A sodium silicate solution discharge system

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of sodium silicate production technology and discloses a sodium silicate solution discharge system. The input end of the discharge system is connected to a dissolution reactor. The system is characterized by comprising, along the material flow direction, a gradient buffer structure, a pressure-reducing separation structure, a stirring tank, and a recovery water tank, sequentially connected to the dissolution reactor. The gradient buffer structure consists of at least two buffer bends connected in series. Each buffer bend includes a buffer cavity, an inlet pipe, and an outlet pipe. The inlet pipe is located at one end of the buffer cavity, and the outlet pipe is located on the side of the buffer cavity, with the axes of the inlet and outlet pipes perpendicular. In this invention, the pressure of the sodium silicate solution discharged from the dissolution reactor is released in stages, resulting in stable and reliable operation. This improves the high-temperature and high-pressure medium transportation conditions, reduces equipment wear and maintenance costs, and achieves resource recovery of sodium silicate solution and exhaust steam, balancing operational safety, stability, energy conservation, and environmental protection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of sodium silicate production technology, and in particular to a sodium silicate solution discharge system. Background Technology

[0002] Sodium silicate (commonly known as water glass) is an important inorganic silicon compound widely used in chemical, building materials, casting, and papermaking industries. Industrially, sodium silicate solution is mainly produced using two process routes: one involves dissolving solid sodium silicate in a high-temperature, high-pressure reactor; the other uses quartz sand and caustic soda as raw materials, reacting them in a high-temperature, high-pressure reactor. Regardless of the process used, the sodium silicate solution in the reactor remains in a high-temperature, high-pressure saturated state after the reaction, with the material containing a large amount of high-temperature steam and flash vapor.

[0003] Currently, the industry commonly uses a single-stage direct pressure relief discharge method for discharging sodium silicate solutions, which involves directly releasing the high-pressure material from the reactor to an atmospheric pressure storage tank via a single valve or pipeline. This method has the following technical drawbacks: First, the pressure loss during the discharge process poses a high risk to equipment safety. Single-stage direct pressure relief causes the high-temperature, high-pressure sodium silicate solution to flash instantly, resulting in drastic fluctuations in discharge pressure. The pipeline is subjected to extremely high impact loads, causing severe vibrations. At the same time, material splashing can easily cause leakage at the conveying pipeline interfaces and damage to valves, leading to a high equipment failure rate. This seriously affects the continuous and stable operation of the production line and poses significant safety hazards.

[0004] Secondly, the disorderly emission of high-temperature steam wastes thermal energy and pollutes the environment. During the high-pressure discharge process, a large amount of high-temperature steam is directly discharged into the air and cannot be effectively recovered and utilized, resulting in significant thermal energy loss and high production energy consumption. In addition, the high-temperature steam carries trace amounts of sodium silicate droplets, which form dust and condensation in the workshop, causing environmental pollution and harsh production conditions.

[0005] Third, the gas-liquid mixing during transport affects the quality of the finished product. The existing discharge process lacks a gradient pressure stabilization and gas-liquid stratification treatment structure, resulting in severe gas-liquid mixing of high-temperature sodium silicate material. Direct transport to the storage tank can easily cause liquid level fluctuations, material tumbling, and uneven settling, thereby affecting the purity of the sodium silicate product and the quality of subsequent processing.

[0006] Fourth, the lack of a systematic buffering and recovery structure makes it difficult to adapt to large-scale continuous production. Traditional processes lack a systematic steam recovery and material buffering structure, making it impossible to achieve a smooth transition during high-pressure discharge and the utilization of thermal energy resources. This fails to meet the needs of sodium silicate production moving towards large-scale, continuous, and green production.

[0007] In summary, existing sodium silicate discharge technologies suffer from prominent problems such as unstable discharge pressure, significant equipment impact damage, severe steam energy waste, unstable material conveying, and poor finished product quality. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a sodium silicate solution discharge system and method capable of multi-stage gradient buffering, graded pressure reduction, gas-liquid separation, steam recovery, and pressure-stabilized conveying to address these technical deficiencies and meet the production requirements for continuous discharge of high-temperature, high-pressure sodium silicate. Summary of the Invention

[0008] In view of this, the present invention provides a sodium silicate solution discharge system and method to solve the problems of unstable discharge pressure, large equipment impact damage, serious steam energy waste, unstable material conveying, and poor finished product quality in existing sodium silicate discharge technologies.

[0009] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A sodium silicate solution discharge system, wherein the input end of the discharge system is connected to a dissolution reactor and, along the material flow direction, the discharge system includes a gradient buffer structure, a pressure reduction separation structure, a stirring tank and a recovery water tank, which are sequentially connected to the dissolution reactor. The gradient buffer structure is composed of at least two buffer elbows connected in series. Each buffer elbow includes a buffer cavity, an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe. The inlet pipe is located at one end of the buffer cavity, and the outlet pipe is located on the side of the buffer cavity. The axis of the inlet pipe is perpendicular to the axis of the outlet pipe.

[0010] Preferably, the buffer cavity is cylindrical, and the end of the buffer cavity away from the inlet pipe is arc-shaped.

[0011] Preferably, the end of the buffer cavity where the inlet pipe is located is arc-shaped.

[0012] Preferably, the pressure-reducing separation structure includes a primary pressure-reducing separator, a horizontal pressure-reducing liquid separator, and multiple secondary pressure-reducing separators connected in parallel. The liquid phase outlet of the primary pressure-reducing separator is provided with a main pipeline and branch pipelines. The primary pressure-reducing separator is connected to the outlet pipe at the end. The horizontal pressure-reducing liquid separator is connected to the main pipeline of the liquid phase outlet of the primary pressure-reducing separator. The horizontal pressure-reducing liquid separator is provided with multiple liquid distribution ports, which are connected to the secondary pressure-reducing separators. The liquid phase outlet of the secondary pressure-reducing separators is connected to the stirring tank.

[0013] Preferably, an orifice plate is provided between the liquid phase output pipe of the secondary pressure reducing separator and the input pipe of the stirring tank, and the inner diameter of the liquid phase output pipe of the secondary pressure reducing separator is larger than the inner diameter of the orifice plate.

[0014] Preferably, the branch pipe of the liquid phase outlet of the first-stage pressure reducing separator is connected to the stirring tank through an orifice plate, and the inner diameter of the branch pipe is larger than the inner diameter of the orifice plate.

[0015] Preferably, the gas phase outlets of the primary pressure reducing separator, the horizontal pressure reducing liquid separator, and the secondary pressure reducing separator are all connected to the stirred storage tank.

[0016] Preferably, a waste vapor absorption cylinder is provided below the liquid level of the recycled water tank, and the cylinder body of the waste vapor absorption cylinder has several holes. The top of the stirred storage tank is connected to the waste vapor absorption cylinder through a waste vapor absorption pipe.

[0017] Preferably, the top of the recycled water tank is provided with a steam vent.

[0018] Preferably, the venting pressure of the dissolution reactor is 0.3-1.2 MPa, and the exhaust steam pressure entering the exhaust steam absorption pipe from the stirring tank is 0.03-0.08 MPa.

[0019] Preferably, an automatic discharge valve is provided between the dissolution reactor and the gradient buffer structure.

[0020] This invention provides a sodium silicate solution discharge system, which has the following advantages compared with the prior art: The sodium silicate solution discharge system of the present invention adopts at least two-stage buffer elbows connected in series to form a gradient buffer structure, which, together with the pressure reduction separation structure, stirring storage tank and recovery water tank, allows the pressure of the sodium silicate solution discharged from the dissolution reactor to be released step by step, ensuring stable and reliable operation. This not only improves the high-temperature and high-pressure medium transportation conditions and reduces equipment wear and maintenance costs, but also realizes the resource recovery of sodium silicate solution and exhaust steam, taking into account operational safety, stability and energy saving and environmental protection.

[0021] After the sodium silicate solution flows out of the dissolution reactor, it forms a right-angle reversal channel through a series of buffer bends. This dissipates the kinetic energy and impact force of the high-temperature and high-pressure sodium silicate solution step by step, significantly reducing media scouring, water hammer, and vibration, effectively protecting pipelines and equipment, and extending their service life. The subsequent pressure-reducing separation structure achieves gradient pressure reduction and gas-liquid separation, steadily reducing the media pressure, fully removing gaseous and droplet impurities, and stabilizing the material state. After the material is sent to the mixing tank, it is homogenized and blended. The exhaust steam generated in the mixing tank is introduced into the recovery water tank for condensation and recovery, realizing the recycling of water resources. Attached Figure Description

[0022] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0023] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a sodium silicate solution discharge system; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a buffer elbow; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the exhaust steam absorption cylinder.

[0024] In the diagram: 1-Dissolving reaction vessel, 2-Stirring storage tank, 21-Stirring mechanism, 22-Vertical flat baffle, 3-Recovery water tank, 31-Steam vent, 4-Buffer elbow, 41-Buffer cavity, 42-Inlet pipe, 43-Outlet pipe, 5-First-stage pressure reducing separator, 6-Horizontal pressure reducing liquid separator, 7-Second-stage pressure reducing separator, 8-Waste steam absorption cylinder, 81-Waste steam absorption pipe. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The present invention will be described below through specific embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that the specific embodiments below are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the invention in any way. Furthermore, in the following embodiments, unless otherwise specified, the reagents and equipment used are commercially available. If specific processing conditions and methods are not explicitly described in the later embodiments, conditions and methods known in the art can be used for processing.

[0026] like Figure 1 As shown, this invention provides a sodium silicate solution discharge system. The input end of the discharge system is connected to the dissolution reactor 1. Along the material flow direction, the discharge system includes a gradient buffer structure, a pressure-reducing separation structure, a stirring tank 2, and a recovery water tank 3, which are sequentially connected to the dissolution reactor 1. The dissolution reactor 1 is the high-temperature, high-pressure reactor mentioned in the background section, used for the dissolution reaction in the preparation process of sodium silicate solution.

[0027] In some embodiments of the present invention, the gradient buffer structure is composed of at least two buffer elbows 4 connected in series. Each buffer elbow 4 includes a buffer cavity 41, an inlet pipe 42, and an outlet pipe 43. The inlet pipe 42 is disposed at one end of the buffer cavity 41, and the outlet pipe 43 is disposed on the side of the buffer cavity 41. The axis of the inlet pipe 42 and the axis of the outlet pipe 43 are perpendicular to each other.

[0028] The buffer chamber 41, inlet pipe 42, and outlet pipe 43 of this invention cooperate to form a right-angled zigzag buffer structure. High-temperature, high-pressure, and high-flow-rate sodium silicate solution discharged from the dissolving reactor 1 enters the buffer chamber 41 through the inlet pipe 42. As the solution continues to enter, the interior of the buffer chamber 41 is completely filled with sodium silicate solution. At this time, when the high-speed sodium silicate solution impacts the inner wall of the buffer chamber 41 at the end away from the inlet pipe 42, it is constrained by the boundary of the buffer chamber 41 and flows in a zigzag manner, forming a liquid column at the end of the buffer chamber 41 with pressure stabilization and energy absorption functions. This liquid column can gradually absorb and dissipate the impact energy of the sodium silicate solution, significantly weakening the direct impact of the high-speed liquid flow on the wall of the buffer chamber 41, avoiding local stress concentration, initially stabilizing the material conveying velocity and pressure, and simultaneously smoothly changing the fluid flow direction, significantly improving the operational stability of the equipment and extending its service life.

[0029] like Figure 1 As shown, multiple dissolving reactors 1 can simultaneously process the discharged sodium silicate solution through this system. It should be noted that the sodium silicate solution discharged from any dissolving reactor 1 must pass through at least two buffer bends 4 before flowing to the pressure reduction and separation structure. This ensures that the discharge pressure of the dissolving reactor can be gradually reduced from 0.3-1.2 MPa, ultimately reducing the exhaust steam pressure discharged from the stirring tank 2 to 0.03-0.08 MPa.

[0030] In some embodiments of the present invention, the buffer cavity 41 is cylindrical, and the end of the buffer cavity 41 away from the inlet pipe 42 is arc-shaped. By making the end of the buffer cavity 41 away from the inlet pipe 42 arc-shaped, the impact force of the sodium silicate solution can be evenly distributed across the entire arc surface, avoiding localized high pressure and stress concentration. Simultaneously, after the sodium silicate solution impacts the wall of the buffer cavity 41, it needs to flow back towards the outlet pipe 43. The arc-shaped wall can guide the fluid to a gentle change direction, reducing the localized high-speed scouring of the buffer cavity 41 wall by the sodium silicate solution and mitigating wear. Furthermore, the arc-shaped inner wall can concentrate the sodium silicate solution, making the liquid column formed at the end more stable, ensuring a continuous and effective buffering effect, and weakening the impact of the fluid on the buffer cavity 41.

[0031] In some embodiments of the present invention, the end of the buffer cavity 41 with the inlet pipe 42 is also arc-shaped, which can further reduce the impact of high-flow-rate sodium silicate liquid on the inner wall of the buffer cavity 41 and facilitate subsequent cleaning.

[0032] In some embodiments of the present invention, the liquid phase outlet of the primary pressure-reducing separator 5 is provided with a main pipeline and a branch pipeline. The main pipeline is connected to the horizontal pressure-reducing liquid separator 6, and the branch pipeline is connected to the stirring tank 2 through an orifice plate. The inner diameter of the branch pipeline is larger than the inner diameter of the orifice plate. For example, the inner diameter of the branch pipeline is 100 mm, and the inner diameter of the orifice plate is 25 mm. Due to the large flow resistance generated by the orifice plate throttling, only a small amount of liquid is depressurized through the branch pipeline and transported to the stirring tank 2. The majority of the pressurized liquid enters the horizontal pressure-reducing liquid separator 6 along the main pipeline. The flow direction is automatically divided by the difference in pipeline resistance, completing the release of a small amount of medium and the graded depressurization and transportation of the main medium.

[0033] In some embodiments of the present invention, the pressure-reducing separation structure includes a primary pressure-reducing separator 5, a horizontal pressure-reducing liquid separator 6, and a plurality of secondary pressure-reducing separators 7 arranged in parallel; the primary pressure-reducing separator 5 is connected to the end outlet pipe 43, the horizontal pressure-reducing liquid separator 6 is connected to the main pipeline of the liquid phase outlet of the primary pressure-reducing separator 5, the horizontal pressure-reducing liquid separator 6 is provided with a plurality of liquid separator ports, and the liquid separator ports are connected to the secondary pressure-reducing separators 7.

[0034] In this invention, the sodium silicate solution discharged from the gradient buffer structure first undergoes initial vertical depressurization and gas-liquid separation via a primary depressurization separator 5, and then is conveyed to a horizontal depressurization and liquid distribution package 6. The horizontal depressurization and liquid distribution package 6 utilizes its cavity space for pressure stabilization and buffering, and distributes the sodium silicate solution evenly to each secondary depressurization separator 7 through multiple distribution ports, eliminating material turbulence and pressure pulses. The horizontally stabilized material is then diverted into multiple sets of parallel secondary depressurization separators 7, achieving secondary multi-stage depressurization and refined gas-liquid separation, thoroughly removing high-temperature steam and flash vapor entrained in the material. This multi-stage gradient depressurization method effectively reduces the impact and vibration caused by high pressure differentials, while multi-stage separation removes impurities from the solution step by step, improving the separation effect. The parallel arrangement of multiple secondary depressurization separators 7 increases the overall system processing capacity and facilitates independent maintenance of individual units, ensuring the safe, efficient, and continuous operation of the entire depressurization and separation structure.

[0035] In some embodiments of the present invention, an orifice plate is provided between the liquid phase output pipe of the secondary pressure reducing separator 7 and the input pipe of the stirred storage tank 2, and the inner diameter of the liquid phase output pipe of the secondary pressure reducing separator 7 is larger than the inner diameter of the orifice plate. For example, the inner diameter of the liquid phase output pipe of the secondary pressure reducing separator 7 is 50 mm, and the inner diameter of the orifice plate is 30 mm. The orifice plate of the present invention can perform secondary pressure reduction and flow restriction rectification on the sodium silicate solution discharged from the secondary pressure reducing separator 7, strictly control the flow rate and pressure of the solution, and avoid high-pressure, high-flow-rate media impacting the stirred storage tank 2.

[0036] In some embodiments of the present invention, the gas phase outlets of the primary pressure reducing separator 5, the horizontal pressure reducing liquid separator 6, and the secondary pressure reducing separator 7 are all connected to the stirring storage tank 2. The high-temperature steam and waste heat gas released during the entire discharge process are collected in the stirring storage tank 2 and uniformly introduced into the recovery water tank 3 to achieve complete absorption of steam and resource recovery and utilization of waste heat.

[0037] In some embodiments of the present invention, the stirred storage tank 2 is equipped with a stirring mechanism 21 to continuously maintain the uniform concentration and temperature of the sodium silicate material and prevent material sedimentation and stratification. Multiple vertical flat baffles 22 are evenly arranged circumferentially on the inner wall of the stirred storage tank 2, preferably four vertical flat baffles 22. During stirring, the vertical flat baffles 22 can block circumferential swirling flow, eliminate vortices, change the original flow pattern, enhance radial and axial flow of the medium, and weaken tangential flow; furthermore, the turbulence intensity of the fluid within the stirred storage tank 2 is increased, effectively improving the material mixing effect. Simultaneously, continuous flow disturbance prevents the deposition of solid impurities, ensuring stable operation of the storage tank.

[0038] In some embodiments of the present invention, a waste vapor absorption cylinder 8 is provided below the liquid level of the recovery water tank 3. The cylinder body of the waste vapor absorption cylinder 8 has several holes, and the top of the stirred storage tank 2 is connected to the waste vapor absorption cylinder 8 through a waste vapor absorption pipe 81. The waste vapor in the stirred storage tank 2 enters the waste vapor absorption cylinder 8 along the waste vapor absorption pipe 81, and forms a liquid seal with the help of the water in the recovery water tank 3, which can effectively prevent gas backflow; the waste vapor is dispersed into the water through the holes and quickly condenses and liquefies, and is recovered to the recovery water tank 3 for recycling. At the same time, it realizes pressure relief, noise reduction and impurity interception, and improves the system resource utilization rate and operating environment.

[0039] In some embodiments of the present invention, the top of the recovery water tank 3 is provided with a steam vent 31, which can discharge non-condensable gases in the recovery water tank 3 in a timely manner and balance the pressure inside the tank to prevent pressure buildup and negative pressure phenomena. This ensures the smooth operation of waste steam transportation and condensation operations, and effectively improves the safety of equipment operation.

[0040] In some embodiments of the present invention, an automatic discharge valve is provided between the dissolution reactor 1 and the gradient buffer structure, which can automatically control the conveying path of sodium silicate solution, open and close as needed and adjust the discharge flow rate to match the material conveying rhythm with the working conditions of the downstream equipment; when the valve is closed, it can isolate the pipeline, stabilize the internal working conditions of the reactor, and at the same time prevent the backflow of the medium, thus playing a role in safety isolation and equipment protection.

[0041] The technical solutions of this invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to specific embodiments. The embodiments of this application are only examples, and all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0042] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A sodium silicate solution discharging system, wherein the input end of the discharging system is connected to a dissolution reactor, characterized in that, Along the material flow direction, the discharge system includes a gradient buffer structure, a pressure reduction separation structure, a stirring storage tank, and a recovery water tank, which are sequentially connected to the dissolution reactor; The gradient buffer structure is composed of at least two buffer elbows connected in series. Each buffer elbow includes a buffer cavity, an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe. The inlet pipe is located at one end of the buffer cavity, and the outlet pipe is located on the side of the buffer cavity. The axis of the inlet pipe is perpendicular to the axis of the outlet pipe.

2. The sodium silicate solution discharging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The buffer cavity is cylindrical, and the end of the buffer cavity away from the inlet pipe is arc-shaped.

3. The sodium silicate solution discharging system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The buffer cavity has an arc-shaped inlet pipe at one end.

4. The sodium silicate solution discharging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressure-reducing separation structure includes a primary pressure-reducing separator, a horizontal pressure-reducing liquid separator, and multiple secondary pressure-reducing separators connected in parallel. The liquid phase outlet of the primary pressure-reducing separator is provided with a main pipeline and a branch pipeline. The primary pressure reducing separator is connected to the outlet pipe at the end, the horizontal pressure reducing liquid separator is connected to the main pipeline of the liquid phase outlet of the primary pressure reducing separator, the horizontal pressure reducing liquid separator is provided with multiple liquid separation ports, the liquid separation ports are connected to the secondary pressure reducing separator, and the liquid phase outlet of the secondary pressure reducing separator is connected to the stirring storage tank.

5. The sodium silicate solution discharging system according to claim 4, characterized in that, An orifice plate is provided between the liquid phase output pipe of the secondary pressure reducing separator and the input pipe of the stirring tank, and the inner diameter of the liquid phase output pipe of the secondary pressure reducing separator is larger than the inner diameter of the orifice plate. The branch pipe at the liquid phase outlet of the first-stage pressure reducing separator is connected to the stirring tank through an orifice plate, and the inner diameter of the branch pipe is larger than the inner diameter of the orifice plate.

6. The sodium silicate solution discharging system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The gas phase outlets of the primary pressure-reducing separator, the horizontal pressure-reducing liquid separator, and the secondary pressure-reducing separator are all connected to the stirred storage tank.

7. The sodium silicate solution discharging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, A waste vapor absorption cylinder is installed below the liquid level of the recovery water tank. The cylinder body of the waste vapor absorption cylinder has several holes. The top of the stirring tank is connected to the waste vapor absorption cylinder through a waste vapor absorption pipe.

8. The sodium silicate solution discharging system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The top of the recycled water tank is equipped with a steam vent.

9. The sodium silicate solution discharging system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The venting pressure of the dissolution reactor is 0.3-1.2 MPa, and the exhaust steam pressure entering the exhaust steam absorption pipe from the stirring tank is 0.03-0.08 MPa.

10. The sodium silicate solution discharging system according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, An automatic discharge valve is provided between the dissolution reactor and the gradient buffer structure.

Images