A self-cooling device for adsorption towers

Abstract

This utility model discloses a self-cooling device for an adsorption tower. The device includes: a chimney, disposed around the periphery of the adsorption tower and located at the top of the adsorption tower; a liquid cooling medium disposed between the chimney and the adsorption tower; a flow divider, disposed around the periphery of the adsorption tower and located below the chimney; the liquid cooling medium disposed between the flow divider and the adsorption tower; and a plate cooler, disposed around the periphery of the adsorption tower and located below the flow divider; the liquid cooling medium disposed between the plate cooler and the adsorption tower. The cooling medium absorbs heat in the plate cooler, transforming from a liquid to a gaseous state and rising to the flow divider. Within the flow divider, the cooling medium exists in a gas-liquid mixture. The gaseous cooling medium continues to rise into the chimney, where it is cooled by the external environment, transforming back into a liquid state and falling back into the plate cooler. This device offers good cooling performance, has a simple structure, and is easy to operate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of refrigeration technology, and more specifically, to an adsorption tower self-cooling device. Background Technology

[0002] In traditional nitrogen generation systems, coolers are typically installed inside the adsorption tower to control the temperature rise of the absorbent during operation. However, this structure has the following drawbacks:

[0003] 1. The cooler is built into the tower body, which takes up a lot of space, resulting in a reduction in the amount of adsorbent and affecting the adsorption capacity;

[0004] 2. The internal structure is not convenient for cleaning and maintenance, and the entire tower section needs to be disassembled, resulting in high maintenance costs;

[0005] 3. The cooler is in direct contact with the adsorbent. If the cooling efficiency is uneven, it will cause local overcooling or uneven heating, which will affect the adsorption performance.

[0006] Therefore, a cooling device with a simpler structure, better cooling effect, and easier maintenance is needed to improve the overall operating efficiency of the adsorption tower and the system energy efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0007] This invention provides a self-cooling device for an adsorption tower to solve the problems of poor cooling effect and weak maintainability in the prior art.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides a self-cooling device for an adsorption tower. The device includes: a chimney, disposed around the periphery of the adsorption tower and located at the top of the adsorption tower; a liquid cooling medium disposed between the chimney and the adsorption tower; a flow divider, disposed around the periphery of the adsorption tower and located below the chimney; the liquid cooling medium disposed between the flow divider and the adsorption tower; and a plate cooler, disposed around the periphery of the adsorption tower and located below the flow divider; the liquid cooling medium disposed between the plate cooler and the adsorption tower. The cooling medium absorbs heat in the plate cooler, transforming from a liquid to a gaseous state and rising to the flow divider. Within the flow divider, the cooling medium exists in a gas-liquid mixture. The gaseous cooling medium continues to rise into the chimney, where it is cooled by the external environment, transforming back into a liquid state and falling back into the plate cooler.

[0009] Optionally, the plate cooler has an annular structure; the plate cooler is welded together from multiple heat exchange plate bundles; each heat exchange plate bundle is welded together from two corrugated metal plates or bubble plates; both ends of each heat exchange plate bundle are welded to the periphery of the adsorption tower, and both ends of each heat exchange plate bundle are provided with medium inlet and outlet.

[0010] Optionally, the flow divider has an annular structure; the flow divider is connected to the plate cooler via a detachable flange.

[0011] Optionally, the chimney includes: a protective cap, supporting ribs, and a cylindrical section; the cylindrical section is arranged radially along the diversion plate and extends above the diversion plate, and the protective cap is arranged radially along the top of the adsorption tower; one end of the supporting rib is connected to the cylindrical section, and the other end is connected to the protective cap; multiple supporting ribs are provided.

[0012] Optionally, all of the support ribs are arranged at equal intervals around the center of the adsorption tower.

[0013] Optionally, the height of the supporting ribs of the chimney is higher than the height of the diversion plate; the height of the supporting ribs of the chimney is lower than the height of the corrugated plate or the blister plate.

[0014] Optionally, the cooling medium is tetrafluoroethane or trifluoropropylene.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0016] This invention provides a self-cooling device for an adsorption tower. The device places the cooler outside the adsorption tower, avoiding the occupation of the limited space inside the tower and improving the adsorbent filling efficiency. The external structure facilitates individual maintenance and replacement without disassembling the adsorption tower, greatly reducing maintenance difficulty and cost. The cooling process is separated from the adsorption process, avoiding thermal interference and ensuring better cooling effect. The device has a simple structure and is easy to operate. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a front view of an adsorption tower self-cooling device provided in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of an adsorption tower self-cooling device provided in an embodiment of this utility model.

[0019] Symbol explanation:

[0020] Chimney - 1, Diverter plate - 2, Plate cooler - 3, Heat exchanger plate bundle - 4, Flange - 5, Protective cap - 6, Support rib - 7, Cylindrical section - 8, Adsorption tower - 9. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a front view of an adsorption tower self-cooling device provided in an embodiment of this utility model; Figure 2 This is a perspective view of an adsorption tower self-cooling device provided in an embodiment of this utility model; as shown... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the device includes:

[0023] 1. Chimney 1, located around the adsorption tower 9 and at the top of the adsorption tower 9; a liquid cooling medium is provided between the chimney 1 and the adsorption tower 9;

[0024] In one optional embodiment, the adsorption tower 9 is a vertical cylindrical structure filled with an absorbent, such as molecular sieves or activated carbon; it generates a large amount of heat during the adsorption and separation process.

[0025] Specifically, the chimney 1 includes: a protective cap 6, a supporting rib 7, and a cylinder section 8;

[0026] The cylindrical section 8 is arranged radially along the diversion plate 2 and extends above the diversion plate 2; the protective cap 6 is arranged radially along the top of the adsorption tower 9; one end of the support rib 7 is connected to the cylindrical section 8 and the other end is connected to the protective cap 6; multiple support ribs 7 are provided.

[0027] All of the supporting ribs 7 are arranged at equal intervals around the center of the adsorption tower 9.

[0028] Section 8 is a hollow cylindrical structure. Its main function is to form a guiding channel for the refrigerant to rise, while protecting the absorbent from direct collision with the refrigerant gas flow. Section 8 is set along the radial direction of the diversion plate 2 (i.e., perpendicular to the tower axis) and has a certain height difference relative to the diversion plate 2, meaning that section 8 is higher than the diversion plate 2 as a whole. A gas passage opening is reserved between the bottom of section 8 and the diversion plate 2 to guide the refrigerant gas into section 8. The height of section 8 is determined according to the gas rising speed and condensation length of the refrigerant, and is usually 10~30cm.

[0029] The protective cap 6 is located at the top of the chimney 1 and is a covering structure. Its shape can be arc-shaped, conical, or flat-top structure with ventilation holes. The protective cap 6 has two functions: (1) to prevent external dust, moisture, and foreign objects from entering the refrigerant channel; (2) to restrict the direct ejection of gas and form a tortuous flow path, which is conducive to the deceleration, cooling, and condensation of gas. The protective cap 6 does not completely seal the top of the cylinder section 8. Several gaps or meshes are opened around its perimeter or top surface to allow the gaseous refrigerant to dissipate heat in an organized manner and achieve convection exchange.

[0030] Support ribs 7 (structural connecting elements): Multiple support ribs 7 connect between the cylindrical section 8 and the protective cap 6 to fix the protective cap 6, allowing it to hang and cover the cylindrical section 8. One end of each support rib 7 is welded or mechanically connected to the upper edge of the cylindrical section 8, and the other end is connected to the inner wall or lower edge of the protective cap 6. The number of support ribs 7 depends on the diameter of the cylindrical section 8 and the size of the protective cap 6. To ensure structural symmetry and uniform stress, all support ribs 7 are arranged at equal intervals along the central axis of the adsorption tower 9. The material of the support ribs 7 should be heat-resistant and corrosion-resistant metal (such as 304 / 316 stainless steel) to ensure long-term stable operation under high temperature and high humidity conditions.

[0031] 2. A flow divider 2 is disposed around the adsorption tower 9 and located at the lower part of the chimney 1; the liquid cooling medium is disposed between the flow divider 2 and the adsorption tower 9;

[0032] In an optional embodiment, the flow divider 2 has an annular structure; the flow divider 2 is connected to the plate cooler 3 via a detachable flange 5.

[0033] 3. A plate cooler 3 is disposed around the adsorption tower 9 and below the flow divider 2; the liquid cooling medium is disposed between the plate cooler 3 and the adsorption tower 9;

[0034] In an optional embodiment, the plate cooler 3 has an annular structure; the plate cooler 3 is welded together from multiple heat exchange plate bundles 4; each heat exchange plate bundle 4 is welded together from two corrugated metal plates or bubble plates; both ends of each heat exchange plate bundle 4 are welded to the periphery of the adsorption tower 9, and both ends of each heat exchange plate bundle 4 are provided with medium inlet and outlet.

[0035] The entire plate cooler 3 is arranged along the outer ring of the adsorption tower 9, forming a closed annular structure. The annular arrangement not only has high space utilization, but also forms a continuous and stable refrigerant flow loop. It fits naturally with the cylindrical structure of the tower, which is conducive to thermal coupling and structural installation.

[0036] The plate cooler 3 consists of multiple heat exchange plate bundles 4; each heat exchange plate bundle 4 is formed by interlocking and welding two corrugated metal plates or bubble plates; corrugated plates: the surface has regular undulations, which can enhance fluid turbulence and improve heat exchange efficiency; bubble plates: the plate surface has micro-protrusions, which form fluid redistribution and enhance heat exchange; one side of the two plates (divided into the right side of one plate and the left side of the other plate) is welded to form the heat exchange plate bundle 4, and both ends of each heat exchange plate bundle 4 are fixedly welded to the outer structure of the adsorption tower 9. Each heat exchange plate bundle 4 has a medium inlet and an outlet (for the refrigerant to flow in and out); the refrigerant absorbs the heat in the adsorption tower 9.

[0037] The cooling medium absorbs heat in the plate cooler 3, transforms from a liquid state to a gaseous state, and rises to the diversion plate 2. In the diversion plate 2, the cooling medium exists in a gas-liquid mixture. The gaseous cooling medium continues to rise into the chimney 1, is cooled by the external environment, transforms into a liquid state, and falls back into the plate cooler 3.

[0038] In an optional embodiment, the refrigerant used in this device is an environmentally friendly fluorinated hydrocarbon refrigerant, namely tetrafluoroethane (R134a) or trifluoropropylene (R1234yf).

[0039] In the plate cooler zone 3 (the lowest part of the device, the lower section of the adsorption tower 9, where the tower temperature is about 30~40°C), the refrigerant is initially in a liquid state in this zone, and exchanges heat with the absorbent, which is at a slightly higher temperature, through the plate structure. After absorbing heat, the refrigerant gradually vaporizes and changes from a liquid state to a gaseous state. At the same time, its volume expands and its density decreases, giving it upward buoyancy, and it begins to rise naturally towards the direction of the diversion plate 2.

[0040] In the flow divider 2 zone (the middle area of ​​the device, the upper section of the adsorption tower 9, with a tower temperature of about 50~60°C), the gaseous refrigerant from the plate cooler 3 coexists with the liquid refrigerant initially placed in the flow divider 2 zone. Here, due to the relatively moderate heat, the coexistence of the gas and liquid phases forms a "vaporizing flow" state. The effervescent refrigerant continues to absorb heat here, and the droplets continue to vaporize, increasing the proportion of the gas phase. At the same time, the heat exchange efficiency in this area is extremely high, relying on the latent heat absorption mechanism to complete most of the heat removal task, and the gaseous refrigerant in the flow divider 2 zone continues to rise.

[0041] In chimney section 1 (the uppermost part of the device, the top of adsorption tower 9, with a tower temperature of approximately 70-80°C), the refrigerant rising to chimney section 1 is initially in a gaseous state, but its path is set near the outer shell of adsorption tower 9 and far from the core heat source. Although the inside of adsorption tower 9 is indeed hot, the refrigerant does not flow inside the tower core. The flow path of the refrigerant is set in the refrigerant interlayer channel between chimney section 1 and the outer shell of the tower. This area is close to the outer shell of the equipment and close to the air, i.e., the external environment. The temperature of the external environment is much lower than that of the heat source inside the tower, so this area is actually the heat dissipation and condensation zone of the refrigerant. After the refrigerant dissipates heat here, it condenses into a liquid state and flows back to plate cooler section 3 by gravity, completing the closed loop.

[0042] In one optional embodiment, the height of the support rib 7 of the chimney 1 is higher than the height of the diverter plate 2; the height of the support rib 7 of the chimney 1 is lower than the height of the corrugated plate or the blister plate.

[0043] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0044] This invention provides a self-cooling device for an adsorption tower. The device places the cooler outside the adsorption tower 9, avoiding the occupation of the limited space inside the tower and improving the adsorbent filling efficiency. The external structure facilitates individual maintenance and replacement without disassembling the adsorption tower 9, greatly reducing the difficulty and cost of maintenance. The cooling process is separated from the adsorption process, avoiding thermal interference and ensuring better cooling effect. The device has a simple structure and is easy to operate.

[0045] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and not to limit it. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model.

Claims

1. A self-cooling device for an adsorption tower, characterized in that, include: A chimney is installed around the adsorption tower and at the top of the adsorption tower; a liquid cooling medium is provided between the chimney and the adsorption tower; A flow divider plate is disposed around the adsorption tower and at the lower part of the chimney; a liquid cooling medium is disposed between the flow divider plate and the adsorption tower; A plate cooler is disposed around the adsorption tower and below the flow divider plate; the liquid cooling medium is disposed between the plate cooler and the adsorption tower; The cooling medium absorbs heat in the plate cooler, transforms from a liquid state to a gaseous state, and rises to the distribution plate. In the distribution plate, the cooling medium exists in a gas-liquid mixture. The gaseous cooling medium continues to rise into the chimney, is cooled by the external environment, transforms into a liquid state, and falls back into the plate cooler.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plate cooler has an annular structure; the plate cooler is welded together from multiple heat exchange plate bundles; each heat exchange plate bundle is welded together from two corrugated metal plates or bubble plates; both ends of each heat exchange plate bundle are welded to the periphery of the adsorption tower, and both ends of each heat exchange plate bundle are provided with medium inlet and outlet.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that: The flow divider plate has a circular structure; the flow divider plate is connected to the plate cooler via a detachable flange.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that: The chimney includes: a protective cap, supporting ribs, and sections; The cylindrical section is arranged radially along the diversion plate and extends above the diversion plate; the protective cap is arranged radially along the top of the adsorption tower; one end of the supporting rib is connected to the cylindrical section, and the other end is connected to the protective cap; multiple supporting ribs are provided.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that: All of the supporting ribs are arranged at equal intervals around the center of the adsorption tower.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that: The height of the supporting ribs of the chimney is higher than the height of the diversion plate; The height of the supporting ribs of the chimney is lower than the height of the corrugated plate or the bubble plate.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cooling medium is tetrafluoroethane or trifluoropropylene.

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