A circulating cooling tower with antifreeze function

Abstract

A circulating cooling tower with antifreeze function includes a tower body, a water collection tray at the bottom of the tower, heat dissipation coils, a spray cooling device, and a water circulation system. It also includes a heating fan system for heating and purging the inner wall of the heat dissipation coils, an air outlet system, and a control system. The control system controls whether the heating fan system operates. The heating fan system includes... include The system includes an air duct connected to the cooling coil, a dustproof screen at the air inlet of the duct, an electric heater inside the duct, and fan blades that blow air through the electric heater. The air outlet system includes a drain pipe at the outlet of the cooling coil and a drain valve on the drain pipe. This invention addresses the problem of cooling towers freezing easily in winter by using multiple measures in parallel, such as installing an electric window at the air inlet grille, electric heat tracing, and a fan to blow air through the cooling coil. This prevents the water-spraying packing and coil inside the tower from freezing and cracking. At the same time, the electric window is equipped with internal and external insulation materials, which improves the thermal insulation of the building envelope, resulting in better energy saving, low consumption, and carbon reduction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of closed cooling tower technology, specifically to a circulating cooling tower with antifreeze function. Background Technology

[0002] Cooling towers are widely used in circulating cooling water systems, including industrial and air conditioning circulating cooling water systems. Closed-loop cooling towers are often used when high water quality is required. However, in cold winter regions, during off-peak hours such as at night, if the ambient temperature drops below freezing and the closed-loop cooling tower is not used for a certain period, the residual circulating water in the radiator coils will freeze, causing the coils to burst. Therefore, freezing and cracking of the radiator coils and other equipment inside the cooling tower frequently occurs.

[0003] Common methods in the market include: Method 1: Closed-loop cooling towers often use antifreeze to replace water. However, this method increases equipment and maintenance costs, and some antifreeze is toxic and highly volatile, easily causing environmental pollution. Method 2: Allowing the water in the cooling tower to drain naturally. However, some cooling coils have horizontally installed straight pipes, which hinders natural drainage, making it easy for water to remain in the coils. Method 3: Installing electric heat tracing on the cooling tower's water collection pan. The spray pump needs to be started even when the cooling tower is not in use to circulate the water and heat the cooling coils. This method consumes a lot of electricity and its effectiveness is generally low. The cooling tower's water collection pan also often accumulates debris and algae, affecting its appearance and the lifespan of the circulating spray pump. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a circulating cooling tower with antifreeze function to solve the problem of incomplete drainage of water in the heat dissipation coil and pipe freezing and cracking.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] A circulating cooling tower with antifreeze function includes a tower body, a water collection tray at the bottom of the tower, a heat dissipation coil, a spray cooling device, and a water circulation system. The tower is characterized by further including a heating fan system for heating and purging the inner wall of the heat dissipation coil, an air outlet system, and a control system. The control system controls whether the heating fan system operates. The heating fan system includes a duct connected to the heat dissipation coil, a dustproof screen at the air inlet of the duct, an electric heater located inside the duct, and fan blades for blowing air onto the electric heater. The air outlet system includes a drain pipe located at the water outlet of the heat dissipation coil and a drain valve on the drain pipe.

[0007] More preferably, the water circulation system includes a circulating water supply pipe, a water supply pipe valve, a circulating water supply pipe distribution pipe, a circulating water return pipe, a return pipe valve, and a circulating water return pipe collection pipe.

[0008] Furthermore, the circulating cooling tower is equipped with an electric shut-off device at the air inlet of the tower body.

[0009] Furthermore, the electrically closed device is an electrically operated window, and the window frame of the electrically operated window is made of thermal insulation material.

[0010] Furthermore, the ductwork leading into the heat dissipation coil is equipped with a duct valve.

[0011] In addition, the control system includes a temperature sensor located inside the tower, and a temperature controller for receiving temperature signals from the temperature sensor and controlling whether the heating fan system operates.

[0012] More preferably, the duct includes three pipes connected in sequence: pipe one, pipe two, and pipe three. Pipe one is an elliptical element bearing cavity used to load the duct and electric heating. Pipe two is a frustoconical transition pipe that is detachably connected to pipe one by a clamp. Pipe two and pipe three are integrally formed structures and are bent.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, this utility model has the following features and beneficial effects:

[0014] In addition to its built-in cooling system, this application includes a heating fan system and an electrically operated window at the air inlet of the tower to heat the interior and seal the space during winter. The heating fan system can purge the inner walls of the cooling coils, removing any residual water. The electric heater within the fan can be activated depending on the temperature, allowing hot air to be blown into the cooling coils and preventing the residual water from freezing. The fan is only used in cold weather for a short period, 5-10 minutes each time. It can be turned off when not in use, making it very low-carbon and energy-saving.

[0015] This utility model addresses the problem of cooling towers freezing easily in winter by using multiple measures in parallel, such as installing electric windows, electric heat tracing, and fans to blow away heat dissipation coils at the air inlet grille, thus preventing the water spraying packing and coils inside the tower from freezing and cracking. At the same time, the internal and external insulation materials improve the thermal insulation of the enclosure structure, resulting in better energy saving, low consumption, and carbon reduction, enabling the cooling tower to achieve both freeze protection and thermal insulation while maintaining low energy consumption.

[0016] Specifically, an electrically operated window is installed outside the water inlet grille at the air inlet. This window can be opened manually or electrically. During normal daytime operation in winter, the circulating water inside the cooling tower is cooled by air entering through the air inlet grille, at which time the electrically operated window opens and the grille allows normal airflow. At night during winter, when not in use, the circulating water stops running, and the tower temperature decreases. At this time, the electrically operated window closes to insulate the interior of the tower. Simultaneously, insulation material is installed both inside and outside the electrically operated window to enhance the heat dissipation and insulation effect of the tower's internal structure, maintaining the tower's internal temperature. In extreme weather, electric heat tracing can be installed inside the insulation material on the inside of the electrically operated window, and the operation of the electric heat tracing is controlled by a temperature sensor to increase the tower's internal temperature. When the circulating water system is not running, the electrically operated window closes to maintain the water quality in the collection basin, preventing algae growth and reducing the ingress of rainwater. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a circulating cooling tower with antifreeze function according to this application;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the heating fan system involved in this application.

[0019] Attached reference numerals: 1-Tower body; 2-Water collection tray; 3-Heating fan system; 31-Air duct; 32-Dustproof net; 33-Electric heating; 34-Fan blade; 35-Air duct valve; 36-Clamp; 4-Spray cooling device; 5-Heating coil; 6-Drain pipe; 7-Circulating return water pipe; 8-Circulating water supply pipe; 9-Electric window; 10-Temperature sensor; 11-Temperature controller; 12-Tower top cooling fan; 13-Distribution box. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To make the technical means, innovative features, objectives and effects of this utility model easier to understand, the utility model will be further described below.

[0021] The embodiments described herein are specific implementations of this utility model, used to illustrate the concept of this utility model. They are all illustrative and exemplary, and should not be construed as limiting the implementation methods or scope of this utility model. In addition to the embodiments described herein, those skilled in the art can employ other obvious technical solutions based on the content disclosed in the claims and specification of this application. These technical solutions include those that make any obvious substitutions and modifications to the embodiments described herein.

[0022] Example 1

[0023] A circulating cooling tower with antifreeze function, such as Figure 1 and 2As shown, the circulating cooling tower includes a tower body 1, a water collection tray 2 located at the bottom of the tower, a heat dissipation coil 5, a spray cooling device 4, a water circulation system, a cooling fan 12 at the top of the tower, and a power distribution box 13 for supplying power to the entire system. The spray cooling device 4 mainly sprays and cools the heat dissipation coil 5, and includes a spray pump, pipes, nozzles, etc. The water circulation system includes a circulating return water pipe 7, a water supply pipe valve, a circulating water supply pipe distribution pipe, a circulating water supply pipe 8, a return water pipe valve, and a circulating return water pipe collection pipe. The above structure and the air outlet system described below are the built-in structures of the circulating cooling tower, and their working principles will not be described in detail in this application.

[0024] It also includes a heating fan system 3 for heating and purging the inner wall of the heat dissipation coil 5, an air outlet system and a control system. The control system controls whether the heating fan system 3 works or not. The control system includes a temperature sensor 10 located inside the tower body and a temperature controller 11 for receiving the temperature signal from the temperature sensor 10 and controlling whether the heating fan system 3 works or not. The temperature sensor 10 is generally located on the water collection pan.

[0025] The heating fan system 3 includes a duct 31 connected to the heat dissipation coil 5, a dustproof screen 32 installed at the air inlet of the duct 31, an electric heater 33 located inside the duct 31, and a fan blade 34 for blowing air onto the electric heater 33. The air outlet system includes a drain pipe 6 located at the water outlet of the heat dissipation coil 5 and a drain pipe valve installed on the drain pipe 6. A duct valve 35 is installed on the pipe of the duct 31 that enters the heat dissipation coil 5. The duct 31 includes pipe one, pipe two, and pipe three connected in sequence. Pipe one is an elliptical electrical component carrying cavity, mainly used to load the duct 31 and the electric heater 33. Pipe two is a frustoconical transition pipe, which is detachably connected to pipe one by a clamp 36. The detachable connection facilitates the maintenance of the internal electrical components. Pipe two and pipe three are integrally formed structures and are bent to facilitate communication with the heat dissipation coil 5.

[0026] The circulating cooling tower is equipped with an electrically operated shut-off device at the air inlet. In cold winter conditions, the electrically operated shut-off device works in conjunction with the heating fan system 3 to heat and insulate the cooling tower. The electrically operated shut-off device is preferably an electrically operated window 9, the window body of which is made of insulating material. The cooling coil consists of several sets of bow-shaped cooling coils, each with a downward slope of 0.01. The electrically operated window has a ring around the air inlet grille, and insulating material is installed both inside and outside the window. Electric heat tracing can be installed as required.

[0027] Example 2

[0028] Based on Example 1, the working principle of this application is as follows: when the circulating water is working, the valves of the supply and return water inlets (return water pipe valve and supply water pipe valve) are opened and the valves on the air duct are closed in conjunction.

[0029] A tee is installed on the water distribution pipe of the circulating water inside the tower to connect to the air pipe. A valve is installed on the air pipe and is normally closed. A tee is installed on the water distribution pipe of the circulating water supply to connect to the drain pipe 6. A drain pipe valve is installed on the drain pipe and is normally closed.

[0030] When the circulating cooling tower is not running, close the valves for the supply and return of circulating water, open the valves on the air duct and drain pipe, start the fan to blow air into the bow-shaped cooling coil, and at the same time select the electric heating function in the fan according to the temperature to ensure that no water remains in the bow-shaped cooling coil and prevent the coil from freezing and cracking.

[0031] During winter daytime operation, the circulating water operates normally, and the tower body will not freeze due to the temperature of the circulating water. At this time, the electric window opens and the air inlet grille allows air to enter normally.

[0032] During non-operational nighttime conditions in winter, when the circulating water system stops running and the tower temperature drops, the electric window is closed, and the electric heating element is activated via a temperature sensor to heat the interior of the tower. Simultaneously, insulation material is installed both inside and outside the electric window to prevent the equipment inside from freezing. During non-cold seasons, the electric window and electric heating element can be removed. Alternatively, when the circulating water system is running, the electric window can be opened with the air inlet grille for normal air intake; when the circulating water system is not running, the electric window is closed to maintain the water quality in the collection tray, prevent algae growth, and reduce rainwater ingress.

[0033] Example 3

[0034] Based on Embodiment 1, its basic structure is the same as that of existing closed-loop cooling towers, including a tower body, a water supply pipe, a distribution pipe, and cooling coils. The water supply pipe connects to multiple sets of cooling coils, and a T-junction is installed on the distribution pipe to connect to a drain pipe. A valve on the drain pipe is manually and electrically controlled. The multiple sets of cooling coils consist of several bow-shaped cooling coils. The bow-shaped cooling coils have a downward slope of 0.01, allowing gravity-fed water to return a portion of the circulating water to the distribution pipe and then open the drain valve to drain a portion of the circulating water in the coils. The valve is manually and electrically controlled; during normal circulating water operation, the valves at the cooling tower's supply and return water inlets open, and the valve on the fan closes in conjunction with this. A T-junction is installed on the distribution pipe for the circulating return water inside the tower body to connect to an air duct, and a valve on the air duct is normally closed. During normal operation of the cooling tower, the cooling fan at the top of the tower starts to cool the circulating water. When the circulating water temperature is high, the spray pump is activated to spray water onto the coils to lower the temperature. A T-junction is installed on the water distribution pipe of the circulating water supply to connect to the drain pipe, and a valve is installed on the drain pipe, which is normally closed. When the circulating cooling tower is not running, close the circulating water supply and return valves, open the valves on the air duct and drain pipe, start the fan to blow air into the bow-shaped cooling coil, and at the same time select the electric heating function in the fan to turn on according to the temperature, so that no water remains in the bow-shaped cooling coil and the coil freezes and cracks.

[0035] The cooling tower features an electrically operated window located outside the inlet grille. This window can be opened manually or electrically. During normal winter daytime operation, the circulating water inside the tower is cooled by air entering through the inlet grille, at which time the electrically operated window opens and the grille allows normal airflow. At nighttime in winter, when not in use, the circulating water stops running, and the tower temperature decreases. The electrically operated window closes to insulate the interior of the tower. Insulation material is installed both inside and outside the window to enhance heat dissipation and insulation of the tower's internal structure, maintaining the tower's internal temperature. In extreme weather, electric heat tracing can be installed within the insulation material inside the electrically operated window, and its operation is controlled by a temperature sensor to increase the tower's internal temperature. During non-cold seasons, the electrically operated window and its accessories can be removed. When the circulating water system is not running, the electrically operated window closes to maintain water quality in the collection tray, preventing algae growth and reducing rainwater ingress. This invention addresses the problem of cooling towers freezing easily in winter by implementing multiple measures in parallel, including an electric window at the air inlet grille, electric heat tracing, and a fan to purge the cooling coils. This prevents the water-spraying packing and coils inside the tower from freezing and cracking. Simultaneously, the addition of internal and external insulation materials improves the thermal insulation of the building envelope, resulting in better energy conservation, low consumption, and carbon reduction. This allows the cooling tower to achieve both freeze protection and thermal insulation while maintaining low energy consumption.

[0036] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of this utility model. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this utility model is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that it can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or basic characteristics of this utility model. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered exemplary and non-limiting in all respects. The scope of this utility model is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and thus all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims are intended to be included within this utility model. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0037] Furthermore, it should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative style is merely for clarity. Those skilled in the art should consider the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A circulating cooling tower with antifreeze function, the circulating cooling tower comprising a tower body (1), a water collection tray (2) located at the bottom of the tower, a heat dissipation coil (5), a spray cooling device (4), and a water circulation system, characterized in that: It also includes a heating fan system (3) for heating and blowing the inner wall of the heat dissipation coil (5), an air outlet system and a control system. The control system controls whether the heating fan system (3) works or not. The heating fan system (3) includes a duct (31) connected to the heat dissipation coil (5), a dustproof net (32) set at the air inlet of the duct (31), an electric heater (33) located in the duct (31) and a fan blade (34) for blowing air onto the electric heater (33). The air outlet system includes a drain pipe (6) located at the water outlet of the heat dissipation coil (5) and a drain pipe valve set on the drain pipe (6).

2. A circulating cooling tower with antifreeze function as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The water circulation system includes a circulating water supply pipe (7), a water supply pipe valve, a circulating water supply pipe distribution pipe, a circulating water return pipe (8), a return pipe valve, and a circulating return pipe collection pipe.

3. A circulating cooling tower with antifreeze function as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The circulating cooling tower is equipped with an electric shut-off device at the air inlet of the tower body.

4. A circulating cooling tower with antifreeze function as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The electric closing device is an electric window (9), and the window body of the electric window (9) is made of thermal insulation material.

5. A circulating cooling tower with antifreeze function as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The duct (31) is equipped with a duct valve (35) on the pipe into the heat dissipation coil (5).

6. A circulating cooling tower with antifreeze function as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The control system includes a temperature sensor (10) located inside the tower, and a temperature controller (11) for receiving temperature signals from the temperature sensor (10) and controlling whether the heating fan system (3) is working.

7. A circulating cooling tower with antifreeze function as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The duct (31) includes pipe one, pipe two and pipe three connected in sequence. Pipe one is an elliptical element bearing cavity used to load the duct (31) and electric heating (33). Pipe two is a frustum-shaped transition pipe that is detachably connected to pipe one by clamp (36). Pipe two and pipe three are integrally formed structures and are bent.

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