Energy-saving TMA rectifying tower bottoms cooler
By employing a bidirectional staggered flow design and a serpentine process in the bottom liquid cooler of the TMA distillation column, the problems of uneven temperature distribution and low heat exchange efficiency were solved, improving product separation purity and yield, and achieving energy-saving condensation effect.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- CANGZHOU SUNHEAT CHEM
- Filing Date
- 2026-04-22
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-26
Smart Images
Figure CN224270211U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of distillation column cooler technology, and in particular to an energy-saving TMA distillation column bottom liquid cooler. Background Technology
[0002] In the TMA (trimethylamine) distillation process, the gaseous material produced at the top of the distillation column needs to be condensed by a cooler to achieve the separation and purification of different components. The bottom liquid cooler is one of the core auxiliary equipment of the distillation column.
[0003] Traditional TMA distillation column bottom coolers typically employ a shell-and-tube structure, where hot vapor flows in the shell side and cooling water flows in the tube side for heat exchange. However, in practical applications, this type of cooler presents the following technical problems: as the cooling medium flows through the tubes, its temperature gradually increases, leading to a continuous decrease in the heat exchange temperature difference along the flow direction, resulting in extremely uneven temperature distribution within the cooler. This unevenness reduces overall heat exchange efficiency and may also cause incomplete condensation in certain areas, affecting the separation purity and yield of the TMA product.
[0004] In addition, the existing cooler's structural design results in uneven internal flow field distribution, which can easily lead to local overheating or overcooling, and long-term operation can easily cause equipment fatigue and damage.
[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a TMA distillation column bottom liquid cooler with high heat exchange efficiency and uniform temperature distribution. Utility Model Content
[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide an energy-saving TMA distillation column bottom liquid cooler to solve the technical problems mentioned in the background art.
[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides an energy-saving TMA distillation column bottom liquid cooler, including a tank body and a cooling assembly disposed inside the tank body. The top and bottom of the tank body are respectively provided with an upper end cover and a lower end cover. An air outlet is connected to the upper end cover, and a condensate outlet is connected to the lower end of the lower end cover. An air inlet is opened on the side wall of the lower end cover.
[0008] The cooling assembly includes several cooling guide plates, which are arranged in a circular array at uniform intervals along the circumference of the tank and fixed to the inner wall of the tank by a circular fixing seat.
[0009] Preferably, each of the cooling guide plates is inclined relative to the axis of the tank body, and the inclination angle is 20°.
[0010] Preferably, the cooling guide plate has a rectangular plate structure, including a cooling plate body, a front end seat, a rear end seat, a front sealing plate, a rear sealing plate, and a first cooling channel and a second cooling channel that are independent of each other and not connected. The first cooling channel and the second cooling channel are arranged in counter-current flow inside the cooling plate body.
[0011] The front end seat and the rear end seat are respectively disposed on both sides of the cooling plate body, and the front sealing plate and the rear sealing plate are respectively fixedly connected to the front end seat and the rear end seat.
[0012] Preferably, the interior of the cooling plate body is provided with several parallel channels, which are separated by partition walls, and each pair of channels forms a group;
[0013] The front sealing plate is provided with a first coolant inlet, a second coolant outlet, a first coolant outlet, and a first coolant inlet. The front end seat is provided with a first liquid inlet chamber, a second liquid outlet chamber, a first front transition channel, a second front transition channel, a first liquid outlet chamber, and a second liquid inlet chamber. The first front transition channel and the second front transition channel are arranged alternately.
[0014] The rear end seat is provided with a first rear transition channel and a second rear transition channel, which are arranged alternately.
[0015] Preferably, sealing baffles are provided at the intersection of the first front transition channel and the second front transition channel, and at the intersection of the first rear transition channel and the second rear transition channel, to separate the channels of the first cooling channel and the second cooling channel.
[0016] Preferably, each of the cooling guide plates has a first coolant inlet, a second coolant outlet, a first coolant outlet, and a first coolant inlet connected to a first coolant inlet branch pipe, a second coolant outlet branch pipe, and a first coolant outlet branch pipe, respectively.
[0017] Each of the first and second cooling inlet branch pipes is connected to the first and second cooling inlet main pipes, respectively. Each of the first and second cooling outlet branch pipes is connected to the first and second cooling outlet main pipes, respectively.
[0018] Preferably, both the first and second cooling inlet manifolds are connected to a refrigeration pump, and both the first and second cooling outlet manifolds are connected to a circulation pump.
[0019] Therefore, the energy-saving TMA distillation column bottom liquid cooler provided by this utility model has the following beneficial effects: The cooling component of this utility model includes several cooling guide plates arranged in a ring array, and each cooling guide plate has an independent first cooling channel and a second cooling channel arranged in countercurrent. When the coolant flows in the guide plate, the cooling medium in the two channels forms a bidirectional staggered flow. This design effectively counteracts the temperature rise effect caused by heat absorption of the cooling medium when flowing in one direction, making the temperature distribution of the entire cooling guide plate more uniform. Applying this structure to the TMA distillation column bottom liquid cooler avoids the problem of uneven local condensation, thereby improving the separation purity and yield of TMA products.
[0020] Through the dual-channel counter-flow design within the cooling guide plate, the cooling medium forms a serpentine counter-flow heat exchange pattern within the plate. The heat exchange efficiency of the counter-flow arrangement is far higher than that of traditional co-flow or single-channel direct-flow coolers. Furthermore, the serpentine flow channels extend the flow path and heat exchange time of the cooling medium within a limited space, further enhancing the heat exchange effect. This allows for a reduction in cooling water consumption and refrigeration system energy consumption while achieving the same condensation effect, thus realizing energy-efficient operation of the process. Attached Figure Description
[0021] Figure 1 This is an axial view of an energy-saving TMA distillation column bottom liquid cooler according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of an energy-saving TMA distillation column bottom liquid cooler according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] Figure 3 This is a top cross-sectional view of an energy-saving TMA distillation column bottom liquid cooler according to an embodiment of this utility model;
[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the cooling guide plate in an embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the front end of the device in an embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the rear end seat in an embodiment of this utility model;
[0027] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the interior of the cooling plate body in an embodiment of this utility model;
[0028] Figure 8 This is a left view of the front end of the embodiment of the present utility model;
[0029] Figure Labels
[0030] 1. Tank body; 11. Upper end cover; 12. Lower end cover; 13. Air outlet; 14. Condensate outlet; 15. Air inlet; 2. Cooling assembly; 21. Cooling guide plate; 211. Cooling plate body; 212. First cooling channel; 213. Second cooling channel; 22. Annular fixing seat; 23. Channel; 24. Front end seat; 241. First liquid inlet chamber; 242. Second liquid outlet chamber; 243. First front transition channel; 244. Second front transition channel; 245. First liquid outlet chamber; 246. Second liquid inlet chamber; 25. Rear end 251. First rear transition channel; 252. Second rear transition channel; 26. Front end plate; 261. First coolant inlet; 262. First coolant outlet; 263. Second coolant inlet; 264. Second coolant outlet; 27. Rear end plate; 28. Baffle plate; 3. First coolant inlet main pipe; 31. First coolant inlet branch pipe; 4. Second coolant inlet main pipe; 41. Second coolant inlet branch pipe; 5. First coolant outlet main pipe; 51. First coolant outlet branch pipe; 6. Second coolant outlet main pipe; 61. Second coolant outlet branch pipe. Detailed Implementation
[0031] The technical solution of this utility model will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.
[0032] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in this utility model shall have the ordinary meaning understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this utility model pertains. The terms "first," "second," and similar terms used in this utility model do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components. Terms such as "comprising" or "including" mean that the element or object preceding the word encompasses the elements or objects listed following the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Terms such as "connected" or "linked" are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but can include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. Terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" are used only to indicate relative positional relationships; when the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.
[0033] Example
[0034] like Figure 1-8 As shown, this utility model discloses an energy-saving TMA distillation column bottom liquid cooler, which is mainly used for efficient and uniform condensation and cooling of the hot steam generated at the top of the TMA (trimethylamine) distillation column, so as to achieve the separation and purification of components.
[0035] The cooler includes a vertically arranged cylindrical tank 1 and a cooling assembly 2 disposed inside the tank 1. An upper end cover 11 and a lower end cover 12 are sealed to the top and bottom of the tank 1 respectively via flanges or welding. An outlet 13 is connected to the center of the top of the upper end cover 11 to discharge non-condensable gases that have not been condensed after cooling. A condensate outlet 14 is connected to the center of the bottom of the lower end cover 12 to collect and discharge condensed TMA liquid products. An inlet 15 is tangentially opened on the side wall of the lower end cover 12.
[0036] The cooling assembly 2 includes multiple (e.g., 8, 12, or 16, the specific number depending on the diameter of the tank 1) rectangular cooling guide plates 21. Several cooling guide plates 21 are arranged in a ring array at uniform intervals along the circumference of the tank 1 and are fixed to the inner wall of the tank 1 by welding or clamping through annular fixing seats 22. The ring array arrangement allows high-temperature steam entering tangentially from the side wall of the lower end cover 12 to pass evenly through the gaps between adjacent cooling guide plates 21 and make full contact with the plate surface of each cooling guide plate 21 to achieve sufficient cooling.
[0037] Each cooling guide plate 21 is inclined relative to the vertical axis of the tank body 1, and the inclination angle is preferably 20°. The inclined arrangement can guide the rising steam to flow in a spiral or baffled manner along the plate surface, further enhancing heat and mass transfer; on the other hand, the inclined plate surface is conducive to the condensate flowing down the plate surface rapidly under the action of gravity and converging at the condensate outlet 14 at the bottom.
[0038] The cooling guide plate 21 has a rectangular plate structure and mainly includes a cooling plate body 211, a front end seat 24, a rear end seat 25, a front sealing plate 26, and a rear sealing plate 27. The cooling plate body 211 has independent and non-connected first cooling channel 212 and second cooling channel 213 inside. These two channels are arranged in a counter-current direction inside the cooling plate body 211. The front end seat 24 and the rear end seat 25 are respectively sealed and connected to the front and rear sides of the cooling plate body 211, while the front sealing plate 26 and the rear sealing plate 27 are respectively fixedly connected to the front end seat 24 and the rear end seat 25, together forming a complete coolant distribution and collection cavity.
[0039] In traditional single-channel coolers, the coolant flows from one end to the other. As the flow distance increases, the coolant temperature gradually rises, leading to a decrease in the heat exchange temperature difference along the flow direction and extremely uneven temperature distribution on the plate surface. This invention, however, uses two independent channels with opposite flow directions, creating a bidirectional, staggered flow of the two cooling media within the plate. The medium in the first cooling channel 212 flows from the top to the bottom of the plate, while the medium in the second cooling channel 213 flows from the bottom to the top. This ensures that at any given location within the plate, a relatively cooler cooling medium dominates the heat exchange, effectively offsetting the temperature rise effect caused by unidirectional flow. This results in a uniform temperature distribution across the entire guide plate. When applied to a TMA distillation column, it ensures a consistent surface temperature of the cooling plates within the tank 1, preventing insufficient TMA vapor condensation and reduced product yield due to excessively high local temperatures, and also avoiding excessive condensation and energy waste caused by excessively low local temperatures.
[0040] The cooling plate body 211 has several parallel channels 23 inside, which are isolated from each other by partition walls and are not directly connected. Every two channels 23 form a group, which belong to the first cooling channel 212 and the second cooling channel 213 respectively. This grouped parallel microchannel design increases the heat exchange area per unit volume and improves the overall heat exchange efficiency.
[0041] The front sealing plate 26 is provided with a first coolant inlet 261, a second coolant outlet 264, a first coolant outlet 262, and a second coolant inlet 263. The front end seat 24 has multiple cavities and transition channels machined inside, specifically including: a first inlet cavity 241, a second outlet cavity 242, a first front transition channel 243, a second front transition channel 244, a first outlet cavity 245, and a second inlet cavity 246. The first front transition channel 243 and the second front transition channel 244 are spatially staggered and do not communicate with each other. The first coolant enters from the first coolant inlet 261, first filling the first inlet cavity 241, and then evenly distributed into the first group (the first two) of channels 23, flowing towards the rear end of the plate. Simultaneously, the second coolant enters the second inlet cavity 246 and is then distributed into the penultimate group of channels 23, flowing towards the front end. The first front transition channel 243 is used to collect the first coolant flowing back from the rear end and guide it to the next set of channels 23 to flow back to the rear end, forming a serpentine flow. Through the arrangement of these complex cavities and transition channels within the front end seat 24, the separation, diversion, and convergence of the two coolant streams at the front end of the plate are achieved without them mixing.
[0042] The rear seat 25 is equipped with a first rear transition channel 251 and a second rear transition channel 252, which are also spatially staggered. These channels cooperate with the transition channels in the front seat 24: the first coolant flows through the first set of channels 23 to the rear end, then enters the first rear transition channel 251. This channel redirects the coolant and guides it into the next (third) set of channels 23, causing it to flow back towards the front end. Similarly, the second coolant completes its redirection and return flow in the second rear transition channel 252. Through the action of these staggered transition channels in the front seat 24 and the rear seat 25, the first cooling channel 212 and the second cooling channel 213 each form multiple reciprocating serpentine flows within the cooling plate body 211. These serpentine flows extend the flow path and heat exchange time of the cooling medium within the limited plate length, enhancing the heat exchange effect and allowing the coolant to absorb heat more fully. This reduces the total coolant consumption while meeting the condensation load, achieving energy savings.
[0043] To prevent cross-flow of liquids in the two independent cooling channels during the transition area, sealing baffles 28 are provided at the intersection of the first front transition channel 243 and the second front transition channel 244, and at the intersection of the first rear transition channel 251 and the second rear transition channel 252. These sealing baffles 28 separate the channel groups 23 belonging to the first cooling channel and the second cooling channel, ensuring that the two cooling circuits operate independently and do not interfere with each other.
[0044] To achieve circulating coolant supply throughout the cooler, each cooling baffle 21 has a first coolant inlet 261, a second coolant inlet 263, a first coolant outlet 262, and a second coolant outlet 264 connected to a first coolant inlet branch pipe 31, a second coolant inlet branch pipe 41, a first coolant outlet branch pipe 51, and a second coolant outlet branch pipe 61 (only the connection relationship is shown in the figure). The first coolant inlet branch pipes 31 and 41 of each baffle are connected to a main first coolant inlet pipe 3 and a main second coolant inlet pipe 4. Similarly, the first coolant outlet branch pipes 51 and 61 are connected to the main first coolant outlet pipe 5 and the main second coolant outlet pipe 6.
[0045] The first cooling inlet manifold 3 and the second cooling inlet manifold 4 are both connected to the outlet of the external refrigeration pump and are used to deliver low-temperature cooling medium to each cooling guide plate 21. The first cooling outlet manifold 5 and the second cooling outlet manifold 6 are both connected to the circulation pump and are used to collect the high-temperature coolant that has absorbed heat, cool it down, and then circulate it for reuse.
[0046] The working principle of this energy-saving TMA distillation column bottom liquid cooler is as follows: The high-temperature mixed steam generated by the MA distillation column enters the tank 1 tangentially from the air inlet 15 on the side wall of the lower end cover 12. During the spiral ascent, it flows evenly over multiple cooling guide plates 21 arranged in a ring array. At the same time, the low-temperature coolant is divided into two paths, entering the independent first cooling channel 212 and second cooling channel 213 inside each cooling guide plate 21. Inside the guide plate, the two coolants pass through the staggered transition channels in the front end seat 24 and the rear end seat 25, forming a serpentine countercurrent flow in opposite directions in the microchannel channel 23 group. When the high-temperature steam comes into contact with the low-temperature plate surface, it quickly condenses into liquid and flows along the inclined plate surface to the bottom of the tank under the action of gravity, and is discharged through the condensate outlet 14. During the serpentine countercurrent process, the coolant fully absorbs the heat released by the steam condensation. After the temperature rises, it flows from each liquid outlet branch pipe into the liquid outlet main pipe and returns to the refrigeration pump or circulation pump for cooling circulation. Throughout the process, the dual-channel countercurrent design ensures the uniformity of plate surface temperature, and the serpentine microchannel design enhances heat exchange efficiency, thereby achieving a highly efficient, energy-saving, and high-yield TMA distillation and condensation process.
[0047] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solution of this utility model and not to limit it. Although the utility model has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can still be made to the technical solution of this utility model, and these modifications or equivalent substitutions cannot cause the modified technical solution to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solution of this utility model.
Claims
1. An energy efficient TMA rectification column kettle liquid cooler characterized by: The device includes a tank body and a cooling assembly disposed inside the tank body. The top and bottom of the tank body are respectively provided with an upper end cover and a lower end cover. An air outlet is connected to the upper end cover, and a condensate outlet is connected to the lower end cover. An air inlet is opened on the side wall of the lower end cover. The cooling assembly includes several cooling guide plates, which are arranged in a circular array at uniform intervals along the circumference of the tank and fixed to the inner wall of the tank by a circular fixing seat.
2. The energy-saving TMA distillation column bottom liquid cooler according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the cooling guide plates is inclined relative to the axis of the tank body, and the inclination angle is 20°.
3. The energy-saving TMA distillation column bottom liquid cooler according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cooling guide plate has a rectangular plate structure, including a cooling plate body, a front end seat, a rear end seat, a front sealing plate, a rear sealing plate, and a first cooling channel and a second cooling channel that are independent of each other and not connected. The first cooling channel and the second cooling channel are arranged in counter-current flow inside the cooling plate body. The front end seat and the rear end seat are respectively disposed on both sides of the cooling plate body, and the front sealing plate and the rear sealing plate are respectively fixedly connected to the front end seat and the rear end seat.
4. The energy-saving TMA distillation column bottom liquid cooler according to claim 3, characterized in that: The cooling plate body has several parallel channels inside, which are separated by partition walls, and each pair of channels forms a group. The front sealing plate is provided with a first coolant inlet, a second coolant outlet, a first coolant outlet, and a first coolant inlet. The front end seat is provided with a first liquid inlet chamber, a second liquid outlet chamber, a first front transition channel, a second front transition channel, a first liquid outlet chamber, and a second liquid inlet chamber. The first front transition channel and the second front transition channel are arranged alternately. The rear end seat is provided with a first rear transition channel and a second rear transition channel, which are arranged alternately.
5. The energy-saving TMA distillation column bottom liquid cooler according to claim 4, characterized in that: Sealing baffles are provided at the intersection of the first front transition channel and the second front transition channel, as well as at the intersection of the first rear transition channel and the second rear transition channel, to separate the channels of the first cooling channel and the second cooling channel.
6. The energy-saving TMA distillation column bottom liquid cooler according to claim 5, characterized in that: Each of the cooling guide plates has a first coolant inlet, a second coolant outlet, a first coolant outlet, and a first coolant inlet connected to a first coolant inlet branch pipe, a second coolant outlet branch pipe, and a first coolant outlet branch pipe, respectively. Each of the first and second cooling inlet branch pipes is connected to the first and second cooling inlet main pipes, respectively. Each of the first and second cooling outlet branch pipes is connected to the first and second cooling outlet main pipes, respectively.
7. The energy-saving TMA distillation column bottom liquid cooler according to claim 6, characterized in that: Both the first and second cooling inlet manifolds are connected to a refrigeration pump, and both the first and second cooling outlet manifolds are connected to a circulation pump.