Argon purification equipment

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of argon, and particularly discloses argon purification equipment. The device comprises dehydration and deoiling equipment and a high-efficiency filter which are connected through a gas pipeline, the gas pipeline is provided with a first purification path behind the dehydration and deoiling equipment and the filter; the tail end of the first purification path is connected with a first refining ladle mouthpiece; the purification path comprises first and second purification branches; the gas pipeline is provided with a catalyst purification device after the first purification branch and the second purification branch intersect; the catalyst purification device is located in front of a first refining ladle blowing opening so as to complete argon purification work; a first one-way valve is arranged before the first purification branch intersects with the second purification branch; the one-way valve controls the argon flow direction and ensures that argon flows from the argon inlet end to the first refining ladle mouthpiece end; and argon is prevented from flowing back at the blowing opening end of the first refining ladle. The argon purification equipment improves the stability and flexibility of the system, and meets the purification requirements under various working conditions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of argon technology, and in particular to an argon purification device. Background Technology

[0002] Argon is an inert gas widely used in industrial production, scientific research, and medical fields, especially in steelmaking, semiconductor manufacturing, fiber optic production, laser technology, and the metallurgical industry, where high purity is required. In modern steelmaking processes, argon plays a crucial role, serving as an auxiliary gas in several key stages, including primary refining, refining, and casting. As an inert gas, argon's high purity makes it irreplaceable in the smelting process. Because argon does not chemically react with metals, it effectively controls the impurity content and chemical composition during smelting, significantly improving the quality and performance of steel. In recent years, with the increasing demands for steel quality in industry, the need for high-purity argon has also grown. The application of purified argon in steelmaking has become an important means of improving steel quality. During steelmaking, molten steel is highly susceptible to contamination by oxygen, nitrogen, and other impurity gases. These contaminants lead to the formation of harmful impurities such as oxides and nitrides, reducing the strength and toughness of the steel. Purified argon gas possesses high purity, providing an inert protective environment for molten steel. This effectively prevents oxygen and nitrogen from the air from entering the molten steel, avoiding oxidation and nitriding, thus reducing impurities and improving the purity and quality of the steel. Furthermore, purified argon gas plays a crucial role in stabilizing the molten pool temperature and promoting the flotation and removal of impurities during steelmaking. It helps control the temperature during smelting, ensuring the molten steel reacts under optimal conditions, thereby improving the overall performance of the steel. Simultaneously, the use of argon gas reduces energy consumption during smelting, increases production efficiency, and lowers production costs. Therefore, the application of argon gas in modern steelmaking processes not only improves the quality of steel but also brings economic and social benefits.

[0003] Patent "An Argon Purification Device" (Publication No. CN214936077U, hereinafter referred to as Prior Art 1) discloses an argon purification device. The main technical principle of Prior Art 1 is an argon purification device comprising a cylindrical body, a lower cover, an upper cover, a flow guide, a distributor, a distribution plate, and a purification material layer. The flow guide is located above the inlet of the lower cover, the distributor is located below the outlet of the upper cover, and the distribution plate is located inside the upper cover of the flow guide. The outer surfaces of the flow guide, distributor, distribution plate, and purification material layer are sealed to the inner surface of the cylinder. Through multiple guidance and filtration processes, the argon gas achieves diversion and uniform contact during purification, improving purification efficiency.

[0004] Although existing technology 1 successfully achieves splitting and uniform contact of argon gas during purification through multiple guidance and filtration processes, thus significantly improving purification efficiency, it suffers from limitations in the flexibility of argon gas purification. Specifically, it cannot be flexibly adjusted according to the actual argon gas purification demand to adapt to different purification requirements. Furthermore, when facing high-flow-rate argon gas purification, this technology cannot effectively protect the system from potential damage or malfunction. Therefore, despite its high purification efficiency, it still has certain limitations in practical applications. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of this, the present invention provides an argon purification device to solve the problem in the prior art that it is impossible to flexibly adjust according to the actual argon purification demand.

[0006] This utility model provides an argon purification device, including a water and oil removal device and a high-efficiency filter connected through a gas pipeline; the gas pipeline extends after the water and oil removal device and the filter, and is provided with a first purification path; the end of the first purification path is connected to the nozzle of a first refining package; the first purification path has a first purification branch and a second purification branch; the first purification branch and the second purification branch converge before connecting to the nozzle of the first refining package; a catalyst purification device is provided in the gas pipeline after the convergence of the first purification branch and the second purification branch; the catalyst purification device is provided before the nozzle of the first refining package to complete the argon purification operation of the first purification branch and the second purification branch; a first one-way valve is provided at the position before the first purification branch converges with the second purification branch; the one-way valve controls the flow direction of argon from the inlet end of the argon to the nozzle end of the first refining package; to prevent the argon from flowing back at the nozzle end of the first refining package.

[0007] Preferably, the gas pipeline extends into a second purification path after the water and oil removal device and the filter; the first purification path and the second purification path are arranged in parallel; and a second refining bag nozzle is provided at the end of the second purification path.

[0008] Preferably, the first purification branch is further provided with a first pressure transmitter, a filter pressure reducing valve, a gas flow controller and a first solenoid valve in sequence; the one-way valve is disposed between the gas flow controller and the first solenoid valve.

[0009] Preferably, the first purification branch is further provided with a protection branch; the protection branch diverts the flow between the filter pressure reducing valve and the gas flow controller.

[0010] Preferably, the protection branch is provided with a first ball valve, a second check valve, a pressure gauge and a container in sequence; the argon gas enters the protection branch through the first ball valve and the check valve, and flows into the container, and the pressure gauge monitors the argon gas pressure in real time to ensure safety.

[0011] Preferably, the container is an argon gas temporary storage device or cooling device, used to temporarily store or cool argon gas to stabilize the flow rate or temperature of argon gas.

[0012] Preferably, the second purification branch is provided with a second ball valve, a first filter and a second pressure transmitter in sequence; wherein, the second purification branch is also provided with a second solenoid valve connected in parallel with the second ball valve.

[0013] Preferably, the gas pipeline is further provided with an inlet spherical valve before the dewatering and deoiling device, and a first outlet spherical valve and a second outlet spherical valve are respectively provided before the first refining package inlet and the second refining package inlet.

[0014] Preferably, both the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve are servo-piloted two-position two-way solenoid valves.

[0015] Preferably, the first purification path and the second purification path are set to be the same.

[0016] The argon purification device provided by this utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0017] This invention provides system redundancy through a dual-branch design. If one branch fails or requires maintenance, the other branch can be used while the relevant valves are closed, without affecting the overall argon purification process. This design ensures high system reliability and avoids the impact of a single path failure on the entire purification process. By controlling the flow of the first and second purification branches separately, the argon flow rate in each path can be more precisely adjusted to meet the purification requirements of different stages. Especially before entering the catalyst purification unit, branch adjustments ensure that argon passes through the catalyst layer at optimal flow rate and pressure, thereby improving the catalytic purification effect. The one-way valve in the first branch effectively prevents backflow of purified argon due to pressure changes within the system, avoiding contamination of the purified argon by impurities and ensuring consistent flow direction throughout the purification process, thus contributing to improved gas purity. Furthermore, when rapid and large-volume argon purification is required, both branches can be opened simultaneously to improve purification efficiency; when precise flow control is needed, fine adjustments can be made using components such as the one-way valve to adapt to the purification requirements of different processes. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the embodiments of this utility model will be briefly introduced below. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort, and these are all within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a purification path diagram for an argon purification device;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a connection diagram of an argon purification device.

[0021] Parts and their numbers in the diagram:

[0022] 100 - Gas pipeline; 110 - Water and oil removal device; 120 - High-efficiency filter; 130 - Inlet balloon valve; 141 - First outlet balloon valve; 142 - Second outlet balloon valve; 150 - Catalyst purification device.

[0023] 200 - First purification path;

[0024] 210-First purification branch, 211-First check valve, 212-First refining package nozzle, 213-First pressure transmitter, 214-Filter pressure reducing valve, 215-Gas flow controller, 216-First solenoid valve;

[0025] 220 - Protection branch, 221 - First ball valve, 222 - Second check valve, 223 - Pressure gauge, 224 - Container;

[0026] 230 - Second purification branch, 231 - Second ball valve, 232 - Second solenoid valve, 233 - First filter, 234 - Second pressure transmitter, 235 - Second refining bag nozzle;

[0027] 300 - Second purification route. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are merely used to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships, are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element. Unless otherwise specified, embodiments of the present invention and the various features thereof can be combined with each other, all within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0029] Example 1

[0030] Please see Figure 1 This utility model provides an argon purification device, which aims to better solve the problems in argon purification, improve the purity of argon, and thus meet the needs of high-precision industrial applications.

[0031] In this embodiment, the described purification equipment includes several key components interconnected via gas pipeline 100. Specifically, these components include a water and oil removal device 110 and a high-efficiency filter 120. The main function of these devices is to effectively remove moisture, oil, and fine particulate matter from the gas. In this way, they significantly improve the purity of the argon gas. These devices act as a preliminary treatment in the purification process. The purpose of this preliminary treatment is to remove most of the impurities from the gas, thereby making the subsequent refining process more efficient. This staged treatment method ensures that the quality of the argon gas is further guaranteed. This is crucial for meeting the stringent requirements for gas purity in high-precision industrial production. Only through this multi-level purification process can the required high purity standard of the argon gas be ensured.

[0032] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the argon purification gas pipeline 100 system, a purification process is used to ensure the high purity of the argon. In this system, the argon first passes through a water and oil removal device 110, which effectively removes moisture and oil, ensuring the argon is dry and clean. Next, the argon passes through a filter to further remove any remaining small particles and impurities, laying a solid foundation for subsequent purification steps. After the water and oil removal device 110 and the filter, the system continues with the first purification path 200. This path is the core of the entire purification system, where the argon flows and undergoes deep purification. In the first purification path 200, the argon undergoes multiple purification steps, each effectively removing various impurities. Through these steps, the argon is purified to a high purity, meeting the high standards required for the steel casting process. The purified argon then flows smoothly through the end of the first purification path 200 to the nozzle of the first refining ladle. This connection is direct, ensuring that the purity of the argon is not affected during transmission. In this way, argon gas can be seamlessly integrated from purification to ladle refining of cast steel, greatly improving production efficiency and the quality of cast steel products. This entire purification and refining process not only enhances the effectiveness of argon gas utilization but also provides strong support for the stability and reliability of the entire casting process. Thus, the argon gas reaches the required purity standards before entering the refining ladle, ensuring the high efficiency and stability of the entire refining process.

[0033] In the purification system we are discussing, the designers have carefully planned the first purification path to include two main branches, referred to as the first purification branch 210 and the second purification branch 230. These two branches are connected to the preceding piping system via a special three-way valve. This design allows the piping to be flexibly connected to one branch or both simultaneously, significantly improving the redundancy and reliability of the purification process. After operating independently, these two branches will converge at a specific point, located before they connect to the first refining package nozzle 212.

[0034] To further ensure the purity of the argon gas, a catalyst purification device 150 is installed at the junction of the first purification branch 210 and the second purification branch 230. This device filters the argon gas using different filter elements, further removing impurities and ensuring that the final output argon gas meets extremely high purity standards. The introduction of this catalyst purification device 150 not only improves purification efficiency but also enhances the stability and safety of the entire system, ensuring the quality of the final purified argon gas.

[0035] Please see Figure 1 To further ensure the unidirectional flow of argon gas and thus improve system stability and argon purification quality, a first one-way valve 211 is installed before the first purification branch 210 and the second purification branch 230 intersect. The main function of this one-way valve is to control the direction of argon gas flow, ensuring that argon gas can only flow from the argon inlet end to the first refining package outlet 212 end. In this way, the system can effectively prevent argon gas backflow, that is, prevent argon gas from flowing backward from the first refining package outlet 212 end. This backflow phenomenon may carry impurities from the first refining package outlet 212 end into the pipeline, thus negatively affecting the argon purification quality.

[0036] In the gas pipeline 100 system, in addition to the water and oil removal device 110 and the filter, a second purification path 300 is also provided. This path is located after the water and oil removal device 110 and the filter, and is arranged in parallel with the first purification path 200, forming a parallel purification system. Specifically, the end of the second purification path 300 is equipped with a second refining package nozzle 235 for subsequent use. In this embodiment, this parallel purification path design can significantly improve the efficiency of argon purification. After the argon gas undergoes preliminary treatment by the water and oil removal device 110 and the filter, it can flow into the first purification path 200 and the second purification path 300 respectively for further purification. This parallel arrangement makes the argon purification process more flexible and efficient, because the two purification paths can work simultaneously, greatly shortening the purification time and improving production efficiency.

[0037] After purification, the treated argon gas can be delivered to different refining ladle nozzles, or, as needed, to the same refining ladle nozzle. This design makes argon delivery more flexible and can be adjusted according to the specific needs of steelmaking, thus playing a greater role in the steelmaking process. This optimized purification and delivery system ensures the quality and purity of the argon gas, thereby improving the overall efficiency and product quality of steelmaking.

[0038] On the first purification branch 210, several key components are installed sequentially to ensure the purity and stable flow of the gas. First, a pressure transmitter is set at the beginning of the branch, its main function being to monitor and transmit gas pressure information in real time, ensuring that the pressure of the entire system remains within a safe and effective range. The filter pressure reducing valve 214 is installed after the pressure transmitter, its function being to filter out impurities in the gas and reduce the gas pressure to a level suitable for the operation of subsequent equipment.

[0039] A gas flow controller 215 is installed after the filter pressure reducing valve 214. Its main function is to precisely control the gas flow rate, ensuring that the gas passes through the system at a constant rate, thereby improving the stability and reliability of the entire purification process. To further ensure the purity and safety of the gas, a first solenoid valve 216 is installed after the gas flow controller 215. The function of the first solenoid valve 216 is to quickly cut off the gas flow when needed, thereby protecting the system and the safety of operators in emergencies. A check valve is installed between the gas flow controller 215 and the first solenoid valve 216. The main function of the check valve is to ensure that the gas flows only in one direction, preventing the gas from flowing backward in the system, thereby avoiding possible contamination and system failure. Through these carefully designed components, the first purification branch 210 can effectively achieve gas purification and control, ensuring the efficient and safe operation of the entire system.

[0040] Please see Figure 1 A protective branch 220 is added to the first purification branch 210. This protective branch 220 is located between the filter pressure reducing valve 214 and the gas flow controller 215 to facilitate gas diversion. Specifically, several working components are sequentially installed on the protective branch 220: first, a first ball valve 221, which easily controls the gas flow; next, a second check valve, ensuring the gas flows only in a predetermined direction to prevent backflow; then, a pressure gauge 223, used to monitor and display the gas pressure in real time to ensure operational safety; and finally, a container 224, used to collect and store argon gas when the pressure is too high. Through the protective branch 220, argon gas at high pressure enters the protective branch 220, passes through the first ball valve 221 and the check valve, and finally flows into the container 224 for collection. Throughout the process, the pressure gauge 223 continuously monitors the argon gas pressure to ensure it remains within a safe range, thus providing strong support for the stable operation of the entire system.

[0041] At the end of the protection branch 220, a container 224 is also installed. This container 224 is a dedicated storage device or cooling device for argon gas. Its main function is to temporarily store argon gas collected due to excessive pressure or to cool the argon gas. This device aims to ensure that the argon gas maintains a stable flow rate and temperature during use, thereby meeting the needs and safety requirements of various purification pathways. By effectively storing and cooling the argon gas, this device can prevent flow rate fluctuations or temperature changes during argon gas transportation, ensuring the purification quality and effectiveness of the argon gas.

[0042] On the second purification branch 230, a second ball valve 231, a first filter 233, and a pressure transmitter are installed sequentially. Furthermore, to ensure system flexibility and reliability, a second solenoid valve 232 and a second ball valve 231 are also installed in parallel on the second purification branch 230. This allows the second purification branch 230 to be controlled by two different valves, ensuring that the purification system will not fail or malfunction if one valve fails. This enables the second purification branch 230 to smoothly perform normal argon purification and diversion operations.

[0043] Please see Figure 2 Furthermore, an inlet spherical valve 130 is installed before the argon gas enters the dehydration and oil removal device 110 in the gas pipeline 100. This measure ensures that the gas can be effectively controlled before entering the dehydration and oil removal device 110, thereby guaranteeing the stable operation of the entire system. In addition, a first outlet spherical valve 141 and a second outlet spherical valve 142 are respectively installed before the first refining package outlet 212 and the second refining package outlet 235. The function of these outlet spherical valves is to ensure that the gas can be precisely controlled and distributed to each refining package during the refining process, thereby improving the refining effect and efficiency.

[0044] To further enhance the system's automation and precise control capabilities, both the first solenoid valve 216 and the second solenoid valve 232 employ a servo-piloted two-position two-way solenoid valve design. This type of solenoid valve features fast response and high control precision, ensuring rapid and accurate opening and closing of each valve during argon purification and diversion, thereby improving the stability and reliability of the entire system.

[0045] In the purification system described above, the first purification path 200 and the second purification path 300 are configured identically. This consistent setup allows the system to simultaneously activate both purification paths for parallel purification operations. This configuration not only significantly improves the efficiency of the purification operation but also ensures that both paths achieve the same high-quality purification results. Furthermore, this configuration allows the system to supply purified argon gas to different refining packages or the same refining package, thereby meeting diverse production needs.

[0046] In the argon purification process, argon gas first needs to be introduced into the gas pipeline system 100. The operator opens the inlet valve 130, allowing the argon gas to begin its purification process. After entering the gas pipeline 100, the argon gas first passes through a series of pretreatment devices, including oil and water removal devices and a high-efficiency filter 120. The purpose of these pretreatment steps is to remove oil and moisture from the argon gas, ensuring its purity.

[0047] After pretreatment, the argon gas enters two main purification paths: the first purification path 200 and the second purification path 300. These paths are designed to provide flexible purification options to meet different production needs. Operators can control the flow of argon gas as needed using a three-way valve. Under normal production conditions, argon gas is primarily purified through the second purification path 300. This path is designed to meet daily purification requirements and ensure the quality of the argon gas.

[0048] However, in some cases, production demands may increase, requiring a larger filtration volume. In such situations, argon can be directed to the first purification path 200 for additional purification. The first purification path 200 is designed to provide additional purification capacity when demand is high, ensuring that the quality of the argon is not affected by increased production.

[0049] In addition, when the purification volume is large, a protection branch 220 is designed into the system to protect the system's safety. In these cases, high-pressure argon gas is guided into the protection branch 220 for pressure regulation and recovery to prevent damage to the system.

[0050] Please see Figure 1 After passing through the first purification path 200 and the second purification path 300, the argon gases will converge. To further ensure the purity of the argon gases, the converged argon gases will enter the catalyst purifier for the final purification step. The function of the catalyst purifier is to further remove impurities from the argon gases through chemical reactions, ensuring that they reach the highest purity standard.

[0051] Finally, the thoroughly purified argon gas is controlled by an outlet valve, allowing operators to direct it into the appropriate section of the refining package as needed. The refining package is designed for direct use of the purified argon gas, eliminating intermediate steps.

[0052] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and are not intended to limit it. Although the utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model.

Claims

1. An argon purification device, characterized in that, It includes a water and oil removal device (110) and a high-efficiency filter (120) connected by a gas pipeline (100); the gas pipeline (100) extends after the water and oil removal device (110) and the filter and is provided with a first purification path (200); the end of the first purification path (200) is connected to the nozzle (212) of the first refining package. The first purification path (200) is provided with a first purification branch (210) and a second purification branch (230); the first purification branch (210) and the second purification branch (230) converge before connecting to the first refining package outlet (212); the gas pipeline (100) is provided with a catalyst purification device (150) after the first purification branch (210) and the second purification branch (230) converge; the catalyst purification device (150) is provided before the first refining package outlet (212) to complete the argon purification operation of the first purification branch (210) and the second purification branch (230); A first one-way valve (211) is provided at the position before the first purification branch (210) intersects with the second purification branch (230); the one-way valve controls the flow direction of argon gas from the inlet end of the argon gas to the outlet end of the first refining package (212); and prevents the argon gas from flowing back at the outlet end of the first refining package (212).

2. The argon purification device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gas pipeline (100) extends into a second purification path (300) after the water and oil removal device (110) and the filter; the first purification path (200) and the second purification path (300) are arranged in parallel; a second refining bag nozzle (235) is provided at the end of the second purification path (300).

3. The argon purification device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first purification branch (210) is also provided with a first pressure transmitter (213), a filter pressure reducing valve (214), a gas flow controller (215) and a first solenoid valve (216) in sequence; the one-way valve is located between the gas flow controller (215) and the first solenoid valve (216).

4. An argon purification device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first purification branch (210) is also provided with a protection branch (220); the protection branch (220) splits the flow between the filter pressure reducing valve (214) and the gas flow controller (215).

5. An argon purification device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The protection branch (220) is provided with a first ball valve (221), a second check valve (222), a pressure gauge (223), and a container (224) in sequence; the argon gas enters the protection branch (220) through the first ball valve (221) and the check valve, and flows into the container (224) where the pressure gauge (223) monitors the argon gas pressure in real time to ensure safety.

6. An argon purification device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The container (224) is a temporary storage or cooling device for argon gas, used to temporarily store or cool argon gas in order to stabilize the flow rate or temperature of argon gas.

7. An argon purification device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second purification branch (230) is provided with a second ball valve (231), a first filter (233) and a second pressure transmitter (234) in sequence; wherein, the second purification branch (230) is also provided with a second solenoid valve (232) connected in parallel with the second ball valve (231).

8. An argon purification device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The gas pipeline (100) is provided with an inlet balloon valve (130) before the water and oil removal device (110), and a first outlet balloon valve (141) and a second outlet balloon valve (142) are provided before the first refining package outlet (212) and the second refining package outlet (235), respectively.

9. An argon purification device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first solenoid valve (216) and the second solenoid valve (232) are both servo-piloted two-position two-way solenoid valves.

10. An argon purification device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first purification path (200) and the second purification path (300) are set to be the same.

Images