Shell tube evaporator suitable for all-vanadium electrolyte

Abstract

The utility model discloses a shell and tube evaporator suitable for all-vanadium electrolyte. The shell and tube evaporator comprises a liquid inlet assembly, a refrigerant guide assembly and a heat exchange tube assembly. A liquid inlet cavity, a reversing cavity and a liquid outlet cavity are formed in the refrigerant guide assembly, a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet are formed in the refrigerant guide assembly, the refrigerant inlet is communicated with the liquid inlet cavity, and the refrigerant outlet is communicated with the liquid outlet cavity; an insulated refrigerant inlet pipe is mounted at the refrigerant outlet, and an insulated refrigerant outlet pipe is mounted at the refrigerant outlet; the heat exchange tube assembly comprises a first heat exchange tube and a second heat exchange tube, one end of the first heat exchange tube communicates with the liquid inlet cavity, the other end of the first heat exchange tube communicates with the reversing cavity, one end of the second heat exchange tube communicates with the reversing cavity, and the other end of the second heat exchange tube communicates with the liquid outlet cavity; the heat exchange tube assembly is inserted into the heat exchange tube, and an electrolyte inlet and an electrolyte outlet are formed in the heat exchange tube. Through the arrangement, electric shock caused by touching of workers can be avoided; efficient heat exchange of the evaporator is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of all-vanadium redox flow batteries, in particular to a shell-and-tube evaporator applicable to all-vanadium electrolytes. Background Art

[0002] An all-vanadium redox flow battery is a redox battery with vanadium as the active substance in a circulating liquid state. The vanadium battery, whose full name is the all-vanadium redox flow battery (Vanadium Redox Flow Battery, VRB), is a redox battery with the active substance in a circulating liquid state. When used as an energy storage system, the vanadium battery has the following characteristics: 1. The output power of the battery depends on the size of the battery stack, and the energy storage capacity depends on the electrolyte storage and concentration. Therefore, its design is very flexible. When the output power is constant, to increase the

[0003] energy storage capacity, only the volume of the electrolyte storage tank needs to be increased or the electrolyte concentration needs to be increased; 2. The active substance of the vanadium battery exists in the liquid, and there is only one kind of electrolyte ion, namely vanadium ion. Therefore, there is no phase change commonly found in other batteries during charging and discharging, and the battery has a long service life; 3. It has good charge and discharge performance and can be deeply discharged without damaging the battery; 4. The self-discharge is low. When the system is in the closed mode, there is no self-discharge phenomenon in the electrolyte in the storage tank; 5. The vanadium battery has a large degree of freedom in site selection. The system can operate in a fully automatic and closed manner, without pollution, simple maintenance, and low operating cost; 6. The battery system has no potential explosion or fire hazard and has high safety; 7. Most of the battery components are cheap carbon materials and engineering plastics, with rich material sources, easy to recycle, and do not require precious metals as electrode catalysts; 8. The energy efficiency is high, up to 75% - 80%, and the cost performance is very high; 9. The start-up speed is fast. If the battery stack is filled with electrolyte, it can be started within 2 minutes, and only 0.02 s is required for the charge and discharge state switching during operation.

[0004] The all-vanadium redox flow battery mainly relies on the electrolyte to achieve charge and discharge. The charge and discharge of the electrolyte are affected by the electrolyte temperature: if the electrolyte temperature is too high, the battery performance will be affected and cooling is required. At present, the all-vanadium redox flow battery cools the electrolyte by exchanging heat between the electrolyte and the coolant. However, the existing heat exchange tubes use smooth tubes for heat exchange, with low heat exchange efficiency. Moreover, since the heat exchange tubes are generally metal tubes and have electrical conductivity, and there is no insulation protection on the heat exchange tubes, electrons in the electrolyte will enter the heat exchange tubes, causing the heat exchange tubes to be charged. The heat exchange tubes are also connected to the external pipelines. When the staff touches the external pipelines, it is easy to cause an electric shock hazard.

[0005] The prior art with the publication number CN218101338U discloses an efficient heat exchange tube for a vanadium redox flow battery, including a heat exchange tube and a mounting plate installed on the heat exchange tube; the heat exchange tube includes a spiral coiled tube, a liquid inlet pipe integrally formed with the coiled tube at the top of the coiled tube, and a liquid outlet pipe integrally formed with the coiled tube at the bottom of the coiled tube; insulating components are installed on both the liquid inlet pipe and the liquid outlet pipe. Through the setting of the coiled tube, the heat exchange part in the heat exchange tube is set as a coiled tube to increase the contact area between the heat exchange part of the heat exchange tube and the electrolyte, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency between the heat exchange tube and the electrolyte.

[0006] The prior art uses a spiral coiled tube to cool the electrolyte, but its heat exchange area is small and the utilization efficiency of the refrigerant is low, resulting in a low heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchange tube. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In order to solve the problem of low heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger in the prior art, the purpose of the present utility model is to provide a shell-and-tube evaporator applicable to vanadium electrolyte, which can effectively prevent electric shock when staff touches the external pipeline and can also achieve high-efficiency heat exchange.

[0008] In order to achieve the above purpose, the present utility model adopts the following technical solutions: A shell-and-tube evaporator applicable to vanadium electrolyte includes a liquid inlet component, a refrigerant guiding component, and a heat exchange tube component;

[0009] An inlet cavity, a commutation cavity, and an outlet cavity are arranged inside the refrigerant guiding component. A refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet are arranged on the refrigerant guiding component. The refrigerant inlet is communicated with the inlet cavity, and the refrigerant outlet is communicated with the outlet cavity;

[0010] The liquid inlet component includes a first liquid inlet socket and a first liquid outlet socket. One end of the first liquid inlet socket is installed at the refrigerant inlet of the refrigerant guiding component, and an insulating refrigerant inlet pipe is installed at the other end of the first liquid inlet socket. The first liquid outlet socket is installed at the refrigerant outlet of the refrigerant guiding component, and an insulating refrigerant outlet pipe is installed at the other end of the first liquid outlet socket;

[0011] The heat exchange tube component includes a first heat exchange tube and a second heat exchange tube. One end of the first heat exchange tube is communicated with the inlet cavity, the other end of the first heat exchange tube is communicated with the commutation cavity, one end of the second heat exchange tube is communicated with the commutation cavity, and the other end of the second heat exchange tube is communicated with the outlet cavity;

[0012] The heat exchange tube component is inserted into the heat exchange tube, and an electrolyte inlet and an electrolyte outlet are provided on the heat exchange tube.

[0013] Preferably, both the first heat exchange tube and the second heat exchange tube are double-threaded tubes inside and outside.

[0014] Preferably, both the refrigerant inlet pipe and the refrigerant outlet pipe are insulating hoses.

[0015] Preferably, the refrigerant guiding assembly includes an end cover and a tube sheet. Three grooves are provided on the end cover. The tube sheet is fixedly connected to the end cover, and the three grooves on the end cover are blocked by the tube sheet to form a liquid inlet chamber, a commutation chamber, and a liquid outlet chamber.

[0016] Preferably, both the end cover and the tube sheet are made of titanium composite material.

[0017] Preferably, a first gasket is provided between the end cover and the tube sheet.

[0018] Preferably, the heat exchange tube assembly further includes a baffle plate. A plurality of through holes are formed in the baffle plate. Both the first heat exchange tube and the second heat exchange tube pass through the through holes and are then connected to the refrigerant guiding assembly.

[0019] Preferably, the baffle plate is spiral.

[0020] Preferably, support columns are fixed on the baffle plate. The support columns pass through the middle of the spiral baffle plate and are fixedly connected to the tube sheet.

[0021] Preferably, a liquid discharge port is further formed on the heat exchange tube, and a liquid discharge valve is installed at the liquid discharge port.

[0022] The beneficial effects of the technical solution of the present utility model are as follows: The refrigerant is transported through an insulated pipeline, and insulation treatment is carried out at the liquid inlet socket and the liquid outlet socket, thereby avoiding electric shock when a staff member touches it; the refrigerant is first heat-exchanged in the first heat exchange tube and then enters the second heat exchange tube for further heat exchange, thereby realizing efficient heat exchange of the evaporator and achieving a low-energy and high-efficiency operation mode. Description of the Drawings

[0023] Figure 1 Structural schematic diagram of a shell-and-tube evaporator Figure 1 ;

[0024] Figure 2 Structural schematic diagram of a shell-and-tube evaporator Figure 2 ;

[0025] Figure 3 Structural schematic diagram of a shell-and-tube evaporator Figure 3 ;

[0026] Figure 4 Structural schematic diagram of the heat exchange assembly;

[0027] Figure 5 Structural schematic diagram of the heat exchange assembly after removing the liquid exchange plate;

[0028] Figure 6 Structural schematic diagram of the liquid exchange plate Figure 1 ;

[0029] Figure 7 Structural schematic diagram of the liquid exchange plateFigure 2 .

[0030] Reference numerals: 2, PPH plastic barrel; 3, end cap; 4, second liquid outlet connector; 5, refrigerant outlet pipe; 6, first liquid outlet connector; 7, second liquid inlet connector; 8, refrigerant inlet pipe; 9, first liquid inlet connector; 10, tube sheet; 11, first heat exchange tube; 12, second heat exchange tube; 13, baffle plate; 14, support column; 15, heat exchange tube; 16, electrolyte inlet; 17, electrolyte outlet; 18, drain port; 19, drain valve; 20, first gasket; 21, second gasket; 22, refrigerant inlet; 23, liquid inlet chamber; 24, liquid outlet chamber; 25, commutation chamber; 26, refrigerant outlet. Detailed implementation manners

[0031] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below. The examples of the embodiments are shown in the drawings, where the same or similar reference numerals indicate the same or similar elements or elements with the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the drawings are exemplary and are intended to explain the present invention, but should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention.

[0032] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", etc. indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention.

[0033] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features. In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise specified, the meaning of "a plurality" is two or more, unless otherwise clearly defined.

[0034] In the present utility model, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, terms such as "installation", "connection", "linkage", "fixation" shall be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it may be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, and it may be the communication inside two components. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present utility model can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0035] In the present utility model, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the first feature being "above" or "below" the second feature may include the direct contact between the first and second features, or may include the situation where the first and second features are not in direct contact but in contact through additional features therebetween. Moreover, the first feature being "above", "over" and "on top of" the second feature includes that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or merely indicates that the horizontal height of the first feature is higher than that of the second feature. The first feature being "under", "beneath" and "underneath" the second feature includes that the first feature is directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or merely indicates that the horizontal height of the first feature is lower than that of the second feature.

[0036] Embodiment

[0037] As Figures 1 to 7 shown, a shell-and-tube evaporator applicable to all-vanadium electrolytes includes a liquid inlet assembly, a refrigerant guiding assembly and a heat exchange tube assembly;

[0038] The refrigerant guiding assembly is internally provided with a liquid inlet chamber 23, a commutation chamber 25 and a liquid outlet chamber 24. A refrigerant inlet 22 and a refrigerant outlet 26 are arranged on the refrigerant guiding assembly. The refrigerant inlet 22 is communicated with the liquid inlet chamber 23, and the refrigerant outlet 26 is communicated with the liquid outlet chamber 24;

[0039] The liquid inlet assembly includes a first liquid inlet socket 9 and a first liquid outlet socket 6. One end of the first liquid inlet socket 9 is installed at the refrigerant inlet 22 of the refrigerant guiding assembly. The other end of the first liquid inlet socket 9 is installed with an insulated refrigerant inlet pipe 8. The first liquid outlet socket 6 is installed at the refrigerant outlet 26 of the refrigerant guiding assembly, and the other end of the first liquid outlet socket is installed with an insulated refrigerant outlet pipe 5;

[0040] The heat exchange tube assembly includes a first heat exchange tube 11 and a second heat exchange tube 12. One end of the first heat exchange tube 11 is communicated with the liquid inlet chamber 23, and the other end of the first heat exchange tube 11 is communicated with the commutation chamber 25. One end of the second heat exchange tube 12 is communicated with the commutation chamber 25, and the other end of the second heat exchange tube 12 is communicated with the liquid outlet chamber 24;

[0041] The heat exchange tube assembly is inserted into a heat exchange tube 15, and an electrolyte inlet 16 and an electrolyte outlet 17 are provided on the heat exchange tube 15.

[0042] With such a setting, the refrigerant is transported through an insulated pipeline, and insulation treatment is carried out at the liquid inlet connector and the liquid outlet connector, thereby avoiding electric shock when staff touch it; after the refrigerant is initially heat-exchanged in the first heat exchange tube 11, it enters the second heat exchange tube 12 for further heat exchange, thereby realizing efficient heat exchange of the evaporator and achieving a low-energy and high-efficiency operation mode.

[0043] In this embodiment, as Figures 3 to 5 shown, both the first heat exchange tube 11 and the second heat exchange tube 12 are double-threaded tubes inside and outside. With such a setting, the heat exchange area can be increased and the heat exchange efficiency can be improved.

[0044] In this embodiment, both the refrigerant inlet pipe 8 and the refrigerant outlet pipe 5 are insulated hoses; both ends of the refrigerant inlet pipe 8 are fixedly connected to the first liquid inlet connector 9 and the second liquid inlet connector 7 respectively, and both ends of the refrigerant outlet pipe 5 are fixedly connected to the first liquid outlet connector 6 and the second liquid outlet connector 4 respectively. With such a setting, it is convenient for the heat exchanger to be connected to the unit.

[0045] In this embodiment, as Figures 3 to 7 shown, the refrigerant guiding assembly includes an end cover 3 and a tube sheet 10. Three grooves are provided on the end cover 3, and the tube sheet 10 is fixedly connected to the end cover 3. The tube sheet 10 seals the three grooves on the end cover 3 to form a liquid inlet cavity 23, a commutation cavity 25 and a liquid outlet cavity 24. Further, a first gasket 20 is provided between the end cover 3 and the tube sheet 10. With such a setting, it is convenient for the assembly of each component and can improve the sealing performance of the heat exchanger.

[0046] In this embodiment, both the end cover 3 and the tube sheet 10 are made of titanium composite material. With such a setting, the corrosion resistance and heat conductivity of the heat exchanger are improved.

[0047] In this embodiment, as Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, the refrigerant guiding assembly is installed in the PPH plastic barrel 2. One end of the PPH plastic barrel 2 protrudes inwardly with a connecting portion. The end cover 3, the tube sheet 10 and the connecting portion of the PPH plastic barrel 2 are fixedly connected into one body by bolts. Further, a second gasket 21 is provided between the tube sheet 10 and the connecting portion of the PPH plastic barrel 2. Further, the inside of the PPH plastic barrel 2 is filled with a foaming agent to fix the refrigerant inlet pipe 8, the refrigerant outlet pipe, the second liquid inlet connector 7 and the second liquid outlet connector 4 in the PPH plastic barrel 2.

[0048] In this embodiment, both the liquid inlet connector and the liquid outlet connector are copper ferrules.

[0049] In this embodiment, as Figures 3 to 5As shown, the heat exchange tube assembly further includes a baffle plate 13. A plurality of through holes are formed in the baffle plate 13. Both the first heat exchange tube 11 and the second heat exchange tube 12 pass through the through holes and are connected to the refrigerant guiding assembly. Further, the baffle plate 13 is spiral. Further, a support column 14 is fixed on the baffle plate 13. The support column 14 passes through the middle of the spiral baffle plate and is fixedly connected to the tube sheet 10. With such a setting, the heat exchange efficiency can be further improved.

[0050] In this embodiment, as Figures 3 to 5 shown, there are a plurality of first heat exchange tubes 11 and second heat exchange tubes 12. The first heat exchange tubes 11 and the second heat exchange tubes 12 are U-shaped. The two ends of the first heat exchange tubes 11 and the two ends of the second heat exchange tubes 12 pass through different through holes on the baffle plate 13 respectively.

[0051] In this embodiment, a liquid discharge port 18 is further formed on the heat exchange tube 15, and a liquid discharge valve is installed at the liquid discharge port 18. Further, the two liquid discharge ports 18 are respectively arranged at both ends of the heat exchange tube 15, and liquid discharge valves 19 are installed at the two liquid discharge ports 18. With such a setting, the electrolyte in the heat exchange tube 15 can be discharged through the liquid discharge valve, which is convenient for cleaning the heat exchanger.

[0052] Refrigerant circulation system: The refrigerant is compressed by the compressor, changing from a low-temperature and low-pressure gas to a high-temperature and high-pressure gas. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas exchanges heat with the outside air in the condenser and is cooled to become a normal-temperature and high-pressure liquid. This part of the normal-temperature and high-pressure liquid is filtered and dried by the filter and then enters the expansion valve for gas expansion, turning the normal-temperature and high-pressure gas-liquid mixture into a low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant saturated liquid. This process is completed by utilizing the principle that gas expansion absorbs heat. Finally, the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant saturated liquid evaporates in the evaporator. At this time, the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant passes through the refrigerant inlet pipe 8 and then successively passes through the liquid inlet chamber 23, the first heat exchange tube 11, the commutation chamber 25, the second heat exchange tube 12 and the liquid outlet chamber 245 of the heat exchange assembly. The low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant absorbs the heat of the vanadium redox flow electrolyte in the heat exchange tube 15, and then the refrigerant after heat exchange is discharged from the refrigerant outlet pipe; among them, the vanadium redox flow electrolyte enters the heat exchange tube 15 from the electrolyte inlet 16, exchanges heat with the first heat exchange tube 11 and the second heat exchange tube 12, and is led out from the electrolyte outlet 17 of the heat exchange tube 15.

[0053] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to terms such as "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described can be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0054] Although the embodiments of the present utility model have been shown and described above, it can be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present utility model. Those of ordinary skill in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present utility model without departing from the principles and spirit of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A shell-and-tube evaporator applicable to a vanadium redox flow battery electrolyte, characterized in that: It includes a liquid inlet component, a refrigerant guiding component and a heat exchange tube component; Inside the refrigerant guiding component, there are a liquid inlet cavity (23), a commutation cavity (25) and a liquid outlet cavity (24). A refrigerant inlet (22) and a refrigerant outlet (26) are provided on the refrigerant guiding component. The refrigerant inlet (22) is communicated with the liquid inlet cavity (23), and the refrigerant outlet (26) is communicated with the liquid outlet cavity (24); The liquid inlet component includes a first liquid inlet socket (9) and a first liquid outlet socket (6). One end of the first liquid inlet socket (9) is installed at the refrigerant inlet (22) of the refrigerant guiding component. The other end of the first liquid inlet socket (9) is installed with an insulated refrigerant inlet pipe (8). The first liquid outlet socket (6) is installed at the refrigerant outlet (26) of the refrigerant guiding component. The other end of the first liquid outlet socket (6) is installed with an insulated refrigerant outlet pipe (5); The heat exchange tube component includes a first heat exchange tube (11) and a second heat exchange tube (12). One end of the first heat exchange tube (11) is communicated with the liquid inlet cavity (23), and the other end of the first heat exchange tube (11) is communicated with the commutation cavity (25). One end of the second heat exchange tube (12) is communicated with the commutation cavity (25), and the other end of the second heat exchange tube (12) is communicated with the liquid outlet cavity (24); The heat exchange tube component is inserted into a heat exchange tube (15), and an electrolyte inlet (16) and an electrolyte outlet (17) are provided on the heat exchange tube (15).

2. The shell-and-tube evaporator applicable to all-vanadium electrolytes according to claim 1, wherein: Both the first heat exchange tube (11) and the second heat exchange tube (12) are double-threaded tubes inside and outside.

3. A shell-and-tube evaporator applicable to all-vanadium electrolytes according to claim 1, characterized in that: Both the refrigerant inlet pipe (8) and the refrigerant outlet pipe (5) are insulated flexible hoses.

4. A shell-and-tube evaporator applicable to a vanadium redox flow battery electrolyte, characterized in that: The refrigerant guiding component includes an end cover (3) and a tube sheet (10). There are three grooves on the end cover (3). The tube sheet (10) is fixedly connected with the end cover (3). The tube sheet (10) seals the three grooves on the end cover (3) to form a liquid inlet cavity (23), a commutation cavity (25) and a liquid outlet cavity (24).

5. The shell-and-tube evaporator applicable to all-vanadium electrolytes according to claim 4, characterized in that: Both the end cover (3) and the tube sheet (10) are made of titanium composite material.

6. A shell-and-tube evaporator applicable to all-vanadium electrolytes according to claim 4, characterized in that: A first gasket (20) is provided between the end cover (3) and the tube sheet (10).

7. A shell-and-tube evaporator applicable to all-vanadium electrolytes according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat exchange tube component further includes a baffle plate (13). A plurality of through holes are provided on the baffle plate (13). Both the first heat exchange tube (11) and the second heat exchange tube (12) pass through the through holes and are connected to the refrigerant guiding component.

8. A shell-and-tube evaporator applicable to all-vanadium electrolytes according to claim 7, characterized in that: The baffle plate (13) is spiral.

9. A shell-and-tube evaporator applicable to all-vanadium electrolytes according to claim 7, characterized in that: Support columns (14) are fixed on the baffle plate (13). The support columns (14) pass through the middle of the spiral baffle plate (13) and are fixedly connected with the tube sheet (10).

10. A shell-and-tube evaporator applicable to all-vanadium electrolytes according to claim 1, characterized in that: A drain port (18) is further provided on the heat exchange tube (15), and a drain valve (19) is installed at the drain port (18).

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