Air cooling device for the top of a fractionating column

Abstract

This utility model discloses an air-cooling device for the top of a fractionation tower, comprising two air-cooled boxes mounted on the top of the fractionation tower and connected to the outlet of the fractionation tower via a main inlet pipe. The inlet pipes of each air-cooled box are connected to the main inlet pipe. Inside each air-cooled box are heat dissipation coils connected to the inlet pipes. The bottom end of the heat dissipation coil extends out of the air-cooled box's outlet pipe and is connected to a condensate collection tank via the main outlet pipe. A fan assembly is mounted on the top of each air-cooled box. The air-cooling device also includes a PLC controller. An inlet valve is mounted on the inlet pipe of each air-cooled box, an outlet valve is mounted on the outlet pipe, and a temperature sensor is mounted on the main outlet pipe. This utility model uses two sets of parallel air-cooled boxes in conjunction with inlet valves. Under partial load or low ambient temperature, some air-cooled boxes can be shut down to achieve energy savings. When one air-cooled box needs maintenance, that single air-cooled box can be isolated for operation without affecting overall production.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of fractionation tower cooling equipment, and more specifically to an air-cooling device for the top of a fractionation tower. Background Technology

[0002] As a core piece of equipment in the petrochemical, fine chemical and other fields, the fractionation tower is mainly used for the separation and purification of multi-component mixtures. The top of the tower discharges a high-temperature medium containing components with different boiling points, which needs to be cooled down to a specified range by a cooling device to ensure the efficiency of subsequent separation and product quality.

[0003] Currently, air cooling units are commonly used for cooling the top of fractionation towers. Compared to water cooling units, air cooling units offer advantages such as water conservation, suitability for outdoor conditions, and lower operating costs. However, existing air cooling units have significant shortcomings: First, the heat exchange structure mostly uses straight-tube heat exchangers with a small heat exchange area, resulting in low cooling efficiency and difficulty in quickly condensing high-temperature gaseous media, thus affecting the overall operating efficiency of the fractionation tower. Second, a single air cooling unit is typically installed at the top of the fractionation tower. Since air cooling units are highly susceptible to ambient temperature fluctuations, in hot summers or high-temperature weather, the high ambient temperature and small heat exchange temperature difference significantly reduce the condensation efficiency of the air cooling unit, potentially affecting the stable operation of the fractionation tower and the efficiency of product separation and purification. Furthermore, when the air cooling unit malfunctions, the fractionation tower needs to be shut down for maintenance, disrupting the continuity of fractionation tower production. Utility Model Content

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide an air-cooling device for the top of a distillation tower, which can effectively cope with changes in ambient temperature, maintain stable condensation efficiency, and will not affect the normal operation of the distillation tower during maintenance.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows.

[0006] An air-cooling device for the top of a fractionation tower includes two air-cooled boxes mounted on the top of the fractionation tower and connected to the outlet of the fractionation tower via a main inlet pipe. The inlet pipes of each air-cooled box are connected to the main inlet pipe. Inside each air-cooled box is a heat dissipation coil connected to the inlet pipe. The bottom end of the heat dissipation coil extends out of the air-cooled box via a liquid outlet pipe, which is connected to a condensate collection tank for collecting condensate via a main liquid outlet pipe. A fan assembly for cooling the heat dissipation coil is mounted at the top of each air-cooled box. The air-cooling device also includes a PLC controller. An inlet valve for controlling whether high-temperature gas is introduced is mounted on the inlet pipe of each air-cooled box. An outlet valve is mounted on the outlet pipe. A temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the condensate is mounted on the main liquid outlet pipe. The output of the temperature sensor is connected to the input of the PLC controller. The output of the PLC controller is connected to the inputs of the inlet valve, the outlet valve, and the fan assembly.

[0007] To further optimize the technical solution, water spray pipes are respectively installed inside the heat dissipation coil and around the heat dissipation coil in the air-cooled box to cool the inner and outer sides of the heat dissipation coil. The water spray pipes are equipped with nozzles facing the heat dissipation coil. A water collection tank for collecting cooling water is installed at the bottom of the air-cooled box. The water collection tank is connected to a water tank through a drain pipe. The water spray pipes are connected to the water tank through a water inlet pipe. A pump for pumping water from the water tank into the water spray pipes is installed on the water inlet pipe. The input end of the pump is connected to the output end of the PLC controller.

[0008] To further optimize the technical solution, a level sensor for detecting the liquid level information in the water tank is installed inside the water tank, a water supply pipe for replenishing water to the water tank is installed on the water tank, and a water supply valve is installed inside the water supply pipe. The output terminal of the level sensor is connected to the input terminal of the PLC controller, and the output terminal of the PLC controller is connected to the input terminal of the water supply valve.

[0009] To further optimize the technical solution, the fan assembly includes a variable frequency fan installed at the top of the air-cooled box for blowing air onto the heat dissipation coil inside the air-cooled box, and the input end of the variable frequency fan is connected to the output end of the PLC controller.

[0010] To further optimize the technical solution, a filter screen for filtering impurities in the air is installed above the variable frequency fan.

[0011] To further optimize the technical solution, the condensate collection tank is equipped with a level gauge for displaying the liquid level information inside the condensate collection tank, and a main outlet valve is installed on the main outlet pipe. The output end of the level gauge is connected to the input end of the PLC controller, and the output end of the PLC controller is connected to the input end of the main outlet valve.

[0012] To further optimize the technical solution, the front end of the air-cooled box is provided with an inspection door via a pivot, and the inspection door is provided with a locking assembly for fixing the inspection door to the air-cooled box.

[0013] Due to the adoption of the above technical solutions, the technological progress achieved by this utility model is as follows.

[0014] This utility model provides an air-cooling device for the top of a distillation tower, which uses two sets of parallel air-cooled boxes and an air inlet valve. Under partial load or low ambient temperature, some air-cooled boxes can be shut down to achieve energy saving. When one of the air-cooled boxes needs maintenance, the single air-cooled box can be isolated for operation without affecting the overall production.

[0015] This invention, by introducing a variable frequency fan and spray pipes, enables the device to automatically adjust the cooling intensity based on the real-time temperature of the condensate, effectively offsetting the adverse effects of high ambient temperatures and ensuring stable condensation efficiency throughout the year. Compared to traditional single air-cooling or all-water-cooling solutions, it is more water- and energy-efficient, meeting the requirements of green chemical industry development. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the air-cooled box of this utility model; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the heat dissipation coil and water spray pipe of this utility model.

[0017] The components are as follows: 1. Main air inlet pipe, 2. Air cooler box, 3. Air inlet valve, 4. Liquid outlet pipe, 5. Liquid outlet valve, 6. Main liquid outlet pipe, 7. Condensate collection tank, 8. Main liquid outlet valve, 9. Temperature sensor, 10. Liquid level gauge, 11. Shaft, 12. Inspection door, 13. Locking assembly, 14. Water inlet pipe, 15. Water inlet valve, 16. Pump, 17. Water tank, 18. Water supply pipe, 19. Drain pipe, 20. Fan assembly, 21. Radiator coil, 22. Water spray pipe, 23. Water collection tank, 24. Variable frequency fan, 25. Filter screen, 26. Nozzle. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0019] An air-cooling device for the top of a distillation column, combined with Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the system includes two air-cooled boxes 2 located at the top of the fractionation tower. The inlet pipes of the two air-cooled boxes 2 are connected to a main inlet pipe 1, which in turn connects to the outlet of the fractionation tower. Each air-cooled box 2 contains a heat dissipation coil 21. The upper end of the heat dissipation coil 21 is connected to the inlet, and the lower end of the heat dissipation coil 21 extends out of the air-cooled box 2 through a liquid outlet pipe 4, which is connected to a condensate collection tank 7 via a main liquid outlet pipe 6 to collect condensate. The air-cooling unit also includes a PLC controller for controlling its operation.

[0020] The heat dissipation coil 21 has a spiral structure. Inside the air-cooled box 2, a water spray pipe 22 is installed inside the heat dissipation coil 21. Several water spray pipes 22 are evenly distributed on the outer periphery of the heat dissipation coil 21. The water spray pipes are equipped with nozzles 26 that spray water towards the heat dissipation coil. The water spray pipes inside the heat dissipation coil are used to spray water into the heat dissipation coil, and the water spray pipes outside the heat dissipation coil are used to spray water out of the heat dissipation coil. By setting water spray pipes on both the inner and outer sides of the heat dissipation coil, water can be sprayed evenly on both sides of the heat dissipation coil, which improves the cooling efficiency and cooling effect of the heat dissipation coil.

[0021] The bottom of the air-cooled box 2 is equipped with a water collection tank 23, which is used to collect spray water. The water collection tank is connected to a water tank 17 through a drain pipe 19. The spray pipe 22 is connected to the water tank through a water inlet pipe 14. A pump 16 is installed on the water inlet pipe to pump water from the water tank into the spray pipe. Each air-cooled box is equipped with a water inlet valve 15 on its water inlet pipe to control whether water is introduced into the air-cooled box. The input end of the pump is connected to the output end of the PLC controller, and the output end of the PLC controller is connected to the input end of the water inlet valve.

[0022] A liquid level sensor is installed inside the water tank 17 to detect the liquid level information inside the water tank. A water supply pipe 18 is installed on the water tank 17 to replenish the water tank. A water supply valve is installed inside the water supply pipe. The output terminal of the liquid level sensor is connected to the input terminal of the PLC controller, and the output terminal of the PLC controller is connected to the input terminal of the water supply valve.

[0023] The upper end of the air-cooled box 2 is equipped with a fan assembly 20, which is used to blow air to cool the heat dissipation coil. The fan assembly 20 includes a variable frequency fan 24 installed at the top of the air-cooled box 2, which is used to blow air to the heat dissipation coil inside the air-cooled box. The input end of the variable frequency fan is connected to the output end of the PLC controller.

[0024] A filter screen 25 is installed above the variable frequency fan 24 to filter impurities in the air. The filter screen is waterproof, which can both be waterproof and filter impurities in the air.

[0025] An inlet valve 3 is installed on the inlet pipe of the air-cooled box 2 to control whether high-temperature gas is introduced. An outlet valve 5 is installed on the outlet pipe 4 to control the outlet of liquid. The input terminals of the inlet and outlet valves are connected to the output terminals of the PLC controller. A temperature sensor 9 is installed on the main outlet pipe 6 to detect the temperature of the condensate. The output terminal of the temperature sensor is connected to the input terminal of the PLC controller. The PLC controller controls the blowing force of the variable frequency fan and the intensity of the spray water based on the condensate temperature detected by the temperature sensor.

[0026] A level gauge 10 is installed on the condensate collection tank 7 to display the liquid level information in the condensate collection tank. A main outlet valve 8 is installed on the main outlet pipe 6. The output end of the level gauge is connected to the input end of the PLC controller, and the output end of the PLC controller is connected to the input end of the main outlet valve.

[0027] The front end of the air-cooled box 2 is provided with an inspection door 12 via a pivot 11. The inspection door is provided with a locking assembly 13, which is used to fix the inspection door to the air-cooled box to achieve the fixation of the inspection door.

[0028] In operation, the high-temperature gas from the top of the distillation tower is evenly distributed into two air-cooled boxes through the main inlet pipe and transported through heat dissipation coils. During transport, a variable frequency fan blows air onto the heat dissipation coils, accelerating air circulation outside the coils and cooling the high-temperature gas. Simultaneously, a temperature sensor feeds back the detected condensate temperature to the PLC controller. If the temperature is higher than the set value, the PLC controller increases the frequency of the variable frequency fan to enhance air cooling. If the ambient temperature is too high and the air cooling effect of the variable frequency fan reaches its limit, the PLC controller starts the pump, spraying water through water spray pipes on both sides of the heat dissipation coils for cooling. The sprayed water evaporates on the surface of the heat dissipation coils, absorbing a large amount of heat and rapidly enhancing the cooling effect, causing the condensate temperature to return to the set value.

[0029] When one of the empty cold boxes needs to be inspected or maintained, the corresponding air inlet valve and water inlet valve are closed to isolate it from the system, and the other empty cold box can be put into normal use, thus achieving maintenance without stopping the system.

Claims

1. An air-cooling device for the top of a fractionation column, characterized in that: The system includes two air-cooled boxes (2) located at the top of a fractionation tower and connected to the outlet of the fractionation tower via an inlet manifold (1). The inlet pipes of the air-cooled boxes (2) are connected to the inlet manifold (1). Inside the air-cooled boxes (2), there are heat dissipation coils (21) connected to the inlet pipes. The bottom end of the heat dissipation coil extends out of the liquid outlet pipe (4) of the air-cooled boxes (2) and is connected to a condensate collection tank (7) for collecting condensate via a liquid outlet manifold (6). The upper end of the air-cooled boxes (2) is equipped with a device for cleaning the heat dissipation coils. The air cooling device also includes a PLC controller. The air inlet pipe of the air cooling box (2) is equipped with an air inlet valve (3) for controlling whether high-temperature gas is connected. The liquid outlet pipe (4) is equipped with a liquid outlet valve (5). The liquid outlet main pipe (6) is equipped with a temperature sensor (9) for detecting the temperature of the condensate. The output end of the temperature sensor is connected to the input end of the PLC controller. The output end of the PLC controller is connected to the input end of the air inlet valve, the liquid outlet valve and the fan assembly respectively.

2. The air cooling device for the overhead of a fractionating column according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air-cooled box (2) has water spray pipes (22) inside the heat dissipation coil (21) and around the heat dissipation coil, respectively for cooling the inner and outer sides of the heat dissipation coil. The water spray pipes are equipped with nozzles (26) facing the heat dissipation coil. The bottom of the air-cooled box (2) is equipped with a water collection tank (23) for collecting cooling water. The water collection tank (23) is connected to a water tank (17) through a drain pipe (19). The water spray pipes (22) are connected to the water tank through a water inlet pipe (14). The water inlet pipe is equipped with a pump (16) for pumping water from the water tank into the water spray pipe. The input end of the pump is connected to the output end of the PLC controller.

3. An air cooling device for the overhead of a fractionating column according to claim 2, characterized in that: The water tank (17) is equipped with a liquid level sensor for detecting the liquid level information in the water tank. The water tank is equipped with a water supply pipe (18) for replenishing water to the water tank. The water supply pipe is equipped with a water supply valve. The output end of the liquid level sensor is connected to the input end of the PLC controller. The output end of the PLC controller is connected to the input end of the water supply valve.

4. The air cooling device for the overhead of a fractionating column according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fan assembly (20) includes a variable frequency fan (24) installed at the top of the air-cooled box (2) for blowing air onto the heat dissipation coil (21) inside the air-cooled box. The input end of the variable frequency fan is connected to the output end of the PLC controller.

5. An air cooling device for the overhead of a fractionating column according to claim 4, characterized in that: A filter screen (25) for filtering impurities in the air is provided above the variable frequency fan (24).

6. An air cooling device for the overhead of a fractionating column according to claim 1, characterized in that: The condensate collection tank (7) is equipped with a level gauge (10) for displaying the liquid level information in the condensate collection tank, and the main outlet pipe (6) is equipped with a main outlet valve (8). The output end of the level gauge is connected to the input end of the PLC controller, and the output end of the PLC controller is connected to the input end of the main outlet valve.

7. An air cooling device for the overhead of a fractionating column according to claim 1, characterized in that: The front end of the air-cooled box (2) is provided with an inspection door (12) via a pivot (11), and the inspection door is provided with a locking assembly (13) for fixing the inspection door to the air-cooled box.

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