An argon recovery system

Abstract

This utility model discloses an argon recovery system, including a distillation column and a heat exchanger. Waste argon gas to be treated, after heat exchange in the heat exchanger, enters the bottom of the distillation column through a pipeline. The bottom of the distillation column is connected to the middle of the column via a main pipeline, and the bottom of the distillation column is also connected to a condenser / evaporator at the top of the column via a pipeline. Pure argon gas at the top of the distillation column enters the heat exchanger through a pipeline and is then discharged from the cold box. A liquid argon reinjection pipeline is connected to the main inlet pipeline, and an atomizing nozzle is installed at the liquid argon outlet end of the liquid argon reinjection pipeline. In this argon recovery system, liquid argon is reinjected into the main inlet pipeline through the atomizing nozzle. The sprayed low-temperature atomized liquid argon fully contacts the hot feed argon gas, uniformly reducing the temperature of the feed argon gas. With the flow of gas, the temperature of the entire distillation column is uniformly cooled, achieving rapid start-up. The actual start-up time is 12-24 hours.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of argon gas recovery technology, and in particular to an argon gas recovery system. Background Technology

[0002] The start-up time for an air separation distillation column is approximately 36 hours, including the processes from start-up cooling, liquid accumulation, and purification. Specifically, the cooling process takes about 10 hours, liquid accumulation takes about 20 hours, and purification takes about 6 hours. To achieve rapid start-up and earlier gas production, liquid argon back-injection is typically used in argon recovery projects.

[0003] However, existing technologies mostly use the method of direct back-injection of liquid argon. However,: 1) Direct back-injection of liquid argon into the plate-fin heat exchanger will cause significant thermal stress inside the heat exchanger due to rapid temperature changes, leading to fatigue failure of the material; 2) Direct back-injection of liquid argon into the air separation cold box may cause drastic changes in the internal pressure of the cold box, which will damage the equipment; it will also lead to uneven distribution of cooling capacity and localized low temperatures, affecting the normal operation of the equipment. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of existing technologies by providing an argon gas recovery system.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows:

[0006] An argon recovery system is provided, including a distillation column and a heat exchanger. Waste argon gas to be treated is heated by the heat exchanger and then enters the bottom of the distillation column through a pipeline. The bottom of the distillation column is connected to the middle of the distillation column through a main pipeline. The bottom of the distillation column is also connected to a condenser-evaporator at the top of the column through a pipeline. Pure argon gas at the top of the distillation column enters the heat exchanger through a pipeline and is then discharged from the cold box. A liquid argon reinjection pipeline is connected to the main inlet pipeline, and an atomizing nozzle is provided at the liquid argon outlet end of the liquid argon reinjection pipeline.

[0007] Furthermore, a temperature sensor is installed on the main air intake pipe, located downstream of the liquid argon reinjection pipe.

[0008] Furthermore, a liquid argon flow control valve is installed on the liquid argon reinjection pipeline.

[0009] Furthermore, both the temperature sensor and the liquid argon flow control valve are electrically connected to the control unit.

[0010] Furthermore, a raw material gas flow control valve is installed on the main gas inlet pipeline, located upstream of the liquid argon reinjection pipeline.

[0011] Furthermore, the raw material gas flow control valve is electrically connected to the control unit.

[0012] The present invention adopts the above technical solution and has the following technical effects compared with the prior art:

[0013] This utility model's argon recovery system injects liquid argon back into the main inlet pipeline through an atomizing nozzle. The sprayed low-temperature atomized liquid argon fully contacts the hot feedstock argon, uniformly reducing its temperature. As the gas flows, it evenly cools the entire distillation column, achieving rapid start-up, with an actual start-up time of 12-24 hours. It eliminates concerns about rapid pressure increases, uneven cooling distribution, excessively low local temperatures, and excessive local stress. Furthermore, it reduces liquid argon consumption and minimizes the emission of waste argon into the atmosphere before establishing normal operating conditions, making it more energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and economically beneficial. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the argon recovery system of this utility model;

[0015] The reference numerals in the attached figures are:

[0016] 1-Distillation column, 2-Heat exchanger, 3-Main gas inlet pipeline, 4-Liquid argon reinjection pipeline, 5-Atomizing nozzle, 6-Temperature sensor, 7-Liquid argon flow control valve, 8-Raw gas flow control valve. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but this is not intended to limit the present invention. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other.

[0018] Example 1

[0019] refer to Figure 1This embodiment provides an argon recovery system, including a distillation column 1 and a heat exchanger 2. The waste argon gas to be treated is liquefied after being liquefied at the bottom of the distillation column 1 through a pipeline after heat exchange in the heat exchanger 2. The bottom of the distillation column 1 is connected to the middle of the distillation column 1 through a main pipeline 3, so that the liquid at the bottom of the distillation column 1 is sent back to the middle of the distillation column 1 to participate in distillation. The bottom of the distillation column 1 is also connected to the top condenser evaporator through a pipeline, so that the pure liquid argon at the bottom of the distillation column 1 enters the top condenser evaporator for evaporation. The pure argon gas at the top of the distillation column 1 is discharged from the cold box after entering the heat exchanger 2 through a pipeline. The waste gas (non-condensable gas) at the bottom of the distillation column 1 and the waste gas at the top of the column are discharged from the cold box after heat exchange in the heat exchanger 2. The main inlet pipeline 3 is connected to a liquid argon reinjection pipeline 4, and an atomizing nozzle 5 is provided at the liquid argon outlet end of the liquid argon reinjection pipeline 4. The low-temperature atomized liquid argon sprayed from the atomizing nozzle 5 will come into full contact with the hot raw material argon gas, uniformly reducing the temperature of the raw material argon gas. With the flow of gas, the temperature of the entire distillation column will be uniformly cooled, achieving the purpose of rapid start-up. The actual start-up time is 12-24 hours.

[0020] In addition, the main intake pipeline has many evenly distributed channels inside the plate-fin heat exchanger, which can make the plate-fin heat exchanger in the distillation column cool down evenly without damaging the heat exchanger, thereby achieving the purpose of rapid start-up.

[0021] A temperature sensor 6 is installed on the main intake pipe 3, downstream of the liquid argon reinjection pipe 4; a liquid argon flow control valve 7 is installed on the liquid argon reinjection pipe 4; a raw material gas flow control valve 8 is installed on the main intake pipe 3, upstream of the liquid argon reinjection pipe 4; the temperature sensor 6, the liquid argon flow control valve 7, and the raw material gas flow control valve 8 are all electrically connected to the control unit. The spray effect can be adjusted remotely by controlling the liquid argon flow control valve and the raw material gas flow control valve based on feedback from the temperature sensor, ensuring sufficient heat exchange between the hot and cold streams.

[0022] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and does not limit the implementation method and protection scope of the present utility model. Those skilled in the art should realize that all solutions obtained by equivalent substitutions and obvious changes made based on the content and illustrations of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. An argon recovery system characterized by, It includes a distillation column (1) and a heat exchanger (2); the waste argon gas to be treated enters the bottom of the distillation column (1) through a pipeline after heat exchange in the heat exchanger (2). The bottom of the distillation column (1) is connected to the middle of the distillation column (1) through the main gas inlet pipeline (3). The bottom of the distillation column (1) is also connected to the top condenser evaporator through a pipeline. The pure argon gas at the top of the distillation column (1) enters the heat exchanger (2) through a pipeline and is discharged from the cold box. The main gas inlet pipeline (3) is connected to a liquid argon reinjection pipeline (4). The liquid argon outlet end of the liquid argon reinjection pipeline (4) is equipped with an atomizing nozzle (5).

2. The argon recovery system of claim 1, wherein, A temperature sensor (6) is installed on the main air intake pipe (3) and located downstream of the liquid argon reinjection pipe (4).

3. The argon recovery system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The liquid argon reinjection pipeline (4) is equipped with a liquid argon flow control valve (7).

4. The argon recovery system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The temperature sensor (6) and the liquid argon flow control valve (7) are both electrically connected to the control unit.

5. The argon recovery system according to claim 1, characterized in that, A raw material gas flow control valve (8) is installed on the main gas inlet pipeline (3) and located upstream of the liquid argon reinjection pipeline (4).

6. The argon recovery system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The raw material gas flow control valve (8) is electrically connected to the control unit.

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