Waste heat utilization device suitable for air compressor

Abstract

The utility model provides a waste heat utilization device suitable for an air compressor, which comprises a box body, the top of the box body is provided with a water inlet hole, and the bottom of the box body is provided with a drain valve; a hot air flow channel is arranged in the box body and comprises a plurality of sections of heat exchange pipes which are communicated in sequence; the heat exchange pipe comprises a first flow channel and a second flow channel arranged in the first flow channel, and a plurality of heat exchange fins are distributed on the inner side wall of the first flow channel; a turbulent flow assembly is arranged at one end of the second flow channel and comprises a diffusion impeller which is rotationally arranged, a wind shield acting on the first flow channel is connected to the diffusion impeller, and air outlets with different inclination angles are formed in the wind shield. The turbulent flow assembly arranged at one end of the second flow channel, especially a structure with a diffusion impeller and a wind shield, can effectively disturb hot air flow entering the first flow channel, destroy a boundary layer and enable a flow field to be distributed more uniformly, so that the heat exchange effect is further enhanced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of air compressor equipment, specifically a waste heat utilization device suitable for air compressors. Background Technology

[0002] An air compressor is a core device that compresses free air, increasing its pressure and outputting power in the form of compressed air. As an important power source, air compressors are widely used in many industrial fields such as machinery manufacturing, petrochemicals, textiles, construction, mining, power generation, and national defense.

[0003] However, air compression is essentially an energy conversion process. According to the laws of thermodynamics, the conversion of mechanical energy (or electrical energy) into the pressure energy of air inevitably involves the generation of a large amount of heat. Studies have shown that only about 10%-20% of the electrical energy consumed by an air compressor is converted into effective compressed air potential energy, while as much as 80%-90% of the energy is lost as heat. This heat is mainly concentrated in the hot air generated during compression and in the cooling medium (such as cooling oil or cooling water) used to cool compressor components (such as oil coolers, cylinders, intercoolers, and aftercoolers).

[0004] Traditionally, in order to ensure the stable operation of air compressors, the heat generated is usually discharged directly into the surrounding environment through cooling systems such as radiators and cooling towers. This not only causes huge energy waste and increases the operating costs of enterprises, but also causes certain thermal pollution to the environment.

[0005] To address this issue and improve energy efficiency, the industry has developed several waste heat recovery technologies for air compressors. These technologies typically employ heat exchangers to transfer some of the heat generated by the air compressor (e.g., from the lubricating oil cooling circuit or high-temperature compressed air) to the medium requiring heating, such as domestic water, industrial water, or air used for space heating, thereby achieving cascaded energy utilization.

[0006] Although existing waste heat recovery devices have recovered some waste heat to a certain extent, they still suffer from low heat exchange efficiency in practical applications. Utility Model Content

[0007] In view of the problems of low heat exchange efficiency and uneven hot air flow field in the existing technology, this utility model provides a waste heat utilization device suitable for air compressors, which aims to improve heat exchange efficiency and optimize fluid distribution.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides a waste heat utilization device suitable for air compressors, including a housing, a water inlet hole at the top of the housing, and a drain valve at the bottom of the housing;

[0009] The box is equipped with a hot air flow channel, which includes multiple heat exchange pipes connected in sequence.

[0010] The heat exchange tube includes a first flow channel and a second flow channel disposed within the first flow channel, and a plurality of heat exchange fins are distributed on the inner sidewall of the first flow channel.

[0011] A turbulence-inducing component is provided at one end of the second flow channel. The turbulence-inducing component includes a rotatable diffuser impeller. A baffle plate acting on the first flow channel is connected to the diffuser impeller. Air outlets with different inclination angles are opened on the baffle plate.

[0012] Preferably, one end of the heat exchange fins extends through the heat exchange tube;

[0013] The heat exchange fins include a deformable part, which is a hollowed-out mesh structure and has multiple through holes. The deformable part includes a contracted state and an expanded state.

[0014] When the deformable part changes from a contracted state to an expanded state, the cross-sectional area of ​​the through hole increases.

[0015] Preferably, an inner cylinder is fixed inside the heat exchange tube by ribs, and the inner cylinder and the heat exchange tube form the first flow channel.

[0016] Preferably, the cross-section of the inner cylinder is tapered.

[0017] Preferably, the diffuser impeller has a circumferential array of multiple blades, each blade including a driving portion extending in an inclined direction and a diffuser portion extending in a vertical direction, the diffuser portion having a plurality of notches.

[0018] Preferably, a pressure relief valve is provided on the top of the housing, and a discharge valve is also connected to the hot air flow channel.

[0019] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0020] 1. The special nested structure of the heat exchange tubes and the heat exchange fins set on the inner wall of the first flow channel significantly increase the heat exchange area between the hot air and the heat exchange tube wall, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency.

[0021] 2. The turbulence-disrupting components located at one end of the second flow channel, especially those with diffuser impellers and baffles, effectively disturb the hot airflow entering the first flow channel, disrupting the boundary layer and making the flow field distribution more uniform, thereby further enhancing the heat exchange effect. The air outlets with varying inclination angles on the baffles facilitate more precise control and guidance of the airflow. Attached Figure Description

[0022] 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, for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional sectional view of a heat exchange tube according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Enlarged view of part A.

[0026] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0027] 1. Housing; 11. Water inlet; 12. Drain valve; 13. Pressure relief valve;

[0028] 2. Heat exchange tubes;

[0029] 21. First flow channel; 211. Heat exchange fins; 212. Deformation section; 213. Through hole;

[0030] 22. Second flow channel; 23. Inner cylinder; 24. Rib plate;

[0031] 3. Aerodynamic components;

[0032] 31. Diffusion impeller; 311. Drive unit; 312. Diffusion unit; 313. Notch;

[0033] 32. Wind deflector; 321. Air outlet;

[0034] 4. Drain valve. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this patent. To better illustrate this embodiment, some parts in the drawings may be omitted, enlarged, or reduced, and do not represent the actual dimensions of the product.

[0036] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that certain well-known structures and their descriptions may be omitted in the accompanying drawings. The technical solution of this utility model will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0037] like Figure 1-3As shown, a waste heat recovery device suitable for air compressors includes a housing 1. A water inlet 11 is provided at the top of the housing 1 for injecting cold water or a medium requiring heating into the housing. A drain valve 12 is provided at the bottom of the housing 1 for draining water from the housing or for maintenance. The housing 1 is typically filled with water as the cold-side medium for heat exchange.

[0038] The chamber 1 contains a hot air flow channel, which consists of multiple interconnected heat exchange pipes 2. These heat exchange pipes 2 are submerged in water within the chamber 1. The high-temperature hot air discharged from the air compressor passes through the hot air flow channel, transferring its heat to the water inside the chamber 1.

[0039] Each heat exchange tube 2 includes a first flow channel 21 and a second flow channel 22 disposed within the first flow channel 21. Hot air mainly flows through the first flow channel 21. Multiple heat exchange fins 211 are distributed on the inner wall of the first flow channel 21. These heat exchange fins 211 significantly increase the heat exchange area between the hot air and the heat exchange tube wall, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency.

[0040] One end of the heat exchange fin 211 can penetrate the wall of the heat exchange tube 2. In some embodiments, the heat exchange fin 211 includes a deformable portion 212. The deformable portion 212 can be designed as a hollow mesh structure and has multiple through holes 213. The deformable portion 212 has a contracted state and an expanded state. In the contracted state, it is easy to manufacture and install; when subjected to thermal stress, the deformable portion 212 can expand, increasing the cross-sectional area of ​​the through holes 213. This deformation helps to improve the heat exchange effect and adapt to different operating conditions.

[0041] like Figure 2 As shown, a turbulence-inducing component 3 is provided at one end of the second flow channel 22. The turbulence-inducing component 3 includes a rotatably mounted diffuser impeller 31. The diffuser impeller 31 is driven to rotate by airflow. A baffle plate 32 is connected to the diffuser impeller 31. The baffle plate 32 is disposed within the first flow channel 21 and acts on the hot airflow flowing through the first flow channel 21. The baffle plate 32 has multiple air outlets 321 with different inclination angles. When the diffuser impeller 31 rotates, it turbulent, guides, and diffuses the hot airflow within the first flow channel 21 through the baffle plate 32 and its air outlets 321, breaking the boundary layer and making the contact between the hot air and the fins and tube wall more sufficient and uniform, greatly enhancing the convective heat transfer effect.

[0042] In some preferred embodiments, an inner cylinder 23 is fixed inside the heat exchange tube 2 by ribs 24, and the inner cylinder 23 and the outer wall of the heat exchange tube 2 together form the first flow channel 21. In this structure, the second flow channel 22 is located inside the inner cylinder 23. Furthermore, the cross-section of the inner cylinder 23 can be tapered, which helps to regulate the airflow velocity and pressure distribution in the second flow channel 22, indirectly affecting the flow field in the first flow channel 21.

[0043] The diffuser impeller 31 has a circumferential array of multiple blades 311. Each blade 311 includes a drive section 311 extending in an inclined direction and a diffuser section 312 extending in a vertical direction. The drive section 311 may be used to capture the kinetic energy of the airflow to drive the impeller to rotate. The diffuser section 312 is used to diffuse and turbulent the airflow. The diffuser section 312 is provided with a number of notches 313, the design of which can further optimize the mixing and turbulence effects of the airflow.

[0044] In addition, such as Figure 1 As shown, to improve the safety of the device, a pressure relief valve 13 can be installed on the top of the housing 1 to automatically release pressure when the internal pressure of the housing is too high. A drain valve 4 can also be connected to the hot gas flow channel at the point where it enters or exits the heat exchange pipe 2, for discharging residual gas or accumulated liquid in the hot gas flow channel during maintenance.

[0045] The working process of this utility model is roughly as follows:

[0046] High-temperature hot air generated by the air compressor enters the hot air flow channel of this device through external pipelines. The hot air mainly flows through the first flow channel 21, exchanging heat with the heat exchange fins 211 on the inner wall of the first flow channel 21 during its flow. The housing 1 is filled with cold water, which surrounds the outside of the heat exchange tubes 2, absorbing the heat transferred from the heat tubes and thus heating up. The turbulence assembly 3 located at one end of the second flow channel 22 continuously operates, disturbing and diffusing the hot air in the first flow channel 21 through the diffuser impeller 31 and the baffle 32, optimizing the contact between the hot air and the heat exchange surface, and improving the heat exchange efficiency. The heated water can be drawn out from the outlet at the top or side of the housing 1 for production or domestic use. The drain valve 12 at the bottom of the housing 1 is used for periodic drainage and cleaning.

[0047] Obviously, the above embodiments of this utility model are merely examples for clearly illustrating this utility model, and are not intended to limit the implementation of this utility model. Those skilled in the art can make other variations or modifications based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively describe all embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. A waste heat recovery device for an air compressor, comprising a housing, wherein a water inlet is provided at the top of the housing and a drain valve is provided at the bottom of the housing; Its features are, The box is equipped with a hot air flow channel, which includes multiple heat exchange pipes connected in sequence. The heat exchange tube includes a first flow channel and a second flow channel disposed within the first flow channel, and a plurality of heat exchange fins are distributed on the inner sidewall of the first flow channel. A turbulence-inducing component is provided at one end of the second flow channel. The turbulence-inducing component includes a rotatable diffuser impeller. A baffle plate acting on the first flow channel is connected to the diffuser impeller. Air outlets with different inclination angles are opened on the baffle plate.

2. The waste heat recovery device for air compressors according to claim 1, characterized in that, One end of the heat exchange fins passes through the heat exchange tube; The heat exchange fins include a deformable part, which is a hollowed-out mesh structure and has multiple through holes. The deformable part includes a contracted state and an expanded state. When the deformable part changes from a contracted state to an expanded state, the cross-sectional area of ​​the through hole increases.

3. The waste heat recovery device for air compressors according to claim 1, characterized in that, An inner cylinder is fixed inside the heat exchange tube by ribs, and the inner cylinder and the heat exchange tube form the first flow channel.

4. A waste heat recovery device for air compressors according to claim 3, characterized in that, The cross-section of the inner cylinder is tapered.

5. A waste heat recovery device for air compressors according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diffuser impeller has a circumferential array of multiple blades, each blade including a drive portion extending in an inclined direction and a diffuser portion extending in a vertical direction, with a plurality of notches provided on the diffuser portion.

6. A waste heat recovery device for air compressors according to claim 1, characterized in that, A pressure relief valve is installed on the top of the housing, and a discharge valve is also connected to the hot air flow channel.

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