Protection structure and cold box assembly

Abstract

The utility model provides a protection structure and a cold box assembly. The protection structure is used for being installed outside the air separation cold box. Wherein the protective sleeve is formed by splicing a plurality of groove-shaped sleeves, each groove-shaped sleeve limits a groove extending in the rod length direction of the valve rod, a convex edge protruding outwards is arranged on each side of the valve rod in the rod circumferential direction, and the groove-shaped sleeves are spliced in the rod circumferential direction, so that the grooves of the groove-shaped sleeves face the valve rod inwards and jointly surround the valve rod; wherein the corresponding convex edges of every two adjacent groove-shaped sleeves are in butt joint with each other, so that the groove-shaped sleeves are detachably connected through fasteners, and the end, in the rod length direction, of the protective sleeve is connected with the air separation cold box. The protection structure can protect the valve rod protruding out of the air separation cold box, and low-temperature fluid is prevented from leaking into the external environment through the valve rod.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the field of air separation and relates to a cold box component, in particular to a protective structure. Background Art

[0002] Manual valves with valve stems are often required in air separation plants. For example, when using a liquid expander in an air separation plant, isolation valves are installed at both the expander's inlet and outlet to ensure the expander can be opened and closed with high reliability. These isolation valves are often manual valves with valve stems, such as manual gate valves. In this case, the expander, the isolation valve body, and the corresponding piping are all located within the air separation cold box, while at least a portion of the isolation valve stem extends outside the cold box. The handwheel for manual operation is located on the valve stem extending outside the cold box.

[0003] Generally speaking, manual valves have a relatively reliable sealing structure. However, the inventors have discovered that because the inlet and outlet fluid pressures of liquid expanders are often high, for example, above 6 MPa, there is still a risk of cryogenic fluid leaking from the valve stem into the environment or even splashing onto the operator during actual use.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to design a protective structure that can protect the valve stem extending outside the air separation cold box to prevent the cryogenic fluid from leaking into the external environment, especially when the pressure of the cryogenic fluid is high. Utility Model Content

[0005] The utility model aims to provide a protection structure which can protect a valve stem protruding outside an air separation cold box and prevent low-temperature fluid from leaking into the external environment through the valve stem.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a protective structure that can protect the valve stem to prevent splashing of cryogenic fluid and thereby prevent safety issues for operators.

[0007] The utility model provides a protection structure for installation outside an air separation cold box to protect a valve stem protruding outside the air separation cold box. The valve stem is defined in the length direction and the circumference direction of the rod. The protection structure includes a protective sleeve, which is formed by splicing a plurality of grooved sleeves, each grooved sleeve defining a groove extending along the length direction of the rod, and each side in the circumference direction of the rod is provided with a convex edge protruding outward, and a plurality of grooved sleeves are spliced ​​along the circumference direction of the rod, so that the grooves of the plurality of grooved sleeves are all facing inwardly to the valve stem and jointly encircle the valve stem, wherein the corresponding convex edges of two adjacent grooved sleeves are butted against each other, thereby being detachably connected by fasteners, and one end of the protective sleeve along the length direction of the rod is connected to the air separation cold box.

[0008] In one embodiment, the protective structure further comprises a connecting sleeve extending along the length of the rod and being externally mounted on the valve stem. One end of the connecting sleeve is fixed to the outer wall of the air separation cold box, and the other end is connected to one end of the protective sleeve along the length of the rod.

[0009] In one embodiment, the protective sleeve is a ring sleeve that completely surrounds the valve stem. The connecting sleeve is a ring sleeve that completely surrounds the valve stem. The protective sleeve includes only two grooved sleeves, and the cross-section of the groove defined by each grooved sleeve is semicircular.

[0010] In one embodiment, the joints of the two groove-shaped sleeves are located at the upper and lower sides respectively.

[0011] In one embodiment, the valve stem extends obliquely upward from the outer wall of the air separation cold box. The lower end of the connecting sleeve is fixed to the outer wall, and the upper end of the connecting sleeve is provided with a flange having a perforation. The lower end of each grooved sleeve of the protective sleeve is also provided with a flange having a perforation. The lower end of the protective sleeve and the upper end of the connecting sleeve are detachably connected together by fasteners passing through the perforations of the grooved sleeve flange and the perforations of the connecting sleeve flange, respectively.

[0012] In one embodiment, the fastener is a bolt, and the flanges of the grooved sleeves are each provided with a connecting hole. The bolt passes through the connecting holes of the two flanges that are butted against each other, thereby detachably connecting two adjacent grooved sleeves together.

[0013] In one embodiment, the protective sleeve is provided with an opening for the hand wheel provided on the valve stem to pass through.

[0014] In one embodiment, the opening is opened on the underside of the protective cover.

[0015] In one embodiment, each grooved sleeve is provided with an end wall at one end away from the air separation cold box, so that the protective sleeve has a cover at the end away from the air separation cold box, and the cover has a cover hole for the valve stem to pass through.

[0016] The utility model provides a cold box assembly for use in an air separation plant, comprising an air separation cold box and a manual valve. The valve body of the manual valve is disposed within the air separation cold box, and the valve stem of the manual valve protrudes outside the air separation cold box. The cold box assembly also includes the aforementioned protective structure. The protective structure is mounted outside the air separation cold box to protect the valve stem.

[0017] In the above-mentioned protective structure, the protective sleeve is connected to the air-separation cold box and is divided into multiple grooved sleeves. The grooved sleeves are assembled by fasteners interlaced with the butted flanges, so that the grooved sleeves can collectively enclose the valve stem. This protects the valve stem protruding from the air-separation cold box, preventing cryogenic fluid from leaking into the external environment and splashing, which could pose a safety risk to the operator. Furthermore, the fastener-connected flange splicing method makes the assembly process simple and convenient, and easy to manufacture.

[0018] Furthermore, by providing a connecting sleeve that can be fixedly connected to the outside of the air separation cold box, and with the help of the flange structure, the above-mentioned protective sleeve can be easily installed outside the air separation cold box.

[0019] In the above-mentioned cold box assembly, by adopting the protective structure, the operational safety of the manual valve whose valve body is located in the built-in air separation cold box can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The advantages and spirit of the present invention can be further understood through the following detailed description of the present invention and the accompanying drawings.

[0021] Figure 1 is an exploded view of an exemplary protective structure.

[0022] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary assembled protective structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The following describes in detail the specific embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and the technical concept of the present invention can be implemented in combination with other known technologies or functions, or other technologies that are the same as those known technologies.

[0024] The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Unless otherwise indicated, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by ordinary skill in the art. It should also be understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be understood to have a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art, and should not be understood in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly provided herein. For the sake of brevity and / or clarity, well-known functions or configurations may not be described in detail.

[0025] As mentioned above, the inventors discovered that the inherent sealing structure of the isolation valves installed at the inlet and outlet of a liquid expander was insufficient to prevent liquid leakage due to the high liquid pressure, posing a safety hazard. Therefore, a protective structure was designed.

[0026] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The exploded structure and assembled structure of the protective structure 10 are shown respectively. It should be understood that the drawings herein are only for illustration and are not necessarily drawn to scale, and should not be used to limit the actual scope of protection required by the present invention.

[0027] See Figure 2The protection structure 10 is used to be installed outside the air separation cold box 20 to protect the valve stem 301 protruding outside the air separation cold box 20. The valve stem 301 defines a rod length direction D1 and a rod circumference direction C1.

[0028] The protective structure 10 includes a protective sleeve 1. The protective sleeve 1 is composed of a plurality of grooved sleeves 2. Each grooved sleeve 2 defines a groove 21 extending along the rod length direction D1 and is provided with a convex edge 22 protruding outward on each side in the rod circumferential direction C1.

[0029] In this document, the meaning of "multiple" is two or more than two (that is, more than two), unless otherwise clearly and specifically specified. Similarly, qualifiers similar to "one" appearing in the text do not refer to the limitation of quantity, but describe technical features that have not appeared in the previous text. Similarly, unless it is a noun modified by a specific quantitative quantifier, the text should be regarded as including both singular and plural forms, and the technical solution can include both singular and plural technical features. Similarly, modifiers similar to "about" and "approximately" that appear before numerals in the text usually include the number itself, and their specific meaning should be understood in conjunction with the context.

[0030] The aforementioned multiple grooved sleeves 2 are spliced ​​along the stem circumferential direction C1, so that the grooves 21 of the aforementioned multiple grooved sleeves 2 all face inwardly to the valve stem 301 and together surround the valve stem 301. Among them, the corresponding convex edges 22 of two adjacent grooved sleeves 2a and 2b are butted against each other, thereby being detachably connected by fasteners 31 (not actually shown, but marked on the corresponding through-holes, i.e., the connecting holes 226 described later), and the protective sleeve 1 is secured at one end ( Figure 2 In the middle, lower end, further, the lower left end) is connected to the air separation cold box 20.

[0031] It can be understood that when describing the protective structure 10, especially the protective cover 1, the expressions "outward" and "inward" are all relative to the central axis of the valve stem 301. Taking the cross-section of the valve stem 301 as a circle as an example, the radial direction pointing to the central axis along the valve stem 301 is "inward", and the radial direction away from the central axis along the valve stem 301 is "outward".

[0032] In the aforementioned protective structure 10, the protective cover 1 installed outside the air separation cold box 20 is composed of multiple grooved covers 2. These grooved covers 2 enclose the valve stem 301, preventing cryogenic fluid from leaking further into the external environment through the valve stem 301. Importantly, this prevents the safety hazard of cryogenic fluid splashing and injuring operators.

[0033] Furthermore, by providing protruding flanges 22 on the mating sides of the multiple grooved sleeves 2, and inserting fasteners 31, such as bolts, through the two mating flanges 22, the multiple grooved sleeves 2 can be conveniently and easily assembled. Therefore, the entire assembly process is simple and convenient, with high installation efficiency. Furthermore, compared to a complete, integrated protective sleeve, the multiple separately arranged grooved sleeves 2 are easier to manufacture, resulting in lower manufacturing costs.

[0034] The protective structure 10 is particularly suitable for the case where the pressure of the fluid passing through the valve to which the valve stem 301 belongs in the air separation plant is relatively high, in particular, the fluid pressure is higher than 1 MPa, and further, the liquid pressure is higher than 6 MPa.

[0035] Figure 2 In the embodiment, the protection structure 10 further includes a connecting sleeve 4. The connecting sleeve 4 extends along the rod length direction D1 and is sheathed on the valve stem 301. One end of the connecting sleeve 4 ( Figure 2 The lower left end) is fixed to the outer box wall 201 of the air separation cold box 20, and the other end ( Figure 2 middle, upper right end) and one end of the protective cover 1 along the rod length direction D1 ( Figure 2 By providing a connection sleeve 4 that can be fixedly connected to, for example, welded to, the air separation cold box 20, the installation of the protective cover 1 is facilitated.

[0036] Figure 1 In the embodiment, the protective sleeve 1 can be a ring sleeve that completely surrounds the valve stem 301. The connecting sleeve 4 can also be a ring sleeve that completely surrounds the valve stem 301. This provides full protection around the valve stem 301. The protective sleeve 1 can include only two grooved sleeves 2, and each grooved sleeve 2 defines a groove 21 with a semicircular cross-section. This simplifies the assembly process. The grooved sleeves 2 included in the protective sleeve 1 can be identical, ensuring interchangeability and facilitating manufacturing.

[0037] Figure 1 In the embodiment, the joints P1 and P2 of the two grooved sleeves 2 are respectively located at the upper and lower sides. Like this, safety is higher for the operator who is usually located at the side.

[0038] Figure 2 In the embodiment, the valve stem 301 can extend obliquely upward from the outer wall 201 of the air separation cold box 20. That is, the length direction D1 of the stem is oblique relative to the vertical or horizontal direction. Figure 2 The upper end of the connecting sleeve 4 ( Figure 2A flange 44 with a through-hole 445 is provided at the upper right end (center). Each grooved sleeve 2 of the protective sleeve 1 is provided with a flange 24 with a through-hole 245 at its lower end. Fasteners 32 are passed through the through-holes 245 of the flange 24 of the grooved sleeve 2 and the through-holes 445 of the flange 44 of the connecting sleeve 4, respectively. The lower end of the protective sleeve 1 and the upper end of the connecting sleeve 4 are detachably connected. This results in a simple structure and easy assembly.

[0039] The fasteners 31 can be bolts. Each flange 22 of the channel sleeve 2 is provided with a connection hole 226. The bolts serving as fasteners 31 pass through the connection holes 226 of the two abutting flanges 22, thereby detachably connecting two adjacent channel sleeves 2, such as 2a and 2b. This simplifies assembly and reduces costs.

[0040] like Figure 2 As shown, the protective cover 1 may be provided with an opening 17 for the hand wheel 302 provided on the valve stem 301 to pass through. Figure 1 As can be seen from the notch 17a of the grooved sleeve 2a, it can be imagined that the grooved sleeve 2b also has a similar notch at the joint, and the two notches, such as semicircular notches, are combined to form an opening 17, such as a circular opening. In this way, while ensuring safety, the operation of the valve can be facilitated. Figure 2 As shown, the opening 17 can be opened on the lower side of the protective cover 1. In this way, the possibility of the cryogenic fluid splashing out from the opening 17 hurting the operator standing on the side can be blocked, thereby improving safety. Figure 1 As can be seen in the figure, the length of the convex edge 22 on the lower side along the rod length direction D1 is shorter than the convex edge 22 on the upper side to avoid the opening 17.

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown, and combined Figure 2 Each trough-shaped sleeve 2 is provided with an end wall 27 at the end away from the air separation cold box 20, so that the protective sleeve 1 has a cover at the end away from the air separation cold box 20. The cover has a cover hole 248 for the valve stem 301 to pass through. Similar to the opening 17, the cover hole 248 is essentially formed by combining the notches provided in the end walls 27 of the two trough-shaped sleeves 2. This can improve the safety of the overall protective structure.

[0042] The figure also shows a cold box assembly 100 for an air separation plant. Cold box assembly 100 includes an air separation cold box 20 and a manual valve 30. The valve body 300 of manual valve 30 is built into the air separation cold box 20, and the valve stem 301 of manual valve 30 protrudes outside the air separation cold box 20. A manual valve 30 is a valve that requires manual operation and, therefore, typically has a valve stem, often equipped with a handwheel for operation.

[0043] The cold box assembly 100 may further include a protective structure 10 . The protective structure 10 is installed outside the air separation cold box 20 to protect the valve stem 301 .

[0044] In the aforementioned cold box assembly 100, a protective structure 10 installed outside the air separation cold box 20 protects the manual valve 30, preventing splashing of cryogenic fluid. The manual valve 30 can serve as an isolation valve for the air separation plant. An isolation valve is an on / off valve installed at the inlet and / or outlet of a fluid-permeable device. Opening and closing the on / off valve isolates the device, thereby completely shutting it off or on.

[0045] In the above-mentioned protective structure, the grooved sleeve can be made of metal, particularly stainless steel, which is less susceptible to damage from cryogenic fluids. Thus, the protective sleeve (or shield) is made of multiple sheets of stainless steel and covers the portion of the manual valve outside the air separation cold box, excluding the handwheel. If the manual valve seal fails and cryogenic liquid leaks along the valve stem, this protective structure protects the operator from splashing. Over time, the liquid that has entered the protective sleeve evaporates into the atmosphere. Furthermore, the protective structure is easy to disassemble and assemble, thus facilitating valve maintenance.

[0046] Unless clearly indicated to the contrary, each aspect or embodiment defined herein can be combined with any other aspect or embodiments. In particular, any feature indicated as preferred or advantageous can be combined with any other feature indicated as preferred or advantageous.

[0047] The present specification describes only preferred embodiments of the present invention. The above embodiments are intended only to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any technical solution that can be obtained by a person skilled in the art through logical analysis, reasoning, or limited experimentation based on the concept of the present invention should fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A protective structure for installation outside an air separation cold box to protect a valve stem protruding outside the air separation cold box, wherein the valve stem is limited in the length direction and the circumference direction of the stem, and is characterized in that: The protective structure includes a protective sleeve, which is spliced ​​together by a plurality of grooved sleeves, each grooved sleeve defining a groove extending along the length direction of the rod, and a convex edge protruding outward is provided on each side in the circumferential direction of the rod, the plurality of grooved sleeves are spliced ​​along the circumferential direction of the rod, so that the grooves of the plurality of grooved sleeves all face inwardly to the valve stem and jointly surround the valve stem, wherein the corresponding convex edges of two adjacent grooved sleeves are butted against each other, thereby being detachably connected by fasteners, and one end of the protective sleeve along the length direction of the rod is connected to the air separation cold box.

2. The protective structure according to claim 1, wherein: The protection structure further includes a connecting sleeve, which extends along the length of the stem and is externally mounted on the valve stem; One end of the connecting sleeve is fixed to the outer box wall of the air separation cold box, and the other end is connected to one end of the protective sleeve along the rod length direction.

3. The protective structure according to claim 2, wherein: The protective sleeve is a ring sleeve that surrounds the valve stem in a full circle; The connecting sleeve is a ring sleeve that completely surrounds the valve stem; and / or, The protective cover comprises only two groove-shaped covers, and the cross section of the groove defined by each groove-shaped cover is semicircular.

4. The protective structure according to claim 3, wherein: The joints of the two groove-shaped sleeves are respectively located at the upper and lower sides.

5. The protective structure according to claim 2, wherein: The valve stem extends obliquely upward from the outer box wall of the air separation cold box; The lower end of the connecting sleeve is fixed to the outer box wall, the upper end of the connecting sleeve is provided with a flange with a perforation, and the lower end of each grooved sleeve of the protective sleeve is provided with a flange with a perforation; The lower end of the protective sleeve and the upper end of the connecting sleeve are detachably connected together by fasteners passing through the through holes of the flange of the grooved sleeve and the through holes of the flange of the connecting sleeve respectively.

6. The protective structure according to claim 1, wherein: The fasteners are bolts, and the convex edges of the grooved sleeves are provided with connection holes; The bolts pass through the connecting holes of the two convex edges that are connected to each other, thereby detachably connecting the two adjacent grooved sleeves together.

7. The protective structure according to claim 1, wherein: The protective sleeve is provided with an opening for the hand wheel provided on the valve stem to pass through.

8. The protective structure according to claim 7, wherein: The opening is opened on the lower side of the protective cover.

9. The protective structure according to claim 1, wherein: Each grooved sleeve is provided with an end wall at one end away from the air separation cold box, so that the protective sleeve has a cover at the end away from the air separation cold box, and the cover has a cover hole for the valve stem to pass through.

10. A cold box assembly for an air separation plant, comprising an air separation cold box and a manual valve, wherein the valve body of the manual valve is placed in the air separation cold box, and the valve stem of the manual valve protrudes out of the air separation cold box, characterized in that: The cold box assembly further comprises a protective structure according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the protective structure is installed outside the air separation cold box to protect the valve stem.

Images