A non-condensable gas in alcohol recovery device for a distillation system

Abstract

The application discloses a non-condensable gas alcohol recovery device for a distillation system, and solves the technical problem of low alcohol vapor recovery rate of the prior art distillation system. The alcohol recovery device comprises a non-condensable gas collecting pipe, a water washing tower, a water supply pipe, a circulating pump, a spraying pipe, a recovery pipe and a recovery tank, wherein one end of the non-condensable gas collecting pipe is communicated with a gas outlet of at least one of a thick mash tower and a clear mash tower of the distillation system, the other end of the non-condensable gas collecting pipe is communicated with an air inlet of the water washing tower, a liquid outlet is communicated with an input end of the circulating pump, the water supply pipe is communicated with a pipeline between the water washing tower and the circulating pump, an output end of the circulating pump is communicated with the spraying pipe and the recovery pipe, the spraying pipe is communicated with a liquid inlet of the water washing tower, and the recovery pipe is communicated with the recovery tank. The alcohol recovery device improves the alcohol vapor recovery rate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of alcohol vapor recovery technology in distillation systems, and specifically relates to an alcohol vapor recovery device for non-condensable gases in distillation systems. Background Technology

[0002] Concentrated mash towers and clear mash towers are two common types of tower equipment in distillation systems. Concentrated mash towers are mainly used to process mash with higher concentrations, separating volatile components such as alcohol through heating and separation. Clear mash towers are mainly used to process clear mash after preliminary separation, further improving the purity of the alcohol.

[0003] During the alcohol distillation process, the concentrated mash tower and the clear mash tower produce non-condensable gases containing alcohol vapor. Traditional methods typically involve directly discharging these non-condensable gases or subjecting them to simple condensation before introducing them into the waste gas treatment system. This results in a significant loss of alcohol vapor (especially low-boiling-point components) along with the non-condensable gases, causing an alcohol loss of 0.5% to 2%. Although some companies have attempted to improve the recovery rate by adding condensers, the low partial pressure of alcohol vapor limits the condensation effect, and a considerable amount of alcohol remains unrecovered. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the current technical problem of low alcohol vapor recovery rate in non-condensable gases, this application provides a device for recovering alcohol vapor from non-condensable gases in a distillation system.

[0005] In a first aspect of this application, a device for recovering alcohol vapor from non-condensable gases in a distillation system is provided, comprising a non-condensable gas collection pipe, a water washing tower, a water supply pipe, a circulating pump, a spray pipe, a recovery pipe, and a recovery tank, wherein: One end of the non-condensable gas collection pipe is connected to the gas outlet of at least one of the concentrated mash tower and the clear mash tower of the distillation system, and the other end is connected to the gas inlet of the water washing tower. The liquid outlet is connected to the input end of the circulating pump. The water supply pipe is connected to the pipeline between the water washing tower and the circulating pump. The output end of the circulating pump is connected to the spray pipe and the recovery pipe. The spray pipe is connected to the liquid inlet of the water washing tower, and the recovery pipe is connected to the recovery tank.

[0006] In some embodiments, the spray pipe is equipped with a spray valve, and the recovery pipe is equipped with a recovery valve.

[0007] In some embodiments, the washing tower is equipped with a concentration sensor for detecting the alcohol concentration at the outlet of the washing tower. In some embodiments, the water supply pipe is equipped with a flow regulating valve.

[0008] In some implementations, a controller is also included; The water washing tower is equipped with a liquid level sensor to detect the liquid level, and the controller is electrically connected to the liquid level sensor, the spray valve, and the recovery valve.

[0009] In some embodiments, a heat exchanger is also included, which has a first medium channel and a second medium channel. The first medium channel is connected in series between the outlet of the water washing tower and the input of the circulating pump; the second medium channel is connected to a low-temperature circulating cooling water system.

[0010] In some embodiments, a power component is also included, connected in series between the non-condensable gas collection pipe and the air inlet of the water washing tower.

[0011] In some embodiments, the water washing tower has a stainless steel tower body, and the tower body is equipped with stainless steel corrugated packing. The non-condensable gas collection pipe is covered with an insulation layer.

[0012] In some embodiments, the gas outlets of both the concentrated mash tower and the clear mash tower are connected to the non-condensable gas collection pipe.

[0013] In some embodiments, the system also includes a clear liquid tank and a mash storage tank, the gas outlets of which are connected to the non-condensable gas collection pipe.

[0014] The alcohol vapor recovery device for non-condensable gases in a distillation system provided in the embodiments of this application includes a non-condensable gas collection pipe, a water washing tower, a water supply pipe, a circulating pump, a spray pipe, a recovery pipe, and a recovery tank, wherein: One end of the non-condensable gas collection pipe is connected to the gas outlet of at least one of the concentrated mash tower and the clear mash tower of the distillation system, and the other end is connected to the gas inlet of the water washing tower. The liquid outlet is connected to the input end of the circulating pump. The water supply pipe is connected to the pipeline between the water washing tower and the circulating pump. The output end of the circulating pump is connected to the spray pipe and the recovery pipe. The spray pipe is connected to the liquid inlet of the water washing tower, and the recovery pipe is connected to the recovery tank.

[0015] This application utilizes a vapor recovery device to recover alcohol vapor from the non-condensable gases in at least one structure of the concentrated mash tower and the clear mash tower in a distillation system. By using a spray liquid for alcohol vapor recovery, the recovery rate is higher compared to condensation recovery. Simultaneously, a circulating pump is connected to the inlet of a water washing tower via a spray pipe, allowing the alcohol solution to continue absorbing alcohol vapor as the spray liquid, achieving cyclic recovery, improving the recovery efficiency, and reducing water consumption. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the alcohol vapor recovery device for a distillation system according to this application is shown.

[0017] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 101-Non-condensable gas collection pipe, 102-Power component, 103-Water washing tower, 1031-Sprayer, 104-Heat exchanger, 105-Water supply pipe, 106-Circulating pump, 107-Spray pipe, 1071-Spray valve, 108-Recovery pipe, 1081-Recovery valve, 109-Recovery tank; 201-Concentrated mash tower; 202-Cleared mash tower, 203-Cleared liquid tank, 204-Mash storage tank. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To enable those skilled in the art to more clearly understand this application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0019] According to the first aspect of this application, a device for recovering alcohol vapor from non-condensable gases in a distillation system is provided, which realizes the recovery of non-condensable gases in the distillation system with a high recovery rate and saves water resources.

[0020] This application is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments: Please see Figure 1 The alcohol vapor recovery device for non-condensable gases in a distillation system provided in this application embodiment includes a non-condensable gas collection pipe 101, a water washing tower 103, a water supply pipe 105, a circulating pump 106, a spray pipe 107, a recovery pipe 108, and a recovery tank 109, wherein: One end of the non-condensable gas collection pipe 101 is connected to the gas outlet of at least one of the concentrated mash tower 201 and the clear mash tower 202 of the distillation system, and the other end is connected to the gas inlet of the water washing tower 103. The liquid outlet is connected to the input end of the circulating pump 106. The water supply pipe 105 is connected to the pipeline between the water washing tower 103 and the circulating pump 106. The output end of the circulating pump 106 is connected to the spray pipe 107 and the recovery pipe 108. The spray pipe 107 is connected to the liquid inlet of the water washing tower 103, and the recovery pipe 108 is connected to the recovery tank 109.

[0021] The non-condensable gas collection pipe 101 is connected at both ends to the distillation system and the water washing tower 103, respectively. This allows the non-condensable gases (i.e., non-condensable gases) in the concentrated mash tower 201 and the clear mash tower 202 to flow through the non-condensable gas collection pipe 101 to the water washing tower 103. The water in the water washing tower 103 encounters the non-condensable gases, thereby lowering their temperature and causing the alcohol vapor to condense into a liquid mixture with water, which is then discharged from the outlet of the water washing tower 103. The alcohol solution discharged from the water washing tower 103 has a relatively low concentration and can be used as raw material for condensing new non-condensable gases. Therefore, the input and output ends of the circulating pump 106 are connected to the liquid outlet of the water washing tower 103 and the spray pipe 107, respectively. This allows the low-concentration alcohol solution to enter the water washing tower 103 through the spray pipe 107 under the power of the circulating pump 106, where it acts on the new non-condensable gas, mixes, and is then discharged from the liquid outlet of the water washing tower 103. This enables the recycling of water. At the same time, the output end of the circulating pump 106 is connected to the recovery pipe 108, so the alcohol solution can enter the recovery tank 109 for storage through the recovery pipe 108.

[0022] This application achieves the recovery of alcohol vapor from the non-condensable gas in at least one of the structures of the concentrated mash tower 201 and the clear mash tower 202 of the distillation system through an alcohol vapor recovery device. At the same time, the circulating pump 106 is connected to the inlet of the water washing tower 103 through the spray pipe 107, so that the alcohol solution continues to absorb alcohol vapor as the spray liquid, thereby realizing the recycling, improving the recycling effect, and reducing the amount of water used.

[0023] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 1 A spray valve 1071 is installed on the spray pipe 107, and a recovery valve 1081 is installed on the recovery pipe 108. The spray valve 1071 controls the opening and closing of the spray pipe 107, and the recovery valve 1081 controls the opening and closing of the recovery pipe 108. When the spray valve 1071 is open and the recovery valve 1081 is closed, the alcohol solution can enter the water washing tower 103 through the spray pipe 107 to absorb alcohol vapor. When the spray valve 1071 is closed and the recovery valve 1081 is open, the alcohol solution can be stored in the recovery tank 109 through the return pipe. It should be noted that when the spray valve 1071 is closed, the water washing tower 103 does not spray, but the non-condensable gas from the distillation system continues to pass through the water washing tower 103. Since the time it takes for the alcohol solution in the water washing tower 103 to enter the recovery tank 109 through the recovery pipe 108 is very short, the alcohol loss in the non-condensable gas during this period is negligible.

[0024] In other embodiments, valves may not be installed on the spray pipe 107 and the recovery pipe 108. In this way, under the action of the circulation pump 106, the alcohol solution can enter the water washing tower 103 through the spray pipe 107 and be recovered to the recovery tank 109 through the recovery pipe 108, thus realizing the recovery of alcohol in non-condensable gas.

[0025] In some embodiments, the water washing tower 103 is equipped with a concentration sensor (not shown) for detecting the alcohol concentration at the outlet of the water washing tower 103. After the alcohol solution in the water washing tower 103 is circulated several times by the circulation pump 106, the concentration of the alcohol solution at the outlet of the water washing tower 103 will increase. If the alcohol concentration is not lower than a first set value, such as not lower than 5%, the spray valve 1071 is closed, the spray pipe 107 is shut off, the recovery valve 1081 is opened, and the recovery pipe 108 is connected. The alcohol solution in the water washing tower 103 is stored in the recovery tank 109 through the recovery pipe 108 under the power of the circulation pump 106. This can make the best use of the cooling capacity of the water and improve the water utilization rate. In other embodiments, the concentration sensor may not be installed in the water washing tower 103. If the opening time of the spray valve 1071 exceeds the second set value, for example, if the opening time exceeds 3 hours, the spray valve 1071 closes, the spray pipe 107 is shut off, the recovery valve 1081 opens, and the recovery pipe 108 is connected. The alcohol solution in the water washing tower 103 is stored in the recovery tank 109 through the recovery pipe 108 under the power of the circulation pump 106. This can also make the best use of the condensation capacity of the water and improve the water utilization rate.

[0026] Water supply pipe 105 can supply external water to the water washing tower 103 to continuously condense alcohol vapor. In some embodiments, water supply pipe 105 may be equipped with a flow regulating valve to regulate the water supply and maintain system water balance. With recovery valve 1081 closed and spray valve 1071 open, in the early stage of water circulation, water supply pipe 105 serves as makeup water, and the flow rate can be smaller to meet the needs of condensing alcohol vapor. In the later stage of water circulation, as water continuously interacts with alcohol vapor, the temperature rises, and the ability to condense alcohol vapor decreases. Therefore, the water supply flow rate can be larger to ensure a consistently good ability to condense alcohol vapor throughout the circulation process.

[0027] In other embodiments, the water supply pipe 105 can also always replenish water at the same flow rate, still achieving the condensation and absorption of alcohol vapor, so as to realize the recovery of alcohol vapor.

[0028] In some embodiments, the alcohol vapor recovery device further includes a controller; a liquid level sensor for detecting the liquid level is installed inside the water washing tower 103, and the controller is electrically connected to the liquid level sensor, the spray valve 1071, and the recovery valve 1081. During the process of circulating alcohol solution to absorb non-condensable gases, the liquid level in the water washing tower 103 will gradually rise as water is replenished from the water supply pipe 105. The liquid level in the water washing tower 103 can be detected by the liquid level sensor. When the liquid level exceeds a third set value, for example, when the liquid level exceeds 2m, the controller controls the spray valve 1071 to close and the recovery valve 1081 to open, so that the alcohol solution in the water washing tower 103 is automatically recovered into the recovery tank 109.

[0029] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 1 The alcohol vapor recovery device also includes a heat exchanger 104, which has a first medium channel and a second medium channel. The first medium channel is connected in series between the outlet of the water washing tower 103 and the input of the circulating pump 106; the second medium channel is connected to a low-temperature circulating cooling water system. When water and alcohol vapor meet in the water washing tower 103, heat exchange occurs. The alcohol solution, being relatively hot, has a reduced ability to condense alcohol vapor. The hotter alcohol solution flows through the first medium channel in the heat exchanger 104, while the low-temperature cooling water provided by the low-temperature circulating cooling water system flows through the second medium channel. Heat exchange occurs between the alcohol solution and the low-temperature cooling water, thereby lowering the temperature of the alcohol solution, increasing its ability to absorb alcohol vapor, and improving the spray recovery effect.

[0030] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 1 The alcohol vapor recovery device also includes a power component 102 connected in series between the non-condensable gas collection pipe 101 and the air inlet of the water washing tower 103. The power component 102 can be a vacuum pump; its configuration increases the flow rate of the non-condensable gas, thereby improving recovery efficiency. In other embodiments, the non-condensable gas can also rely on its own energy to flow into the water washing tower 103, still achieving alcohol vapor recovery.

[0031] In some embodiments, the body of the water washing tower 103 can be made of stainless steel, which is not easily corroded and has a longer service life. The tower body is equipped with stainless steel corrugated packing, which can be arranged in 2-3 layers. The stainless steel corrugated packing has the characteristics of large specific surface area, high porosity, and light weight, which increases the residence time of condensed gas and the contact time with the spray cooling water, and can significantly improve the mass transfer efficiency between the gas and liquid phases.

[0032] In some embodiments, the top of the water washing tower 103 is provided with multiple nozzles 1031, such as six nozzles 1031. The nozzles 1031 are connected to the spray pipe 107 and are located above the stainless steel corrugated packing. The spray liquid is sprayed out through the nozzles 1031 and encounters the upward non-condensable gas for heat transfer. The nozzles 1031 can be rotating nozzles 1031 to increase the spray area and the contact area with the non-condensable gas.

[0033] The top of the water washing tower 103 is also provided with a gas outlet, through which the gas is discharged. The water washing tower 103 is prior art, and more details about the water washing tower 103 can be found in existing art disclosures, which will not be repeated here.

[0034] In some embodiments, the gas outlets of both the concentrated mash tower 201 and the clear mash tower 202 are connected to the non-condensable gas collection pipe 101, so that the non-condensable gas from both the concentrated mash tower 201 and the clear mash tower 202 can be recovered, thereby increasing the alcohol recovery rate.

[0035] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 1 The alcohol vapor recovery device also includes a clear liquid tank 203 and a mash storage tank 204. The gas outlets of both the clear liquid tank 203 and the mash storage tank 204 are connected to the non-condensable gas collection pipe 101. The mash storage tank 204 is the raw liquid tank. Both the raw liquid tank and the clear liquid tank 203 will produce non-condensable gas, which can also be recovered to the recovery tank 109 to improve the alcohol vapor recovery rate.

[0036] In some embodiments, the non-condensable gas collection pipe 101 is covered with an insulation layer to reduce the loss of alcohol vapor condensation inside the pipe.

[0037] This application provides a device for recovering alcohol vapor from non-condensable gases in a distillation system. By optimizing the pipeline layout and improving the design of the water washing tower 103, it achieves efficient recovery of alcohol from non-condensable gases in multiple devices in the distillation system, resulting in significant annual cost savings, reduced alcohol waste gas emissions, and significant environmental benefits.

[0038] The alcohol vapor recovery device only requires pipeline modification and optimization of the water washing tower 103. The equipment modification cost is low, the structure is simple, the operation is stable, and the recovery efficiency is high.

[0039] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature being directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature being directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0040] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", and "counterclockwise" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0041] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "connection," "fixed," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, "fixed" can mean a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; it can mean a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can mean a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can mean the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0042] Furthermore, the use of terms such as "first" and "second" in this application is for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, features defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more features. In the description of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0043] Although embodiments of this application have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand 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 claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A device for recovering alcohol vapor from non-condensable gases in a distillation system, characterized in that, This includes non-condensable gas collection pipes, a water scrubbing tower, a water supply pipe, a circulating pump, spray pipes, a recovery pipe, and a recovery tank, among which: One end of the non-condensable gas collection pipe is connected to the gas outlet of at least one of the concentrated mash tower and the clear mash tower of the distillation system, and the other end is connected to the gas inlet of the water washing tower. The liquid outlet of the water washing tower is connected to the input end of the circulating pump. The water supply pipe is connected to the pipeline between the water washing tower and the circulating pump. The output end of the circulating pump is connected to the spray pipe and the recovery pipe. The spray pipe is connected to the liquid inlet of the water washing tower, and the recovery pipe is connected to the recovery tank.

2. The alcohol vapor recovery device for non-condensable gases in a distillation system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The spray pipe is equipped with a spray valve, and the recovery pipe is equipped with a recovery valve.

3. The alcohol vapor recovery device for non-condensable gases in a distillation system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The washing tower is equipped with a concentration sensor for detecting the alcohol concentration in the alcohol solution at the outlet of the washing tower.

4. The alcohol vapor recovery device for non-condensable gases in a distillation system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The water supply pipe is equipped with a flow regulating valve.

5. The alcohol vapor recovery device for non-condensable gases in a distillation system according to claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes the controller; The water washing tower is equipped with a liquid level sensor to detect the liquid level, and the controller is electrically connected to the liquid level sensor, the spray valve, and the recovery valve.

6. The alcohol vapor recovery device for a distillation system according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, It also includes a heat exchanger, which has a first medium channel and a second medium channel. The first medium channel is connected in series between the outlet of the water washing tower and the input end of the circulating pump; the second medium channel is connected to the low-temperature circulating cooling water system.

7. The alcohol vapor recovery device for a distillation system according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, It also includes a power component connected in series between the non-condensable gas collection pipe and the air inlet of the water washing tower.

8. The alcohol vapor recovery device for a distillation system according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The water washing tower has a stainless steel tower body, and the tower body is equipped with stainless steel corrugated packing. The non-condensable gas collection pipe is covered with an insulation layer.

9. The alcohol vapor recovery device for a distillation system according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The gas outlets of both the concentrated mash tower and the clear mash tower are connected to the non-condensable gas collection pipe.

10. The alcohol vapor recovery device for a distillation system according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, It also includes a clear liquid tank and a mash storage tank, the gas outlets of which are connected to the non-condensable gas collection pipe.

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