An aerodynamic mist suction device for a vacuum salt evaporator
By using a combination of a venturi tube and a gas-liquid separator, the problem of quality degradation and material loss caused by foam escape during vacuum salt production is solved. This achieves efficient physical defoaming, reduces costs, and improves system reliability.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202522395571.6
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-12
- Publication Date
- 2026-11-06
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-11-12
AI Technical Summary
During vacuum salt production, foam escape leads to a decline in the quality of the finished salt, material loss, and system blockage. Existing methods, such as chemical defoamers, increase costs and have limited effectiveness, while wire mesh demisters are prone to clogging and are difficult to use for efficient physical defoaming.
A pneumatic foam suction device is used, which uses a venturi tube to generate negative pressure to suck up foam. Combined with a gas-liquid separator, physical defoaming is achieved, avoiding the use of chemical agents. Backwashing pipelines prevent blockage, and PLC controllers enable automated operation.
It achieves efficient physical defoaming, avoids chemical residues, reduces production costs, prevents material loss and pipeline blockage, improves heat exchange efficiency, and is reliable, energy-saving and environmentally friendly in operation.
Smart Images
Figure CN224937657U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of vacuum salt production technology, and more specifically to an aerodynamic foam suction device for a vacuum salt evaporator. Background Technology
[0002] During the evaporation and crystallization process of vacuum salt production, the boiling of brine easily generates a large amount of foam. This foam escapes with the secondary steam, leading to a series of problems: (1) the finished salt contains impurities, affecting product quality; (2) the foam clogs the steam pipes and condensers, reducing heat exchange efficiency and increasing energy consumption; (3) it causes "liquid escape," resulting in material loss and reduced yield. Currently, the traditional treatment method is to add chemical defoamers, but this method increases production costs and carries the risk of chemical residues, affecting product purity. Another method is to install a wire mesh demister at the top of the evaporation chamber, but for continuous and large amounts of foam, the wire mesh is easily clogged, requiring frequent cleaning, and its efficiency in capturing fine foam is limited. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a high-efficiency, automatic physical defoaming device that does not require the addition of chemical agents to solve the above problems.
[0003] Therefore, how to provide a new aerodynamic defoaming device for vacuum salt evaporators that can achieve efficient physical defoaming while avoiding liquid escape and pipe blockage and reducing the use of defoaming agents is a problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Utility Model Content
[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides an aerodynamic foam suction device for a vacuum salt evaporator, which aims to solve the technical problems of reduced quality of finished salt, material loss and system blockage caused by foam escape.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:
[0006] An aerodynamic defoaming device for a vacuum salt evaporator, comprising:
[0007] Foam suction head, the foam suction head is arranged inside the evaporator, and is located in the foam accumulation area above the liquid surface inside the evaporator;
[0008] The venturi tube's inlet end is connected to the compressed air source via an air intake pipe, and the suction head is connected to the low-pressure zone of the venturi tube via a delivery pipe.
[0009] The gas-liquid separator is connected to the output end of the venturi tube via a connecting pipe. The top and bottom of the gas-liquid separator are respectively provided with a gas outlet and a liquid outlet.
[0010] Therefore, this invention uses foam suction heads arranged in the foam accumulation area to guide foam from the evaporator into a Venturi tube via a delivery pipeline. Utilizing the negative pressure generated in the low-pressure area by compressed air flowing through the Venturi tube, it achieves highly efficient physical foam suction without chemical reagents or external power pumps. The sucked-in foam is broken up by the high-speed airflow within the Venturi tube and then enters a gas-liquid separator through a connecting pipeline, achieving gas-liquid separation. The liquid is recovered and reused through the bottom drain port, effectively preventing material loss, while the gas is discharged through the top outlet. This device has a reasonable structure and effectively solves the problems of liquid escape, pipeline blockage, and product quality degradation caused by foam during vacuum salt production. It has the advantages of reliable operation, energy saving, and environmental protection.
[0011] Preferably, it also includes a backwashing pipeline, the inlet end of which is connected to an external fresh water source, and the outlet end of which is connected to a delivery pipeline.
[0012] Preferably, it also includes a check valve, which is installed between the connection point of the backwash line and the delivery line and the venturi tube.
[0013] Preferably, the foam suction head has a ring-shaped porous structure and is made of a material resistant to brine corrosion.
[0014] Preferably, the delivery pipeline, connecting pipeline and gas-liquid separator are all made of materials resistant to chloride ion corrosion.
[0015] Preferably, a liquid level sensor is installed on the side wall of the evaporator near its top to detect the foam height in the foam accumulation zone.
[0016] Preferably, a solenoid valve is installed on the intake pipe.
[0017] Preferably, an air filter and a pressure reducing valve are installed in the intake pipe between the solenoid valve and the venturi tube.
[0018] Preferably, a solenoid valve is installed on the backflushing pipeline.
[0019] Preferably, it also includes a PLC controller, which is electrically connected to the level sensor, solenoid valve one, and solenoid valve two.
[0020] As can be seen from the above technical solution, compared with the prior art, the present invention discloses an aerodynamic foam suction device for a vacuum salt evaporator, which has the following beneficial effects:
[0021] It adopts a physical foam removal method, eliminating the need for chemical defoamers, thus avoiding chemical residues that could affect product purity and reducing production costs. Utilizing the negative pressure principle of the Venturi tube, it eliminates the need for an external power pump, saving energy, protecting the environment, and ensuring reliable operation. After gas-liquid separation, the liquid can be recovered, preventing material loss due to "liquid escape." The gas is discharged in a standardized manner, preventing foam from clogging pipes and condensers, and improving heat exchange efficiency. Attached Figure Description
[0022] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.
[0023] Figure 1 The attached figure is a schematic diagram of the structure of an aerodynamic foam suction device for a vacuum salt evaporator provided by this utility model;
[0024] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A magnified view of a section at point A.
[0025] in:
[0026] 1-Foam suction head; 2-Evaporator; 3-Venturi tube; 4-Gas-liquid separator; 5-PLC controller; 6-Heating chamber; 10-Foam accumulation zone; 11-Inlet pipe; 12-Transfer pipe; 13-Connecting pipe; 14-Backwash pipe; 15-Check valve; 16-Level sensor; 17-Solenoid valve one; 18-Air filter; 19-Pressure reducing valve; 20-Solenoid valve two; 21-Secondary steam pipe; 41-Outlet; 42-Drain outlet; 61-Heated liquid outlet pipe. Detailed Implementation
[0027] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.
[0028] See appendix Figure 1 To be continued Figure 2 This utility model discloses an aerodynamic foam suction device for a vacuum salt evaporator, comprising: a foam suction head 1, a venturi tube 3, and a gas-liquid separator 4;
[0029] The foam suction head 1 is located inside the evaporator 2 and above the foam accumulation area 10 inside the evaporator 2.
[0030] The inlet end of the Venturi tube 3 is connected to the compressed air source through the air intake pipe 11, and the foam suction head 1 is connected to the low-pressure area of the Venturi tube 3 through the delivery pipe 12.
[0031] The interior of the gas-liquid separator 4 is connected to the output end of the venturi tube 3 through a connecting pipe 13. The top and bottom of the gas-liquid separator 4 are respectively provided with an air outlet 41 and a liquid outlet 42.
[0032] Specifically, the top of the evaporator 2 is provided with a secondary steam pipe 21 that communicates with its interior.
[0033] Specifically, the drain port 42 is connected to the feed liquid area of the evaporator 2 or the external discharge via a return pipe.
[0034] Specifically, the outlet 41 is connected to the secondary steam pipe 21 of the evaporator 2 or the mixing condenser via an exhaust pipe.
[0035] Specifically, it also includes a heating chamber 6, which is used to heat the solution in the evaporator 2. The outlet end of the heating chamber 6 is connected to the interior of the evaporator 2 through a heating outlet pipe 61, and the inlet end of the heating chamber 6 is connected to the interior of the evaporator 2 through a pipe.
[0036] More specifically, the outlet end of the heating outlet pipe 61 is funnel-shaped and located inside the evaporator 2, slightly above the middle and below the liquid surface. The inlet end of the heating chamber 6 is connected to the side wall of the evaporator 2 near its bottom surface through a pipe and communicates with the interior of the evaporator 2.
[0037] In this embodiment, a backwashing pipeline 14 is also included. The inlet end of the backwashing pipeline 14 is connected to an external fresh water source, and the outlet end of the backwashing pipeline 14 is connected to the delivery pipeline 12. Thus, the inlet of the backwashing pipeline 14 is connected to the external fresh water source, and the outlet is connected to the delivery pipeline 12, which can flush the delivery pipeline 12 and the foam suction head 1, remove attached foam residue and salt scale, avoid pipeline blockage, maintain the unobstructed foam suction channel, ensure the long-term stable foam suction efficiency of the foam suction head 1 and the delivery pipeline 12, and reduce downtime maintenance caused by blockage.
[0038] In one embodiment, a check valve 15 is also included, which is installed between the connection point of the backwash line 14 and the delivery line 12 and the venturi tube 3. Thus, the check valve 15, installed between the connection point of the backwash line 14 and the delivery line 12 and the venturi tube 3, prevents the gas-liquid mixture in the venturi tube 3 from flowing back into the backwash line 14, avoiding contamination of the freshwater source. This ensures that the foam suction and backwashing functions do not interfere with each other, maintains stable system pressure, and prevents equipment failure due to backflow.
[0039] In another embodiment, the foam suction head 1 has an annular porous structure and is made of a brine-resistant material. Therefore, the annular porous structure of the foam suction head 1 expands the foam capture range, efficiently covering the foam accumulation area 10 within the evaporator 2, increasing the amount of foam absorbed per unit time, and adapting to conditions with large amounts of foam.
[0040] Specifically, the foam suction head 1 is made of duplex stainless steel or fluoroplastic lined with brine corrosion resistant.
[0041] In some embodiments, the delivery pipeline 12, the connecting pipeline 13, and the gas-liquid separator 4 are all made of materials resistant to chloride ion corrosion.
[0042] In other embodiments, a liquid level sensor 16 is installed on the side wall of the evaporator 2 near its top to detect the foam height within the foam accumulation zone 10. This provides real-time data support for subsequent automated control, making the foam suction operation more targeted, avoiding ineffective operation, and improving the level of intelligent foam removal.
[0043] In one embodiment, a solenoid valve 17 is installed on the air intake pipe 11. Thus, the solenoid valve 17, installed on the air intake pipe 11, can achieve precise on / off control of compressed air. Combined with the data from the liquid level sensor 16, it can start foam suction as needed according to the amount of foam, avoiding energy waste.
[0044] In some other specific embodiments, an air filter 18 and a pressure reducing valve 19 are provided in the intake pipe 11 between the solenoid valve 17 and the venturi tube 3. Thus, the air filter 18, installed between the solenoid valve 17 and the venturi tube 3 in the intake pipe 11, can filter impurities in the compressed air, prevent blockage of the flow channel of the venturi tube 3, and protect the core components.
[0045] In this embodiment, a solenoid valve 20 is installed on the backwash pipeline 14. Thus, the solenoid valve 20, installed on the backwash pipeline 14, can precisely control the start and stop of backwashing. Combined with the foam suction frequency or pipeline blockage warning, it enables timed or on-demand flushing, avoiding ineffective flushing and wasting water resources.
[0046] In one embodiment, a PLC controller 5 is also included, which is electrically connected to the level sensor 16, solenoid valve 17, and solenoid valve 20. Thus, the PLC controller 5, electrically connected to the level sensor 16, solenoid valve 17, and solenoid valve 20, enables fully automated control of the entire process: receiving foam height data from the level sensor 16, automatically controlling the start and stop of foam suction with solenoid valve 17, and automatically controlling the start and stop of backwashing with solenoid valve 20. This reduces manual operation intensity, eliminates the need for manual monitoring of foam and valve operation, improves operating efficiency, and flexibly adapts to different foam generation levels, ensuring stable defoaming effects and avoiding human error.
[0047] The method of using the aerodynamic foam suction device for a vacuum salt evaporator provided in this embodiment is as follows: The foam suction head 1 adopts an annular porous structure and is suspended above the liquid surface inside the evaporator 2. When evaporation generates foam, the liquid level sensor 16 detects that the foam height has reached a set threshold and transmits the signal to the PLC controller 5.
[0048] The PLC controller 5 then opens the solenoid valve 17 on the intake pipe 11. Clean compressed air passes through the air filter 18 and the pressure reducing valve 19, and then enters the compressed air port of the venturi tube 3 at a stable pressure and flow rate.
[0049] High-speed compressed air generates a strong negative pressure at the throat of the venturi tube 3. This negative pressure is transmitted to the foam suction head 1 through the delivery pipe 12, which forcefully draws in the foam in the evaporator 2. The foam is violently mixed and collided with the high-speed airflow inside the venturi tube 3, and is thoroughly broken up.
[0050] The crushed gas-liquid mixture enters the gas-liquid separator 4 tangentially through a pipeline. Under the action of centrifugal force and gravity, the liquid is separated to the bottom of the tank and returns to the feed liquid area of the evaporator 2 through the drain port 42 by gravity or elevation difference, completing the material recovery. The separated gas is discharged from the gas outlet 41 at the top of the gas-liquid separator 4. To avoid affecting the vacuum of the main system, the gas outlet 41 is connected to the secondary steam pipe 21 of the evaporator 2 and a check valve is installed to prevent backflow.
[0051] When the level sensor 16 detects that the foam has disappeared and the level has dropped, the PLC controller 5 closes the solenoid valve 17 after a certain delay, and the device stops running, waiting for the next startup.
[0052] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on its differences from other embodiments. Similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to interchangeably. For the apparatus disclosed in the embodiments, since they correspond to the methods disclosed in the embodiments, the description is relatively simple; relevant parts can be referred to the method section.
[0053] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.
Claims
1. A pneumatic foam suction device for a vacuum salt evaporator, characterized in that, include: Foam suction head (1), the foam suction head (1) is arranged inside the evaporator (2) and is located in the foam accumulation area (10) above the liquid surface inside the evaporator (2); Venturi tube (3), the inlet end of the Venturi tube (3) is connected to the compressed air source through the air inlet pipe (11), and the foam suction head (1) is connected to the low pressure area of the Venturi tube (3) through the delivery pipe (12). A gas-liquid separator (4) is connected to the output end of the Venturi tube (3) via a connecting pipe (13). The top and bottom of the gas-liquid separator (4) are respectively provided with an air outlet (41) and a liquid outlet (42).
2. The aerodynamic foam suction device for a vacuum salt evaporator according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a backwashing pipeline (14), the inlet end of which is connected to an external fresh water source, and the outlet end of which is connected to the delivery pipeline (12).
3. The aerodynamic foam suction device for a vacuum salt evaporator according to claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a check valve (15), which is installed between the connection point of the backwash line (14) and the delivery line (12) and the venturi tube (3).
4. The aerodynamic foam suction device for a vacuum salt evaporator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The foam suction head (1) has a ring-shaped porous structure and is made of a brine-resistant material.
5. The aerodynamic foam suction device for a vacuum salt evaporator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conveying pipeline (12), the connecting pipeline (13), and the gas-liquid separator (4) are all made of materials resistant to chloride ion corrosion.
6. The aerodynamic foam suction device for a vacuum salt evaporator according to claim 2, characterized in that, A liquid level sensor (16) is installed on the side wall near the top of the evaporator (2) to detect the foam height in the foam accumulation area (10).
7. The aerodynamic mist suction device for a vacuum salt evaporator according to claim 6, characterized in that, A solenoid valve (17) is installed on the intake pipe (11).
8. The aerodynamic foam suction device for a vacuum salt evaporator according to claim 7, characterized in that, The intake pipe (11) is located between the solenoid valve (17) and the venturi tube (3) and is equipped with an air filter (18) and a pressure reducing valve (19).
9. The aerodynamic foam suction device for a vacuum salt evaporator according to claim 8, characterized in that, Solenoid valve 2 (20) is installed on the backwash line (14).
10. The aerodynamic foam suction device for a vacuum salt evaporator according to claim 9, characterized in that, It also includes a PLC controller (5), which is electrically connected to the liquid level sensor (16), solenoid valve one (17) and solenoid valve two (20).