Vertical baffle powder heat exchanger

Abstract

The application provides a vertical baffle powder heat exchanger, and relates to the technical field of heat exchangers. The heat exchanger comprises a shell, a heat exchange unit and a gas distributor. The heat exchange unit is arranged inside the shell, and the gas distributor is arranged below the heat exchange unit. The heat exchange unit and the gas distributor are arranged in a staggered manner along a vertical direction inside the shell. Powder materials enter the shell from the top of the shell and fall above the gas distributor. The gas is uniformly released by the gas distributor to form fluidization wind, so that the powder materials are in a fluidized state and flow downward layer by layer under the action of gravity. The heat exchange liquid flows in the heat exchange unit. The powder materials in the fluidized state contact the heat exchange unit and exchange heat with the heat exchange liquid through the pipe wall of the heat exchange unit, so that heat exchange between the powder materials and the heat exchange liquid is realized. The heat exchanger has high heat exchange efficiency, long heat exchange time of the powder materials, small occupied space, simple structure of the heat exchange unit and low manufacturing cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of heat exchanger technology, and more specifically, to a vertical baffle powder heat exchanger. Background Technology

[0002] In many industrial production fields, heat exchange of powder materials is a crucial process. For example, in an alumina calcination system, after calcination, the alumina powder, even after being cooled by multiple cooling units, still has a temperature above 250°C. It must be cooled to below 80°C by cooling equipment before it can be conveyed to the alumina silo by belt; otherwise, it will affect the service life of the conveyor belt and the safety of production operations.

[0003] Currently, the heat exchange equipment commonly used in the field of powder heat exchange is mainly divided into two categories: horizontal and vertical. Horizontal heat exchangers are usually fluidized bed heat exchangers, which utilize fluidizing air to fluidize the material, and then the material temperature is reduced or increased through heat exchange tube bundles. Vertical heat exchangers have developed rapidly in recent years, mainly forming two types: plate heat exchangers and tube heat exchangers. Both types involve the natural downward flow of the material, and heat exchange is achieved through heat exchange units.

[0004] Both types of heat exchangers have their own advantages and disadvantages. Horizontal heat exchangers combine the effects of direct fluidized air heat exchange and tube bundle unit indirect heat exchange, resulting in higher heat exchange efficiency, but also higher equipment manufacturing costs and a larger footprint. Conventional vertical heat exchangers have a smaller footprint, but the heat transfer method they employ is only indirect heat exchange, leading to lower heat exchange efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to address the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a vertical baffle powder heat exchanger, which aims to solve the problem of low heat exchange efficiency of conventional vertical heat exchangers.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the main technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows: A vertical baffle powder heat exchanger is provided, comprising a shell, a heat exchange unit, and a gas distributor; The heat exchange unit is disposed inside the shell, and the gas distributor is disposed below the heat exchange unit. The heat exchange unit and the gas distributor are arranged alternately in the vertical direction inside the shell. The powder material enters the shell from the top and falls above the gas distributor. The gas is evenly released through the gas distributor to form a fluidizing airflow, which causes the powder material to become fluidized and flow downward layer by layer under the action of gravity. The heat exchange liquid flows in the heat exchange unit. The fluidized powder material comes into contact with the heat exchange unit and undergoes indirect heat exchange with the heat exchange liquid through the tube wall of the heat exchange unit, thereby realizing heat exchange between the powder material and the heat exchange liquid.

[0007] Preferably, the top of the housing is provided with an exhaust port and a feed port, the side of the housing is provided with an air inlet, and the bottom of the housing is provided with support legs and a discharge port.

[0008] Preferably, the heat exchange unit includes a liquid inlet, a blocking plate, a support tube, a baffle plate, a heat exchange tube bundle, a connecting pipe port, a liquid outlet, and a connecting pipe; Both ends of the support tube are connected to the shell. The heat exchange tube bundle is arranged between the support tubes and has multiple partitions inside. The blocking plate is connected to the end port of the support tube. The liquid inlet is located on the side of the shell and is connected to the bottom support tube. The liquid outlet is located on the side of the shell and is connected to the top support tube. The connecting pipe is located on the support tube. Adjacent upper and lower heat exchange units are connected through the connecting pipe.

[0009] Preferably, the gas distributor includes an inflation frame, an inflation box, and an inflation pipe; The inflatable frame is connected to the housing, the inflatable box is located below the inflatable frame and has a wind baffle inside, one end of the inflatable tube is connected to the air inlet and the other end is connected to the inflatable box.

[0010] Preferably, part of the opening of the support tube is sealed by the plug plate, leaving only the liquid inlet, the liquid outlet, and the connecting pipe opening that connects the upper and lower heat exchange units intact.

[0011] Preferably, the gas distributor further includes a breathable cloth, a wire mesh, and a grid; The breathable fabric, the wire mesh, and the grid are respectively connected to the inflatable frame.

[0012] Preferably, the gas distributor further includes an overflow weir plate; The overflow weir plate is installed on the air-filled frame. Under the action of the overflow weir plate, the powder material flows to the next layer to increase the residence time of the powder material in the heat exchanger.

[0013] Preferably, there are two sets of heat exchange units per layer.

[0014] The present invention has the following beneficial effects and advantages: 1. The system employs a dual heat exchange mechanism, combining direct contact heat exchange between the gas and the powder material with indirect heat exchange between the powder material and the heat exchange tube bundle, thereby improving the overall heat exchange efficiency.

[0015] 2. The support tube of the heat exchange unit has a dual function of liquid flow and fixing the heat exchange unit. The heat exchange unit has a simple structure and low manufacturing cost.

[0016] 3. The overflow weir plate and the staggered gas distributors work together to increase the heat exchange time of the powder material.

[0017] 4. The number of heat exchange units and the height of the overflow weir can be adjusted according to the heat exchange conditions of the material, thereby changing the number of heat exchange layers and the residence time.

[0018] 5. The vertical heat exchanger has a small footprint, and multiple units can be used simultaneously to increase processing capacity. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of a vertical baffle powder heat exchanger according to the present invention. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of the shell of a vertical baffle powder heat exchanger according to the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of the heat exchange unit of a vertical baffle powder heat exchanger according to the present invention. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of the gas distributor in a vertical baffle powder heat exchanger according to the present invention; Figure 5 This is the present invention. Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure in the AA direction.

[0020] Reference numerals: 1-Shell, 1-1-Exhaust port, 1-2-Feed inlet, 1-3-Air inlet, 1-4-Support leg, 1-5-Discharge port, 2-Heat exchange unit, 2-1 Liquid inlet, 2-2-Blocking plate, 2-3-Support pipe, 2-4-Baffle plate, 2-5-Heat exchange tube bundle, 2-6-Connecting pipe port, 2-7 Liquid outlet, 2-8 Connecting pipe, 3-Gas distributor, 3-1-Inflating frame, 3-2-Inflating box, 3-3-Permeable cloth, 3-4-Wire mesh, 3-5-Grate, 3-6-Inflating pipe, 3-7-Wind baffle, 3-8-Overflow weir plate. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The present invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of a vertical baffle powder heat exchanger according to the present invention, as shown below. Figure 1The present invention provides a vertical baffle powder heat exchanger, comprising a shell 1, a heat exchange unit 2, and a gas distributor 3. The heat exchange unit 2, serving as the main structure for indirect heat exchange between the powder material and the heat exchange liquid, is installed inside the shell 1. The gas distributor 3 is located below the heat exchange unit 2 and is used to uniformly release gas into the shell 1. By alternately arranging the heat exchange unit 2 and the gas distributor 3 inside the shell 1, the powder material flows downwards within the shell 1, sequentially passing through multiple gas distribution areas and heat exchange areas, thereby forming a layered heat exchange structure inside the equipment. This structure ensures the stable installation of the heat exchange unit 2 within the shell 1 and allows the gas distributor 3 below the heat exchange unit 2 to continuously provide fluidizing gas to the powder material, creating a stable powder flow and heat exchange environment inside the shell 1.

[0023] During equipment operation, powder material enters the interior of shell 1 from the top and falls above gas distributor 3. Gas is evenly released through gas distributor 3, forming an upward fluidizing airflow. After entering the powder material layer, the powder particles are fluidized under the action of the airflow. In this fluidized state, the relative motion between powder particles is enhanced, and the porosity between particles increases, thereby improving the flowability and heat transfer performance of the powder material. The fluidized powder material flows downward layer by layer under the action of gravity, continuously passing through the heat exchange units 2 arranged inside shell 1 during its downward movement, and coming into contact with the outer surface of the heat exchange units 2. At the same time, the heat exchange liquid flows inside the heat exchange units 2, and conducts indirect heat exchange with the external powder material through the tube wall of the heat exchange unit 2, so that the heat in the powder material is transferred to the heat exchange liquid through the tube wall, thereby realizing the heat exchange between the powder material and the heat exchange liquid. Because the gas distributor 3 and the heat exchange unit 2 are staggered inside the shell 1, the powder material undergoes multiple fluidization and heat exchange processes during its descent, resulting in a longer residence time and a larger contact area within the equipment. This improves the heat transfer efficiency between the powder material and the heat exchange unit 2. Through this structure and operating method, not only can efficient heat exchange between the powder material and the heat exchange liquid be achieved, but the overall equipment also features a simple structure, stable operation, and high heat exchange efficiency, making it suitable for continuous heat exchange processes involving powder materials.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of the shell 1 of a vertical baffle powder heat exchanger according to the present invention, as shown below. Figure 2As shown, in this embodiment, the shell 1 serves as the main structure of the entire vertical baffle powder heat exchanger, housing the heat exchange unit and gas distributor, and forming a working space for powder material flow and heat exchange. The top of the shell 1 is provided with an exhaust port 1-1 and a feed port 1-2. The feed port 1-2 is used to guide the powder material to be heat-exchanged into the shell 1, allowing the powder material to enter the heat exchange area inside the equipment from the top of the shell 1. The exhaust port 1-1 communicates with the internal space of the shell 1 and is used to discharge the gas generated during equipment operation. An air inlet 1-3 is provided on the side of the shell 1, communicating with the interior of the shell 1, and is used to supply gas into the shell 1, allowing the gas to enter the gas distributor 3 and further participate in the fluidization process of the powder material. The bottom of the shell 1 is provided with support legs 1-4 and discharge port 1-5. The support legs 1-4 are used to support the shell 1, so that the entire equipment can be stably installed on the ground or foundation platform. The discharge port 1-5 is connected to the internal space of the shell 1 and is used to discharge the powder material after heat exchange, thereby forming a structure arrangement in which the material flows continuously from top to bottom.

[0025] During equipment operation, powder material enters the shell 1 through inlet 1-2 and moves downwards under gravity. Meanwhile, gas inside the equipment enters the shell 1 through inlet 1-3 and participates in forming a fluidized airflow, ensuring good flow of the powder material inside the shell 1. As the equipment continues to operate, the gas gradually moves upwards after completing fluidization inside the shell 1 and is eventually discharged through outlet 1-1, thus ensuring continuous circulation and a stable fluidized environment inside the shell 1. Simultaneously, after completing the heat exchange process, the powder material gradually moves downwards and is finally discharged from outlet 1-5, achieving continuous processing of the powder material within the equipment. By setting inlet 1-2, exhaust port 1-1, air inlet 1-3 and outlet 1-5 at the top, side and bottom of the shell 1 respectively, a clear material flow channel and gas flow channel are formed inside the equipment, thereby ensuring that the powder material can fall stably inside the equipment and form good contact conditions with the gas. At the same time, the support legs 1-4 provide stable support for the equipment, making the overall structure of the equipment stable and reliable, which is conducive to the long-term stable operation of the equipment and improves the safety and efficiency of the powder heat exchange process.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of heat exchange unit 2 in a vertical baffle powder heat exchanger according to the present invention, as shown below. Figure 3As shown, in this embodiment, the heat exchange unit 2 includes a liquid inlet 2-1, a blocking plate 2-2, a support pipe 2-3, a partition plate 2-4, a heat exchange tube bundle 2-5, a connecting pipe port 2-6, a liquid outlet 2-7, and a connecting pipe 2-8. Both ends of the support pipe 2-3 are connected to the shell 1, allowing the heat exchange unit 2 to be stably installed inside the shell 1 and forming a liquid flow channel. The heat exchange tube bundle 2-5 is disposed between the support pipes 2-3, and multiple partition plates 2-4 are disposed inside the heat exchange tube bundle 2-5 to separate the fluid channels. The blocking plate 2-2 is connected to the end port of the support pipe 2-3 to seal part of the port of the support pipe 2-3. The liquid inlet 2-1 is located on the side of the shell 1 and connected to the lowest support pipe 2-3, allowing external heat exchange liquid to enter the heat exchange unit 2; the liquid outlet 2-7 is located on the side of the shell 1 and connected to the uppermost support pipe 2-3, for discharging the liquid after heat exchange. Connecting port 2-6 is installed on support pipe 2-3. Adjacent upper and lower heat exchange units 2 are connected by connecting pipe 2-8, thereby forming a continuous flow structure in the liquid flow direction for each layer of heat exchange units 2. Part of the port of support pipe 2-3 is blocked by blocking plate 2-2, leaving only liquid inlet 2-1, liquid outlet 2-7, and connecting port for connecting upper and lower heat exchange units 2, thus forming a clear liquid flow path.

[0027] During equipment operation, the heat exchange liquid enters the lowest support tube 2-3 through the liquid inlet 2-1, and then sequentially enters the heat exchange tube bundle 2-5 arranged between the support tubes 2-3. Under the action of the baffle 2-4, the liquid continuously changes its flow direction along the channels formed by the partitions inside the heat exchange tube bundle 2-5, thus forming a tortuous flow path. By separating the fluid channels through the baffle 2-4, the flow distance of the liquid in the heat exchange tube bundle 2-5 can be extended and the degree of flow disturbance of the liquid in the tube can be increased, allowing the liquid to have more complete heat exchange with the tube wall of the heat exchange tube bundle 2-5. After the liquid completes the flow in one heat exchange unit 2, it enters the next heat exchange unit 2 through the connecting pipe 2-6 and connecting pipe 2-8 to continue flowing, so that the heat exchange liquid can flow through each heat exchange unit 2 in sequence, and finally be discharged from the liquid outlet 2-7 at the top. In this process, the outer surface of the heat exchange tube bundle 2-5 comes into contact with the powder material inside the shell 1. The heat of the powder material is transferred to the internal heat exchange liquid through the tube wall of the heat exchange tube bundle 2-5, realizing indirect heat exchange between the powder material and the heat exchange liquid. This structural arrangement not only enables the heat exchange liquid to form a continuous and stable flow path inside the heat exchange unit 2, but also improves the heat exchange efficiency between the liquid and the heat exchange tube bundle 2-5. Simultaneously, the support tube 2-3 serves both as structural support and liquid flow, making the overall structure of the heat exchange unit 2 more compact, which helps reduce the structural complexity of the equipment and improves the stability of its operation.

[0028] like Figures 4-5 As shown, in this embodiment, the gas distributor 3 includes an inflation frame 3-1, an inflation box 3-2, and an inflation pipe 3-6. The inflation frame 3-1 is connected to the housing 1, enabling the gas distributor 3 to be stably installed inside the housing 1 and forming a supporting foundation for the gas distribution structure. The inflation box 3-2 is located below the inflation frame 3-1, and a baffle plate 3-7 is provided inside the inflation box 3-2 to guide the gas entering the inflation box 3-2. One end of the inflation pipe 3-6 is connected to the air inlet 1-3 on the side of the housing 1, and the other end is connected to the inflation box 3-2, thereby forming a delivery channel for external gas to enter the gas distributor 3. The gas distributor 3 also includes a breathable cloth 3-3, a wire mesh 3-4, and a grid 3-5. The breathable cloth 3-3, the wire mesh 3-4, and the grid 3-5 are respectively connected to the inflation frame 3-1 to form a supporting and distribution structure when gas is released from the inflation box 3-2 into the housing 1. In addition, the gas distributor 3 also includes an overflow weir plate 3-8, which is set on the air filling frame 3-1 so that it is located above the flow path of the powder material, thereby forming a barrier structure of a certain height in the gas distribution area.

[0029] During equipment operation, external gas first enters the inflation pipe 3-6 through the air inlet 1-3 and is then transported to the inflation box 3-2. After entering the inflation box 3-2, the baffle plate 3-7 guides the gas flow, creating a relatively uniform gas distribution within the inflation box 3-2 and preventing concentrated gas flow in localized areas. Subsequently, the gas is released upwards from the inflation box 3-2 through the permeable cloth 3-3 into the shell 1. Supported and stabilized by the wire mesh 3-4 and the grid 3-5, the permeable cloth 3-3 maintains good structural stability, allowing the gas to be released evenly over a large area. This creates a uniform fluidized airflow within the shell 1, causing the powder particles to become fluidized under the influence of the airflow. In this fluidized state, the powder particles exhibit good flowability and can move downwards layer by layer under gravity. When the powder material flows downwards to the location of the overflow weir plate 3-8, the overflow weir plate 3-8 provides a certain degree of obstruction, causing the powder material to briefly reside in this area and then overflow into the next layer, thereby extending the residence time of the powder material inside the heat exchanger. This structural arrangement not only ensures a uniform distribution of gas entering the equipment and forms a stable fluidized environment, but also regulates the flow of the powder material through the overflow weir plate 3-8, thereby increasing the contact time between the powder material and the heat exchange unit. This enhances the heat transfer effect between the powder material and the heat exchange unit, improves the overall heat exchange efficiency of the equipment, and ensures the stability of the equipment during operation.

[0030] In this embodiment, the heat exchange units 2 are configured with two sets of structures per layer, symmetrically arranged along the corresponding layers of the device. Since two sets of heat exchange units 2 are provided per layer, a corresponding heat exchange arrangement can be formed within the same layer structure. The two sets of heat exchange units 2 maintain a certain interval and are distributed along the transverse or longitudinal direction of the device, thus creating a relatively balanced arrangement of the heat exchange units 2 in the spatial structure. This arrangement not only ensures the overall coordination between the layers but also allows the heat exchange units 2 within each layer to collectively form a stable heat exchange structure system, resulting in a multi-point distributed heat exchange structure within the device, thereby enhancing the overall structural stability and functional synergy.

[0031] This invention employs a dual heat exchange mechanism: direct contact heat exchange between gas and material, and counter-current heat exchange between material and heat exchange units via inter-wall connections, thereby improving heat exchange efficiency. The overflow weir and staggered gas distributors work together to extend the material's heat exchange time. The material's heat exchange time can be adjusted by modifying the overflow weir height and the number of heat exchange unit stages according to actual process requirements. The equipment boasts advantages such as simple structure, no complex components, low manufacturing cost, and long service life.

[0032] The technical solution described in this invention can be used not only for cooling alumina powder in the alumina production process, but also for heat exchange processes of other powders, such as gypsum board production and cement production.

[0033] The above description discloses only preferred embodiments of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Therefore, equivalent variations made in accordance with the claims of the present invention are still within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A vertical baffle powder heat exchanger, characterized in that, It includes a shell (1), a heat exchange unit (2), and a gas distributor (3); The heat exchange unit (2) is disposed inside the shell (1), and the gas distributor (3) is disposed below the heat exchange unit (2). The heat exchange unit (2) and the gas distributor (3) are arranged alternately in the vertical direction inside the shell (1). The powder material enters the interior of the shell (1) from the top and falls above the gas distributor (3). The gas is uniformly released through the gas distributor (3) to form a fluidizing wind, so that the powder material forms a fluidized state and flows downward layer by layer under the action of gravity. The heat exchange liquid flows in the heat exchange unit (2). The fluidized powder material comes into contact with the heat exchange unit (2) and exchanges heat with the heat exchange liquid through the tube wall of the heat exchange unit (2), thereby realizing the heat exchange between the powder material and the heat exchange liquid.

2. A vertical baffle powder heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the housing (1) is provided with an exhaust port (1-1) and a feed port (1-2), the side of the housing (1) is provided with an air inlet (1-3), and the bottom of the housing (1) is provided with a support leg (1-4) and a discharge port (1-5).

3. A vertical baffle powder heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat exchange unit (2) includes a liquid inlet (2-1), a blocking plate (2-2), a support pipe (2-3), a baffle plate (2-4), a heat exchange tube bundle (2-5), a connecting pipe port (2-6), a liquid outlet (2-7), and a connecting pipe (2-8). The two ends of the support tube (2-3) are respectively connected to the shell (1). The heat exchange tube bundle (2-5) is arranged between the support tubes (2-3) and has multiple partitions (2-4) inside. The blocking plate (2-2) is connected to the end port of the support tube (2-3). The liquid inlet (2-1) is arranged on the side of the shell (1) and connected to the lowest support tube (2-3). The liquid outlet (2-7) is arranged on the side of the shell (1) and connected to the uppermost support tube (2-3). The connecting pipe port (2-6) is arranged on the support tube (2-3). The adjacent upper and lower heat exchange units (2) are connected through the connecting pipe (2-8).

4. A vertical baffle powder heat exchanger according to claim 2, characterized in that, The gas distributor (3) includes an inflation frame (3-1), an inflation box (3-2), and an inflation pipe (3-6). The inflatable frame (3-1) is connected to the shell (1), the inflatable box (3-2) is located below the inflatable frame (3-1) and has a wind baffle (3-7) inside, one end of the inflatable pipe (3-6) is connected to the air inlet (1-3) and the other end is connected to the inflatable box (3-2).

5. A vertical baffle powder heat exchanger according to claim 3, characterized in that, Part of the opening of the support pipe (2-3) is blocked by the plug plate (2-2), leaving only the liquid inlet (2-1), the liquid outlet (2-7), and the connecting pipe opening that connects the upper and lower heat exchange units (2).

6. A vertical baffle powder heat exchanger according to claim 4, characterized in that, The gas distributor (3) also includes a breathable cloth (3-3), a wire mesh (3-4), and a grid (3-5); The breathable fabric (3-3), the wire mesh (3-4), and the grid (3-5) are respectively connected to the inflatable frame (3-1).

7. A vertical baffle powder heat exchanger according to claim 4, characterized in that, The gas distributor (3) also includes an overflow weir plate (3-8); The overflow weir plate (3-8) is installed on the air-filled frame (3-1). The powder material flows to the next layer under the action of the overflow weir plate (3-8) to increase the residence time of the powder material in the heat exchanger.

8. A vertical baffle powder heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat exchange unit (2) consists of two sets per layer.

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