Waste heat recovery system and instant noodle production system

Abstract

A waste heat recovery system and an instant noodle production system are disclosed. The waste heat recovery system includes: a first steam utilization device, a second steam utilization device, a flash tank, and a steam compressor; the steam used by the first steam utilization device has a lower grade than the steam used by the second steam utilization device; the first steam utilization device is used to perform heating operations using steam and generate condensate; the flash tank is connected to the condensate discharge port of the first steam utilization device and depressurizes the condensate generated by the first steam utilization device to generate flash steam; the steam compressor is connected to the flash steam outlet of the flash tank and is used to compress the flash steam generated by the flash tank and input it to the steam inlet of the first steam utilization device; the second steam utilization device is connected to the flash steam outlet of the flash tank and is used to perform heating operations using the flash steam generated by the flash tank. By adopting the above solution, energy can be saved in the production system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of manufacturing technology, specifically to a waste heat utilization system and an instant noodle production system. Background Technology

[0002] The fried instant noodle production line uses a heating kettle to heat palm oil. After the palm oil is heated, the heating kettle produces condensate in an amount equal to the amount of steam used.

[0003] Currently, the condensate produced by the heating kettle is discharged into the atmospheric pressure recovery water tank, resulting in energy waste. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The problem this invention aims to solve is: how to save energy in a production system.

[0005] To address the aforementioned problems, embodiments of the present invention provide a waste heat utilization system, the system comprising: a first steam utilization device, a second steam utilization device, a flash tank, and a steam compressor; the grade of steam used by the first steam utilization device is lower than the grade of steam used by the second steam utilization device;

[0006] The first steam-using device is used to perform heating operations using steam and to generate condensate.

[0007] The flash tank is connected to the condensate drain of the first steam-using equipment and depressurizes the condensate generated by the first steam-using equipment to produce flash steam.

[0008] The steam compressor is connected to the flash steam outlet of the flash tank and is used to compress the flash steam generated by the flash tank and input it to the steam inlet of the first steam-using equipment.

[0009] The second steam-using device is connected to the flash steam outlet of the flash tank and is used to perform a heating operation using the flash steam generated by the flash tank.

[0010] In one possible embodiment, the system further includes: a first three-way valve; the second steam-using device and the steam compressor are connected to the flash steam outlet of the flash tank via the first three-way valve.

[0011] In one possible embodiment, the first three-way valve is used to output flash steam generated by the flash tank to the second steam-using device when the steam compressor is in an abnormal operating state.

[0012] In one possible embodiment, the system further includes a controller for controlling the operation of the waste heat utilization system.

[0013] In one possible embodiment, a first thermometer and a first pressure gauge are installed on the pipeline between the steam compressor and the steam inlet of the first steam-using device; both the first thermometer and the first pressure gauge are electrically connected to the controller.

[0014] In one possible embodiment, the flash tank has a first liquid outlet, the steam compressor has a third liquid inlet, and the liquid outlet of the flash tank is connected to the third liquid inlet of the steam compressor.

[0015] In one possible embodiment, the number of the first steam-using devices is two or more, each of the first steam-using devices corresponds to a flash tank, and each flash tank corresponds to a steam compressor.

[0016] In one possible embodiment, the number of the first steam-using devices is two or more, each of the first steam-using devices corresponds to a flash tank, and all flash tanks correspond to the same steam compressor.

[0017] In one possible embodiment, the steam compressor is a twin-screw steam compressor.

[0018] This invention also provides an instant noodle production system, the system including the waste heat utilization system described in any of the above claims; wherein the first steam-using device is used to heat the palm oil used for frying instant noodles with steam.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution of the embodiments of the present invention has the following advantages:

[0020] By applying the solution of the present invention, the condensate generated by the first steam-using device can be transported to the flash tank. On the one hand, the flash steam generated by the flash tank is input to the steam compressor for compression. The compressed steam can then be input back to the first steam-using device, thereby realizing the recycling of steam and indirectly reducing the amount of steam supplied by the steam source, thus achieving energy saving. On the other hand, by inputting the flash steam generated by the flash tank to the second steam-using device, the amount of steam supplied by the steam source to the second steam-using device can be reduced, thereby further achieving energy saving. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a waste heat utilization system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of another waste heat utilization system in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of another waste heat utilization system in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] in:

[0025] 11-First steam-using equipment, 12-Second steam-using equipment, 13-Flash tank, 14-Steam compressor;

[0026] 21-Heating vessel, s2, s3, s4, s5-Pipelines, 22-Flash tank, s30-First three-way valve, s31-Second pressure gauge, s32-Second thermometer, A1-Steam inlet, s313-First filter, A3-Gas inlet, A4-Second liquid inlet, A5-Third liquid inlet, A6-Drain outlet, A2-Steam outlet, s42-First thermometer, s43-First pressure gauge, s44-Fourth valve, s45-Second flow meter, s46-Solenoid valve, s47-Second wastewater valve assembly;

[0027] 311-First heating vessel, 312-Second heating vessel, 313-Third heating vessel, 321-First flash tank, 322-Second flash tank, 323-Third flash tank, 33-Steam compressor. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Currently, the fried instant noodle production line uses a heating kettle to heat palm oil. The heat source is high-pressure steam provided by the municipality. The pressure of this high-pressure steam is greater than 8 kPa, and the steam volume is about 3.5 tons / hour.

[0029] After the heating kettle circulates and heats the palm oil, high-temperature steam condensate is generated at the end of the heating kettle, which is equal to the amount of steam used. The high-temperature steam condensate is discharged into the atmospheric pressure recovery water tank, thereby generating a large amount of secondary steam. This secondary steam is low-grade steam with a pressure of about 20 kPa, which cannot be recycled and causes energy waste.

[0030] To address this problem, the present invention provides a waste heat recovery system equipped with a steam compressor. This steam compressor compresses the flash steam generated in the flash tank and feeds it into a first steam-using device for recycling, thus achieving energy savings. Furthermore, the flash steam generated in the flash tank can also be fed into a second steam-using device for further energy savings.

[0031] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] Reference Figure 1 This invention provides a waste heat utilization system, which may include: a first steam utilization device 11, a second steam utilization device 12, a flash tank 13, and a steam compressor 14; the grade of steam used by the first steam utilization device 11 is lower than the grade of steam used by the second steam utilization device 12.

[0033] The first steam-using device 11 is used to perform heating operations using steam and generate condensate.

[0034] The flash tank 13 is connected to the condensate drain of the first steam-using device 11 and depressurizes the condensate generated by the first steam-using device 11 to generate flash steam.

[0035] The steam compressor 14 is connected to the flash steam outlet of the flash tank 13 and is used to compress the flash steam generated by the flash tank 13 and input it to the steam inlet of the first steam using device 11.

[0036] The second steam-using device 12 is connected to the flash steam outlet of the flash tank 13 and is used to perform a heating operation using the flash steam generated by the flash tank 13.

[0037] In practice, the flash steam generated by the flash tank 13 can be compressed and reused by the steam compressor 14, or it can be input into the second steam-using equipment 12. This allows for the reuse of waste heat generated by the production line, minimizing energy waste and achieving the goal of energy conservation and emission reduction.

[0038] In a specific implementation, the first steam-using device 11 can be any device that uses steam to perform heating operations and generate condensate. For example, in an instant noodle production system, the first steam-using device 11 can be a heating kettle, which can heat palm oil from frying equipment (to 160°C) and generate high-temperature condensate.

[0039] In specific implementations, the second steam-using device 12 can be any device that uses steam to perform heating operations and generate condensate. Furthermore, the steam used by the second steam-using device 12 is low-grade steam, meaning its temperature and pressure are lower than the steam used by the first steam-using device 11. For example, in an instant noodle production system, the second steam-using device 12 can be a steamer. The steam used in the steamer can be low-grade steam at approximately 0.2 MPa and 105°C, while the steam used in the heating kettle can be high-grade steam at approximately 0.8 MPa and 175°C. In this way, the flash steam generated by the high-temperature condensate from the heating kettle after passing through the flash tank 13 can be used in the steamer.

[0040] In practice, the flash tank 13 consists of a tank body, a first liquid inlet, a first liquid outlet, and a flash steam outlet. The tank body is the main component of the flash tank, and its interior is typically made of stainless steel, providing excellent corrosion resistance, high-temperature performance, and pressure resistance. Upon entering the flash tank 13, the liquid at the first liquid inlet undergoes a sudden pressure drop, causing it to transform into steam (i.e., flash steam) and high-temperature water (reaching temperatures up to 105°C). The high-temperature water can be discharged outside the flash tank 13 through the first liquid outlet, and the flash steam can be discharged outside the flash tank 13 through the flash steam outlet.

[0041] In a specific implementation, the steam compressor 14 can pressurize and heat the low-temperature, low-pressure flash steam to achieve the required steam pressure and temperature for the first steam-using device 11. The steam compressor 14 can be implemented using various structures.

[0042] In one embodiment, the steam compressor 14 can be a twin-screw steam compressor. A twin-screw steam compressor is a rotary positive displacement compressor with two meshing screws rotating in opposite directions. Each screw has helical teeth; the screw with raised teeth is called the male rotor, and the screw with recessed teeth is called the female rotor. The teeth of the male rotor are equivalent to a piston, and the working volume formed by the tooth grooves of the female rotor, the inner wall of the compressor body, and the end caps at both ends is equivalent to a cylinder. The compressor body has diagonally arranged intake and exhaust ports at both ends. As the rotors rotate within the compressor body, the working volume continuously changes due to the intrusion or disengagement of the teeth, thereby periodically altering the volume between each pair of tooth grooves to achieve the purposes of intake, compression, and exhaust.

[0043] Steam compression is achieved using a twin-screw steam compressor. Because twin-screw steam compressors have fewer parts, they offer higher reliability and a longer lifespan. Furthermore, twin-screw steam compressors are particularly suitable for use as mobile compressors, as they are small in size, lightweight, and require minimal floor space.

[0044] In some embodiments, the waste heat recovery system may further include a controller. The controller is used to control the operation of the waste heat recovery system.

[0045] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of another waste heat utilization system according to an embodiment of the present invention. (Refer to...) Figure 2Taking the heating kettle 21 as the first steam-using device as an example, palm oil from the frying equipment is fed into the heating kettle 21 for heating, and then fed back into the frying equipment through an oil circuit. The heating kettle 21 has a steam inlet, and high-pressure steam from a municipal steam source can be fed into the heating kettle 21 through pipeline S1. The heating kettle 21 has a condensate drain outlet, which is connected to the first liquid inlet of the flash tank 22 through pipeline S2. Thus, the condensate discharged from the heating kettle 21 is fed into the flash tank 22 through pipeline S2, and under the pressure inside the flash tank 22, it is converted into flash steam and high-temperature water.

[0046] In practical implementation, a first three-way valve S30 is installed at the flash steam outlet of the flash tank 22. The first three-way valve S30 typically consists of three parts: a valve body, a valve core, and a motor, and is connected to a controller. The first three-way valve S30 has one inlet and two outlets, one of which is connected to pipeline S3, and the other outlet is connected to pipeline S5. Under the control of the controller, pipeline S3 is connected to the flash steam outlet of the flash tank 22, or pipeline S5 is connected to the flash steam outlet of the flash tank 22.

[0047] In practical implementation, the controller can control the first three-way valve S30 to output the flash steam generated by the flash tank 22 to the second steam-using device 24 when the steam compressor 23 is in an abnormal operating state. For example, when the steam compressor 23 malfunctions, stops, or experiences other abnormalities and cannot operate normally, the controller controls the first three-way valve S30 to connect the pipeline S5 to the flash steam outlet of the flash tank 22, thereby outputting the flash steam generated by the flash tank 22 to the second steam-using device 24. When the steam compressor 23 is in normal operating state, the controller controls the first three-way valve S30 to connect the pipeline S3 to the flash steam outlet of the flash tank 22, so that the steam compressor 23 can continuously supply steam to the heating vessel 21.

[0048] Steam compressor 23 is connected to the flash steam outlet of flash tank 22 via pipeline s3, thereby compressing the flash steam output from flash tank 22. Pipeline s3 is equipped with a second pressure gauge s31 and a second thermometer s32. The second pressure gauge s31 detects the pressure of the flash steam within pipeline s3, and the second thermometer s32 detects the temperature of the flash steam within pipeline s3. The second pressure gauge s31 and the second thermometer s32 can be connected to a controller, allowing the controller to send its detection results to the controller. The controller then controls the operation of steam compressor 23 based on these results (e.g., controlling the operating frequency of steam compressor 23). Steam compressor 23 can compress low-pressure flash steam from 20 kPa to 30 kPa to 80 kPa.

[0049] In some embodiments, a first filter s313 may be provided at the steam inlet A1 of the steam compressor 23. The first filter s313 can filter the flash steam drawn into the steam compressor 23 to remove impurities from the flash steam, thereby improving the quality of the compressed flash steam and thus improving the quality of the steam input to the heating vessel 21. The first filter s313 can be flexibly connected to the steam inlet of the steam compressor 23.

[0050] In some embodiments, the steam compressor 23 further includes a gas inlet A3, a second liquid inlet A4, a third liquid inlet A5, and a drain outlet A6. The gas inlet A3 provides the steam compressor 23 with dry air or nitrogen for compression. The second liquid inlet A4 provides the steam compressor 23 with cold water, and the third liquid inlet A5 provides the steam compressor 23 with hot water at high temperature. The cold water provided by the second liquid inlet A4 and the hot water provided by the third liquid inlet A5 help maintain the temperature and pressure of the steam within a controllable range, preventing overheating or overcooling during steam compression and thus equipment malfunction. The drain outlet A6 discharges wastewater generated during steam compression.

[0051] Specifically, a first valve can be installed on the pipeline between the gas inlet A3 and the compressed gas source; a second valve can be installed on the pipeline s6 between the second liquid inlet A4 and the cooling water source; a third valve can be installed on the pipeline s7 between the third liquid inlet A5 and the high-temperature hot water source; and a first sewage valve assembly can be installed on the pipeline between the sewage outlet A6 and the sewage tank. The first valve, second valve, third valve, and the first sewage valve assembly can be connected to a controller, allowing the controller to control the opening and closing of the valves and achieve automatic compression control.

[0052] In practice, the first valve, the second valve, and the third valve can be implemented using solenoid valves.

[0053] In practical implementation, the first sewage valve assembly may include a filter valve, a steam trap, and three solenoid valves. The first solenoid valve, along with the filter valve and steam trap, can be located on the first branch of the pipeline. The second solenoid valve is located on the second branch, with the first and second branches connected in parallel. The third solenoid valve is located on the main pipeline. Thus, by controlling the opening and closing of the third solenoid valve on the main pipeline, the controller can control whether sewage is discharged to the sewage tank. When the third solenoid valve is closed, by controlling the first and second solenoid valves, the corresponding branch can be controlled to determine whether sewage is discharged to the sewage tank via the first or second branch. The filter valve can further filter the sewage, while the steam trap can automatically discharge condensate, air, and other non-condensable gases from the first branch and prevent steam leakage.

[0054] In some embodiments, the liquid outlet of the flash tank 22 can be connected to the third liquid inlet A5 of the steam compressor 23 via a pipeline, so that the high-temperature hot water discharged from the flash tank 22 can be input into the steam compressor 23 for temperature and pressure control during steam compression. This can reduce the amount of hot water provided by the high-temperature hot water source and further improve energy efficiency.

[0055] In a specific implementation, the steam outlet A2 of the steam compressor 23 is connected to the pipeline s1 through the pipeline s4, so that the compressed flash steam can be input to the steam inlet of the heating vessel 21.

[0056] In some embodiments, a second filter s41 may be provided at the steam outlet A2 of the steam compressor 23. The second filter s41 can filter the compressed steam to remove impurities, thereby improving the quality of the steam input into the heating vessel 21. The second filter s41 and the steam outlet A2 may be flexibly connected.

[0057] In some embodiments, a first thermometer s42, a first pressure gauge s43, and a fourth valve s44 may be installed on the pipeline s4 between the steam compressor 23 and the steam inlet of the first steam-using device, near the pipeline s1. The first pressure gauge s43 can detect the pressure of the steam in the pipeline s4, and the first thermometer s42 can detect the temperature of the steam in the pipeline s4. The first thermometer s42 and the first pressure gauge s43 can be connected to a controller, thereby sending their detection results to the controller. Based on the detection results, the controller controls the opening and closing of the fourth valve s44, so that the fourth valve s44 closes when the temperature and pressure of the compressed steam reach the required values ​​of the heating vessel 21, thereby inputting the compressed steam into the steam inlet of the heating vessel 21, ensuring that the steam supplied to the heating vessel 21 is stable and reliable.

[0058] In some embodiments, a second flow meter s45 may be installed on the pipeline s4 between the steam compressor 23 and the steam inlet of the first steam-using device. The flow meter s45 may be installed on a branch of the pipeline s4 and selectively activated by a solenoid valve s46. For example, when it is necessary to detect the steam flow, the controller can be used to open the solenoid valve s46, so that the steam output from the steam compressor 23 flows through the branch where the flow meter s45 is located, facilitating accurate steam flow statistics. When it is not necessary to detect the steam flow, the controller can be used to close the solenoid valve s46, so that the flow meter s45 is short-circuited, and the steam output from the steam compressor 23 flows through the branch where the solenoid valve s46 is located.

[0059] In some embodiments, a second sewage valve assembly s47 may also be provided on the pipeline s4. The second sewage valve assembly s47 may be located between the second flow meter s45 and the steam compressor 23 and connected to the controller, so that the sewage in the pipeline s4 can be discharged to the sewage tank under the control of the controller. The second sewage valve assembly s47 may be implemented with reference to the description of the first sewage valve assembly described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0060] In practical implementation, the entire waste heat utilization system can be equipped with only one primary steam-using device, for example, referring to... Figure 2 Alternatively, only one heating vessel 21 can be set up. In this case, a corresponding flash tank 22 and a steam compressor 23 can be set up for this single first steam-using device to realize steam recycling.

[0061] In some embodiments, the entire waste heat recovery system may also include two or more first steam-using devices. In this case, a flash tank can be provided for each first steam-using device, and each flash tank corresponds to a steam compressor. For example, when three heating vessels are provided, three flash tanks and three steam compressors can be provided, with a one-to-one correspondence between the heating vessels, flash tanks, and steam compressors. The three flash tanks can provide flash steam for the same second steam-using device, or they can provide flash steam for different second steam-using devices.

[0062] The connections between any heating vessel, flash tank, and steam compressor can be referenced as described above. Figure 2 The connection between a heating vessel, a flash tank, and a steam compressor is implemented, which will not be described in detail here.

[0063] In some embodiments, the entire waste heat recovery system may also include two or more first steam-using devices. In this case, each first steam-using device may have its own flash tank, but all flash tanks may share the same steam compressor. For example, refer to... Figure 3 The waste heat utilization system includes a first heating vessel 311, a second heating vessel 312, and a third heating vessel 313. The first heating vessel 31 corresponds to a first flash tank 321, the second heating vessel 312 corresponds to a second flash tank 322, and the third heating vessel 313 corresponds to a third flash tank 323. The first flash tank 321, the second flash tank 322, and the third flash tank 323 are connected to the same steam compressor 33, thereby using this single steam compressor 33 to provide compressed steam to the first heating vessel 311, the second heating vessel 312, and the third heating vessel 313.

[0064] Compared to a system where heating kettles, flash tanks, and steam compressors are configured in a one-to-one correspondence, connecting all flash tanks to the same steam compressor can effectively reduce the cost of the waste heat recovery system.

[0065] As can be seen from the above, the waste heat utilization system in this embodiment of the invention can realize the secondary utilization of condensate generated by the first steam-using equipment, greatly reducing primary steam energy consumption and lowering production and operating costs. Furthermore, under the control of the controller, the steam entering the first steam-using equipment can be kept stable and reliable when using flash steam.

[0066] This invention also provides an instant noodle production system, which includes the aforementioned waste heat utilization system; wherein the first steam-using device is used to heat the palm oil used for frying instant noodles with steam.

[0067] In some embodiments, the first steam-using device is a heating kettle, and the second steam-using device is a noodle steaming device.

[0068] In some embodiments, the instant noodle production system may further include a frying device. This frying device can supply palm oil to a heating kettle, which generates condensate during the heating process. This condensate is then passed through a flash evaporator to generate flash steam. The flash steam is then compressed by a steam compressor and reintroduced into the heating kettle, thereby fully utilizing the waste heat generated in the production line to achieve energy conservation and emission reduction.

[0069] In addition, when the steam compressor malfunctions or there is a system problem, the pipeline connecting the steam compressor and the heating vessel can be closed by using the first three-way valve, while the pipeline between the heating vessel and the second steam-using equipment can be opened to input flash steam into the second steam-using equipment, thereby further saving energy.

[0070] While the present invention has been disclosed above, it is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can make various modifications and alterations without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention; therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A waste heat recovery system, characterized in that, include: The system comprises a first steam-using device, a second steam-using device, a flash tank, and a steam compressor; the steam used by the first steam-using device has a lower grade than the steam used by the second steam-using device. The first steam-using device is used to perform heating operations using steam and to generate condensate. The flash tank is connected to the condensate drain of the first steam-using equipment and depressurizes the condensate generated by the first steam-using equipment to produce flash steam. The steam compressor is connected to the flash steam outlet of the flash tank and is used to compress the flash steam generated by the flash tank and input it to the steam inlet of the first steam-using equipment. The second steam-using device is connected to the flash steam outlet of the flash tank and is used to perform a heating operation using the flash steam generated by the flash tank.

2. The waste heat utilization system according to claim 1, wherein Also includes: The first three-way valve; the second steam-using equipment and the steam compressor are connected to the flash steam outlet of the flash tank through the first three-way valve.

3. The waste heat utilization system according to claim 2, wherein The first three-way valve is used to output the flash steam generated by the flash tank to the second steam-using equipment when the steam compressor is in an abnormal operating state.

4. The waste heat utilization system according to claim 1, wherein Also includes: A controller is used to control the operation of the waste heat utilization system.

5. The waste heat utilization system as described in claim 4, characterized in that, A first thermometer and a first pressure gauge are installed on the pipeline between the steam compressor and the steam inlet of the first steam-using equipment; both the first thermometer and the first pressure gauge are electrically connected to the controller.

6. The waste heat utilization system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The flash tank has a first liquid outlet, and the steam compressor has a third liquid inlet. The liquid outlet of the flash tank is connected to the third liquid inlet of the steam compressor.

7. The waste heat utilization system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The number of the first steam-using devices is two or more, each of the first steam-using devices corresponds to a flash tank, and each flash tank corresponds to a steam compressor.

8. The waste heat utilization system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The number of the first steam-using devices is two or more, each of the first steam-using devices corresponds to a flash tank, and all flash tanks correspond to the same steam compressor.

9. The waste heat utilization system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The steam compressor is a twin-screw steam compressor.

10. A noodle production system, characterized in that, The system includes the waste heat utilization system according to any one of claims 1 to 9; wherein the first steam-using device is used to heat the palm oil used for frying instant noodles with steam.

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