Feed liquid concentration device and concentration system

Abstract

The utility model provides a feed liquid concentration device and a concentration system, the feed liquid concentration device comprises a first tubular heat exchanger and a first evaporator, and the upper part and the lower part of the first tubular heat exchanger are both communicated with the first evaporator; the first tubular heat exchanger is provided with a first heating piece used for heating feed liquid in the first tubular heat exchanger, the bottom of the first tubular heat exchanger is a first liquid storage space, and the first liquid storage space is provided with a second heating assembly used for heating feed liquid in the first liquid storage space. According to the utility model, not only can large-volume feed liquid concentration be carried out, but also small-volume feed liquid paste collection can be realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of concentrator technology, and in particular to a liquid concentration device and concentration system. Background Technology

[0002] Concentration is a crucial unit operation before the formation of pharmaceutical raw materials, especially in the manufacturing process of traditional Chinese medicine. Evaporation is an important means of concentration, a process that separates substances with different volatile properties through heat transfer. The main purpose of concentration is to reduce the volume of the liquid, increase its concentration, and produce semi-finished products of a certain specification or further produce finished products. Concentration can also saturate the solution, causing crystals to precipitate, facilitating further purification. Among various types of concentration units, double-effect concentration units are widely used due to their advantages of ensuring high-efficiency concentration while also being energy-saving. For such large-scale concentration equipment as double-effect concentration units, as the large volume of liquid is concentrated, the liquid gradually decreases. In the later stages of concentration, it is necessary to shut down the second-effect heater and evaporator and send the liquid to the first-effect heater and evaporator for continued concentration. However, currently used double-effect concentration units are basically unable to complete further concentration under these conditions, and cannot simultaneously handle the concentration of large volumes of liquid and the collection of small volumes of liquid into ointment.

[0003] The invention disclosed in CN117717794A is a method and system for high-efficiency evaporation with external circulation. The system includes a heater and an evaporation chamber. The heater has several heating channels inside and a liquid storage space at the bottom. The material in the liquid storage space is led to the top of the heater and flows down through the heating channels via a material distributor located at the top of the heater. After being heated synchronously, it forms a concentrated liquid that enters the liquid storage space. During this process, the vapor phase enters the evaporation chamber for gas-liquid separation. The liquid phase after gas-liquid separation enters the liquid storage space and is led to the top of the heater together with the concentrated liquid. However, when the amount of material is reduced to the point where the heater and evaporation chamber can no longer meet the requirements for circulating heating and concentration, the purpose of collecting paste from small volumes of liquid cannot be achieved. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to address the deficiencies in the existing technology by providing a liquid concentration device and system that can concentrate large volumes of liquid as well as collect small volumes of liquid into paste.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides a liquid concentration device, including a first tube heat exchanger and a first evaporator, wherein the upper and lower parts of the first tube heat exchanger are connected to the first evaporator.

[0006] The first tube heat exchanger is provided with a first heating element for heating the liquid inside the first tube heat exchanger, and the bottom of the first tube heat exchanger is a first liquid storage space, on which a second heating component is provided for heating the liquid inside.

[0007] The feed liquid enters the first tube heat exchanger. When the feed liquid volume is large, the first heating element is turned on to heat and concentrate the feed liquid in the first tube heat exchanger. The vapor phase during the evaporation process enters the first evaporator through the upper part of the first tube heat exchanger for gas-liquid separation. The liquid phase after gas-liquid separation enters the first tube heat exchanger again through the bottom of the first tube heat exchanger for heating. The feed liquid continuously circulates and is heated and concentrated in the first evaporator and the first tube heat exchanger.

[0008] When the liquid volume decreases to the point where the first tube heat exchanger and the first evaporator can no longer meet the requirements for circulating heating and concentration, the second heating component on the first liquid storage space is activated. The concentrated liquid in the first liquid storage space is then reheated and concentrated by the second heating component until it meets the process requirements.

[0009] This invention is applicable to various concentration equipment for traditional Chinese medicine, food, etc., enabling the liquid concentration system to handle both large-volume liquid concentration and small-volume liquid paste collection.

[0010] Optionally, the second heating assembly includes a heating pipe disposed in the first liquid storage space and a second jacket fitted at the bottom of the first tube-and-shell heat exchanger, wherein the inlet and outlet of the heating pipe are both connected to the second jacket.

[0011] The heating pipe inlet and outlet are both connected to the second jacket, allowing steam to enter the heating pipe sequentially through the second steam inlet and the second jacket to heat the concentrated liquid. The condensate in the heating pipe is first discharged into the second jacket, and then discharged from the system through the second condensate outlet of the second jacket.

[0012] Optionally, the heating pipe includes an inlet pipe, multiple heating coils and an outlet pipe, each heating coil being connected to the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe respectively, the inlet pipe being connected to the second jacket, and the outlet pipe being connected to the second jacket.

[0013] The heating pipe is equipped with a multi-layer, multi-turn heating coil. The heating pipe has an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe. Steam flowing in the second jacket enters the heating coil through the inlet pipe, and condensate in the heating coil is discharged into the second jacket through the outlet pipe.

[0014] Optionally, the second jacket is further provided with an insulation layer to ensure stable heating temperature and reduce heat loss.

[0015] Optionally, the first heating element is a first jacket fitted outside the first shell-and-tube heat exchanger.

[0016] The first jacket has a first steam inlet at the top and a first condensate outlet at the bottom. The steam enters the first jacket through the first steam inlet to heat and concentrate the liquid in the first tube heat exchanger. The condensate in the first jacket is discharged through the first condensate outlet.

[0017] Optionally, the first liquid storage space is connected to the liquid outlet of the first evaporator.

[0018] During the evaporation process, the vapor phase enters the first evaporator through the gas outlet at the top of the first tube heat exchanger for gas-liquid separation. The lower part of the first tube heat exchanger is also provided with a circulating liquid inlet that communicates with the first liquid storage space. The liquid phase after gas-liquid separation enters the first liquid storage space for heating through the feed liquid outlet and the circulating liquid inlet of the first evaporator.

[0019] Optionally, the first liquid inlet of the first tubular heat exchanger is connected to the first liquid storage space.

[0020] The first liquid inlet is located at the bottom of the first tube heat exchanger, and the feed liquid enters the first liquid storage space of the first tube heat exchanger from the first liquid inlet.

[0021] This utility model also provides a concentration system, characterized in that it includes multiple concentration devices connected in series, and at least one of the concentration devices is the above-mentioned liquid concentration device.

[0022] The remaining concentration devices all include a second tube-and-shell heat exchanger and a second evaporator, with the upper and lower parts of the second tube-and-shell heat exchanger connected to the second evaporator; the second tube-and-shell heat exchanger is provided with a third heating element for heating the liquid inside the second tube-and-shell heat exchanger, and a second liquid storage space is provided at the bottom of the second tube-and-shell heat exchanger, with the adjacent first liquid storage space connected to the second liquid storage space, or two adjacent second liquid storage spaces connected to each other.

[0023] Optionally, the concentration system further includes a condenser and a collection tank, with the outlet of the condenser connected to the collection tank, and both the first evaporator and the second evaporator connected to the condenser.

[0024] Beneficial effects:

[0025] The liquid concentration device of this utility model includes a first tube heat exchanger and a first evaporator. The upper and lower parts of the first tube heat exchanger are connected to the first evaporator. The first tube heat exchanger is provided with a first heating element, the bottom of the first tube heat exchanger is a first liquid storage space, and the first liquid storage space is provided with a second heating component.

[0026] The feed liquid enters the first tube heat exchanger. When the feed liquid volume is large, the first heating element is turned on to heat and concentrate the feed liquid in the first tube heat exchanger. The vapor phase during the evaporation process enters the first evaporator through the upper part of the first tube heat exchanger for gas-liquid separation. The liquid phase after gas-liquid separation enters the first tube heat exchanger again through the bottom of the first tube heat exchanger for heating. The feed liquid continuously circulates and is heated and concentrated in the first evaporator and the first tube heat exchanger.

[0027] When the liquid volume decreases to a point where the first tube-and-tube heat exchanger and the first evaporator can no longer meet the requirements for circulating heating and concentration, the second heating component on the first liquid storage space is activated. This second heating component then reheats and concentrates the liquid in the first liquid storage space until it meets the process requirements. This invention is applicable to various concentration equipment used in traditional Chinese medicine, food, and other industries, enabling the liquid concentration system to handle both large-volume liquid concentration and small-volume liquid paste formation. Attached Figure Description

[0028] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model 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 some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0029] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of a concentration system disclosed in this utility model;

[0030] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of the first tube heat exchanger in a liquid concentration device disclosed in this utility model;

[0031] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of the second heating component in a liquid concentration device disclosed in this utility model.

[0032] Reference numerals in the attached figures: 1 First shell-and-tube heat exchanger; 11 First liquid inlet; 12 Gas outlet; 13 First heating element; 131 First steam inlet; 132 First condensate outlet; 14 First liquid storage space; 15 Heating pipe; 151 Inlet pipe; 152 Heating coil; 153 Outlet pipe; 154 Clamp; 16 Second jacket; 161 Second steam inlet; 162 Second condensate outlet; 17 Insulation layer; 18 Circulation inlet; 2 First evaporator; 21 First gas-liquid separator; 3 Second shell-and-tube heat exchanger; 31 Third heating element; 32 Second liquid storage space; 33 Second liquid inlet; 34 Connecting pipe; 4 Second evaporator; 41 Second gas-liquid separator; 5 Condenser; 6 Liquid collection tank.

[0033] The realization of the purpose, functional features and advantages of this utility model will be further explained in conjunction with the implementation methods and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0035] In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly defined, terms such as "setting," "installation," and "connection" should be interpreted broadly, and those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.

[0036] In the description of this utility model, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of this utility model. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0037] Example 1:

[0038] See Figure 1-3 According to a first embodiment of the present invention, a liquid concentration device includes a first tubular heat exchanger 1 and a first evaporator 2, wherein the upper and lower parts of the first tubular heat exchanger 1 are connected to the first evaporator 2.

[0039] The first tube heat exchanger 1 is provided with a first heating element 13 for heating the liquid inside the first tube heat exchanger 1, and the bottom of the first tube heat exchanger 1 is a first liquid storage space 14, and the first liquid storage space 14 is provided with a second heating element for heating the liquid inside it.

[0040] Specifically, the second heating element is arranged in the first liquid storage space 14 at the bottom of the first tube heat exchanger 1. When the liquid enters the first tube heat exchanger 1, and the liquid volume is large, the first heating element 13 is turned on to heat and concentrate the liquid in the first tube heat exchanger 1. The vapor phase during the evaporation process enters the first evaporator 2 through the upper part of the first tube heat exchanger 1 for gas-liquid separation. The liquid phase after gas-liquid separation enters the first tube heat exchanger 1 again through the bottom of the first tube heat exchanger 1 for heating. The liquid continuously circulates and is heated and concentrated in the first evaporator 2 and the first tube heat exchanger 1.

[0041] When the liquid volume decreases to the point where the first tube heat exchanger 1 and the first evaporator 2 can no longer meet the requirements for circulating heating and concentration, the second heating component on the first liquid storage space 14 is turned on. The concentrated liquid in the first liquid storage space 14 is then reheated and concentrated by the second heating component until it meets the process requirements.

[0042] This invention is applicable to various concentration equipment for traditional Chinese medicine, food, etc., enabling the liquid concentration system to handle both large-volume liquid concentration and small-volume liquid paste collection.

[0043] The lower part of the first tube heat exchanger 1 has a conical structure design with a long straight edge section, which facilitates the arrangement of the second heating component. The first liquid storage space 14 provides sufficient concentration space for the small amount of concentrate in the concentrator unit, allowing the concentrate to evaporate further.

[0044] See Figure 3 In some embodiments of this utility model, the second heating component includes a heating pipe 15 disposed in the first liquid storage space 14, and a second jacket 16 sleeved at the bottom of the first tube heat exchanger 1, wherein the inlet and outlet of the heating pipe 15 are both connected to the second jacket 16.

[0045] In this embodiment, the inlet and outlet of the heating pipe 15 are both connected to the second jacket 16, allowing steam to enter the heating pipe 15 sequentially through the second steam inlet 161 and the second jacket 16 to heat the concentrated liquid. The condensate in the heating pipe 15 is first discharged into the second jacket 16, and then discharged from the system through the second condensate outlet 162 of the second jacket 16.

[0046] To ensure easy cleaning of the heating pipe 15, on the one hand, a forced external circulation method can be used to flush the heating pipe 15 with water. On the other hand, clamps 154 are provided on the pipe connecting the inlet of the heating pipe 15 to the second jacket 16, and on the pipe connecting the outlet of the heating pipe 15 to the second jacket 16. The clamps 154 are KF type clamps. Under the premise of ensuring the structural stability and durability of the second heating component, the heating pipe 15 can be easily disassembled for cleaning, effectively avoiding the problem of scale buildup that cannot be removed after long-term use.

[0047] See Figure 3 In some embodiments of this utility model, the heating pipe 15 includes an inlet pipe 151, a plurality of heating coils 152 and an outlet pipe 153. Each heating coil 152 is connected to the inlet pipe 151 and the outlet pipe 153 respectively. The inlet pipe 151 is connected to the second jacket 16 and the outlet pipe 153 is connected to the second jacket 16.

[0048] In this embodiment, the heating pipe 15 is provided with a multi-layered, multi-turn heating coil 152. The heating pipe 15 has an inlet pipe 151 and an outlet pipe 153. The steam flowing in the second jacket 16 enters the heating coil 152 through the inlet pipe 151, and the condensate in the heating coil 152 is discharged into the second jacket 16 through the outlet pipe 153.

[0049] See Figure 2 and 3 In some embodiments of this utility model, the second jacket 16 is further provided with a heat insulation layer 17.

[0050] In this embodiment, in order to ensure stable heating temperature and reduce heat loss, an insulation layer 17 is added to the outside of the second jacket 16.

[0051] See Figure 2 In some embodiments of this utility model, the first heating element 13 is a first jacket sleeved outside the first tube heat exchanger 1.

[0052] In this embodiment, the first jacket is provided with a first steam inlet 131 at the upper part and a first condensate outlet 132 at the lower part. The steam enters the first jacket through the first steam inlet 131 to heat and concentrate the liquid in the first tube heat exchanger 1. The condensate in the first jacket is discharged through the first condensate outlet 132.

[0053] See Figure 1 and 2 In some embodiments of this utility model, the first liquid storage space 14 is connected to the liquid outlet of the first evaporator 2.

[0054] During the evaporation process, the vapor phase enters the first evaporator 2 through the gas outlet 12 provided at the top of the first tube heat exchanger 1 for gas-liquid separation. The lower part of the first tube heat exchanger 1 is also provided with a circulation inlet 18 that communicates with the first liquid storage space 14. The liquid phase after gas-liquid separation enters the first liquid storage space 14 for heating through the feed liquid outlet and circulation inlet 18 of the first evaporator 2.

[0055] See Figure 1 and 2In some embodiments of this utility model, the first liquid inlet 11 of the first tubular heat exchanger 1 is connected to the first liquid storage space 14.

[0056] In this embodiment, the first liquid inlet 11 is located at the bottom of the first tube heat exchanger 1, and the feed liquid enters the first liquid storage space 14 of the first tube heat exchanger 1 from the first liquid inlet 11.

[0057] Example 2:

[0058] See Figure 1-3 According to a second embodiment of the present invention, a concentration system includes multiple sets of concentration devices connected in series, at least one set of the concentration devices being the above-mentioned liquid concentration device;

[0059] The remaining concentration devices all include a second tube heat exchanger 3 and a second evaporator 4. The upper and lower parts of the second tube heat exchanger 3 are connected to the second evaporator 4. The second tube heat exchanger 3 is provided with a third heating element 31 for heating the liquid inside the second tube heat exchanger 3. The bottom of the second tube heat exchanger 3 is provided with a second liquid storage space 32. The adjacent first liquid storage space 14 is connected to the second liquid storage space 32, or two adjacent second liquid storage spaces 32 are connected.

[0060] See Figure 1 In some embodiments of this utility model, the concentration system further includes a condenser 5 and a collection tank 6, the outlet of the condenser 5 is connected to the collection tank 6, and the first evaporator 2 and the second evaporator 4 are both connected to the condenser 5.

[0061] In this embodiment, a concentration system includes two sets of concentration devices connected in series. One set of concentration devices is the above-mentioned liquid concentration device, and the other set of concentration devices includes a second tube heat exchanger 3 and a second evaporator 4. The first liquid inlet 11 and the second liquid inlet 33 are connected by a connecting pipe 34.

[0062] The liquid enters the first tube heat exchanger 1 through the first inlet 11 and the second tube heat exchanger 3 through the second inlet 33. When the liquid volume is large, the first steam inlet 131 of the first heating element 13 of the first tube heat exchanger 1 is opened to allow steam to enter the first heating element 13 to heat the liquid in the first tube heat exchanger 1. The condensate in the first heating element 13 is discharged from the system through the first condensate outlet 132. The vapor phase during the evaporation process enters the first evaporator 2 through the upper part of the first tube heat exchanger 1 for gas-liquid separation. The liquid phase after gas-liquid separation enters the first tube heat exchanger 1 again through the bottom of the first tube heat exchanger 1 for heating. The liquid continuously circulates and is heated and concentrated in the first evaporator 2 and the first tube heat exchanger 1.

[0063] During the continuous circulation and heating of the feed liquid within the first evaporator 2 and the first shell-and-tube heat exchanger 1, the gaseous phase after gas-liquid separation is sent to the third heating element 31 of the second shell-and-tube heat exchanger 3 via the first gas-liquid separator 21 to heat the feed liquid within the second shell-and-tube heat exchanger 3, thereby achieving energy saving. Simultaneously, the feed liquid circulates and is heated within the second shell-and-tube heat exchanger 3 and the second evaporator 4. The generated steam passes through the second gas-liquid separator 41 and is condensed into condensate by the condenser 5, which is then discharged into the collection tank 6.

[0064] As the liquid volume gradually decreases, the liquid in the second shell-and-tube heat exchanger 3 is sent to the first shell-and-tube heat exchanger 1 through the connecting pipe 34 for concentration. Furthermore, if the first shell-and-tube heat exchanger 1 and the first evaporator 2 can no longer meet the requirements for circulating heating and concentration, the second heating component on the first liquid storage space 14 is activated, and heating steam is introduced into the second jacket 16 to reheat and concentrate the concentrated liquid until it meets the process requirements.

[0065] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this utility model and do not limit the patent scope of this utility model. Any equivalent structural transformations made based on the inventive concept of this utility model and the contents of this utility model specification and drawings, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A liquid concentration device, characterized in that, It includes a first shell-and-tube heat exchanger (1) and a first evaporator (2), with the upper and lower parts of the first shell-and-tube heat exchanger (1) connected to the first evaporator (2); The first tube heat exchanger (1) is provided with a first heating element (13) for heating the liquid inside the first tube heat exchanger (1), and the bottom of the first tube heat exchanger (1) is a first liquid storage space (14), and the first liquid storage space (14) is provided with a second heating element for heating the liquid inside it.

2. The liquid concentration device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second heating assembly includes a heating pipe (15) disposed in the first liquid storage space (14) and a second jacket (16) sleeved at the bottom of the first tube heat exchanger (1). The inlet and outlet of the heating pipe (15) are both connected to the second jacket (16).

3. The liquid concentration device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The heating pipe (15) includes an inlet pipe (151), a plurality of heating coils (152) and an outlet pipe (153). Each heating coil (152) is connected to the inlet pipe (151) and the outlet pipe (153) respectively. The inlet pipe (151) is connected to the second jacket (16) and the outlet pipe (153) is connected to the second jacket (16).

4. The liquid concentration device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second jacket (16) is also provided with an insulation layer (17) on the outside.

5. The feed liquid concentration apparatus according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The first heating element is a first jacket fitted outside the first shell-and-tube heat exchanger (1).

6. The feed liquid concentration apparatus according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The first liquid storage space (14) is connected to the liquid outlet of the first evaporator (2).

7. The liquid concentration apparatus according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The first liquid inlet (11) of the first tubular heat exchanger (1) is connected to the first liquid storage space (14).

8. A concentration system, characterized in that, It includes multiple sets of concentration devices connected in series, and at least one set of the concentration devices is the liquid concentration device according to any one of claims 1-7; The remaining concentration devices all include a second tube heat exchanger (3) and a second evaporator (4), the upper and lower parts of the second tube heat exchanger (3) are connected to the second evaporator (4); the second tube heat exchanger (3) is provided with a third heating element (31) for heating the liquid in the second tube heat exchanger (3), the bottom of the second tube heat exchanger (3) is provided with a second liquid storage space (32), the adjacent first liquid storage space (14) is connected to the second liquid storage space (32), or the two adjacent second liquid storage spaces (32) are connected.

9. The concentration system according to claim 8, characterized in that, The concentration system also includes a condenser (5) and a collection tank (6). The outlet of the condenser (5) is connected to the collection tank (6). The first evaporator (2) and the second evaporator (4) are both connected to the condenser (5).

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