is as large as possible while still being able to trap particulate matter. In some preferred embodiments, the aperture of the permeable hole 4 is 1mm-2mm, so that the permeable hole 4 can trap particulate matter while having high water permeability, thereby reducing the upward flow field intensity at the bottom outlet of the central pipe 3 and reducing the impact on the free settling of particulate matter.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the total area of ​​the permeable holes 4 is greater than half the cross-sectional area of ​​the central pipe 3, so that the fluid in the central pipe 3 can be discharged from the central pipe 3 in advance through the permeable holes 4.

[0031] As a preferred implementation method, such as Figure 1 and 2 As shown, the central tube 3 and the separator body 1 are arranged coaxially to avoid disrupting the axisymmetry of the flow field, thereby avoiding the induction of local eddies, reducing the radial diffusion of particles, and increasing the separation efficiency.

[0032] As a specific implementation method, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the separator body 1 has a particle outlet 5 at its bottom. The central tube 3 extends into the bottom of the inner cavity of the separator body 1. The solid-liquid mixture is discharged from the bottom outlet of the central tube 3 to the bottom of the separator body 1. The particles in the discharged solid-liquid mixture naturally settle to the particle outlet 5 at the bottom of the separator body 1. The upper part of the side wall of the separator body 1 has a water outlet 6, from which the fluid separated from the particles can be discharged.

[0033] As one specific implementation, the central tube 3 of the present invention can be a rigid tube with permeable holes 4, or it can be a non-rigid tubular screen, such as a wire mesh.

[0034] As a preferred implementation method, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the bottom of the separator body 1 has an inverted cone 7 with a radius that gradually decreases from top to bottom, in order to reduce the turbulence intensity of the fluid at the bottom, prevent settled particles from being re-rolled up by the rising flow field, and improve separation efficiency.

[0035] As a preferred implementation method, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the bottom of the central tube 3 is provided with a constriction section 9 whose cross-sectional area gradually decreases from top to bottom. The constriction section 9 can increase the resistance of fluid flowing out of the bottom outlet of the central tube 3, thereby increasing the amount of fluid flowing out from the water-permeable hole 6. As a result, the flow rate of the fluid discharged from the constriction section 9 is further reduced, further reducing the upward flow field intensity and increasing the settling efficiency.

[0036] Based on the separator mentioned in the above technical solution of the present invention, the present invention further provides a separation system that includes the separator mentioned in the present invention, thereby the separation system is smaller in size and lower in cost.

[0037] Based on the separator mentioned in the above technical solution of the present invention, the present invention further provides a self-cleaning heat exchanger, which includes the separator mentioned in the present invention, thereby the self-cleaning heat exchanger is smaller in size and lower in cost.

[0038] like Figure 3As shown, the separator of this embodiment of the self-cleaning heat exchanger is used to separate solid-liquid mixtures. The separator includes a separator body 1, a cover plate 2 disposed on the top of the separator body 1, and a central tube 3 extending through the cover plate 2 and into the interior of the separator body 1. The separator body 1, cover plate 2, and central tube 3 are arranged coaxially. A plurality of water-permeable holes 4 are formed in the portion of the sidewall of the central tube 3 extending into the separator body 1. A tapered section 9 with a gradually decreasing cross-sectional area from top to bottom is formed at the bottom of the central tube 3. The top inlet of the central tube 3 is used to receive the solid-liquid mixture after heat exchange. An annular gap 8 is formed between the outer wall of the central tube 3 and the interior of the separator body 1. An inverted cone section 7 with a gradually decreasing radius from top to bottom is formed at the bottom of the inverted cone section 7. A particle outlet 5 is formed at the bottom of the inverted cone section 7 to reintroduce the separated circulating particles into the system of the self-cleaning heat exchanger. A water outlet 6 is formed on the upper part of the sidewall of the separator body 1 to discharge the heat-exchange fluid after the separation of particles. After heat exchange, the solid-liquid mixture enters the central tube 3 through the oil inlet at the top and flows downwards, exiting from the outlet at the bottom of the inverted cone 7 to the bottom of the annular gap 8. Particles discharged from the bottom of the inverted cone 7 settle freely and are discharged from the particle outlet 5 at the bottom of the separator body 1. During the downward flow of the solid-liquid mixture in the central tube 3, the shape and diameter of the permeable holes 4 are designed to trap circulating particles in the mixture. These trapped particles are discharged from the bottom outlet of the constriction section 9 to the bottom of the annular gap 8. Meanwhile, the fluid in the solid-liquid mixture can be pre-discharged into the middle and upper parts of the annular gap 8 through the permeable holes 4 on the side wall of the central tube 3. This results in a smaller flow rate of the solid-liquid mixture discharged from the bottom outlet of the constriction section 9. Furthermore, the constriction section 9 formed at the bottom of the central tube 3 increases the resistance to the flow of the heat-exchanged fluid from the bottom outlet of the constriction section 9, further increasing the amount of heat-exchanged fluid flowing out from the permeable holes 4. The combination of the permeable hole 4 and the constriction part 9 allows the fluid in the solid-liquid mixture to be discharged from the central pipe 3 in advance, thereby greatly reducing the amount of fluid discharged from the bottom outlet of the central pipe 3. The upward flow field intensity formed at the bottom outlet of the central pipe 3 is low, which causes less disturbance to the circulating particles and makes it less likely to entrain circulating particles, which is conducive to improving the settling rate of the circulating particles.

[0039] This invention provides five preferred embodiments of the separator.

[0040] Example 1: like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the separator in this embodiment includes a separator body 1, a cover plate 2 disposed on the top of the separator body 1, and a stainless steel tube (central tube 3) passing through the cover plate 2 and extending into the interior of the separator body 1. The separator body 1, cover plate 2, and central tube 3 are arranged coaxially. An annular gap 8 is formed between the inner wall of the separator body 1 and the outer wall of the central tube 3. The top inlet of the central tube 3 receives the solid-liquid mixture after heat exchange, and the bottom of the central tube 3 forms a tapered section 9 with a gradually decreasing cross-sectional area from top to bottom. The bottom outlet of the central tube connects to the bottom of the annular gap 8. A water outlet 6 is formed on the upper part of the side wall of the separator body 1, and an inverted cone section 7 with a gradually decreasing radius from top to bottom is formed on the bottom of the separator body 1. A particle outlet 5 is formed at the bottom of the inverted cone section 7. The portion of the side wall of the central tube 3 extending into the separator body 1 forms multiple water permeable holes 4.

[0041] The central tube 3 has an inner diameter of 50mm and a wall thickness of 2mm; the separator body 1 has an inner diameter of 80mm; and the water-permeable holes 4 are round holes arranged in a square array with a diameter of 2mm and a spacing of 5mm.

[0042] Example 2: Unlike Embodiment 1, the bottom of the central tube 3 in Embodiment 2 does not have a tapering section 9. Example 3: Unlike Embodiment 1, the permeable hole 6 in Embodiment 3 is a square hole with a side length of 2mm and a hole spacing of 5mm.

[0043] Example 4: Unlike Embodiment 1, the permeable hole 6 in Embodiment 4 is a long strip-shaped hole that extends vertically from the cover plate 2 to the constriction part 9, with a hole width of 2mm and a hole spacing of 5mm.

[0044] Example 5: Unlike Embodiment 1, the central tube in Embodiment 5 is not a rigid stainless steel tube, but a wire mesh with a wire diameter of 1 mm and a mesh aperture of 1 mm.

[0045] Comparative Example 1: A traditional self-settling separator is used, that is, the central tube 3 is a stainless steel tube with no holes on the surface and no tapering part 9 is set at the bottom.

[0046] Separation test: using methods such as Figure 3 The circulating fluidized bed device shown was used in combination with the separators of Examples 1-5 and Comparative Example 1 for separation tests. The circulating particles were stainless steel beads with a diameter of 3 mm, and the heat exchange fluid was water.

[0047] The specific testing method is as follows: Heat exchange fluid is introduced into the tube side of the circulating fluidized bed device. This heat exchange fluid carries circulating particles into the tube side and flows upwards. After leaving the heat exchange tube, the heat exchange fluid, carrying the circulating fluid, enters the separator body 1 through the central pipe 3. After separation by the separator, the heat exchange fluid is discharged from the outlet 6, while the circulating particles settle freely and are discharged from the bottom of the inverted cone 7. By adjusting the flow rate of the heat exchange fluid, the flow connection points for circulating particle entrainment (circulating particles being discharged from the outlet 6) in the aforementioned embodiments and comparative examples are tested.

[0048] When performing solid-liquid separation, the separator of the present invention significantly increases the flow rate critical point for particle entrainment compared to the conventional free sedimentation separator of Comparative Example 1. That is, with the same separator body size 1, the separator of the present invention can achieve a larger separation load. In other words, using the separator of the present invention can significantly reduce the equipment size under a certain separation load. Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, a water-permeable hole 4 is formed on the central tube 3, and a constriction portion 9 is formed at the bottom of the central tube 3. Compared to Embodiment 2, where the constriction portion 9 is not formed at the bottom of the central tube 3, the combination of the water-permeable hole 4 and the constriction portion 9 significantly increases the flow rate critical point, thereby further reducing size and cost under the same separation load.

[0049] As can be seen from the above description, the advantages of the present invention are: First, the separator can open a water-permeable hole in the central tube, which can discharge the fluid in the central tube in advance, resulting in a smaller flow field intensity at the bottom outlet of the central tube, making it more difficult to entrain particulate matter. As a result, the separator of the present invention is smaller in size and lower in cost under the same separation load. Second, the bottom of the central tube forms a constriction section, which reduces the resistance of the fluid flowing out of the central tube from the bottom outlet of the central tube, thereby increasing the fluid flow rate from the permeator and further reducing the flow field intensity formed at the bottom outlet of the central tube. As a result, the separator of the present invention is smaller in size and lower in cost under the same separation load. Third, the permeable holes are non-circular, which can prevent the permeable holes from being completely blocked and affecting the water permeability, thus ensuring good reliability.

[0050] The various embodiments of the present invention have now been described in detail. To avoid obscuring the concept of the invention, some details known in the art have not been described. Those skilled in the art will fully understand how to implement the technical solutions disclosed herein based on the above description.

[0051] While specific embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail by way of examples, those skilled in the art should understand that the above examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can be made to the above embodiments or equivalent substitutions can be made to some technical features without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. In particular, as long as there is no structural conflict, the various technical features mentioned in the embodiments can be combined in any manner.

Claims

1. A separator, characterized in that, It includes a separator body (1), a cover plate (2) disposed on the top of the separator body (1), and a central tube (3) passing through the cover plate (2) and extending into the interior of the separator body (1). The portion of the side wall of the central tube (3) extending into the separator body (1) forms a plurality of water-permeable holes (4).

2. The separator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The permeable hole (4) has a non-circular cross-section.

3. The separator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diameter of the permeable hole (4) is 1mm-2mm.

4. The separator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The total area of ​​the permeable holes (4) is greater than half the cross-sectional area of ​​the central tube (3).

5. The separator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The central tube (3) and the separator body (1) are arranged coaxially.

6. The separator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom end of the separator body (1) has a particle outlet (5), and the side wall of the separator body (1) has a water outlet (6).

7. The separator according to claim 6, characterized in that, The bottom of the separator body (1) forms an inverted cone (7) with a radius that gradually decreases from top to bottom.

8. The separator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The bottom of the central tube (3) forms a tapered section (9) with the cross-sectional area gradually decreasing from top to bottom.

9. A separation system, characterized in that, Includes the separator according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A self-cleaning heat exchanger, characterized in that, Includes the separator according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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