Intelligent system for recycling waste heat of bottle washing machine
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202522762054.8
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-26
- Publication Date
- 2026-11-03
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-12-26
AI Technical Summary
Existing bottle washing machines suffer from high energy consumption and low thermal efficiency during the cleaning process. In particular, when the temperature of the alkali tank exceeds the process requirements, additional cooling water and steam are required, resulting in energy waste.
The system employs a heat pump unit and control module, using a waste heat recovery loop to preheat the alkali solution in the alkali tank. Combined with a shell-and-tube heat exchanger and a steam heater, it achieves active control and precise adjustment of the alkali solution temperature, forming a two-stage heating mode of heat pump + shell-and-tube heat exchanger + steam supplementary heating.
It significantly reduces steam consumption in the alkali tank and cooling water consumption in the alkali tank, achieving an energy saving rate of 40% to 60%. It ensures that the temperature of the alkali tank is within the optimal process range, improves the degree of automation and the stability of cleaning quality, and has a high return on investment.
Smart Images
Figure CN224932995U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of energy-saving technology for industrial cleaning equipment, specifically to an intelligent system for waste heat recovery and utilization in bottle washing machines. Background Technology
[0002] In the beer industry, double-ended bottle washing machines are widely used and crucial equipment. Their washing process typically involves multiple alkali tanks (such as alkali tank one, alkali tank two, and alkali tank three), each requiring a different temperature gradient to ensure optimal washing results. Typical temperature requirements are: alkali tank one has the highest temperature (approximately 82–85°C), alkali tank two has a moderate temperature, and alkali tank three has a relatively lower temperature (approximately 60°C, actually 72–76°C).
[0003] Currently, maintaining this temperature gradient mainly relies on external heat sources (such as steam) to independently heat each alkaline solution tank, especially the high-temperature alkaline tank 1. However, in actual operation, when the bottles being washed and the bottle washing machine containers move from the high-temperature alkaline tank 1 into the lower-temperature alkaline tank 3, they carry a large amount of heat into the tank, causing the actual temperature of the alkaline tank 3 to often exceed the upper limit of the process requirements (70°C). To maintain the process temperature, the traditional practice is to inject cold water into the alkaline tank 3 for cooling. This not only wastes the heat energy from steam heating but also consumes additional cooling water, resulting in a double waste of energy.
[0004] Therefore, existing technologies suffer from problems such as high energy consumption, low thermal energy utilization, and high operating costs, and there is an urgent need for an intelligent system that can recover and utilize the waste heat inside the bottle washing machine to achieve cascaded energy utilization. Utility Model Content
[0005] This utility model provides an intelligent system for waste heat recovery and utilization in bottle washing machines, aiming to overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings in the existing technology.
[0006] The technical solution of this utility model to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows: An intelligent system for waste heat recovery and utilization in a bottle washing machine, comprising a heat pump unit and a control module. The heat pump unit includes an evaporator, a condenser, and a compressor. A waste heat recovery loop is provided outside the alkali tank to draw out and return the alkali solution. The waste heat recovery loop is provided with an alkali circulation pump, an alkali filter, and the evaporator sequentially on the circulation pipeline from the alkali output end to the alkali return end of the alkali tank. A waste heat utilization loop is provided outside the alkali tank to draw out and return the alkali solution. The circulation pipeline from the alkali output end of the alkali tank to the alkali return end is sequentially equipped with an alkali circulation pump, an alkali filter, and the condenser. The compressor is connected to the evaporator and the condenser and compresses the refrigerant gas in the evaporator into a high-temperature, high-pressure gas and sends it into the condenser. The control module includes a controller, a temperature sensor 1 located at the alkali output end of the alkali tank, and a temperature sensor 2 located at the alkali output end of the alkali tank. The controller is signal-connected to the temperature sensor 1, the temperature sensor 2, the alkali circulation pump, and the alkali circulation pump.
[0007] Based on the above technical solution, the present invention can be further improved as follows.
[0008] Furthermore, it also includes a shell-and-tube heat exchanger, which is located on the waste heat utilization circuit. The alkaline solution in the alkaline-water tank flows through the condenser and then enters the heat-absorbing tubes of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger. The heat-supplying tubes of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger are connected to the hot water supply pipeline.
[0009] Furthermore, a temperature sensor three is installed at the alkaline solution outlet of the tube heat exchanger, and a flow regulating valve one is installed on the hot water supply pipeline. Both the temperature sensor three and the flow regulating valve one are connected to the controller signal.
[0010] Furthermore, it also includes a steam heater, which is located on the waste heat utilization circuit. The alkaline solution in the waste heat utilization circuit is heated by the steam heater and then enters the alkaline water tank. The steam heater is connected to a steam supply pipeline, and the steam supply pipeline is equipped with a flow regulating valve 2 for adjusting the amount of air entering the steam heater. The flow regulating valve 2 is connected to the controller signal.
[0011] Furthermore, it also includes a second steam heater, which is located on the waste heat utilization circuit. The second steam heater is connected to a steam supply pipeline, and the steam supply pipeline is equipped with a third flow regulating valve for adjusting the amount of air entering the second steam heater. The third flow regulating valve is connected to the controller signal.
[0012] Furthermore, the waste heat recovery circuit is equipped with a temperature sensor four on the pipe connected to the alkaline liquid outlet of the evaporator, and the waste heat utilization circuit is equipped with a temperature sensor five on the pipe connected to the alkaline liquid outlet of the condenser. The temperature sensor four and the temperature sensor five are respectively connected to the controller signal.
[0013] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:
[0014] This utility model provides an intelligent waste heat recovery system for bottle washing machines. It recovers the waste heat from the alkali tank (tank 3), which was originally drained by cooling water, and uses it to preheat the alkali solution in the alkali tank (tank 1). This significantly reduces the steam consumption of the alkali solution in the alkali tank (tank 1) and the cooling water consumption of the alkali tank (tank 3), achieving a comprehensive energy saving rate of 40% to 60%. Simultaneously, it can actively and precisely control the temperature of the alkali solution in the alkali tank (tank 3), keeping it within the optimal process temperature range to ensure stable cleaning quality. Through the control module, it achieves seamless integration and collaborative operation between heat pump recovery and the original steam heating, resulting in a high degree of automation and eliminating the need for additional manual operation. The system boasts a high return on investment: utilizing heat pump technology, it achieves a high energy efficiency ratio (COP > 6.0), allowing the initial investment to be recovered in a short time through savings in steam and cooling water costs. Attached Figure Description
[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an intelligent system for waste heat recovery and utilization in a bottle washing machine, provided by this utility model.
[0016] The attached diagram lists the components represented by each number as follows:
[0017] 1. Evaporator; 2. Condenser; 3. Compressor; 4. Alkali Three-Tank Water Tank; 5. Alkali Three-Circulation Pump; 6. Alkali Three-Filter; 7. Alkali One-Tank Water Tank; 8. Alkali One-Circulation Pump; 9. Alkali One-Filter; 10. Controller; 11. Temperature Sensor One; 12. Temperature Sensor Two; 13. Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger; 14. Hot Water Supply Pipeline; 15. Temperature Sensor Three; 16. Flow Control Valve One; 17. Steam Heater One; 18. Flow Control Valve Two; 19. Steam Heater Two; 20. Temperature Sensor Four; 21. Temperature Sensor Five. Detailed Implementation
[0018] The technical solution provided by this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.
[0019] In the description of this utility model, if terms such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "inner", and "outer" are used to indicate the orientation or positional relationship, the orientation or positional relationship indicated is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model 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 utility model.
[0020] like Figure 1 As shown, this utility model provides an intelligent system for waste heat recovery and utilization in a bottle washing machine, which includes a heat pump unit and a control module. The heat pump unit includes an evaporator 1, a condenser 2, and a compressor 3. A waste heat recovery loop is provided outside the alkali tank 4 to draw out and return the alkali solution inside. The waste heat recovery loop, from the alkali solution output end of the alkali tank 4 to the alkali solution return end, is sequentially equipped with an alkali circulation pump 5, an alkali filter 6, and the evaporator 1. A waste heat utilization loop is provided outside the alkali tank 7 to draw out and return the alkali solution inside. The waste heat utilization loop starts from the alkali solution output end of the alkali tank 7. The circulation pipeline leading to the alkali return end is sequentially equipped with an alkali circulation pump 8, an alkali filter 9, and the condenser 2. The compressor 3 connects the evaporator 1 and the condenser 2 and compresses the refrigerant gas in the evaporator 1 into a high-temperature, high-pressure gas and sends it into the condenser 2. The control module includes a controller 10, a temperature sensor 11 located at the alkali output end of the alkali tank 7, and a temperature sensor 12 located at the alkali output end of the alkali tank 4. The controller 10 is signal-connected to the temperature sensor 11, the temperature sensor 12, the alkali circulation pump 8, and the alkali circulation pump 5, respectively.
[0021] It should be noted that this utility model uses an alkaline circulation pump to draw out a portion of the alkaline solution from the alkaline tank, which flows through the evaporator of the heat pump unit. After releasing heat and lowering its temperature, the solution returns to the alkaline tank, thus achieving active cooling of the alkaline tank. The heat pump unit consumes a small amount of electrical energy to upgrade the low-grade heat energy absorbed by the evaporator from the alkaline solution in the alkaline tank to high-grade heat energy, which is then released through its heat pump condenser. In the waste heat utilization loop, an alkaline solution from the alkaline tank is drawn out by an alkaline circulation pump, flows through the condenser of the heat pump unit, and absorbs the heat released by the condenser to be heated, thus preheating the alkaline solution in the alkaline tank.
[0022] In one embodiment of this utility model, a shell-and-tube heat exchanger 13 is further included. The shell-and-tube heat exchanger 13 is disposed on the waste heat utilization circuit. The alkaline solution in the alkaline-water tank 7 flows through the condenser 2 and then enters the heat-absorbing tubes of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger 13. The heat-supplying tubes of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger 13 are connected to the hot water supply pipe 14. A temperature sensor 15 is provided at the alkaline solution outlet of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger 13, and a flow regulating valve 16 is provided on the hot water supply pipe 14. Both the temperature sensor 15 and the flow regulating valve 16 are signal-connected to the controller 10.
[0023] It should be noted that in the waste heat utilization loop, the alkaline solution preheated by the heat pump then enters the shell and tube heat exchanger and is reheated by the externally recovered waste heat (hot water at a temperature of about 92 degrees Celsius). The reheated alkaline solution returns to the original alkaline water tank through the steam heater and then back to the alkaline water tank. This process preheats the alkaline solution in the alkaline water tank, reducing the load on subsequent steam heating. During this process, the original steam regulating valve can open its opening in a timely manner according to the temperature of the alkaline solution after being heated by the heat pump condenser and the shell and tube heat exchanger, compensating for the temperature difference that has not reached the process temperature after being heated by the heat pump and the shell and tube heater, thus forming a two-stage heating mode of "heat pump + shell and tube heat exchanger preheating + steam supplementary heating".
[0024] In one embodiment of this utility model, a steam heater 17 is also included. The steam heater 17 is disposed on the waste heat utilization circuit. The alkaline solution in the waste heat utilization circuit is heated by the steam heater 17 and then enters the alkaline water tank 7. The steam heater 17 is connected to a steam supply pipeline and the steam supply pipeline is provided with a flow regulating valve 28 for adjusting the amount of air entering the steam heater 17. The flow regulating valve 28 is signal-connected to the controller 10.
[0025] It should be noted that the steam heater is used to supplement the heating of the alkali solution that is about to enter the alkali-water tank, so as to ensure that the temperature of the alkali solution in the alkali-water tank reaches the process requirements.
[0026] In one embodiment of this utility model, a second steam heater 19 is also included. The second steam heater 19 is disposed on the waste heat utilization circuit. The second steam heater 19 is connected to a steam supply pipeline, and the steam supply pipeline is provided with a flow regulating valve 3 for adjusting the amount of air entering the second steam heater 19. The flow regulating valve 3 is signal-connected to the controller 10.
[0027] It should be noted that in the waste heat recovery loop, the alkaline solution flows through the evaporator of the heat pump unit, releases heat and then decreases in temperature. When the waste heat is insufficient, the second steam heater is started to heat it, and then it returns to the third alkaline water tank.
[0028] In one embodiment of this utility model, the waste heat recovery circuit is equipped with a temperature sensor 20 on the pipe connected to the alkaline outlet of the evaporator 1, and the waste heat utilization circuit is equipped with a temperature sensor 21 on the pipe connected to the alkaline outlet of the condenser 2. The temperature sensor 20 and the temperature sensor 21 are respectively connected to the controller 10 for signal connection.
[0029] It should be noted that temperature sensors one through five are installed at key nodes in the waste heat recovery loop and waste heat utilization loop to collect the alkaline solution temperature in real time. The locations include the inlet and outlet pipes of the heat pump unit evaporator, the inlet and outlet of the condenser side, the outlet of the waste heat supply loop (outlet of the tube heat exchanger), and the outlet of the waste heat utilization loop.
[0030] When the heat pump unit is operating, the compressor consumes a small amount of electrical energy to compress the low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant gas into a high-temperature, high-pressure gas, which then enters the condenser. On the primary side of the condenser of the heat pump unit, the alkali solution supplying water to the alkali-1 water tank is driven by the alkali-1 circulation pump, flowing through the condenser and absorbing the heat released by the condensation of the high-temperature refrigerant. The temperature of the alkali solution is significantly increased (e.g., preheated to 82-90℃). The heated alkali solution returns to the inlet of the original heater (steam heater one) and then back to the alkali-1 water tank. A steam regulating valve is installed on the steam input pipe of steam heater one to provide final precise temperature compensation for the heated alkali solution, ensuring that the alkali-1 water tank reaches the process requirement of 82-85℃. The controller receives signals from various temperature sensors and, after comprehensive judgment, issues control commands to the alkali-3 circulation pump, the alkali-1 circulation pump, the compressor of the heat pump unit, as well as the steam regulating valve and flow regulating valve, to achieve fully automatic intelligent operation.
[0031] The controller is configured to execute the following intelligent control logic:
[0032] 1. Alkali Tank Temperature Control Logic: When the original alkali spray pump of the bottle washing machine is turned on, the alkali circulating water pump is turned on and the temperature of the alkali tank is monitored in real time. When the temperature exceeds the set upper limit (e.g., 61℃), the heat pump unit is started. When the temperature of the alkali tank is below 60℃, the heat pump unit is in standby mode. When the temperature reaches the start-up temperature of the heat pump unit, the heat pump unit is turned on again. In standby mode, the alkali circulating water pump does not stop. When the bottle washing machine stops, the stop signal of the bottle washing machine spray water pump is first sent to the heat pump unit. After the heat pump unit stops, the stop signal of the heat pump unit is fed back to the bottle washing machine spray pump, and then the bottle washing machine spray pump stops. Finally, the bottle washing machine stops.
[0033] 2. Optimized Logic for Alkali-Water Tank Heating: When the original alkali-spray pump of the bottle washing machine is turned on, the alkali-circulating water pump is also turned on, and the temperature of the heating supply circuit outlet (i.e., the heating temperature) and the temperature of the alkali solution in the alkali-water tank are monitored in real time. Prioritizing the maximization of heat pump output while ensuring stable alkali-water tank temperature, the controller will then activate or adjust the steam regulating valve on the steam pipeline for supplementary heating as needed. When the bottle washing machine stops, the stop signal of the bottle washing machine spray pump is first sent to the heat pump unit. After the heat pump unit stops, the stop signal is fed back to the bottle washing machine controller, after which the bottle washing machine spray pump stops, and finally the bottle washing machine stops.
[0034] 3. System coordination and protection logic: Monitor the working status of the heat pump unit, such as the pressure and temperature of the evaporator and condenser, to prevent frost or overheating; when the temperature of the alkali tank is lower than the set value or the heat pump system fails, automatically cut off the heat pump circuit and switch to the traditional steam heating or cooling mode to ensure the continuous operation of the bottle washing machine.
[0035] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.
Claims
1. An intelligent system for waste heat recovery and utilization in a bottle washing machine, characterized in that, The system includes a heat pump unit and a control module. The heat pump unit includes an evaporator (1), a condenser (2), and a compressor (3). A waste heat recovery circuit is provided outside the alkali tank (4) to draw out and return the alkali solution. The waste heat recovery circuit is provided with an alkali circulation pump (5), an alkali filter (6), and the evaporator (1) sequentially on the circulation pipeline from the alkali output end of the alkali tank (4) to the alkali return end. A waste heat utilization circuit is provided outside the alkali tank (7) to draw out and return the alkali solution. The waste heat utilization circuit is provided with an alkali circulation pump (5), an alkali filter (6), and the evaporator (1) sequentially on the circulation pipeline from the alkali output end of the alkali tank (7) to the alkali return end. 8) Alkali filter (9) and condenser (2), compressor (3) connects evaporator (1) and condenser (2) and compresses the refrigerant gas in evaporator (1) into high temperature and high pressure and sends it into condenser (2), the control module includes controller (10), temperature sensor one (11) located at the alkali output end of alkali tank (7) and temperature sensor two (12) located at the alkali output end of alkali tank (4), the controller (10) is connected to temperature sensor one (11), temperature sensor two (12), alkali circulation pump (8) and alkali circulation pump (5) respectively.
2. The intelligent system for waste heat recovery and utilization of a bottle washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a shell-and-tube heat exchanger (13), which is located on the waste heat utilization circuit. The alkaline solution in the alkaline water tank (7) flows through the condenser (2) and enters the heat-absorbing tubes of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger (13). The heat-supplying tubes of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger (13) are connected to the hot water supply pipeline (14).
3. The intelligent system for waste heat recovery and utilization of a bottle washing machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, Temperature sensor three (15) is provided at the alkaline outlet of the tube heat exchanger (13), and flow regulating valve one (16) is provided on the hot water supply pipe (14). Temperature sensor three (15) and flow regulating valve one (16) are both connected to the controller (10) via signal.
4. The intelligent system for waste heat recovery and utilization of a bottle washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a steam heater (17), which is located on the waste heat utilization circuit. The alkaline solution in the waste heat utilization circuit is heated by the steam heater (17) and then enters the alkaline water tank (7). The steam heater (17) is connected to the steam supply pipeline and the steam supply pipeline is equipped with a flow regulating valve (18) for adjusting the amount of air entering the steam heater (17). The flow regulating valve (18) is connected to the controller (10) via signal.
5. The intelligent system for waste heat recovery and utilization of a bottle washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a second steam heater (19), which is located on the waste heat utilization circuit. The second steam heater (19) is connected to a steam supply pipeline and the steam supply pipeline is provided with a flow regulating valve three for adjusting the amount of air entering the second steam heater (19). The flow regulating valve three is signal connected to the controller (10).
6. The intelligent system for waste heat recovery and utilization of a bottle washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The waste heat recovery circuit is equipped with a temperature sensor four (20) on the pipe connected to the alkaline outlet of the evaporator (1), and the waste heat utilization circuit is equipped with a temperature sensor five (21) on the pipe connected to the alkaline outlet of the condenser (2). The temperature sensor four (20) and the temperature sensor five (21) are respectively connected to the controller (10) for signal connection.