Energy-saving heat exchanger based on industrial argon and high-purity oxygen production

Abstract

This invention relates to an energy-saving heat exchanger based on industrial argon and high-purity oxygen production, belonging to the technical field of energy-saving heat exchangers. It includes a housing, inside which a heat exchange tube bundle is installed. A flow equalization plate is positioned on the left side of the heat exchange tube bundle inside the housing. A flow-blocking ring is installed on the inner wall of the left side of the housing at the air inlet. Several rotating rods are rotatably connected inside the housing, with protrusions at both ends of the rotating rods. This invention incorporates an airflow control component, a flow equalization plate, and a flow-blocking ring to divert and rectify the incoming compressed air, ensuring that the compressed air evenly coats and adheres to the surface of the heat exchange tube bundle. This achieves full-area, thorough heat exchange, and completely improves the problems of airflow deviation, uneven heat exchange, and dead zones, significantly increasing the efficiency of heat exchange and the utilization rate of the heat exchange area. When the airflow temperature inside the tube bundle rises and the medium's heat absorption approaches saturation, the angle of the fan plate is simultaneously adjusted to increase the internal airflow delivery.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of energy-saving heat exchanger technology, specifically to an energy-saving heat exchanger based on industrial argon and high-purity oxygen production. Background Technology

[0002] Heat exchangers are essential heat exchange equipment in industrial production, widely used in air separation, chemical, energy, and refrigeration industries. They are primarily used for heat transfer and energy recovery between different media. In the production process of industrial argon and high-purity oxygen, heat exchangers play a crucial role in pre-cooling compressed air, exchanging heat between cryogenic gases, and recovering and utilizing cold energy. Their heat exchange performance directly affects the energy efficiency and operational stability of the entire production system. Energy-saving heat exchangers are applied in cryogenic industrial argon and pure oxygen production processes. Utilizing the principle of counter-current convection heat transfer between high and low temperature media, compressed air to be cooled serves as the hot-side medium, while cryogenic liquid / gaseous pure oxygen serves as the cold-side medium. Heat transfer occurs through the walls of the heat exchange tube bundle. Simultaneously, with internal adjustable flow guiding and splitting structures and thermal insulation design, they achieve compressed air pre-cooling, recovery of cold energy from pure oxygen and industrial argon, and heat gradient displacement, fully recovering and reusing the carried cryogenic cold energy.

[0003] During the process of external compressed air entering the heat exchange equipment to recover waste heat and cold energy from industrial argon and high-purity oxygen production gases, the external compressed air often struggles to pass evenly through the internal heat exchange tube bundle. This easily leads to airflow deviation, uneven velocity distribution, and the formation of localized flow dead zones. This situation not only hinders the compressed air from achieving sufficient and balanced heat and cold exchange with the gas inside the tube bundle, resulting in decreased overall heat exchange efficiency, insufficient cold energy recovery, and difficulty in realizing the energy-saving effect of the equipment, but also causes large temperature differences between different areas inside the heat exchanger, leading to fluctuations in distillation conditions and interfering with argon production. The stable separation of oxygen components affects the purity and quality consistency of industrial argon and high-purity oxygen production. On the other hand, after external compressed air enters the heat exchanger, the gas flowing through the front end will continuously absorb the cold energy on the surface of the heat exchange tube bundle and quickly approach the heat exchange saturation state. This causes the gas's temperature drop to gradually decrease and its heat absorption capacity to decrease significantly. The compressed air flowing to the end of the heat exchanger has lost sufficient temperature differential potential and is not convenient to exchange heat effectively with the industrial argon and high-purity oxygen in the end heat exchange tube bundle, resulting in excessive heat exchange at the front end and insufficient heat exchange at the end of the heat exchanger.

[0004] To address the aforementioned issues, innovative design based on existing methods is urgently needed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an energy-saving heat exchanger based on industrial argon and high-purity oxygen production to solve the problems mentioned in the background. The technical solution of this invention addresses the problem that the existing technical solutions are too simplistic and provides a solution that is significantly different from the existing technology.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: an energy-saving heat exchanger based on industrial argon and high-purity oxygen production, comprising a housing, wherein a heat exchange tube bundle is installed inside the housing, a flow equalization plate is disposed on the left side of the heat exchange tube bundle inside the housing, a flow-blocking ring is installed on the left inner wall of the housing at the air inlet, several rotating rods are rotatably connected inside the housing, and protrusions are installed at both ends of the rotating rods, a drive platform is rotatably connected inside the flow-blocking ring, and six sets of circumferentially distributed thin rods are rotatably connected inside the drive platform, and a first layer plate and a second layer plate are slidably limited within the gap from left to right inside the heat exchange tube bundle; an airflow control component is installed on the surface of the flow equalization plate, and two sets of heat exchange uniformity components are disposed on the side of the first layer plate and the second layer plate near the inner wall of the housing; The airflow control assembly includes a connecting rod rotatably connected to the protrusions at both ends of several rotating rods. A first micro push rod is installed on the right side surface of the flow equalization plate. A connecting plate is installed on the extended end of the first micro push rod. The bottom of the connecting plate is limited and slidably within the groove at the top of the protrusions at both ends of the rotating rod. The assembly also includes a push plate rotatably installed on the left side of the flow equalization plate.

[0007] Preferably, a plurality of the rotating rods are vertically and equidistantly distributed on the right side of the flow equalization plate, and a plurality of protrusions are installed on the surface of the rotating rods.

[0008] Preferably, the sidewall of the flow-blocking ring is hollow, and a plurality of circumferentially distributed partition plates are installed inside the hollow sidewall of the flow-blocking ring.

[0009] Preferably, the push plate slides within the cavity of the drive platform, and the six sets of thin rods rotatably connected inside the drive platform are all equipped with toothed rings on the inner surface of the drive platform. The surface of the push plate is equipped with six sets of racks corresponding to the toothed rings on the surfaces of the six sets of thin rods.

[0010] Preferably, an electric push rod is installed on the inner left side surface of the box, and the extended end of the electric push rod is connected to the flow equalization plate. The flow equalization plate has several equidistantly distributed through holes inside.

[0011] Preferably, the heat exchange uniformity component includes sliding rods installed on the inner walls of both sides of the box, the first layer plate being laterally limited and slidable on the inner surface of the sliding rods, a movable plate being installed on one side of the first layer plate, a micro actuator being installed on the inner wall of the box near the movable plate, a rotating plate being installed at the output end of the micro actuator, a second micro push rod being installed inside the rotating plate, a protrusion being installed at the extended end of the second micro push rod, and a number of baffles installed on the surfaces of the first layer plate and the second layer plate.

[0012] Preferably, both the first and second layers have several air inlet gaps inside, the size of the air inlet gap inside the first layer is larger than that inside the second layer, and the baffle is located at the upper and lower ends of the several air inlet gaps inside the first and second layers, and the baffle is set in an open shape.

[0013] Preferably, the surface of the movable plate has a groove, and the protrusion on the surface of the rotating plate slides within the groove of the movable plate.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: 1. This invention incorporates an airflow control component, a flow equalization plate, and a flow-blocking ring to divert and rectify the incoming compressed air, ensuring it evenly coats and adheres to the surface of the heat exchange tube bundle. This achieves full-area, thorough heat exchange, effectively addressing issues such as airflow deviation, uneven heat exchange, and dead zones. It significantly improves heat exchange efficiency and heat exchange area utilization. When the internal airflow temperature rises and the medium approaches heat saturation, the fan plate angle is simultaneously adjusted to increase the internal airflow volume, accelerating the discharge of high-temperature airflow and the replenishment of fresh cold air. This not only fully recovers the cold energy carried by industrial argon and high-purity oxygen, improving energy recovery and utilization, and reducing the overall cooling energy consumption of the gas production equipment for excellent energy-saving effects, but also stabilizes heat exchange conditions, ensuring the purity of the produced gas meets standards. Furthermore, it reduces frost and ice formation in localized low-temperature areas, lowers the probability of pipeline blockage, reduces downtime maintenance frequency, effectively extends equipment lifespan, and enhances the overall operational stability and practicality of the heat exchanger.

[0015] 2. This invention is equipped with a heat exchange uniformity component, a first plate, and a second plate. Surface baffles block and limit the gas that has initially absorbed heat and is approaching saturation, causing a slight backflow of the saturated airflow. This allows for thorough mixing and fusion with the incoming airflow, effectively reducing the overall saturation of the airflow's cold absorption. This addresses the root cause of the problem of premature cold absorption saturation at the front end and insufficient heat exchange at the rear end, ensuring consistent heat exchange effects at both ends of the heat exchanger. When the temperature of the airflow inside the heat exchange tube bundle rises, the movement and adjustment range of the first and second plates are increased. This allows for flexible changes in the internal airflow space and path, quickly adjusting the airflow velocity and mixing degree, further accelerating the heat exchange efficiency of the high-temperature airflow, and continuously maintaining a reasonable heat exchange temperature difference. This ensures stable and efficient heat exchange between compressed air and the industrial argon and high-purity oxygen inside the tube bundle, maximizing the cold energy recovery and utilization rate, reducing energy consumption of refrigeration equipment, and achieving energy-saving production. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the housing of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the flow equalization plate and flow obstruction ring of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the flow-blocking ring of the present invention; Figure 5 For the present invention Figure 4 Enlarged structural diagram at point A; Figure 6 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the airflow control component of the present invention; Figure 7 For the present invention Figure 6 Enlarged structural diagram at point B; Figure 8 This is a partial structural diagram of the first and second layers of the present invention; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the heat exchange uniformity component of the present invention; Figure 10 This is a partial structural diagram of the rotating plate of the present invention.

[0017] In the diagram: 1. Housing; 2. Heat exchange tube bundle; 3. Flow equalization plate; 4. Flow baffle ring; 5. Rotating rod; 6. Divider plate; 7. Drive platform; 8. Fan plate; 9. First layer plate; 10. Second layer plate; 111. Connecting rod; 112. First micro push rod; 113. Connecting plate; 114. Electric push rod; 115. Push plate; 116. Gear ring; 117. Rack; 121. Baffle; 122. Slide rod; 123. Moving plate; 124. Micro actuator; 125. Rotating plate; 126. Second micro push rod. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To further illustrate the technical means and effects of the present invention in achieving its intended purpose, the following detailed description of the specific implementation methods, structures, features, and effects of the present invention, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments, is provided below.

[0019] Please see Figures 1-10This invention provides a technical solution: an energy-saving heat exchanger based on industrial argon and high-purity oxygen production, comprising a housing 1, a heat exchange tube bundle 2 installed inside the housing 1, a flow equalization plate 3 located on the left side of the heat exchange tube bundle 2 inside the housing 1, a flow-blocking ring 4 installed on the left inner wall of the housing 1 at the air inlet, the side wall of the flow-blocking ring 4 being hollow, and several circumferentially distributed partition plates 6 installed inside the hollow side wall of the flow-blocking ring 4, and several rotating rods 5 rotatably connected inside the housing 1, the rotating rods 5 being vertically aligned to the right of the flow equalization plate 3. The rotating rod 5 has several protruding plates on its surface and protruding strips at both ends. The flow-blocking ring 4 is rotatably connected to the drive platform 7. The drive platform 7 is rotatably connected to six sets of circumferentially distributed thin rods. The end of the six sets of thin rods away from the drive platform 7 is equipped with a fan plate 8. The heat exchange tube bundle 2 has a first layer plate 9 and a second layer plate 10 that slide in the gap from left to right. The flow equalization plate 3 has an airflow control component on its surface. The first layer plate 9 and the second layer plate 10 are provided with two sets of heat exchange equalization components on the side of the first layer plate 9 and the second layer plate 10 near the inner wall of the box 1. The gases produced by industrial argon and high-purity oxygen are introduced into the heat exchange tube bundle 2 inside the chamber 1. At this time, the heat exchange tube bundle 2 absorbs the heat contained in the internal gas. Then, external compressed air is introduced into the chamber 1 through the air inlet. At this time, the compressed air inside the chamber 1 absorbs the heat generated on the surface of the heat exchange tube bundle 2, thereby achieving the heat exchange effect.

[0020] As one embodiment of the present invention, the airflow control component includes a connecting rod 111 rotatably connected to the protrusions at both ends of a plurality of rotating rods 5, a first micro push rod 112 is installed on the right side surface of the flow equalization plate 3, a connecting plate 113 is installed at the extended end of the first micro push rod 112, and the bottom of the connecting plate 113 is limited and slidably in the groove at the top of the protrusions at both ends of the rotating rods 5. It also includes a push plate 115 rotatably installed on the left side of the flow equalization plate 3, the push plate 115 is limited and slidably in the cavity inside the drive platform 7, six sets of thin rods rotatably connected inside the drive platform 7 are each equipped with a toothed ring 116 on the inner surface of the drive platform 7, and six sets of racks 117 corresponding to the toothed rings 116 on the surface of the push plate 115 are installed on the surface of the push plate 115, an electric push rod 114 is installed on the inner wall surface of the left side inside the housing 1, the extended end of the electric push rod 114 is connected to the flow equalization plate 3, and a plurality of equidistantly distributed through holes are opened inside the flow equalization plate 3. After external compressed air enters the chamber, the six sets of fan plates 8 rotate to create airflow and accelerate the gas delivery. The airflow is smoothly dispersed through the side wall of the flow-blocking ring 4. A miniature push rod drives the moving plate 123 to rise and fall, which in turn links multiple sets of rotating rods 5 and convex plates to swing. This, together with the flow equalization plate 3, ensures that the airflow is evenly distributed and fully conforms to the heat exchange tube bundle 2 to complete heat exchange. When the temperature rises, the electric push rod 114 pushes the flow equalization plate 3, changes the transmission engagement position, amplifies the swing amplitude of the rotating rod 5, and rapidly increases the airflow rate. The entire structure can efficiently rectify and equalize the flow, eliminate airflow deviation and heat exchange dead zones, significantly improve heat exchange efficiency and cold energy recovery rate, effectively reduce the energy consumption of the gasification equipment, and at the same time, precisely control the airflow to quickly adjust the temperature and stabilize the operating conditions, ensuring the purity of the produced gas. It can also prevent pipeline frost and blockage, reduce maintenance frequency, and effectively extend the service life of the equipment.

[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchange uniformity assembly includes slide rods 122 installed on the inner walls of both sides of the housing 1. A first layer plate 9 slides laterally on the inner surface of the slide rods 122. A movable plate 123 is installed on one side of the first layer plate 9. A micro actuator 124 is installed on the inner wall of the housing 1 near the movable plate 123. A rotating plate 125 is installed at the output end of the micro actuator 124. A second micro push rod 126 is installed inside the rotating plate 125. A protrusion is installed at the protruding end of the second micro push rod 126. It includes several baffles 121 installed on the surfaces of the first layer plate 9 and the second layer plate 10. Several air inlet gaps are opened inside the first layer plate 9 and the second layer plate 10. The size of the air inlet gap inside the first layer plate 9 is larger than that inside the second layer plate 10. The baffles 121 are located at the upper and lower ends of the several air inlet gaps inside the first layer plate 9 and the second layer plate 10, and the baffles 121 are open. The surface of the movable plate 123 is provided with a slot. The surface of the rotating plate 125 protrudes and slides within the slot of the movable plate 123. The micro actuator 124 drives the rotating plate 125 to rotate. Its protrusions compress and limit the sliding plate 123, causing it to slide back and forth along the slide rod 122. This, in conjunction with the operation of the first plate 9, uses the baffle 121 on the plate surface to block the heat-absorbing saturated airflow, causing it to flow back and mix, thus weakening the saturated state of the airflow. When the secondary airflow flows through the second plate 10, it flows back and mixes again, achieving a balanced heat exchange state layer by layer. When the temperature rises, the second electric push rod 114 adjusts the protrusion extension length, increasing the compressive force and sliding stroke, expanding the range of motion of the two plates, and flexibly adjusting the airflow channel and flow rate. This structure can promote thorough mixing of the airflow, eliminating the drawbacks of premature saturation at the front end and insufficient heat exchange at the rear end, resulting in a uniform heat exchange effect throughout the entire area. It can also enhance the heat exchange efficiency of high-temperature airflow as needed, stabilize the heat exchange conditions, fully recover the cold energy of argon and high-purity oxygen, and improve energy utilization.

[0022] Working principle: When in use, the gas produced by industrial argon and high-purity oxygen is first introduced into the heat exchange tube bundle 2 inside the box 1. At this time, the heat exchange tube bundle 2 absorbs the heat contained in the internal gas. Then, external compressed air is introduced into the box 1 through the air inlet. At this time, the compressed air inside the box 1 absorbs the heat generated on the surface of the heat exchange tube bundle 2, thereby achieving the heat exchange effect. When external compressed air enters the housing 1, the airflow disturbance is assisted by the rotation of the drive platform 7 driven by the six sets of fan plates 8, increasing the airflow delivery and allowing the airflow to exit through the hollow side wall of the flow-blocking ring 4. At this time, the extension end of the first micro push rod 112 extends back and forth, driving the connecting plate 113 to move up and down. While the connecting plate 113 moves up and down, it drives the rotating rod 5 to rotate inside the housing 1. The connecting rod 111 drives several rotating rods 5 to rotate synchronously, causing the convex plates on the surface of several rotating rods 5 to swing back and forth, so that the internal airflow flows out evenly from the through holes inside the flow equalization plate 3, ensuring uniform contact between the compressed air and the heat exchange tube bundle 2. Meanwhile, the micro actuator 124 drives the rotating plate 125 to rotate. When the rotating plate 125 rotates, the protrusion will squeeze the moving plate 123 and limit its sliding in its slot, so that the moving plate 123 slides back and forth on the surface of the slide rod 122. While the moving plate 123 slides, it drives the first layer plate 9. At this time, the baffle 121 on the surface of the first layer plate 9 will block the gas that is gradually approaching saturation at the first contact temperature, causing it to flow back slightly and mix with the subsequent airflow, reducing the saturation degree in the airflow. When the secondary airflow enters the interior of the second layer plate 10, the secondary airflow is refluxed again by the establishment of another set of heat exchange uniform components to ensure the heat exchange effect. When the internal airflow temperature of the heat exchange tube bundle 2 is high, the extension end of the electric push rod 114 pushes the flow equalization plate 3 to move towards the right side of the housing 1. At the same time, the flow equalization plate 3 moves and drives the connecting plate 113 to move synchronously. At this time, the position of the connecting plate 113 in the groove of the protrusion at both ends of the rotating rod 5 changes, so that the extension end of the first micro push rod 112 drives the extension end of the first micro push rod 112 to extend back and forth. When the connecting plate 113 moves up and down, the rotation amplitude of the rotating rod 5 is increased simultaneously, increasing the speed at which the internal airflow flows out uniformly from the through hole inside the flow equalization plate 3. At the same time, the extension end of the second micro push rod 126 pushes the protrusion to extend outward. When the rotating plate 125 rotates, the protrusion will increase the squeezing force on the moving plate 123 and increase the distance of its limited sliding in the groove, so that the first plate 9 and the second plate 10 move back and forth on the surface of the sliding rod 122, increasing the heat exchange effect on the high-temperature airflow.

[0023] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-disclosed technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An energy-saving heat exchanger based on industrial argon and high-purity oxygen production, comprising a housing (1), characterized in that: The box (1) is equipped with a heat exchange tube bundle (2). A flow equalization plate (3) is set inside the box (1) on the left side of the heat exchange tube bundle (2). A flow obstruction ring (4) is installed on the left inner wall of the box (1) at the air inlet. Several rotating rods (5) are rotatably connected inside the box (1). The rotating rods (5) are equipped with protrusions at both ends. A drive platform (7) is rotatably connected inside the flow obstruction ring (4). Six sets of thin rods distributed equidistantly in a circular shape are rotatably connected inside the drive platform (7). A first layer plate (9) and a second layer plate (10) are limited and slid in the gap from left to right inside the heat exchange tube bundle (2). An airflow control component is installed on the surface of the flow equalization plate (3). Two sets of heat exchange equalization components are set on the side of the first layer plate (9) and the second layer plate (10) near the inner wall of the box (1). The airflow control assembly includes a connecting rod (111) rotatably connected to the protrusions at both ends of a plurality of rotating rods (5), a first micro push rod (112) is mounted on the right side surface of the flow equalization plate (3), a connecting plate (113) is mounted on the extended end of the first micro push rod (112), the bottom of the connecting plate (113) is limited and slidable in the groove at the top of the protrusions at both ends of the rotating rod (5), and also includes a push plate (115) rotatably mounted on the left side of the flow equalization plate (3).

2. The energy-saving heat exchanger based on industrial argon and high-purity oxygen production according to claim 1, characterized in that: Several rotating rods (5) are vertically and equidistantly distributed on the right side of the flow equalization plate (3), and several protruding plates are installed on the surface of the rotating rods (5).

3. An energy-saving heat exchanger based on industrial argon and high-purity oxygen production according to claim 2, characterized in that: The sidewall of the flow-blocking ring (4) is hollow, and several circumferentially distributed partition plates (6) are installed inside the hollow sidewall of the flow-blocking ring (4).

4. An energy-saving heat exchanger based on industrial argon and high-purity oxygen production according to claim 3, characterized in that: The six sets of thin rods are equipped with a fan plate (8) at the end away from the drive platform (7).

5. An energy-saving heat exchanger based on industrial argon and high-purity oxygen production according to claim 4, characterized in that: The push plate (115) slides within the cavity of the drive platform (7). The six sets of thin rods rotatably connected inside the drive platform (7) are all equipped with toothed rings (116) on the inner surface of the drive platform (7). The surface of the push plate (115) is equipped with six sets of racks (117) corresponding to the toothed rings (116) on the surface of the six sets of thin rods.

6. An energy-saving heat exchanger based on industrial argon and high-purity oxygen production according to claim 5, characterized in that: An electric push rod (114) is installed on the inner wall surface of the left side inside the box (1). The extended end of the electric push rod (114) is connected to the flow equalization plate (3). The flow equalization plate (3) has several through holes distributed at equal intervals inside.

7. An energy-saving heat exchanger based on industrial argon and high-purity oxygen production according to claim 6, characterized in that: The heat exchange uniformity component includes a slide rod (122) installed on the inner walls of both sides of the box (1). The first layer plate (9) slides laterally on the inner surface of the slide rod (122). A movable plate (123) is installed on one side of the first layer plate (9). A micro driver (124) is installed on the inner wall of the box (1) near the movable plate (123). A rotating plate (125) is installed at the output end of the micro driver (124). A second micro push rod (126) is installed inside the rotating plate (125). A protrusion is installed at the extended end of the second micro push rod (126). The component also includes several baffles (121) installed on the surfaces of the first layer plate (9) and the second layer plate (10).

8. An energy-saving heat exchanger based on industrial argon and high-purity oxygen production according to claim 7, characterized in that: The first layer plate (9) and the second layer plate (10) are provided with several air inlet gaps. The size of the air inlet gap inside the first layer plate (9) is larger than that inside the second layer plate (10). The baffle (121) is located at the upper and lower ends of the several air inlet gaps inside the first layer plate (9) and the second layer plate (10), and the baffle (121) is set in an open shape.

9. An energy-saving heat exchanger based on industrial argon and high-purity oxygen production according to claim 8, characterized in that: The surface of the movable plate (123) is provided with a slot, and the surface of the rotating plate (125) protrudes and slides within the slot of the movable plate (123).

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