Biodiesel methanol rectifying column fin type energy-saving condenser

Abstract

This application relates to the field of condenser technology and discloses a finned energy-saving condenser for a biodiesel methanol distillation tower, including a finned condenser body, auxiliary components, and an external cooling component. This finned energy-saving condenser for a biodiesel methanol distillation tower forms a stepped condensation structure through rectangular and corrugated fins arranged on the inner wall of the outer shell. The honeycomb holes in the rectangular fins break up oil particles and generate micro-vortices, while the corrugated fins enhance turbulence through their corrugated surface, improving heat exchange efficiency. A serpentine circulation design of the heat exchange tubes, along with the external heat dissipation fins and external fan mechanism, forms a two-stage cooling system, reducing cooling water consumption. Simultaneously, the filter and diffuser work together to ensure more uniform methanol vapor distribution and prevent impurity blockage. The inclined flow-guiding structure of the drain hopper and drain pipe ensures rapid discharge of impurity-laden condensate. Compared to existing technologies, this solution optimizes the fin shape and arrangement, improving methanol recovery rate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of condenser technology, specifically to a finned energy-saving condenser for a biodiesel methanol distillation tower. Background Technology

[0002] Biodiesel is typically produced from animal and vegetable oils (such as waste cooking oil and vegetable oil residue) and methanol through transesterification in the presence of a catalyst. After the reaction, the products need to be separated and purified, with methanol recovery being a crucial step. A methanol distillation column separates methanol from biodiesel through multiple vaporization-condensation operations, enabling methanol recycling and reducing production costs.

[0003] In a methanol distillation column, the condenser cools the methanol vapor distilled at the top of the column into liquid for collection and reuse. The performance of the condenser directly affects the methanol recovery rate and purity, which in turn affects the production efficiency and product quality of biodiesel.

[0004] With rising energy costs and stricter environmental requirements, there is an urgent market demand for efficient, energy-saving, and environmentally friendly condensers. Finned energy-saving condensers reduce energy consumption by improving heat exchange efficiency and reducing cooling medium usage. Simultaneously, optimized structural design reduces equipment size and weight, lowering manufacturing costs. Although finned condensers offer improved heat exchange efficiency compared to traditional condensers, their efficiency may still be limited when handling high-viscosity, high-impurity methanol vapor. To address these issues, a finned energy-saving condenser for biodiesel methanol distillation towers has been proposed. Utility Model Content

[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this application provides a finned energy-saving condenser for a biodiesel methanol distillation tower. By optimizing the shape and distribution of the fins, the methanol recovery rate is improved, thus solving the problems mentioned in the background technology.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides the following technical solution: a finned energy-saving condenser for a biodiesel methanol distillation tower, comprising a finned condenser body, auxiliary components, and an external cooling component. The finned condenser body includes a shell and a serpentine circulating heat exchange tube installed inside the shell. Rectangular fins and corrugated fins are installed on the inner wall of the shell. The rectangular fins are located above the corrugated fins and are staggered. The inner wall of the rectangular fins has uniformly distributed honeycomb holes. There is a certain distance between the rectangular fins and the corrugated fins. The outer surface of the serpentine circulating heat exchange tube is sequentially embedded in the inner wall of the rectangular fins and the corrugated fins. A filter screen is installed on the inner top of the shell, and the filter screen is located above the rectangular fins. The auxiliary component includes a sealing top cover, which is bolted to the top of the shell.

[0007] The above scheme incorporates a serpentine circulating heat exchange tube, staggered rectangular and wavy fins within the outer shell, and honeycomb holes on the inner wall of the rectangular fins to achieve close contact on multiple surfaces, significantly improving heat exchange efficiency. Meanwhile, the filter screen prevents clogging by impurities. Furthermore, auxiliary components allow methanol vapor to flow evenly within the shell. Finally, external cooling components further enhance the heat dissipation effect of the serpentine circulating heat exchange tube, making the system more practical.

[0008] Furthermore, a first connector is installed at the top end of the serpentine circulating heat exchange tube, and a second connector is installed at the bottom end of the serpentine circulating heat exchange tube.

[0009] The above scheme allows the first and second connectors to easily inject external condensate into the serpentine circulating heat exchange tube for circulation, thereby facilitating the cooling of methanol vapor into liquid inside the shell for collection and reuse.

[0010] Furthermore, a gas delivery pipe is installed on the top of the sealed top cover, and a valve is installed on a section of the gas delivery pipe.

[0011] The above-described scheme allows for more convenient control of the amount of methanol vapor injected into the casing via gas delivery pipes and valves, making it easier to use.

[0012] Furthermore, a diffuser plate is fixedly connected to the bottom of the sealed top cover, and the diffuser plate is located above the filter screen.

[0013] The above scheme allows the diffuser plate to diffuse and cool the methanol vapor injected into the shell more evenly inside the shell, which is beneficial to the cooling of the methanol vapor.

[0014] Furthermore, a drain hopper is installed at the bottom of the outer casing, and a drain pipe is connected to the bottom end of the drain hopper. A valve is installed on a section of the drain pipe.

[0015] The above solution, with the drainage hopper and drainage pipe working together, allows for the convenient and centralized discharge of methanol cooled into liquid to a designated area, making it more practical.

[0016] Furthermore, the external cooling assembly includes external heat dissipation fins fixedly connected to both sides of the outer surface of the housing, and the serpentine circulating heat exchange tube segments located outside the housing are respectively embedded in the external heat dissipation fins on both sides of the housing.

[0017] The above solution improves the heat dissipation effect of the serpentine circulation heat exchange tube, which is beneficial to the cooling of methanol vapor.

[0018] Furthermore, an external fan is fixedly connected to the outer surface of the sealed top cover, and the external fan is located between the external heat dissipation fins on both sides.

[0019] With the above solution, when the external fan is started, it blows air downwards, which can accelerate the air circulation around the external heat dissipation fins and optimize the heat dissipation effect of the serpentine circulation heat exchange tube.

[0020] Furthermore, four L-shaped support columns are fixedly connected to the outer surface of the outer shell, and a positioning seat is fixedly connected to the bottom end of each L-shaped support column.

[0021] The above scheme, with its L-shaped support column and positioning seat, allows the device to be placed more stably in the designated location, facilitating the cooling and liquidification of methanol vapor.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution of this application has the following beneficial effects: This biodiesel methanol distillation tower finned energy-saving condenser uses rectangular and corrugated fins on the inner wall of the outer shell to form a stepped condensation structure. The honeycomb holes in the rectangular fins break up oil particles and generate micro-vortices, while the corrugated fins enhance turbulence through their corrugated surfaces, thus improving heat exchange efficiency. The serpentine circulation design of the serpentine heat exchange tubes, along with the external heat dissipation fins and external fan, forms a two-stage cooling system, reducing cooling water consumption. At the same time, the filter screen and the diffuser work together to make the methanol vapor distribution more uniform and prevent impurities from clogging the pipes. The inclined flow guiding structure of the drain hopper and drain pipe ensures the rapid discharge of impurity-containing condensate. Compared with existing technologies, this solution optimizes the fin shape and arrangement, improves the methanol recovery rate, and reduces overall energy consumption. It is especially suitable for the efficient recovery of methanol vapor from biodiesel with high impurity content. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall front view of the structure of this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall rear view structure of this application; Figure 3 This is a side sectional view of the structure of this application; Figure 4 This is a partial top view of the structure of this application; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the sealed top cover structure of this application.

[0024] In the picture: 1. Finned condenser body; 101. Outer shell; 102. Serpentine circulating heat exchange tube; 103. Rectangular fins; 104. Honeycomb holes; 105. Corrugated fins; 106. First connector; 107. Second connector; 108. Filter screen; 2. Auxiliary components; 201. Sealed top cover; 202. Gas delivery pipe; 203. Flow diffuser; 3. Drain hopper; 4. Drain pipe; 5. External cooling components; 501. External heat dissipation fins; 502. External fan; 6. L-shaped support column; 7. Positioning seat. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0026] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 The finned energy-saving condenser for the biodiesel methanol distillation column in this embodiment includes a finned condenser body 1, auxiliary components 2, and an external cooling component 5. The finned condenser body 1 includes a shell 101 and a serpentine circulating heat exchange tube 102 installed inside the shell 101. A first connector 106 is installed at the top of the serpentine circulating heat exchange tube 102, and a second connector 107 is installed at the bottom of the serpentine circulating heat exchange tube 102. The first connector 106 and the second connector 107 facilitate the injection of external condensate into the serpentine circulating heat exchange tube 102 for circulation, thereby facilitating the cooling of methanol vapor into liquid inside the shell 101 for collection and reuse. Please see Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 The inner wall of the outer shell 101 is equipped with rectangular fins 103 and wavy fins 105. The rectangular fins 103 are located above the wavy fins 105 and are staggered. The inner wall of the rectangular fins 103 has evenly distributed honeycomb holes 104. There is a certain distance between the rectangular fins 103 and the wavy fins 105. The outer surface of the serpentine circulating heat exchange tube 102 is sequentially embedded in the inner wall of the rectangular fins 103 and the wavy fins 105. A filter screen 108 is installed on the inner top of the outer shell 101, and the filter screen 108 is located above the rectangular fins 103. Please see Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 5The auxiliary component 2 includes a sealing top cover 201, which is bolted to the top of the outer casing 101. A gas delivery pipe 202 is installed on the top of the sealing top cover 201, and a valve is installed on a section of the gas delivery pipe 202. The gas delivery pipe 202 and the valve can more conveniently control the amount of methanol vapor injected into the outer casing 101, making it convenient to use. A diffuser plate 203 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the sealing top cover 201. The diffuser plate 203 is located above the filter screen 108. The diffuser plate 203 can make the methanol vapor injected into the outer casing 101 diffuse and cool more evenly inside the outer casing 101, which is beneficial to the cooling of methanol vapor.

[0027] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 A drain hopper 3 is installed at the bottom of the outer casing 101, and a drain pipe 4 is connected to the bottom end of the drain hopper 3. A valve is installed on a section of the drain pipe 4. The drain hopper 3 and the drain pipe 4 work together to facilitate the centralized discharge of methanol cooled into liquid to a designated area, making it more practical. Four L-shaped support columns 6 are fixedly connected to the outer surface of the outer casing 101. A positioning seat 7 is fixedly connected to the bottom end of each L-shaped support column 6. The L-shaped support columns 6 and positioning seats 7 enable the device to be placed more stably in the designated position, facilitating the cooling of methanol vapor into liquid. Please see Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 The external cooling assembly 5 includes external heat dissipation fins 501 fixedly connected to both sides of the outer surface of the outer shell 101. The tube segments of the serpentine circulating heat exchange tube 102 located outside the outer shell 101 are respectively embedded in the external heat dissipation fins 501 on both sides of the outer shell 101. The external heat dissipation fins 501 can improve the heat dissipation effect of the serpentine circulating heat exchange tube 102, which is beneficial to the cooling of methanol vapor. An external fan 502 is fixedly connected to the outer surface of the sealed top cover 201. The external fan 502 is located between the external heat dissipation fins 501 on both sides. When the external fan 502 is started, it blows air downwards, thereby accelerating the air circulation around the external heat dissipation fins 501 and optimizing the heat dissipation effect of the serpentine circulating heat exchange tube 102.

[0028] In this embodiment, the finned energy-saving condenser for biodiesel methanol distillation tower forms a stepped condensation structure through rectangular fins 103 and corrugated fins 105 arranged on the inner wall of the outer shell 101. The honeycomb holes 104 of the rectangular fins 103 can break up oil particles and generate micro-vortices, while the corrugated fins 105 enhance turbulence through their corrugated surfaces, thereby improving heat exchange efficiency. The serpentine circulation design of the serpentine circulation heat exchange tube 102, together with the external heat dissipation fins 501 and the external fan 502, constitutes a two-stage cooling system, reducing the amount of cooling water used. At the same time, the filter screen 108 and the diffuser plate 203 work together to make the methanol vapor distribution more uniform and avoid impurity blockage. The inclined flow guiding structure of the drain hopper 3 and the drain pipe 4 ensures that the impurity-containing condensate is discharged quickly. Compared with the prior art, this solution has rationally optimized the layout of the fin shape and arrangement, improved the methanol recovery rate, and reduced the overall energy consumption, making it particularly suitable for the efficient recovery of methanol vapor from high-impurity biodiesel.

[0029] The working principle of the above embodiment is as follows: During operation, methanol vapor enters the interior of the outer casing 101 through the gas delivery pipe 202. It first undergoes preliminary filtration through the filter screen 108, intercepting large particles of grease impurities. Subsequently, the vapor flows downwards, passing sequentially through rectangular fins 103 with honeycomb holes 104 and corrugated fins 105. The honeycomb structure of the rectangular fins 103 generates micro-vortices that break up fine oil droplets, while the corrugated surface of the corrugated fins 105 disrupts the vapor boundary layer, enhancing turbulent heat transfer. Simultaneously, the coolant circulating inside the serpentine heat exchanger pipe 102 enters through the first connector 106, interacting with the coolant outside the serpentine pipe. Steam undergoes countercurrent heat exchange, absorbing heat before being discharged from the second connector 107. During the heat exchange process, the external cooling system, consisting of external heat dissipation fins 501 and external fan 502, provides secondary heat dissipation to the outer section of the serpentine circulating heat exchange tube 102, improving the coolant circulation efficiency. The condensed liquid methanol collects under gravity into the drain hopper 3 and is discharged controllably through the drain pipe 4. When cleaning is required, the sealing top cover 201 can be removed, and the filter screen 108 can be cleaned to reduce the likelihood of filter screen 108 clogging. The entire system is stably supported by L-shaped support columns 6 and positioning seats 7, ensuring reliable operation of each component under vibration conditions. This design achieves efficient recovery and long-term stable operation of high-impurity methanol vapor through the synergistic effect of multi-stage filtration and stepped condensation.

[0030] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0031] Although embodiments of this application have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of this application, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A finned energy-saving condenser for a biodiesel methanol distillation column, comprising a finned condenser body (1), auxiliary components (2), and an external cooling component (5), characterized in that: The finned condenser body (1) includes a shell (101) and a serpentine circulating heat exchange tube (102) installed inside the shell (101). The inner wall of the shell (101) is equipped with rectangular fins (103) and wavy fins (105). The rectangular fins (103) are located above the wavy fins (105) and are staggered. The inner wall of the rectangular fins (103) is provided with uniformly distributed honeycomb holes (104). The rectangular fins (103) and the wavy fins are arranged in a staggered manner. There is a certain gap between the fins (105), and the outer surface of the serpentine circulating heat exchange tube (102) is successively embedded in the inner wall of the rectangular fin (103) and the wavy fin (105). A filter screen (108) is installed on the inner top of the outer shell (101). The filter screen (108) is located above the rectangular fin (103). The auxiliary component (2) includes a sealing top cover (201), which is installed on the top of the outer shell (101) by bolts.

2. The finned energy-saving condenser for a biodiesel methanol distillation column according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top end of the serpentine circulating heat exchange tube (102) is equipped with a first connector (106), and the bottom end of the serpentine circulating heat exchange tube (102) is equipped with a second connector (107).

3. The finned energy-saving condenser for a biodiesel methanol distillation column according to claim 1, characterized in that: A gas delivery pipe (202) is installed on the top of the sealing top cover (201), and a valve is installed on the pipe section of the gas delivery pipe (202).

4. The finned energy-saving condenser for a biodiesel methanol distillation column according to claim 1, characterized in that: A diffuser plate (203) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the sealing top cover (201), and the diffuser plate (203) is located above the filter screen (108).

5. The finned energy-saving condenser for a biodiesel methanol distillation column according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the outer shell (101) is equipped with a drain hopper (3), the bottom end of the drain hopper (3) is connected to a drain pipe (4), and a valve is installed on the pipe section of the drain pipe (4).

6. The finned energy-saving condenser for a biodiesel methanol distillation column according to claim 1, characterized in that: The external cooling assembly (5) includes external heat dissipation fins (501) fixedly connected to both sides of the outer surface of the outer shell (101), and the serpentine circulating heat exchange tube (102) is located outside the outer shell (101) with its tube segments embedded in the external heat dissipation fins (501) on both sides of the outer shell (101).

7. The finned energy-saving condenser for a biodiesel methanol distillation column according to claim 6, characterized in that: An external fan (502) is fixedly connected to the outer surface of the sealed top cover (201), and the external fan (502) is located between the two external heat dissipation fins (501).

8. The finned energy-saving condenser for a biodiesel methanol distillation column according to claim 1, characterized in that: Four L-shaped support columns (6) are fixedly connected to the outer surface of the outer shell (101), and a positioning seat (7) is fixedly connected to the bottom end of each L-shaped support column (6).

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