Absorption tower and pipeline self-temperature-regulating anti-freezing system
By introducing a waste heat reflux unit and staged phase change material into the carbon dioxide absorption system, combined with a thermal response valve and condensate recovery, the problems of pipeline freezing and waste heat waste in cold environments are solved, achieving automatic antifreeze and efficient energy utilization.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HUANENG CLEAN ENERGY RES INST
- Filing Date
- 2026-05-07
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-24
AI Technical Summary
Existing carbon dioxide absorption systems are prone to icing of pipelines and valves in cold environments. Electric or steam heat tracing methods are energy-intensive and complex to control. Furthermore, the low-grade waste heat of the regeneration tower and heat exchange unit in the system is not utilized, resulting in energy waste.
An absorption tower and pipeline self-regulating temperature and freeze protection system is adopted. By setting up a waste heat reflux unit between the absorption tower and the regeneration tower, the low-grade heat generated by the regeneration tower is used. Combined with staged phase change materials and thermal response valves, automatic freeze protection and temperature control are achieved, and an auxiliary heat source is provided through a condensate recovery mechanism.
It achieves automatic antifreeze and temperature control in low-temperature environments, improves energy utilization efficiency, reduces energy consumption, solves the problems of complex antifreeze control and insufficient system reliability in existing technologies, and saves energy.
Smart Images
Figure CN122448010A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of carbon dioxide capture, utilization and storage technology, and in particular to an absorption tower and pipeline self-regulating temperature and antifreeze system. Background Technology
[0002] Existing carbon dioxide absorption systems generally suffer from the problem of pipes and valves freezing in cold environments. Existing electric or steam heat tracing methods are energy-intensive, complex to control, and have a high risk of local failure. At the same time, a large amount of low-grade waste heat in the regeneration tower and heat exchange unit of the system is not utilized, resulting in energy waste. Summary of the Invention
[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide an absorption tower and pipeline self-regulating temperature and antifreeze system to alleviate the problems of high energy consumption, complex control and high risk of local failure in existing electric or steam heat tracing methods, as well as the large amount of low-grade waste heat in the regeneration tower and heat exchange unit of the system that is not utilized, resulting in energy waste.
[0004] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution provided by the present invention is as follows: An absorption tower and pipeline self-regulating temperature and antifreeze system includes: an absorption tower, a regeneration tower, and a waste heat reflux unit. The absorption tower transports rich liquid to the regeneration tower through a rich liquid pipeline, and the regeneration tower transports lean liquid to the absorption tower through a lean liquid pipeline. The waste heat reflux unit is disposed between the absorption tower and the regeneration tower and is used to introduce the low-grade heat generated by the regeneration tower into the low-temperature, easily frozen area.
[0005] Furthermore, the waste heat recirculation unit includes a waste heat pipeline connected between the absorption tower and the regeneration tower, and a heat response valve is installed on the waste heat pipeline.
[0006] Furthermore, the thermal response valve is a passive regulating valve capable of adaptive adjustment based on the temperature of the waste heat pipeline.
[0007] Furthermore, the waste heat pipeline is equipped with a graded phase change structure with different phase change temperatures in different temperature-sensitive areas.
[0008] Furthermore, the staged phase change structure includes a primary phase change module, a secondary phase change module, and a tertiary phase change module. The phase change temperature of the primary phase change module is 15°C, and the primary phase change module is used for the tower body and main pipelines. The phase change temperature of the secondary phase change module is 10°C, and the secondary phase change module is used for branch pipes. The phase change temperature of the tertiary phase change module is 5°C, and the tertiary phase change module is used for valves and elbows.
[0009] Furthermore, the primary phase change module, the secondary phase change module, and the tertiary phase change module are respectively fixed to the outer wall of the corresponding pipe by clips or flanges.
[0010] Furthermore, a heat buffer structure is provided outside the waste heat pipeline.
[0011] Furthermore, the thermal buffer structure includes a thermally conductive layer, a graded phase change layer, and an insulating layer arranged sequentially from the inner layer to the outer layer.
[0012] Furthermore, it also includes a condensate recovery mechanism, which includes a condensation unit that uses the heat released during the flue gas condensate recovery process or the hot water return as an auxiliary heat source to deliver to the low-temperature, easily frozen area.
[0013] Furthermore, the condensate recovered from the condensation unit can be used for heat capacity regulation.
[0014] This invention can bring at least the following beneficial effects: The self-regulating temperature and antifreeze system for the absorption tower and pipeline provided by the present invention includes: an absorption tower, a regeneration tower and a waste heat reflux unit. The absorption tower transports rich liquid to the regeneration tower through a rich liquid pipeline, and the regeneration tower transports lean liquid to the absorption tower through a lean liquid pipeline. The waste heat reflux unit is disposed between the absorption tower and the regeneration tower and is used to introduce the low-grade heat generated by the regeneration tower into the low-temperature, easily frozen area.
[0015] By installing a waste heat recirculation unit between the absorption tower and the regeneration tower, the low-grade heat generated in the regeneration tower can be introduced into the low-temperature, easily frozen zone. This method is simple to operate, highly reliable, and achieves heat reuse, improving energy efficiency. Under extreme low-temperature conditions, the waste heat recirculation unit effectively prevents freezing by returning waste heat to the low-temperature, easily frozen zone. The self-regulating temperature and anti-freeze system for the absorption tower and pipelines enables automatic anti-freeze and temperature control in low-temperature environments, solving the problems of high energy consumption, complex control, and insufficient system reliability in existing anti-freeze technologies, while also saving energy.
[0016] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, preferred embodiments are described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description
[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the specific embodiments or related technologies of the present invention, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or related technologies will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.
[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the self-regulating temperature and antifreeze system for the absorption tower and pipeline provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a hierarchical phase transition structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the thermal response valve provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a condensate recovery mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] icon: 100 - Absorption tower; 200 - Regeneration tower; 300 - Waste heat recirculation unit; 310 - Waste heat piping; 320 - Thermal response valve; 400 - Rich solution pipeline; 500 - Lean solution pipeline; 600 - Low temperature and easily frozen area; 710 - First-stage phase change module; 720 - Second-stage phase change module; 730 - Third-stage phase change module; 800-Condensation Unit. Detailed Implementation
[0020] The technical solution of the present invention will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0021] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.
[0022] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, 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. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. Physical quantities in formulas, unless otherwise specified, should be understood as basic quantities in the International System of Units (SI), or derived quantities derived from basic quantities through mathematical operations such as multiplication, division, differentiation, or integration.
[0023] Furthermore, terms such as "horizontal," "vertical," and "sag" do not imply that components must be absolutely horizontal or suspended, but rather that they can be slightly tilted. For example, "horizontal" simply means that its direction is more horizontal relative to "vertical," and does not mean that the structure must be completely horizontal, but can be slightly tilted.
[0024] In the description of this invention, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" 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 mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.
[0025] The following detailed description of some embodiments of the present invention is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the following embodiments and features described herein can be combined with each other. Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the self-regulating temperature and antifreeze system for the absorption tower and pipeline provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a hierarchical phase transition structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the thermal response valve provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a condensate recovery mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] Example 1 Existing carbon dioxide absorption systems generally suffer from the problem of pipes and valves freezing in cold environments. Existing electric or steam heat tracing methods are energy-intensive, complex to control, and have a high risk of local failure. At the same time, a large amount of low-grade waste heat in the regeneration tower and heat exchange unit of the system is not utilized, resulting in energy waste.
[0027] Therefore, embodiments of the present invention provide an absorption tower and pipeline self-regulating temperature and antifreeze system, see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 1 It includes: an absorption tower 100, a regeneration tower 200 and a waste heat reflux unit 300. The absorption tower 100 transports rich liquid to the regeneration tower 200 through a rich liquid pipeline 400. The regeneration tower 200 transports lean liquid to the absorption tower 100 through a lean liquid pipeline 500. The waste heat reflux unit 300 is located between the absorption tower 100 and the regeneration tower 200 and is used to introduce the low-grade heat generated by the regeneration tower 200 into the low-temperature easily frozen zone 600.
[0028] By installing a waste heat reflux unit 300 between the absorption tower 100 and the regeneration tower 200, the low-grade heat generated by the regeneration tower 200 can be introduced into the low-temperature, easily frozen zone 600. This system is simple to operate, highly reliable, and achieves heat reuse, thus improving energy efficiency. Under extreme low-temperature conditions, the waste heat reflux unit 300 returns waste heat to the low-temperature, easily frozen zone 600, effectively preventing freezing. The self-regulating temperature and anti-freeze system for the absorption tower and pipelines enables automatic anti-freeze and temperature control in low-temperature environments, solving the problems of high energy consumption, complex control, and insufficient system reliability in existing anti-freeze technologies, while also saving energy.
[0029] In an optional embodiment, the waste heat reflux unit 300 includes a waste heat pipeline 310, which is connected between the absorption tower 100 and the regeneration tower 200. A thermal response valve 320 is provided on the waste heat pipeline 310.
[0030] See Figure 1 A low-temperature, easily frozen zone 600 is formed on the waste heat pipeline 310. Under extreme low-temperature conditions, the thermal response valve 320 opens and the waste heat is returned to the low-temperature, easily frozen zone 600 through the waste heat pipeline 310, which can effectively prevent freezing and thus realize the reuse of heat.
[0031] In an optional embodiment, the thermal response valve 320 is a passive regulating valve that can adaptively adjust according to the temperature of the waste heat pipeline 310.
[0032] For details, see Figure 3 The thermal response valve 320 is a passive regulating valve based on thermal expansion materials or a bimetallic structure. It can automatically adjust and achieve completely passive control without the need for electricity. When the temperature drops to a certain low temperature, the thermal response valve 320 automatically opens the waste heat flow path to increase waste heat flow and improve heating; when the temperature rises back to a certain high temperature, the thermal response valve 320 automatically closes to reduce waste heat flow, thereby achieving adaptive regulation.
[0033] In an optional embodiment, the waste heat pipeline 310 is provided with a graded phase change structure with different phase change temperatures in different temperature-sensitive areas.
[0034] This embodiment arranges staged phase change materials with different phase change temperatures in different temperature-sensitive regions. For details, see [link to documentation]. Figure 2 The staged phase change structure includes a primary phase change module 710, a secondary phase change module 720, and a tertiary phase change module 730. The primary phase change module 710 has a phase change temperature of 15℃ and is used in the tower body and main pipelines. The secondary phase change module 720 has a phase change temperature of 10℃ and is used in branch pipes. The tertiary phase change module 730 has a phase change temperature of 5℃ and is used in valves and elbows.
[0035] By arranging primary phase change modules 710, secondary phase change modules 720, and tertiary phase change modules 730 with different phase change temperatures in different temperature-sensitive areas, zoned antifreeze and precise temperature control are achieved. During the high-temperature phase, each stage of the phase change material absorbs heat and stores energy; during the cooling phase, each stage releases latent heat; and at extreme low temperatures, freezing is prevented through the combined effect of waste heat recirculation and the heat release from each stage of the phase change material.
[0036] In an optional embodiment, the primary phase change module 710, the secondary phase change module 720, and the tertiary phase change module 730 are respectively fixed to the outer wall of the corresponding pipe by means of clips or flanges.
[0037] The phase change material adopts a modular packaging form. Each phase change module is fixed to the outer wall of the pipe by a buckle or flange, which facilitates replacement and maintenance.
[0038] In an optional embodiment, a heat buffer structure is provided outside the waste heat pipeline 310.
[0039] Specifically, the thermal buffer structure includes a thermally conductive layer, a graded phase change layer, and an insulating layer arranged sequentially from the inner layer to the outer layer.
[0040] The heat-conducting layer, the graded phase change layer, and the insulation layer form a multi-layer insulation structure outside the pipe, which can enhance the insulation performance of the waste heat pipeline 310 and also play a role in heat buffering.
[0041] In an optional embodiment, the self-regulating temperature and antifreeze system of the absorption tower and pipeline also includes a condensate recovery mechanism, which includes a condensation unit 800. The condensation unit 800 uses the heat released during the flue gas condensate recovery process or the hot water return as an auxiliary heat source to deliver to the low-temperature, easily frozen area 600.
[0042] See Figure 4 Moist flue gas containing carbon, water, and a heat source enters the condensation unit 800. The condensation unit 800 utilizes the heat released during the flue gas condensate recovery process or the hot water return from the storage tank as an auxiliary heat source to deliver heat to low-temperature, easily frozen areas 600, such as the outlet of the absorption tower 100 and the lean liquid pipeline 500. The recovered condensate from the condensation unit 800 can also be used for heat capacity regulation, providing additional heat to prevent freezing and improving the overall thermal stability of the system. The coupling of the condensate recovery mechanism achieves system-level energy-saving optimization.
[0043] The absorption tower and pipeline self-regulating temperature antifreeze system of this embodiment introduces a graded phase change material, a self-regulating temperature structure and a waste heat return mechanism, and can be coupled with a condensate recovery mechanism to achieve automatic antifreeze and temperature control of the equipment in low-temperature environments. This solves the problems of high energy consumption, complex control and insufficient system reliability of existing antifreeze technologies.
[0044] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.
Claims
1. A self-regulating temperature control and antifreeze system for an absorption tower and its pipelines, characterized in that, include: The system includes an absorption tower, a regeneration tower, and a waste heat reflux unit. The absorption tower delivers rich liquid to the regeneration tower via a rich liquid pipeline, and the regeneration tower delivers lean liquid to the absorption tower via a lean liquid pipeline. The waste heat reflux unit is located between the absorption tower and the regeneration tower and is used to introduce the low-grade heat generated by the regeneration tower into a low-temperature, easily frozen area.
2. The self-regulating temperature and antifreeze system for the absorption tower and pipeline according to claim 1, characterized in that, The waste heat recirculation unit includes a waste heat pipeline connected between the absorption tower and the regeneration tower, and a thermal response valve is installed on the waste heat pipeline.
3. The self-regulating temperature and antifreeze system for the absorption tower and pipeline according to claim 2, characterized in that, The thermal response valve is a passive regulating valve that can adaptively adjust according to the temperature of the waste heat pipeline.
4. The self-regulating temperature and antifreeze system for the absorption tower and pipeline according to claim 2, characterized in that, The waste heat pipeline is equipped with a graded phase change structure with different phase change temperatures in different temperature-sensitive areas.
5. The self-regulating temperature and antifreeze system for the absorption tower and pipeline according to claim 4, characterized in that, The staged phase change structure includes a primary phase change module, a secondary phase change module, and a tertiary phase change module. The primary phase change module has a phase change temperature of 15°C and is used for the tower body and main pipelines. The secondary phase change module has a phase change temperature of 10°C and is used for branch pipes. The tertiary phase change module has a phase change temperature of 5°C and is used for valves and elbows.
6. The self-regulating temperature and antifreeze system for the absorption tower and pipeline according to claim 5, characterized in that, The primary phase change module, the secondary phase change module, and the tertiary phase change module are respectively fixed to the outer wall of the corresponding pipe by clips or flanges.
7. The self-regulating temperature and antifreeze system for the absorption tower and pipeline according to claim 2, characterized in that, A heat buffer structure is installed outside the waste heat pipeline.
8. The self-regulating temperature and antifreeze system for the absorption tower and pipeline according to claim 7, characterized in that, The thermal buffer structure includes a thermally conductive layer, a graded phase change layer, and an insulating layer arranged sequentially from the inner layer to the outer layer.
9. The self-regulating temperature and antifreeze system for the absorption tower and pipeline according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, It also includes a condensate recovery mechanism, which includes a condensation unit. The condensation unit uses the heat released during the flue gas condensate recovery process or the hot water return as an auxiliary heat source to deliver to the low-temperature, easily frozen area.
10. The self-regulating temperature and antifreeze system for the absorption tower and pipeline according to claim 9, characterized in that, The condensate recovered from the condensation unit can be used for heat capacity regulation.