A waste heat recovery device for an air separation engineering compressor

Abstract

This invention discloses a waste heat recovery device for an air separation compressor, comprising a housing with a high-pressure air inlet and a high-pressure air outlet on both sides. A first heat-conducting fin is distributed near the high-pressure air inlet, and a second heat-conducting fin is distributed near the high-pressure air outlet. A cold water inlet and a hot water outlet are respectively located at the top and bottom of the front of the housing. Multiple first heat-conducting pipes run through the first heat-conducting fins, with their ends connected to the cold water inlet and the hot water outlet, respectively. Compared with existing technologies, this invention achieves cascaded utilization of compressor energy, continuous operation of intake air purification, and on-demand distribution of waste heat, resulting in significant energy-saving and economic benefits.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of heat recovery technology, specifically a waste heat recovery device for an air separation compressor. Background Technology

[0002] Air separation engineering refers to the process of separating industrial gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, and argon from air through methods such as cryogenic distillation. In this process, the air compressor is one of the key pieces of equipment, its function being to compress low-pressure air to the required pressure, providing feed gas for subsequent distillation. During operation, the compressor generates a large amount of compression heat, resulting in exhaust temperatures typically reaching 80 to 120 degrees Celsius. Directly discharging this waste heat not only wastes energy but also increases the load on downstream coolers and exacerbates environmental thermal pollution. Therefore, recovering and utilizing the waste heat from the air separation compressor is of great significance for reducing production energy consumption and carbon emissions.

[0003] Currently, the mainstream method for compressor waste heat recovery in air separation projects is gas-water heat exchange. Specifically, shell-and-tube or plate heat exchangers are installed on the compressor exhaust pipe, using cooling water to absorb the heat from the high-temperature compressed air and produce hot water for plant heating, process preheating, or domestic use. This solution is simple in structure and technologically mature, but it has significant shortcomings: Firstly, the heat exchanger only recovers a portion of the sensible heat, and the discharged compressed air still has a high temperature, resulting in incomplete waste heat utilization; secondly, air separation projects have strict drying requirements for the low-pressure air entering the compressor, typically requiring adsorption dryers to remove moisture. However, the regeneration of the adsorbent in these dryers consumes a large amount of electricity or steam, which is independent of the waste heat recovery system and fails to achieve energy coupling. To reduce the energy consumption of adsorbent regeneration, some existing technologies attempt to utilize the heat of the compressed air itself for regeneration. For example, a portion of the high-temperature exhaust from the compressor is drawn out and directly purged to remove moisture from the adsorbent bed, using hot air to carry away the moisture. While this method eliminates the need for an external heat source, it presents two problems: First, direct contact between high-temperature exhaust gas and the adsorbent can easily cause thermal damage and shorten the adsorbent's lifespan; second, the hot gas used for regeneration is interconnected with the low-pressure air entering the compressor, which can easily cause cross-contamination and affect the air purification effect.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a waste heat recovery device for air separation compressors to solve the problems mentioned in the background art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a waste heat recovery device for an air separation compressor, comprising a housing, wherein a high-pressure air inlet and a high-pressure air outlet are respectively provided on both sides of the housing, and a first heat-conducting fin is distributed on the side of the housing near the high-pressure air inlet and a second heat-conducting fin is distributed on the side of the housing near the high-pressure air outlet.

[0006] The front of the housing is provided with a cold water inlet and a hot water outlet at the top and bottom, respectively. Multiple first heat-conducting pipes run through the first heat-conducting plate, and the two ends of the first heat-conducting pipes are connected to the cold water inlet and the hot water outlet, respectively.

[0007] Furthermore, a purification shell is fixed on the top of the box, and adsorption blocks are distributed inside the purification shell. Low-pressure air inlet and low-pressure air outlet are respectively provided at both ends of the purification shell. Regenerated heat-conducting sheets are distributed at the bottom of the purification shell, and multiple second heat-conducting pipes pass through between the regenerated heat-conducting sheets and the second heat-conducting sheets.

[0008] Furthermore, the upper part of the purification shell is cylindrical and the lower part is rectangular. The regenerating heat-conducting sheet is distributed in the lower part of the purification shell. A rotating shaft is rotatably provided on the upper part of the purification shell. Multiple partitions that are attached to the inner wall of the upper part of the purification shell are circumferentially fixed on the outer wall of the rotating shaft. The adsorption blocks are distributed between each partition.

[0009] Furthermore, the rotating shaft is connected to a drive motor.

[0010] Furthermore, the lower part of the purification shell is provided with purification inlets and exhaust gas outlets at both ends.

[0011] Furthermore, the exhaust outlet is connected to an exhaust pump.

[0012] Furthermore, a lower channel is provided in the lower part of the housing, which is connected to one end near the high-pressure air inlet. Multiple openable and closable lower air guide plates are provided in the lower channel at the position corresponding to the location of the second heat-conducting plate.

[0013] Furthermore, multiple openable and closable side air guides are distributed between the first and second heat-conducting plates inside the box.

[0014] Furthermore, a horizontal sliding rod extending out of the box body is slidably installed in the lower channel, and a lower connecting rod is hinged between the sliding rod and each lower air guide plate;

[0015] A lower telescopic cylinder connects the sliding rod to the box body.

[0016] Furthermore, a vertical side slide rod extending out of the box body is slidably disposed between the first and second heat-conducting plates inside the box body, and a side connecting rod is hinged between the side slide rod and each side air guide plate.

[0017] A side telescopic cylinder connects the side slide rod to the box body.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0019] In this invention, the heat from high-temperature, high-pressure air is absorbed by the first and second heat-conducting plates inside the casing. A portion of this heat is transferred to cold water via the first heat-conducting pipe, resulting in hot water being output from the hot water outlet for production or domestic use. The remaining heat is transferred to the regeneration heat-conducting plate via the second heat-conducting pipe for the regeneration of the adsorbent blocks. This achieves the staged utilization of compression heat, significantly reducing energy consumption.

[0020] In this invention, the upper part of the purification shell is cylindrical, and an internal rotating shaft and multiple partitions divide the adsorption block into several independent areas. As the rotating shaft slowly rotates, the adsorption block in each area sequentially passes through the lower regeneration zone and the upper adsorption zone. This achieves continuous adsorption and regeneration, avoiding the drawbacks of traditional adsorption dryers that require dual-tower switching or shutdown for regeneration, and ensuring uninterrupted compressor intake processing.

[0021] In this invention, the chamber is equipped with a lower channel and multiple openable and closable lower air guide plates, as well as multiple openable and closable side air guide plates between the first and second heat-conducting plates. By controlling the opening and closing of the lower air guide plates with a lower telescopic cylinder, high-temperature air can flow directly through the lower channel to the second heat-conducting plate, bypassing the first heat-conducting plate and prioritizing the increase in regeneration temperature. By controlling the opening and closing of the side air guide plates with a side telescopic cylinder, it is possible to adjust whether the high-temperature air flows through the first heat-conducting plate. Based on the priority of hot water demand and regeneration demand, waste heat is flexibly allocated to achieve the optimal balance between hot water recovery and adsorption regeneration, avoiding thermal damage caused by direct contact of high-temperature steam with the adsorption block. Simultaneously, regeneration is thorough, delaying the saturation failure of the adsorption block and extending its replacement cycle. After releasing heat within the chamber, the high-temperature, high-pressure air is discharged from the high-pressure outlet, significantly reducing its own temperature and decreasing the load on the downstream cooler, further saving energy. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a waste heat recovery device for an air separation compressor.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the horizontal cross-section of a waste heat recovery device for an air separation compressor.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the vertical cross-section of a waste heat recovery device for an air separation compressor.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the purification casing;

[0026] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure at the second heat pipe.

[0027] In the diagram: 1. Housing; 21. High-pressure air inlet; 22. High-pressure air outlet; 31. Cold water inlet; 32. Hot water outlet; 4. First heat-conducting plate; 41. First heat-conducting pipe; 5. Second heat-conducting plate; 51. Second heat-conducting pipe; 6. Purification shell; 61. Low-pressure air inlet; 62. Low-pressure air outlet; 63. Purification inlet; 64. Exhaust gas outlet; 65. Drive motor; 66. Exhaust pump; 67. Rotating shaft; 68. Partition plate; 69. Adsorption block; 610. Regenerating heat-conducting plate; 7. Lower air guide plate; 71. Slide bar; 72. Lower connecting rod; 73. Lower telescopic cylinder; 8. Side air guide plate; 81. Side slide bar; 82. Side connecting rod; 83. Side telescopic cylinder; 9. Lower channel. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Please see Figures 1-5 In this embodiment of the invention, a waste heat recovery device for an air separation compressor includes a housing 1. A high-pressure air inlet 21 and a high-pressure air outlet 22 are respectively provided on both sides of the housing 1. A first heat-conducting plate 4 is distributed on the side near the high-pressure air inlet 21 and a second heat-conducting plate 5 is distributed on the side near the high-pressure air outlet 22 inside the housing 1.

[0029] The front of the housing 1 is provided with a cold water inlet 31 and a hot water outlet 32, respectively. Multiple first heat-conducting pipes 41 pass through the first heat-conducting plate 4, and the two ends of the first heat-conducting pipes 41 are respectively connected to the cold water inlet 31 and the hot water outlet 32.

[0030] In this embodiment, a purification shell 6 is fixed on the top of the housing 1, and an adsorption block 69 is distributed inside the purification shell 6. A low-pressure air inlet 61 and a low-pressure air outlet 62 are respectively provided at both ends of the purification shell 6. A regenerating heat-conducting sheet 610 is distributed at the bottom of the purification shell 6, and multiple second heat-conducting pipes 51 pass through the regenerating heat-conducting sheet 610 and the second heat-conducting sheet 5.

[0031] Low-pressure air enters the purification housing 6 through the low-pressure air inlet 61, is purified and dehumidified by the adsorption block 69, and then enters the compressor through the low-pressure air outlet 62. The compressed high-temperature and high-pressure air enters the housing 1 through the high-pressure air inlet 21, heats the first heat-conducting plate 4 and the second heat-conducting plate 5, and is then output through the high-pressure air outlet 22. The heat from the first heat-conducting plate 4 is recovered by passing through the cold water inlet 31 and the first heat-conducting pipe 41 to the hot water outlet 32. The heat from the second heat-conducting plate 5 is used to heat and regenerate the heat-conducting plate 610 through the second heat-conducting pipe 51, thereby heating and regenerating the adsorption block 69.

[0032] In this embodiment, the upper part of the purification shell 6 is cylindrical and the lower part is cuboid. The regenerating heat-conducting sheet 610 is distributed in the lower part of the purification shell 6. A rotating shaft 67 is rotatably provided on the upper part of the purification shell 6. Multiple partitions 68 that are attached to the inner wall of the upper part of the purification shell 6 are circumferentially fixed on the outer wall of the rotating shaft 67. The adsorption block 69 is distributed between each partition 68.

[0033] In other words, the adsorption block 69 is divided into multiple independent areas by the partition 68. The upper part of the area is used to purify the air, while the lower part is heated by the regeneration heat-conducting plate 610 for regeneration. As the rotating shaft 67 rotates, the adsorption block 69 in each area is adsorbed and regenerated in sequence.

[0034] In this embodiment, the rotating shaft 67 is connected to the drive motor 65.

[0035] In this embodiment, purification inlets 63 and exhaust outlets 64 are provided at both ends of the lower part of the purification housing 6.

[0036] In this embodiment, the exhaust gas outlet 64 is connected to the exhaust pump 66.

[0037] The exhaust pump 66 allows air circulation in the area of ​​the adsorption block 69, which is heated and regenerated at the bottom of the purification housing 6, so as to discharge the waste gas such as water vapor generated during regeneration to the outside. At the same time, due to the separation of the partition 68, the low-pressure air entering the compressor will not be connected with the waste gas used for the regeneration of the adsorption block 69, thus ensuring air purity.

[0038] In this embodiment, a lower channel 9 is provided in the lower part of the housing 1. The lower channel 9 is connected to one end near the high-pressure air inlet 21. A number of openable and closable lower air guide plates 7 are provided in the lower channel 9 at the position corresponding to the location of the second heat conduction plate 5.

[0039] The high-temperature air entering the housing 1 from the high-pressure air inlet 21 can directly enter the area where the second heat-conducting plate 5 is located through the lower channel 9, thereby directly heating the second heat-conducting plate 5 without passing through the first heat-conducting plate 4, thereby increasing the temperature of the regenerated heat-conducting plate 610 and enhancing the regeneration effect of the adsorption block 69.

[0040] In this embodiment, multiple openable and closable side air guide plates 8 are distributed between the first heat-conducting plate 4 and the second heat-conducting plate 5 inside the housing 1.

[0041] By controlling the opening and closing of the side air guide plate 8, it is possible to control whether high-temperature air passes through the first heat-conducting plate 4. When hot water recovery is not required or more heat needs to be used for adsorption and regeneration, the side air guide plate 8 can be adjusted to achieve on-demand heat distribution.

[0042] In this embodiment, a horizontal sliding rod 71 that extends through the box 1 is slidably disposed in the lower channel 9, and a lower connecting rod 72 is hinged between the sliding rod 71 and each lower air guide plate 7.

[0043] A lower telescopic cylinder 73 is connected between the sliding rod 71 and the housing 1.

[0044] The opening and closing of the lower air guide plate 7 can be controlled by the lower telescopic cylinder 73.

[0045] In this embodiment, a vertical side slide rod 81 that extends through the outside of the box 1 is slidably arranged between the first heat-conducting plate 4 and the second heat-conducting plate 5 inside the box 1. The side slide rod 81 is hinged to each side air guide plate 8 by a side connecting rod 82.

[0046] A side telescopic cylinder 83 is connected between the side slide rod 81 and the housing 1.

[0047] The opening and closing of the side air guide plate 8 can be controlled by the side telescopic cylinder 83.

[0048] In practice, the low-pressure air inlet 61 is opened, and the low-pressure air enters the upper part of the purification shell 6. After being purified and dehumidified by the adsorption block 69, it enters the compressor from the low-pressure air outlet 62. The compressed high-temperature and high-pressure air enters the box 1 from the high-pressure air inlet 21.

[0049] High-temperature and high-pressure air flows sequentially through the first heat-conducting plate 4 and the second heat-conducting plate 5 inside the housing 1, transferring heat to the heat-conducting plates and cooling down before being discharged from the high-pressure air outlet 22.

[0050] Cold water is heated by the first heat-conducting plate 4 in the first heat-conducting pipe 41, and after being heated, it flows out from the hot water outlet 32 ​​for use in factory heating, process preheating or absorption refrigeration.

[0051] The heat absorbed by the second heat-conducting plate 5 is transferred to the regeneration heat-conducting plate 610 through the second heat-conducting pipe 51, heating the adsorption block 69 at the bottom of the purification shell 6. At the same time, the rotating shaft 67 rotates slowly, driving the partition plate 68 and the adsorption block 69 to rotate, so that the adsorption block 69 in each area passes through the lower half of the regeneration zone and the upper half of the adsorption zone in sequence;

[0052] The exhaust pump 66 draws out the water vapor and exhaust gas generated in the lower regeneration zone from the exhaust outlet 64, and replenishes the air through the purification inlet 63 to maintain ventilation in the regeneration zone.

[0053] To enhance the regeneration effect of the adsorption block 69, operate the lower telescopic cylinder 73 to push the sliding rod 71, and close the lower air guide plate 7 through the lower connecting rod 72, so that the high temperature air flows directly from the lower channel 9 to the second heat conduction plate 5 without passing through the first heat conduction plate 4, thereby increasing the temperature of the regenerated heat conduction plate 610.

[0054] When the demand for hot water decreases and regeneration needs to be prioritized, the operating side telescopic cylinder 83 pushes the side slide rod 81, which closes the side air guide plate 8 through the side connecting rod 82, so that most of the high-temperature air does not flow through the first heat conduction plate 4, but flows directly to the second heat conduction plate 5.

[0055] The lower air guide plate 7 and the side air guide plate 8 are opened to an appropriate angle so that a part of the high-temperature air first heats the first heat-conducting plate 4 and then flows to the second heat-conducting plate 5, while the other part directly heats the second heat-conducting plate 5 through the lower channel 9, thereby achieving a balance between hot water recovery and adsorption regeneration.

[0056] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention, based on the technical solution and inventive concept of the present invention, should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A waste heat recovery device for an air separation compressor, comprising a housing (1), characterized in that, The box (1) is provided with a high-pressure air inlet (21) and a high-pressure air outlet (22) on both sides respectively. A first heat-conducting plate (4) is distributed on the side of the box (1) near the high-pressure air inlet (21) and a second heat-conducting plate (5) is distributed on the side of the box (1) near the high-pressure air outlet (22). The front of the box (1) is provided with a cold water inlet (31) and a hot water outlet (32) respectively. Multiple first heat-conducting pipes (41) run through the first heat-conducting plate (4). The two ends of the first heat-conducting pipes (41) are connected to the cold water inlet (31) and the hot water outlet (32) respectively.

2. The waste heat recovery device for an air separation compressor according to claim 1, characterized in that, A purification shell (6) is fixed on the top of the housing (1). Adsorption blocks (69) are distributed inside the purification shell (6). Low-pressure air inlet (61) and low-pressure air outlet (62) are respectively provided at both ends of the purification shell (6). Regenerated heat-conducting plates (610) are distributed at the bottom of the purification shell (6), and multiple second heat-conducting pipes (51) pass through between the regenerated heat-conducting plates (610) and the second heat-conducting plates (5).

3. The waste heat recovery device for an air separation compressor according to claim 2, characterized in that, The upper part of the purification shell (6) is cylindrical and the lower part is cuboid. The regenerating heat-conducting plate (610) is distributed in the lower part of the purification shell (6). The upper part of the purification shell (6) is rotatably provided with a rotating shaft (67). Multiple partitions (68) that are attached to the upper inner wall of the purification shell (6) are fixed circumferentially on the outer wall of the rotating shaft (67). The adsorption block (69) is distributed between each partition (68).

4. The waste heat recovery device for an air separation compressor according to claim 3, characterized in that, The rotating shaft (67) is connected to the drive motor (65).

5. A waste heat recovery device for an air separation compressor according to claim 2, characterized in that, The purification shell (6) has a purification inlet (63) and an exhaust gas outlet (64) distributed at both ends of its lower part.

6. A waste heat recovery device for an air separation compressor according to claim 5, characterized in that, The exhaust outlet (64) is connected to the exhaust pump (66).

7. The waste heat recovery device for an air separation compressor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower part of the housing (1) is provided with a lower channel (9), which is connected to one end near the high-pressure air inlet (21). The lower channel (9) is provided with multiple openable and closable lower air guide plates (7) at the position of the second heat conduction plate (5).

8. The waste heat recovery device for an air separation compressor according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple openable and closable side air guides (8) are distributed between the first heat-conducting plate (4) and the second heat-conducting plate (5) inside the housing (1).

9. A waste heat recovery device for an air separation compressor according to claim 7, characterized in that, A horizontal sliding rod (71) that extends through the box (1) is slidably installed in the lower channel (9). A lower connecting rod (72) is hinged between the sliding rod (71) and each lower air guide plate (7). A lower telescopic cylinder (73) is connected between the sliding rod (71) and the housing (1).

10. A waste heat recovery device for an air separation compressor according to claim 8, characterized in that, A vertical side slide rod (81) that extends through the outside of the box (1) is slidably arranged between the first heat-conducting plate (4) and the second heat-conducting plate (5) inside the box (1). A side connecting rod (82) is hinged between the side slide rod (81) and each side air guide plate (8). A side telescopic cylinder (83) is connected between the side slide rod (81) and the box body (1).

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