Triple-effect concentrator

Abstract

The bottom of a first-effect heater, the bottom of a second-effect heater and the bottom of a third-effect heater are connected with a feeding pipeline, and discharging openings in the top sides of the first-effect heater, the second-effect heater and the third-effect heater are connected with a first-effect evaporator, a second-effect evaporator and a third-effect evaporator through first horizontal pipelines respectively. Bottom discharge ports of the first-effect evaporator, the second-effect evaporator and the third-effect evaporator are respectively communicated with the bottom side of the heater through return pipelines, and the tops of the first-effect evaporator, the second-effect evaporator and the third-effect evaporator are respectively connected with a first-effect separator, a second-effect separator and a third-effect separator through steam outlet pipelines. Liquid outlets at the bottoms of the first-effect separator, the second-effect separator and the third-effect separator are respectively connected with the top sides of the first-effect evaporator, the second-effect evaporator and the third-effect evaporator, and the third-effect concentrator disclosed by the utility model has the advantages of compact structural design, convenience in maintenance, flexibility in use, high fault tolerance, stability in system operation, high reliability and the like.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of concentration equipment technology, and in particular to a triple-effect concentrator. Background Technology

[0002] Triple-effect concentrators are mainly used for concentrating materials such as traditional Chinese medicine, Western medicine, starch sugars, and dairy products, and are especially suitable for low-temperature vacuum concentration of heat-sensitive materials. Existing triple-effect concentrators are typically operated in series, meaning the material passes through each effect sequentially for progressive concentration, utilizing the secondary steam from the preceding effect as a heat source for subsequent effects, resulting in significant energy savings. However, this structure has lower production flexibility and fault tolerance; for example, if any effect in the series section malfunctions (such as a leak), the entire equipment must be shut down for maintenance. Furthermore, existing triple-effect concentrators often suffer from inconvenient maintenance and a large footprint, requiring further improvement. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a triple-effect concentrator to solve the problems existing in the prior art.

[0004] The purpose of this utility model is achieved as follows: A triple-effect concentrator includes a first-effect heater, a first-effect evaporator, a first-effect separator, a second-effect heater, a second-effect evaporator, a second-effect separator, a third-effect heater, a third-effect evaporator, and a third-effect separator. The bottom of the first-effect heater, the second-effect heater, and the third-effect heater are connected to feed pipes. The top outlets of the first-effect heater, the second-effect heater, and the third-effect heater are respectively connected to the first-effect evaporator, the second-effect evaporator, and the third-effect evaporator via first horizontal pipes. The bottom outlets of the first-effect evaporator, the second-effect evaporator, and the third-effect evaporator are respectively connected to the bottom of the heater via reflux pipes. The top of the unit is connected to the first-effect separator, the second-effect separator, and the third-effect separator via steam outlet pipes. The liquid outlets at the bottom of the first-effect separator, the second-effect separator, and the third-effect separator are connected to the top sides of the first-effect evaporator, the second-effect evaporator, and the third-effect evaporator, respectively. The steam outlets of the first-effect separator and the second-effect separator are connected to the steam inlets of the second-effect heater and the third-effect heater, respectively, via steam supply pipes. The lower end of the steam supply pipe of the first-effect separator is also connected to a horizontal return spray pipe, which is connected to the first-effect heater. The steam outlet of the third-effect separator is connected to a vertically installed condenser via a second horizontal pipe. The liquid outlet at the bottom of the condenser is connected to a liquid collection tank, which is located at the bottom of the condenser.

[0005] This invention relates to a triple-effect evaporator, where each heater has a feed pipe connected to its bottom. Each effect can be fed independently or supplemented as needed, preventing scaling or crystallization caused by excessively high local concentrations. Furthermore, each effect forms a self-circulating material system, maintaining a stable and efficient evaporation process and improving concentration. The secondary steam from each effect serves as a heat source for the next effect, reducing the consumption of fresh steam. Simultaneously, some of the secondary steam generated by the first-effect separator is reintroduced into the first-effect heater, improving steam utilization efficiency, reducing dependence on external steam, and thus saving energy. The steam outlet of the triple-effect separator is connected to a condenser, and the condensed liquid is collected in a condensate tank. The condenser ensures a vacuum in the final effect, lowering the boiling point and allowing evaporation at lower temperatures, suitable for heat-sensitive materials. In addition, this triple-effect evaporator features a compact structure, short connecting pipes, saving floor space and facilitating maintenance. In summary, this triple-effect evaporator offers advantages such as a compact design, ease of maintenance, high flexibility and fault tolerance, and high system stability and reliability.

[0006] As a further improvement of this utility model, the first-effect evaporator, the second-effect evaporator, and the third-effect evaporator are provided with an intermediate feed port, which is connected to the feed pipeline. This facilitates the system to dynamically adjust the material concentration in the evaporator, optimize the heat energy distribution, prevent scaling or crystallization, and improve the system's adaptability to complex materials.

[0007] As a further improvement of this utility model, the middle part of the second horizontal pipeline is connected to the balance tank through a vertical pipeline, and the liquid outlet at the bottom of the balance tank is connected to the liquid collection tank. The structure is compact, and the balance tank can balance the pressure, flow rate and material distribution, ensuring the coordinated operation between the evaporators of each effect, and solving the dynamic fluctuation problem caused by the coupling of vapor recompression (TVR) and multi-effect evaporation.

[0008] As a further improvement of this utility model, the condensate outlets on the bottom sides of the double-effect and triple-effect heaters are connected to the balance tank via a third horizontal pipeline. This means that the high-temperature condensate from the single-effect heater is not connected to the balance tank, allowing for independent recovery, improving economic efficiency, and avoiding heat energy waste. The low-temperature condensate from the double-effect and triple-effect heaters is stably discharged through the balance tank. This configuration also achieves physical separation between the positive pressure (single-effect) and negative pressure (balance tank) systems, preventing pressure interference and improving system stability.

[0009] As a further improvement of this utility model, the first-effect separator, the second-effect separator, and the third-effect separator are respectively set above and behind the first-effect evaporator, the second-effect evaporator, and the third-effect evaporator, respectively, which saves pipeline and space occupation.

[0010] As a further improvement of this utility model, the single-effect heater, single-effect evaporator, double-effect heater, double-effect evaporator, triple-effect heater, and triple-effect evaporator all adopt a vertical structure, which saves space. They are all fixed to the ground by support legs, which ensures high stability and facilitates the installation of bottom feed pipes.

[0011] As a further improvement of this utility model, the single-effect heater, the double-effect heater, and the triple-effect heater are provided with an insulation layer to reduce heat energy waste. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the triple-effect concentrator of this utility model.

[0013] Among them, 1 is a first-effect heater, 2 is a first-effect evaporator, 3 is a first-effect separator, 4 is a second-effect heater, 5 is a second-effect evaporator, 6 is a second-effect separator, 7 is a third-effect heater, 8 is a third-effect evaporator, 9 is a third-effect separator, 10 is a feed pipe, 11 is a first horizontal pipe, 12 is a return pipe, 13 is a steam outlet pipe, 14 is a steam supply pipe, 15 is a return spray pipe, 16 is a second horizontal pipe, 17 is a condenser, 18 is a liquid accumulation tank, 19 is a balance tank, 20 is an intermediate feed inlet, and 21 is a third horizontal pipe. Detailed Implementation

[0014] like Figure 1 The triple-effect concentrator shown includes a first-effect heater 1, a first-effect evaporator 2, a first-effect separator 3, a second-effect heater 4, a second-effect evaporator 5, a second-effect separator 6, a third-effect heater 7, a third-effect evaporator 8, and a third-effect separator 9.

[0015] The steam inlet of the first-effect heater 1 is connected to the live steam delivery pipeline. Feed pipelines 10 are connected to the bottom of the first-effect heater 1, the second-effect heater 4, and the third-effect heater 7. The top outlets of the first-effect heater 1, the second-effect heater 4, and the third-effect heater 7 are connected to the first-effect evaporator 2, the second-effect evaporator 5, and the third-effect evaporator 8 respectively via the first horizontal pipeline 11. The bottom outlets of the first-effect evaporator 2, the second-effect evaporator 5, and the third-effect evaporator 8 are connected to the bottom of the heaters via the return pipeline 12. The tops of the first-effect evaporator 2, the second-effect evaporator 5, and the third-effect evaporator 8 are connected to the first-effect separator 3, the second-effect separator 6, and the third-effect separator 9 respectively via the steam outlet pipeline 13. The bottom liquid outlets of the first-effect separator 3, the second-effect separator 6, and the third-effect separator 9 are respectively... The steam outlets of the first-effect evaporator 2, second-effect evaporator 5, and third-effect evaporator 8 are connected to the top sides. The steam outlets of the first-effect separator 3 and second-effect separator 6 are connected to the steam inlets of the second-effect heater 4 and third-effect heater 7 respectively via steam supply pipe 14. The lower end of the steam supply pipe 14 of the first-effect separator 3 is also connected to a horizontal return spray pipe 15, which is connected to the first-effect heater 1. The steam outlet of the third-effect separator 9 is connected to the vertically arranged condenser 17 via a second horizontal pipe 16. The liquid outlet at the bottom of the condenser 17 is connected to a liquid collection tank 18, which is located at the bottom of the condenser 17. The middle part of the second horizontal pipe 16 is connected to a balance tank 19 via a vertical pipe. The liquid outlet at the bottom of the balance tank 19 is connected to the liquid collection tank 18. The structure is compact. Furthermore, the condensate outlets at the bottom of the double-effect heater 4 and the triple-effect heater 7 are connected to the balance tank 19 via a third horizontal pipe 21. This means that the high-temperature condensate from the single-effect heater 1 is not connected to the balance tank 19, allowing for independent recovery, improving economic efficiency, and avoiding heat energy waste. The low-temperature condensate from the double-effect and triple-effect heaters is stably discharged through the balance tank 19. This configuration also achieves physical separation between the positive pressure (single-effect) and negative pressure (balance tank 19) systems, preventing pressure interference and improving system stability.

[0016] Evaporators 2 (first-effect), 5 (second-effect), and 8 (third-effect) are equipped with intermediate feed inlets 20, which connect to the feed pipe 10. This facilitates dynamic adjustment of the material concentration within the evaporators, optimizes heat distribution, prevents scaling or crystallization, and enhances the system's adaptability to complex materials. Separators 3 (first-effect), 6 (second-effect), and 9 (third-effect) are located above and behind evaporators 2, 5, and 8, respectively, for convenient placement and to save on piping and space. Heaters 1 (first-effect), 2 (first-effect), 4 (second-effect), 5 (second-effect), 7 (third-effect), and 8 all employ a vertical structure, saving space. They are all fixed to the ground with support legs, ensuring high stability and facilitating the installation of the bottom feed pipe 10. Heaters 1 (first-effect), 4 (second-effect), and 7 (third-effect) are externally insulated to reduce heat waste.

[0017] In this embodiment of the triple-effect evaporator, each heater has a feed pipe 10 connected to its bottom. Each effect can be fed independently or supplemented as needed, preventing scaling or crystallization caused by excessively high local concentrations. Furthermore, each effect forms a material self-circulation system, maintaining a stable and efficient evaporation process and improving the concentration effect. The secondary steam from each effect serves as a heat source for the next effect, reducing the consumption of fresh steam. Simultaneously, some of the secondary steam generated by the first-effect separator 3 is reintroduced into the first-effect heater 1, improving steam utilization efficiency, reducing dependence on external steam, and thus saving energy. The steam outlet of the triple-effect separator 9 is connected to the condenser 17, and the condensed liquid is collected through the balance tank 19 and the liquid collection tank 18. The condenser 17 ensures the vacuum level of the final effect, lowering the boiling point and allowing evaporation at a lower temperature, suitable for heat-sensitive materials. The balance tank 19 and the liquid collection tank 18 may help stabilize system pressure and improve system stability. In addition, the triple-effect evaporator of this embodiment has a compact structure, short connecting pipes, saves floor space, and facilitates maintenance. In summary, the triple-effect concentrator of this embodiment has the advantages of compact structural design, easy maintenance, high flexibility and fault tolerance, and high system stability and reliability.

[0018] This utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. Based on the technical solutions disclosed in this utility model, those skilled in the art can make some substitutions and modifications to some of the technical features without creative labor, and these substitutions and modifications are all within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A triple-effect concentrator, comprising a first-effect heater, a first-effect evaporator, a first-effect separator, a second-effect heater, a second-effect evaporator, a second-effect separator, a third-effect heater, a third-effect evaporator, and a third-effect separator, characterized in that: The bottom of the first-effect heater, second-effect heater, and third-effect heater are connected to feed pipes. The top outlets of the first-effect heater, second-effect heater, and third-effect heater are respectively connected to the first-effect evaporator, second-effect evaporator, and third-effect evaporator via first horizontal pipes. The bottom outlets of the first-effect evaporator, second-effect evaporator, and third-effect evaporator are respectively connected to the bottom of the heater via return pipes. The tops of the first-effect evaporator, second-effect evaporator, and third-effect evaporator are respectively connected to the first-effect separator, second-effect separator, and third-effect separator via steam outlet pipes. The first-effect separator, second-effect... The bottom liquid outlets of the separator and the triple-effect separator are respectively connected to the top sides of the first-effect evaporator, the second-effect evaporator, and the triple-effect evaporator. The steam outlets of the first-effect separator and the second-effect separator are respectively connected to the steam inlets of the second-effect heater and the triple-effect heater through steam supply pipelines. The lower end of the steam supply pipeline of the first-effect separator is also connected to a horizontal return spray pipeline, which is connected to the first-effect heater. The steam outlet of the triple-effect separator is connected to a vertically installed condenser through a second horizontal pipeline. The bottom liquid outlet of the condenser is connected to a liquid collection tank, which is located at the bottom of the condenser.

2. The triple-effect concentrator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first-effect evaporator, second-effect evaporator, and third-effect evaporator are equipped with intermediate feed inlets, which are connected to feed pipelines.

3. The triple-effect concentrator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second horizontal pipeline is connected to the balance tank via a vertical pipeline in the middle, and the liquid outlet at the bottom of the balance tank is connected to the liquid accumulation tank.

4. The triple-effect concentrator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The condensate outlets on the bottom sides of the double-effect heater and the triple-effect heater are connected to the balance tank via a third horizontal pipeline.

5. The triple-effect concentrator according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that: The first-effect separator, the second-effect separator, and the third-effect separator are respectively located above and behind the first-effect evaporator, the second-effect evaporator, and the third-effect evaporator.

6. The triple-effect concentrator according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that: The single-effect heater, single-effect evaporator, double-effect heater, double-effect evaporator, triple-effect heater, and triple-effect evaporator all adopt a vertical structure and are fixed to the ground by support legs.

7. The triple-effect concentrator according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that: The single-effect heater, double-effect heater, and triple-effect heater are all provided with an insulation layer.

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