A system for reducing the temperature of saturated steam using steam condensate water

Abstract

The utility model relates to a system of using steam condensate to reduce saturated steam temperature, including steam inlet pipe and steam outlet pipe, still include mixing mechanism and with condensate tank intercommunication's condensate pipe, be equipped with water pump on the condensate pipe, the mixing mechanism includes airtight mixing box, the condensate pipe end part penetrates one end of mixing box, steam outlet pipe intercommunication to the other end of mixing box, steam inlet pipe intercommunication to the side of mixing box, be equipped with draft tube in mixing box, one end of draft tube is fixed with mixing box inner wall and wraps the end part of steam outlet pipe, the condensate pipe penetrates draft tube, and the side of condensate pipe is fixed with a plurality of water jet pipe that penetrates draft tube, the utility model makes full use of low temperature condensate that process itself generates as cooling medium, not only has realized accurate control to saturated steam temperature, still improved energy utilization efficiency significantly, strengthened system operation stability, and reduced environmental influence.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose production, specifically to a system that uses steam condensate to reduce the temperature of saturated steam. Background Technology

[0002] Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC), an important water-soluble cellulose ether, involves a series of intricate chemical reactions and physical processes in its production. In the synthesis of NaCMC, the etherification product typically requires alcohol recovery and evaporation under specific temperature conditions; this is a crucial step in ensuring the quality of the final product. Currently, industrial production commonly uses saturated steam heating to provide the necessary thermal energy for this process, utilizing the latent heat released by the steam phase change for efficient heat transfer. However, the saturated steam temperature used in existing systems is typically as high as 230-300℃, and this excessively high temperature environment has several adverse effects on the quality of NaCMC.

[0003] Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, as a polymer, is highly sensitive to heat in its molecular structure. When exposed to high temperatures of 230-300℃, the following problems may occur: First, the molecular chains degrade, leading to a decrease in the degree of polymerization and directly affecting the product's viscosity characteristics; second, the carboxymethyl groups may detach from the cellulose backbone, resulting in a decrease in the degree of substitution and affecting the product's solubility and application performance; third, side reactions may occur, leading to a darkening of the product's color and a decrease in purity. These changes significantly reduce the application value of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic fields.

[0004] In existing technologies, saturated steam condenses into liquid water after the heating process, and this condensate is typically collected in a condensate tank, where the temperature is maintained at 70-80°C. Unfortunately, this portion of water, which possesses a certain amount of heat, is often not fully utilized in traditional systems, but is either directly discharged or requires additional energy for cooling. This not only wastes energy but also increases production costs and environmental burden. How to effectively utilize this low-temperature heat source while simultaneously addressing the negative impact of high-temperature steam on product quality has become a pressing technical challenge in the production process of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose.

[0005] To address the issue of steam temperature control, the industry has tried various methods, including indirect cooling using heat exchangers, direct cooling by injecting room temperature water, or reducing steam pressure with pressure-reducing valves to obtain low-temperature steam. However, each of these methods has its limitations: indirect cooling is inefficient and results in slow system response; while injecting room temperature water can directly reduce temperature, it leads to excessively high moisture content in the steam, potentially affecting heat transfer efficiency and increasing the burden on subsequent processing; and pressure reduction methods struggle to achieve precise temperature control and can reduce the thermodynamic quality of the steam, impacting system operational stability.

[0006] Therefore, developing a novel system that can effectively reduce saturated steam temperature, fully utilize waste heat resources within the system, and not affect the stability of the production process has become an inevitable direction for the technological development of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose production equipment. The patented technology of "a system for reducing saturated steam temperature using steam condensate" introduced in this article is an innovative solution to this technical challenge. Utility Model Content

[0007] This invention addresses the shortcomings of existing technologies by providing a system that uses steam condensate to reduce the temperature of saturated steam.

[0008] This utility model is achieved through the following technical solution: a system for reducing the temperature of saturated steam using steam condensate, including a steam inlet pipe and a steam outlet pipe, a mixing mechanism, and a condensate pipe connected to a condensate tank. A water pump is installed on the condensate pipe. The mixing mechanism includes a sealed mixing chamber. One end of the condensate pipe is inserted into one end of the mixing chamber. The steam outlet pipe is connected to the other end of the mixing chamber. The steam inlet pipe is connected to the side of the mixing chamber. A guide pipe is provided inside the mixing chamber. One end of the guide pipe is fixed to the inner wall of the mixing chamber and wraps around the end of the steam outlet pipe. The condensate pipe is inserted into the guide pipe, and multiple spray pipes extending out of the guide pipe are fixed to the side of the condensate pipe.

[0009] In this scheme, saturated steam enters the mixing tank through the steam inlet pipe, flows from the outside of the guide pipe, enters the guide pipe through the end of the guide pipe, and then flows out from the steam outlet pipe. During the flow, the water pump pumps the condensate in the condensate tank into the condensate pipe, and sprays it out to the outer ring of the guide pipe through the spray pipe. Through contact heat exchange with the saturated steam, vaporization is achieved, and the temperature of the saturated steam is reduced. When the saturated steam flows through the inside of the guide pipe, it contacts the spray pipe for heat exchange, preheating the condensate inside the spray pipe and further reducing the temperature of the saturated steam.

[0010] As an optimization, a condensate valve is installed on the condensate pipe, and a steam valve is installed on the steam inlet pipe. In this design, the condensate valve and the steam valve control the opening and closing of the condensate pipe and the steam inlet pipe, respectively.

[0011] As an optimization, the condensate pipe and the guide pipe are arranged coaxially. This ensures that the water from the condensate pipe is output evenly and vaporized uniformly.

[0012] As an optimization, the length of the guide pipe is 0.7-0.9 times the internal length of the mixing chamber. The remaining 0.1-0.3 times the length allows for steam flow between the guide pipe and the mixing chamber.

[0013] As an optimization, the mixing chamber is cylindrical, and the guide pipe is circular with an outer diameter 0.5-0.7 times the inner diameter of the mixing chamber. This achieves uniform flow of saturated steam.

[0014] As an optimization, the steam inlet pipe is located at one end of the mixing chamber near the steam outlet pipe, ensuring that the saturated steam flows completely outside the guide pipe.

[0015] As an optimization, the end of the water spray pipe is flush with the outer ring of the guide pipe. This allows the sprayed water to have more direct contact with the saturated steam.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: This invention provides a system for reducing the temperature of saturated steam using steam condensate. Through direct contact heat exchange between 70-80°C steam condensate and the original saturated steam at 230-300°C, precise regulation of the working steam temperature is achieved. This design allows the steam temperature to be reduced to a safe range, effectively avoiding the molecular chain degradation and decreased degree of substitution of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) due to overheating. In practical applications, this temperature control mechanism ensures that key quality indicators of CMC—including viscosity, degree of substitution, and purity—remain within ideal ranges. For example, maintaining an appropriate degree of polymerization helps maintain the required viscosity characteristics of the CMC solution, while avoiding high-temperature damage ensures that the solubility and stability of the product are not affected during application. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention with an insulation layer; Figure 3 This is an internal sectional view of the hybrid mechanism of this utility model; As shown in the figure: 1. Steam inlet pipe, 2. Steam outlet pipe, 3. Mixing mechanism, 4. Steam valve, 5. Condensate pipe, 6. Condensate valve, 7. Insulation layer, 31. Mixing box, 32. Guide pipe, 33. Water spray pipe. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To clearly illustrate the technical features of this solution, the following detailed implementation method will be used to explain the solution.

[0019] like Figures 1-3As shown, this utility model discloses a system for reducing the temperature of saturated steam using steam condensate. It includes a steam inlet pipe 1 and a steam outlet pipe 2, a mixing mechanism 3, and a condensate pipe 5 connected to a condensate tank. A water pump is installed on the condensate pipe 5. In this embodiment, two steam inlet pipes 1 and two steam outlet pipes 2 are provided and connected to each other. This is because in actual production processes, two workstations require the use of cooled saturated steam. A steam valve 4 is installed on the steam inlet pipe 1 to control the opening and closing of the two steam inlet pipes 1.

[0020] Saturated steam in steam inlet pipe 1 flows downward to mixing mechanism 3, then flows out of mixing mechanism 3 and through the bend at the lower end of steam outlet pipe 2 before flowing upward in steam outlet pipe 2. The condensate pipe is split into two by a tee, and each split condensate pipe is equipped with a condensate valve 6 to control the opening and closing of the two condensate pipes.

[0021] like Figure 3 As shown, the mixing mechanism 3 includes a sealed mixing chamber 31. In this embodiment, the mixing chamber 31 is a horizontally arranged cylindrical chamber. The steam inlet pipe 1 is connected to the upper side of the mixing chamber 31. The end of the condensate pipe 5 is inserted into one end of the mixing chamber 31, and the steam outlet pipe 2 is connected to the other end of the mixing chamber 31. The steam outlet pipe 2 and the condensate pipe 5 are coaxially arranged.

[0022] A guide pipe 32 is provided inside the mixing chamber 31. One end of the guide pipe 32 is fixed to the inner wall of the mixing chamber 31 and wraps around the end of the steam outlet pipe 2. The condensate pipe 5, the steam outlet pipe 2, and the guide pipe 32 are arranged coaxially. The length of the guide pipe 32 is 0.7-0.9 times the internal length of the mixing chamber 31, so that a certain distance is maintained between the end of the guide pipe 32 away from the steam outlet pipe 2 and the mixing chamber 31.

[0023] The guide pipe 32 is a circular pipe, and its outer diameter is 0.5-0.7 times the inner diameter of the mixing tank 31. The condensate pipe 5 passes through the guide pipe 32, and its end is sealed. Multiple spray pipes 33 are fixed to the side of the condensate pipe 5, extending out of the guide pipe 32. The spray pipes 33 are arranged circumferentially and axially along the condensate pipe 5, thereby dispersing and spraying the condensate.

[0024] In this embodiment, the end of the spray pipe 33 is flush with the outer ring of the guide pipe 32. This allows the condensate to have more direct contact with the saturated steam.

[0025] In this embodiment, the steam inlet pipe 1 is located at one end of the mixing tank 31 near the steam outlet pipe 2, allowing the saturated steam to flow completely through the outside of the guide pipe.

[0026] An insulation layer 7 is wrapped around the outside of the steam inlet pipe 1, the steam outlet pipe 2, and the condensate pipe 5 to provide thermal insulation.

[0027] How to use this utility model: In use, saturated steam enters the mixing chamber 31 through the steam inlet pipe 1, flows from the outside of the guide pipe 32, enters the interior of the guide pipe 32 through the end of the guide pipe 32, and then flows out from the steam outlet pipe 2. During the flow, the water pump pumps the condensate (temperature of 70-80 degrees Celsius) in the condensate tank into the condensate pipe 5, and sprays it out to the outer ring of the guide pipe 32 through the spray pipe 33. Through heat exchange with the saturated steam, vaporization is achieved, and the temperature of the saturated steam is reduced. When the saturated steam flows through the interior of the guide pipe 32, it exchanges heat with the spray pipe 33, preheating the condensate inside the spray pipe 33, and further reducing the temperature of the saturated steam.

[0028] Of course, the above description is not limited to the examples above. Technical features of this utility model not described can be implemented by or using existing technology, and will not be repeated here. The above embodiments and drawings are only used to illustrate the technical solution of this utility model and are not intended to limit this utility model. This utility model has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art should understand that any changes, modifications, additions or substitutions made by those skilled in the art within the scope of this utility model do not depart from the spirit of this utility model and should also fall within the protection scope of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. A system for reducing the temperature of saturated steam using steam condensate, comprising a steam inlet pipe (1) and a steam outlet pipe (2), characterized in that: It also includes a mixing mechanism (3) and a condensate pipe (5) connected to a condensate tank. A water pump is installed on the condensate pipe (5). The mixing mechanism (3) includes a sealed mixing chamber (31). The end of the condensate pipe (5) is inserted into one end of the mixing chamber (31). The steam outlet pipe (2) is connected to the other end of the mixing chamber (31). The steam inlet pipe (1) is connected to the side of the mixing chamber (31). A guide pipe (32) is provided inside the mixing chamber (31). One end of the guide pipe (32) is fixed to the inner wall of the mixing chamber (31) and wraps around the end of the steam outlet pipe (2). The condensate pipe (5) is inserted into the guide pipe (32). Multiple spray pipes (33) that extend out of the guide pipe (32) are fixed to the side of the condensate pipe (5).

2. The system for reducing saturated steam temperature using steam condensate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The condensate pipe (5) is equipped with a condensate valve (6), and the steam inlet pipe (1) is equipped with a steam valve (4).

3. A system for reducing saturated steam temperature using steam condensate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The condensate pipe (5) and the guide pipe (32) are coaxially arranged.

4. A system for reducing saturated steam temperature using steam condensate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The length of the guide pipe (32) is 0.7-0.9 times the internal length of the mixing box (31).

5. A system for reducing saturated steam temperature using steam condensate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mixing chamber (31) is cylindrical, and the guide pipe (32) is a circular pipe with an outer diameter that is 0.5-0.7 times the inner diameter of the mixing chamber (31).

6. A system for reducing saturated steam temperature using steam condensate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The steam inlet pipe (1) is located at one end of the mixing chamber (31) near the steam outlet pipe (2).

7. A system for reducing saturated steam temperature using steam condensate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The end of the water spray pipe (33) is flush with the outer ring of the guide pipe (32).

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