Natural gasification of salt installations
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- COMPRESSED EXPANSION UNIT FOR HIGH-TEMPERATURE HEAT PUMP & HIGH-TEMPERATURE HEAT PUMP ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-31
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-21
Smart Images

Figure CN121677166B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention belongs to the field of molten salt thermal storage technology, specifically relating to a natural gas salt production device. Background Technology
[0002] Molten salt thermal energy storage systems are widely used in concentrated solar power (CSP), industrial waste heat recovery, and grid peak shaving due to their advantages such as high heat storage density, wide operating temperature range, and low cost. In the natural gas-fired salting method of the system, the flame and molten salt typically do not come into direct contact; a barrier is usually placed in between to allow for radiative and convective heat transfer, preventing corrosion of the molten salt by impurities. Therefore, the natural gas-fired salting method essentially utilizes the generated high-temperature flue gas for radiative and convective heat transfer.
[0003] However, existing molten salt systems using natural gas for molten salt melting rely on high-temperature flue gas generated by barrier components for radiative and convective heat transfer. This presents significant challenges in heating efficiency, preventing solidification, and operational stability. Specifically, traditional heating methods are energy-intensive and economically inefficient. Direct combustion of natural gas results in concentrated flames, which can lead to localized overheating (temperature difference > 50°C), increasing the risk of molten salt decomposition (e.g., decomposition of elemental nitrates above 400°C). Uneven heating at the lowest possible temperature can cause molten salt to condense, affecting the smooth transport of molten salt by the system. Summary of the Invention
[0004] This invention provides a natural gas salt production device to solve the aforementioned technical problems, specifically adopting the following technical solution: A natural gas salt production device includes: a tank body, the tank body having a feeding port, and the tank body having a circumferential wall structure, the circumferential wall structure having an air cavity; A base is located at the bottom of the tank and forms a molten salt cavity with the peripheral wall structure; a first heat-conducting element is located on the upper side of the base and inside the tank, the first heat-conducting element is recessed upward, the upper side of its recess faces the molten salt cavity, and the lower side of its recess forms a combustion cavity with the base. An air intake passage is located on the base and connects to the external atmospheric space from the combustion chamber; A connecting channel is provided on the base and communicates from the combustion chamber to the air chamber; The peripheral wall structure is provided with an exhaust port that connects the air cavity to the external atmospheric space, so that the high-temperature flue gas generated by the combustion of natural gas flows and distributes in the combustion chamber and the air cavity, so as to heat the molten salt cavity from the bottom and the side through the first heat-conducting element and the peripheral wall structure respectively.
[0005] Furthermore, the exhaust port is located at the upper end of the air cavity so that the high-temperature flue gas flows completely through the air cavity from bottom to top.
[0006] Furthermore, the air cavity is provided with an annular guide plate extending from bottom to top. The annular guide plate divides the air cavity into an inner heating cavity and an outer heat preservation cavity. The upper side of the annular guide plate is provided with a communication port connecting the heating cavity and the heat preservation cavity. The exhaust port is located at the lower end of the heat preservation cavity, so that the high-temperature flue gas flows completely through the heating cavity from bottom to top and completely through the heat preservation cavity from top to bottom.
[0007] Furthermore, the annular guide plate is made of heat-insulating material to prevent the heating cavity from radiating heat to the insulation cavity.
[0008] Furthermore, the first heat-conducting element has a hemispherical structure, with both the upper and lower sides of the recess being hemispherical, to increase the heat-receiving and heat-transfer areas of the first heat-conducting element.
[0009] Furthermore, at least two of the first heat-conducting elements are arranged on the base to increase the number of combustion chambers and reduce the space of each combustion chamber.
[0010] Furthermore, the first heat-conducting elements abut against each other in pairs, and a second heat-conducting element is provided at the abutment. The second heat-conducting element extends from bottom to top, and the height of the second heat-conducting element is greater than the height of the first heat-conducting element, so that the second heat-conducting element can be inserted into the molten salt.
[0011] Furthermore, the portion of the second heat-conducting element exposed beyond the contact point of the first heat-conducting element is a heat-conducting cone with a lateral width that gradually decreases from bottom to top, so that the periphery of the second heat-conducting element is used to guide the molten salt to slide downwards.
[0012] Furthermore, the first heat-conducting component, the second heat-conducting component, and the portion of the peripheral wall structure located between the air cavity and the molten salt cavity are all made of cast steel.
[0013] Furthermore, it also includes a swirl guide, disposed within the air intake passage, for rotating and introducing natural gas into the combustion chamber to form a swirling flame within the combustion chamber.
[0014] The advantage of this invention lies in the fact that the provided natural gas salt-making device has an upwardly recessed first heat-conducting element at the bottom of the tank. The lower side of the recess of the first heat-conducting element and the base form a combustion chamber. An air chamber and an exhaust port communicating with the external atmosphere are provided in the peripheral wall structure. A connecting channel connects the combustion chamber and the air chamber, so that the high-temperature flue gas generated by the combustion of natural gas flows and distributes in the combustion chamber and the air chamber, so as to heat the molten salt chamber from the bottom and the side through the first heat-conducting element and the peripheral wall structure respectively, thereby realizing multi-directional heating of the molten salt and greatly improving the heating efficiency of the molten salt.
[0015] The natural gas salt production device provided by this invention, through the structural design of the first heat-conducting component, rapidly and evenly distributes the high-temperature flue gas flow within the combustion chamber. This solves the problems of uneven combustion heat distribution, large heat loss, and easy molten salt condensation in existing technologies, which affect the smoothness of molten salt delivery. Simultaneously, the air cavity within the peripheral wall structure improves the utilization of high-temperature waste gas and increases the heating angle of the molten salt, further enhancing the overall heating effect. Attached Figure Description
[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the natural gas salt production device of this application; Figure 2 This is a top view schematic diagram of the natural gas salt production unit of this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of multiple sets of heat-conducting components in a natural gas salt production device according to another embodiment of this application; The natural gas salt production device 10 includes a tank 11, a peripheral wall structure 101, a feeding port 111, an air chamber 112, a heating chamber 1121, an insulation chamber 1122, an annular guide plate 113, a connecting port 1131, an exhaust port 114, an exhaust valve 12, a first heat-conducting component 13, a second heat-conducting component 14, a molten salt chamber 15, a base 16, a combustion chamber 17, an air inlet channel 18, a connecting channel 19, a conveying mechanism 20, a molten salt pump 201, a pipeline 202, a swirl guide component 21, a guide rod 211, and a guide blade 212. Detailed Implementation
[0018] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.
[0019] The accompanying drawings are merely illustrative of the invention and are not necessarily drawn to scale. Some of the block diagrams shown in the drawings are functional entities and do not necessarily correspond to physically or logically independent entities. These functional entities can be implemented in software, in one or more hardware modules or integrated circuits, or in different network and / or processor devices and / or microcontroller devices.
[0020] The flowchart shown in the attached diagram is merely an illustrative example and does not necessarily include all steps. For example, some steps may be broken down, while others may be combined or partially combined; therefore, the actual execution order may change depending on the specific circumstances.
[0021] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the innovability and practicality of the invention are demonstrated by describing an exemplary embodiment in detail. This embodiment, in conjunction with the system architecture and flowcharts in the accompanying drawings, clearly illustrates the various key modules of the invention and their interactions. The embodiments of the present invention aim to provide those skilled in the art with a technical solution that is easy to understand and implement, while demonstrating the advantages and effects of the present invention in practical applications.
[0022] like Figure 1 The illustration shows a natural gas salt production device 10 according to this application, comprising: a tank 11, a base 16, a first heat-conducting element 13, an air inlet channel 18, and a connecting channel 19. Specifically, a feeding port 111 is provided on the tank 11, through which the required molten salt can be injected into the tank 11. The tank 11 has a circumferential wall structure 101, and an air cavity 112 is provided within the circumferential wall structure 101. The base 16 is located at the bottom of the tank 11 and forms a molten salt cavity 15 with the circumferential wall structure 101 for containing molten salt. The first heat-conducting element 13 is located on the upper side of the base 16 and inside the tank 11. The first heat-conducting element 13 is concave upward, with its upper side facing the molten salt cavity 15, and its lower side forming a combustion cavity 17 with the base 16. The air inlet channel 18 is located on the base 16 and connects to the external atmosphere from the combustion cavity 17. A connecting channel 19 is provided on the base 16 and connects from the combustion chamber 17 to the air chamber 112. The peripheral wall structure 101 is provided with an exhaust port 114 that connects from the air chamber 112 to the external atmosphere, so that the high-temperature flue gas generated by the combustion of natural gas flows and distributes in the combustion chamber 17 and the air chamber 112, so as to heat the molten salt chamber 15 from the bottom and the side through the first heat conductor 13 and the peripheral wall structure 101, respectively.
[0023] In this embodiment, a combustion chamber 17 is provided at the bottom of the tank 11, and an air chamber 112 is provided on the side. The combustion chamber 17 and the air chamber 112 are interconnected to circulate high-temperature flue gas. The combustion chamber 17 is connected to the air inlet channel 18 (connected to the air inlet) to ensure the reliability of the combustion structure. The air chamber 112 is connected to the exhaust port 114 to discharge the final flue gas. This forms an airflow path (air inlet - air inlet channel 18 - combustion chamber 17 - connecting channel 19 - air chamber 112 - exhaust port 114), which meets the conditions for natural gas combustion. Furthermore, the narrow combustion space formed by the first heat-conducting element 13 allows the high-temperature flue gas generated by combustion to quickly fill the combustion chamber 17, thereby quickly driving the high-temperature flue gas into the side air chamber 112, reducing the temperature difference between the high-temperature flue gas in the combustion chamber 17 and the air chamber 112, and ensuring that both the combustion chamber 17 and the air chamber 112 have a good heating effect on the molten salt. In this embodiment, natural gas is burned in the combustion chamber 17 to generate high-temperature flue gas. The high-temperature flue gas fills the combustion chamber 17 and can flow into the air chamber 112. The combustion chamber 17 serves as a bottom heat source, and the air chamber 112 serves as a side heat source, so that the molten salt in the tank 11 is heated from the bottom and sides, effectively improving the uniformity of heating of the molten salt and the salt melting efficiency. It also makes full use of the high-temperature flue gas generated by combustion, reducing the heat loss of the tank 11 at its own side wall, thus achieving energy saving. As the high-temperature flue gas travels along the above-mentioned air flow path, the heat-exchanged high-temperature flue gas is discharged, and the newly generated high-temperature flue gas is continuously replenished into the combustion chamber 17 and the air chamber 112, so that the combustion chamber 17 and the air chamber 112 are always maintained at a high temperature.
[0024] In a preferred embodiment (not shown in the figures), the exhaust port 114 is located at the upper end of the air cavity 112, so that the high-temperature flue gas flows completely through the air cavity 112 from bottom to top. In this embodiment, the air cavity 112 is a single cavity (without internal partitions). The lower end of the air cavity 112 is connected to the combustion chamber 17 through the connecting channel 19, allowing the high-temperature flue gas in the combustion chamber 17 to flow into the air cavity 112. The exhaust port 114 is located at the upper end of the air cavity 112, so that the high-temperature flue gas entering the air cavity 112 can flow from the lower end of the air cavity 112 to the upper end before being discharged. This ensures that the high-temperature flue gas can flow fully and completely through the air cavity 112 before being discharged, making the distribution of high-temperature flue gas flow in the air cavity 112 more sufficient and uniform, thereby improving the heating effect of the peripheral wall structure 101 on the molten salt cavity 15.
[0025] As a preferred embodiment, please refer to Figure 1The air cavity 112 is also provided with an annular guide plate 113 extending from bottom to top. The annular guide plate 113 divides the air cavity 112 into an inner heating cavity 1121 and an outer heat preservation cavity 1122. The upper side of the annular guide plate 113 is provided with a connecting port 1131 connecting the heating cavity 1121 and the heat preservation cavity 1122. The exhaust port 114 is located at the lower end of the heat preservation cavity 1122 so that the high temperature flue gas flows completely through the heating cavity 1121 from bottom to top and completely through the heat preservation cavity 1122 from top to bottom.
[0026] By setting up the annular guide plate 113, on the one hand, the tortuous path formed by the annular guide plate 113 within the air cavity 112 can guide the high-temperature flue gas to flow fully from bottom to top through the heating cavity 1121, avoiding air short-circuiting problems. In addition, the heating cavity 1121 itself has a small space, so although the high-temperature flue gas is in a flowing state, the high-temperature flue gas filling in the heating cavity 1121 is still relatively sufficient, ensuring the heating effect of the heating cavity 1121 on the tank 11. Moreover, the small space of the heating cavity 1121 can increase the temperature level of the high-temperature flue gas and increase the proportion of radiative heat transfer. On the other hand, the high-temperature flue gas in the heating cavity 1121, after heat exchange, enters the insulation cavity 1122. Although the temperature of the flue gas in the insulation cavity 1122 has decreased, it is still higher than the temperature of the outside air, so it plays a role in heat preservation of the tank 11 in the insulation cavity 1122.
[0027] It should be noted that, preferably, in this embodiment of the application, the air cavity 112 extends from the lower end to the upper end of the peripheral wall structure 101 in the vertical direction to ensure the coverage of the air cavity 112 in the peripheral wall structure 101 in the vertical direction. In the circumferential direction, the air cavity 112 is also a cavity that surrounds the circumference and is completely interconnected in the circumferential direction. This can increase the volume of the air cavity 112 and the corresponding lateral area between it and the molten salt cavity 15, thus ensuring the heating effect of the peripheral wall structure 101 on the molten salt cavity 15.
[0028] Preferably, the annular guide plate 113 is made of heat-insulating material to prevent the heating chamber 1121 from radiating heat to the insulation chamber, so that the heating chamber 1121 mainly radiates heat to the molten salt chamber 15, thereby further improving the heating effect of the heating chamber 1121 on the molten salt.
[0029] Furthermore, the natural gas salt production unit 10 also includes an exhaust valve 12, which is installed on the exhaust port 114 of the air chamber 112. The connecting channel 19 introduces high-temperature flue gas into the air chamber 112, forming a closed insulation layer to reduce heat loss from the tank 11. The opening and closing control of the exhaust valve 12 realizes the switching between heating / insulation modes. When the unit is shut down, the residual flue gas can be used for insulation. That is, when the molten salt is heated, the exhaust valve 12 is open to allow normal high-temperature flue gas discharge; when the molten salt is not heated, the exhaust valve 12 is closed to seal the high-temperature flue gas stored in the air chamber 112, thereby achieving gas insulation.
[0030] In the embodiments of this application, the first heat-conducting element 13 has a hemispherical structure, with both the upper and lower sides of its concave portion being hemispherical. This increases the heat-receiving and heat-transfer areas of the first heat-conducting element 13, improving the efficiency and effect of radiative heat transfer. Furthermore, the hemispherical upper side of the concave portion increases the area of the heat transfer surface (compared to a flat surface), increasing the heat transfer capacity, thereby rapidly melting the contacting molten salt on this side and forming a transition layer that is also hemispherical. On one hand, the hemispherical transition layer itself has a larger area and radiates heat in more directions, which is beneficial for improving the efficiency and effect of radiative heat transfer between the transition layer and the remaining molten salt. On the other hand, the hemispherical heat transfer surface can promote the flow of the transition layer, thereby improving the effect of convective heat transfer and increasing the salt melting efficiency. The flow of molten salt on the surface of the transition layer is affected by viscous and inertial forces, and the hemispherical curvature can optimize the flow field.
[0031] In a preferred embodiment, at least two first heat-conducting elements 13 are arranged on the base 16 to increase the number of combustion chambers 17 and reduce the space of each combustion chamber 17. The combustion chambers 17 formed within each first heat-conducting element 13 are small spaces, which can further increase the temperature level in each combustion chamber 17, thereby increasing the proportion of radiative heat transfer and improving heat transfer efficiency. Moreover, it can quickly fill the combustion chamber 17 with the high-temperature flue gas generated by combustion, thereby quickly driving the high-temperature flue gas into the side air chamber 112, reducing the temperature difference between the high-temperature flue gas in the combustion chamber 17 and the air chamber 112, ensuring that both the combustion chamber 17 and the air chamber 112 have a good heating effect on the molten salt, further improving uniformity and avoiding local overheating.
[0032] The first heat-conducting elements 13 are in contact with each other in pairs, and a second heat-conducting element 14 is provided at the contact point. The second heat-conducting element 14 extends from bottom to top, and its height is greater than that of the first heat-conducting elements 13, so that the second heat-conducting element 14 can extend into the molten salt to conduct heat upward and improve the thermal uniformity inside the molten salt. The part of the second heat-conducting element 14 exposed outside the contact point of the first heat-conducting elements 13 is a heat-conducting cone with a horizontal width that gradually decreases from bottom to top. It has sidewalls that are inclined relative to the vertical direction, so that the periphery of the second heat-conducting element 14 can guide the molten salt to slide downward and prevent some of the molten salt from being blocked by the second heat-conducting element 14.
[0033] Preferably, at least one of the first heat-conducting element 13, the second heat-conducting element 14, and the portion of the peripheral wall structure 101 located between the air cavity 112 and the molten salt cavity 15 is made of cast steel. Cast steel is resistant to high temperatures, has strong thermal conductivity, and is resistant to molten salt corrosion. It also has the advantages of low cost and easy molding. In the embodiments of this application, the first heat-conducting element 13, the second heat-conducting element 14, and the portion of the peripheral wall structure 101 located between the air cavity 112 and the molten salt cavity 15 are all made of cast steel. The three components work together to greatly improve the heat transfer efficiency of the natural gas salt production device 10.
[0034] The natural gas salting device 10 also includes a swirl guide 21, disposed within the air inlet channel 18, for swirling natural gas into the combustion chamber 17 to form a swirling flame within the combustion chamber 17. Specifically, the swirl guide 21 includes a guide rod 211 and several guide blades 212 inclinedly connected to the guide rod 211. The guide blades 212 are positioned at the end of the guide rod 211 near the combustion chamber 17, thereby reducing gas flow resistance and enabling the natural gas to swirl rapidly as it enters the combustion chamber 17. This structure, through the swirl guide 21, forms a high-temperature swirling flame (1200–1400°C), enabling efficient swirling combustion heating. Combined with the hemispherical combustion chamber 17 design, it effectively improves the radiative heat transfer ratio (>50%) and heating uniformity (temperature difference <10°C). Combined with the structure of the second heat conductor 14, it optimizes longitudinal heat conduction and avoids molten salt stratification.
[0035] The heating and salt-melting operation process of the natural gas salt-melting device 10 in this application is as follows: Natural gas is introduced through the intake passage 18, and under the action of the swirling guide 21, a high-temperature swirling flame is formed in the combustion chamber 17; The swirling flame heats the first heat-conducting element 13 mainly through both convective and radiative heat transfer. The heated first heat-conducting element 13 indirectly heated the molten salt inside the tank 11; The high-temperature molten salt, which has reached the required system temperature, enters the system pipeline under the action of the conveying mechanism 20.
[0036] Through the aforementioned specific structural design, the natural gas salt production device 10 of this application has the following effects: (1) High heating efficiency: Swirl combustion combined with radiative heat transfer, with an overall efficiency of >98%.
[0037] (2) High temperature uniformity: Heat is conducted through the first heat-conducting element 13, combined with the swirling flame, the temperature difference is <10℃.
[0038] (3) Low heat preservation energy consumption: Through the recovery of waste heat from flue gas, heat loss is reduced by more than 10%.
[0039] This application, through the interconnected bottom combustion chamber 17 and side air chamber 112, allows the high-temperature flue gas generated by natural gas combustion to flow and distribute in the combustion chamber 17 and air chamber 112, giving the tank 11 bottom and side heat sources, effectively improving the temperature uniformity inside the tank 11, preventing local overheating problems, significantly improving the utilization rate of high-temperature flue gas, and solving the problem of heat loss from its side walls, thus saving energy.
[0040] like Figure 3 The following is another embodiment of this application. Specifically, multiple first heat-conducting elements 13 are arranged in pairs to form a ring, constituting a heat transfer assembly, and the multiple heat transfer assemblies are spaced apart on the base 16. Compared with the first embodiment, the distribution of the first heat-conducting elements 13 and the second heat-conducting elements 14 in this embodiment is more dense, which can further reduce the space of the combustion chamber 17 formed by each first heat-conducting element 13, thereby further increasing the temperature level in each combustion chamber 17, increasing the proportion of radiative heat transfer, and improving heat transfer efficiency.
[0041] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the above embodiments do not limit the present invention in any way, and all technical solutions obtained by equivalent substitution or equivalent transformation fall within the protection scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A natural gas salt production device, characterized in that, include: The tank body is provided with a feeding port and has a circumferential wall structure, and an air cavity is provided inside the circumferential wall structure; A base is located at the bottom of the tank and forms a molten salt cavity with the peripheral wall structure; A first heat-conducting element is disposed on the upper side of the base and located inside the tank. The first heat-conducting element is recessed upward, with its upper side facing the molten salt chamber and its lower side forming a combustion chamber with the base. An air intake passage is located on the base and connects to the external atmospheric space from the combustion chamber; A connecting channel is provided on the base and communicates from the combustion chamber to the air chamber; The peripheral wall structure is provided with an exhaust port that connects the air cavity to the external atmospheric space, so that the high-temperature flue gas generated by the combustion of natural gas flows and is distributed in the combustion chamber and the air cavity, so as to heat the molten salt cavity from the bottom and the side through the first heat-conducting element and the peripheral wall structure respectively. The air cavity is provided with an annular guide plate extending from bottom to top. The annular guide plate divides the air cavity into an inner heating cavity and an outer heat preservation cavity. The upper side of the annular guide plate is provided with a communication port connecting the heating cavity and the heat preservation cavity. The exhaust port is located at the lower end of the heat preservation cavity, so that the high-temperature flue gas can flow completely through the heating cavity from bottom to top and completely through the heat preservation cavity from top to bottom. The annular guide plate is made of heat-insulating material to prevent the heating cavity from radiating heat to the insulation cavity; The first heat-conducting element has a hemispherical structure, and both the upper and lower sides of the recess are hemispherical to increase the heat-receiving and heat-transfer areas of the first heat-conducting element.
2. The natural gas salt production apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The exhaust port is located at the upper end of the air cavity so that the high-temperature flue gas can flow completely through the air cavity from bottom to top.
3. The natural gas salt production apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least two of the first heat-conducting elements are arranged on the base to increase the number of combustion chambers and reduce the space of each combustion chamber.
4. The natural gas salt production apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first heat-conducting elements abut against each other in pairs, and a second heat-conducting element is provided at the abutment. The second heat-conducting element extends from bottom to top, and the height of the second heat-conducting element is greater than the height of the first heat-conducting element, so that the second heat-conducting element can be used to extend into the molten salt.
5. The natural gas salt production apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, The portion of the second heat-conducting element exposed beyond the contact point of the first heat-conducting element is a heat-conducting cone with a lateral width that gradually decreases from bottom to top, so that the periphery of the second heat-conducting element is used to guide the molten salt to slide downwards.
6. The natural gas salt production apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first heat-conducting component, the second heat-conducting component, and the portion of the peripheral wall structure located between the air cavity and the molten salt cavity are all made of cast steel.
7. The natural gas salt production apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a swirl guide, disposed within the air intake passage, for rotating and introducing natural gas into the combustion chamber to form a swirling flame within the combustion chamber.