Heating apparatus and method for industrial use

Abstract

To provide a heating apparatus and method for realizing high performance while optimizing energy consumption.SOLUTION: An industrial apparatus comprises: a circuit (2) in which an operating fluid circulates, the circuit (2) comprising means (20) for heating the operating fluid and removing an evaporator; a circulating line (31) in which a heat transfer fluid circulates, the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid in the circulating line (31) being 10-500 m3 / h; a first heat exchanger (901) placing the circuit (2) and the circulating line (31) in thermal communication; and an industrial heater (92) comprising a second heat exchanger (902) where the circulating line (31) passes. The heating means (20) comprises a piston pump (21).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to industrial equipment and heating methods for use in industrial equipment. [Background technology]

[0002] Heating devices are known which are used in industrial plants, for example pasteurization plants, where the required heat can be obtained by a fuel-fired boiler.As an alternative solution, a heat pump can be used which uses the classical elements of a reverse refrigeration cycle, i.e. a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator and a throttling device acting on an at least partially gaseous fluid. Summary of the Invention

[0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a heating device and method which allows obtaining high performance whilst optimizing energy consumption, another object is to make the maintenance easier, and a further object is to provide a low noise solution.

[0004] The above technical problems and specific objects are substantially achieved by the heating apparatus and method described below.

[0005] According to a first aspect, the industrial device of the present invention comprises: - a circuit in which a working fluid circulates, the circuit including means for heating the working fluid and removing the evaporator; - A circulation line in which a heat transfer fluid circulates, the circulation line itself is closed, and the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid in the circulation line is 10 to 500 m 3 / h between the circular lines; a first heat exchanger in thermal communication with said circuit and said circulation line; and an industrial heater including a second heat exchanger through which the circulation line passes;

[0006] The device according to the present invention is characterized in that the heating means comprises a piston pump.

[0007] In other words, the evaporator is removed from the circuit in which the working fluid circulates, and the heating means consists only of a piston pump which heats the working fluid circulating in said circuit. As a result, the heating of the working fluid does not require air or liquid from the external environment. This means that the heating of the device is not dependent on the external temperature or on the external temperature.

[0008] According to another feature, the heat transfer fluid is other than water.

[0009] The first heat exchanger is preferably a tube bundle exchanger.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises a volume control means for controlling the flow rate of working fluid in the circuit, said volume control means comprising an electrically operated valve disposed along the circuit.

[0011] According to a first embodiment, the apparatus comprises a steam generator or dryer, the steam generator or dryer comprising said heater, said heater receiving heat from the circulation line and using it for a given process.

[0012] According to a second embodiment, the apparatus comprises a distiller; or an emulsifier; or a pasteurizer, the pasteurizer comprising said heater, said heater receiving heat from the circulation line and using it for a given process.

[0013] According to a third embodiment, the apparatus comprises a reactor for carrying out a chemical reaction, said reactor in turn comprising said heater receiving heat from the circulation line and using it for a given process.

[0014] One of the main features of the invention is that the circuit includes only a piston pump for heating the working fluid circulating inside it.

[0015] The device therefore advantageously comprises an electric motor for driving the piston pump, said electric motor comprising or being a magnetic asynchronous electric motor.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the working fluid is selected from the group consisting of R1233ZD(E), R1234ZE, and R295.

[0017] Advantageously, the working fluid is R1233ZD(E), which has a GWP (Global Warming Potential) of 5, ie a low greenhouse effect.

[0018] According to a particular embodiment, the device comprises a control unit for regulating the temperature and pressure necessary to maintain the working fluid circulating in the circuit in the liquid phase.

[0019] The present invention also relates to a heating method including the device described above, the method comprising the steps of: - Circulates the working fluid in the circuit, - heating a working fluid circulating in said circuit; - carrying out a heat transfer from a moving fluid to a heat transfer fluid recirculating in a first circulation line; providing heat coming from a heat transfer fluid in a heater located along the circulation line.

[0020] Preferably, the working fluid has a pressure of 6 to 8 bar and preferably remains in liquid phase in the circuit at all times. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1A-1D illustrate preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of heating devices and methods. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the approximate, and therefore non-limiting, description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a heating device and method as shown diagrammatically in FIG.

[0023] In the attached figure, an industrial heating device is designated by reference number 1.

[0024] The device 1 comprises a circuit 2 in which a working fluid circulates.

[0025] The working fluid may be, for example, R1366Mzz or R1233 ZD, or an HFO fluid (hydrofluoroolefin-based fluid), such as an ammonia or inhibited calcium carbonate-based fluid or even others. It is advantageously R1233ZD(E).

[0026] Preferably, the working fluid in circuit 2 remains in liquid phase at all times, advantageously between 6 and 8 bar. Preferably, the flow rate of the working fluid in circuit 2 is between 20 and 500 m 3 / h (cubic meters per hour).

[0027] The circuit 2 includes means 20 for heating the working fluid. The heating means 20 will be explained in more detail below. The circuit 2 constitutes a heat pump.

[0028] The device 1 comprises a line 31 for circulating a heat transfer fluid. The volumetric flow rate of the heat transfer fluid in the line 31 is advantageously 10 m 3 / h, preferably 30m 3 / h. The volumetric flow rate of the heat transfer liquid is 500m 3 / h, preferably less than 200m 3 / h, preferably less than 150m 3 / h. Preferably, the line 31 defines a closed path in itself. It is therefore a recirculation line.

[0029] The device 1 comprises a first heat exchange means 5 between the circuit 2 and the circuit line 31. The first heat exchange means 5 comprises a first heat exchanger 901. The first heat exchanger 901 is in thermal communication between the circuit 2 and the line 31. The first exchanger 901 therefore provides thermal communication between the working fluid circulating in the circuit 2 and the heat transfer fluid circulating in the line 31. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the first exchanger 901 is a tube bundle exchanger. This solution is particularly advantageous since in industrial applications it is important to have a significant flow rate. In an alternative solution it could be a plate exchanger.

[0030] Preferably, the heat transfer fluid in line 31 remains in a liquid state at all times. Preferably, the heat transfer fluid is other than water. Advantageously, the heat transfer fluid is an HFO fluid (hydrofluoroolefin-based fluid), such as, for example, R1366Mzz or R1233 ZD-E, or an ammonia or inhibited calcium carbonate-based fluid or even others. It is advantageously R1233ZD(E).

[0031] In a particular mode of operation, the working fluid in the first exchanger 901 undergoes a temperature change of 35 to 85° C. The working fluid is cooled in the first exchanger 901 and heats the heat transfer fluid circulating in line 31.

[0032] Preferably, the device 1 comprises a capacity control means 93 for controlling the flow rate of the working fluid in the circuit 2. The capacity control means 93 comprises an electrically operated valve 930 arranged along the circuit 2. The electrically operated valve 930 is preferably remotely operated. For this purpose it has a special electrically driven actuator (which may for example be a motor or an electromagnet). The valve 930 can be operated by an operator or by a pressure sensor along the circuit 2 in order to keep the working fluid circulating in the circuit 2 in liquid phase.

[0033] Preferably, the electrically operated valve 930 is arranged downstream of the first exchanger 901 and upstream of the heating means 20 .

[0034] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the heating means 20, the electric valve 930, and the first heat exchanger 901 are arranged in series along the circulation path 2.

[0035] Along line 31, the device 1 can include a recirculation pump for the heat transfer fluid. The water recirculation pump is typically a centrifugal pump, which allows the heat transfer fluid to be recirculated along line 31.

[0036] The heating means 20 is a piston pump 21. This is typically a high pressure piston pump 21. The device 1 can be considered as a heat pump in the sense that it has a COP greater than 7, preferably greater than 10. The COP (Coefficient of Performance) is a measure of the efficiency of a heat pump and is given by the ratio of the energy delivered to the power consumed. Nevertheless, in contrast to standard heat pumps, the system of the invention does not include an evaporator.

[0037] This causes the pump 21 to heat the working fluid by acting on the incompressible working fluid, forcing it along the conduits of the pump 21, increasing its kinetic energy and heating the fluid through friction.

[0038] Preferably, the circuit 2 only comprises a piston pump 21 for heating the working fluid circulating therein.

[0039] The piston pump 21, considered as such, is a positive displacement pump of known type. It may be an axial piston pump, but also another type of piston pump. For example, it comprises pistons housed in corresponding pumping chambers. Advantageously, the pump 21 comprises more than three pistons. The pumping chambers are preferably integrated into a body that can be set in a rotational state. The rotation of this body, and therefore of the pumping chambers, causes the pistons to rotate and thus an alternating back and forth movement of the pistons in the corresponding pumping chambers. In fact, the pistons have ends that are pressed by elastic means against plates inclined with respect to the axis of rotation of the pumping chambers.

[0040] The device 1 comprises an electric motor 22 for driving the piston pump 21. The electric motor 22 preferably includes or is a magnetic asynchronous electric motor 22, so that the device 1 can be made quieter. Preferably, the motor 22 includes an inverter. Furthermore, the operation of the motor 22 is regulated as a function of feedback provided by a temperature probe 321 arranged along the line 31.

[0041] The device 1 may include a filter 61 and a sight glass 62, which are preferably arranged downstream of the first exchanger 901 and upstream of the piston pump 21.

[0042] The apparatus 1 preferably includes a soundproof casing housing the piston pump 21 therein.

[0043] The device 1 also comprises a central control unit which controls the overall operation and regulates the temperature and pressure required to maintain the working fluid circulating in the circuit 2 in the liquid phase.

[0044] The device 1 also comprises an industrial heater 92. The heater 92 comprises a second exchanger 902. The circulation line 31 passes through the second exchanger 902. The circulation line 31 thereby conveys the heat transfer fluid from the first exchanger 901 to the second exchanger 902 and allows it to return from the second exchanger 902 to the first exchanger 901. This is along a closed path. The second exchanger 902 is therefore arranged along the circulation line 31. The heat transfer fluid is cooled in the second exchanger 902. The line 31 therefore defines the hot side of the second exchanger 902. The cold side can be a conduit through which a further fluid circulates or the environment where the released heat triggers a process. The second heat exchanger 902 can therefore either release the heat to the environment or transfer it to a further fluid to be heated. Preferably, the heat transfer fluid is liquid and remains liquid along the entire path of the line 31.

[0045] Thus, the heat transfer fluid carries at least a portion of the heat generated in the circuit 2 by the pump 21 to the heater 92 which is then to be used by the industrial device 1 .

[0046] The device 1 may in fact include one of the following devices, as non-exhaustive examples: - Steam generators, or - Dryer; or -stiller; or - an emulsifier; or - a pasteurizer; or -Reactors for carrying out chemical reactions.

[0047] The apparatus includes a heater 92 for receiving heat from the circulation line 31. The obtained heat is used to perform the dedicated process of each device. Therefore, the apparatus can be defined as an industrial heat treatment apparatus.

[0048] The present invention also relates to a heating method for use in an industrial device.

[0049] The method is advantageously implemented by a device 1 having one or more of the characteristics described above.

[0050] This method is - circulating the working fluid in the circuit 2; preferably, the working fluid always remains liquid while being recirculated in the circuit 2 (it can therefore also be called working liquid); - heating the working fluid circulating in the circuit 2. The step of heating the working fluid flowing in the circuit 2 is carried out while the working fluid passes through a piston pump 21 arranged along the circuit 2 .

[0051] The piston pump 21 thereby heats the working fluid. Preferably, at least in the pump 21 (but preferably everywhere), the working fluid is liquid. The piston pump 21 acts on the working fluid, resulting in a pressure increase of 11 to 50 bar, 6 to 8 bar, and / or a temperature increase of at least 100° C., for example when using R1233ZD(E). Downstream of the piston pump 21, working fluid temperatures of more than 110° C. or even 165° C. can be obtained. In addition to providing the heating of the working fluid, the pump 21 is solely responsible for its movement.

[0052] The method comprises a step of carrying out a transfer of heat from a working fluid to a heat transfer fluid recirculating in a first circulation line 31. This is carried out by a first exchanger 901.

[0053] Preferably, the method includes a step of providing heat coming from a heat transfer fluid in a heater 92 arranged along the circulation line 31. The heater 92 uses this heat to perform a given operation. The heater 92 actually comprises a second heat exchanger. For example, the heater 92 can be integrated into a steam generator. In that case, the heat carried by the heat transfer fluid through the second exchanger 902 is used to generate steam.

[0054] Alternatively, the heater can be a dryer that uses the heat to dry food (or non-food) products that can be placed in the environment.

[0055] Alternatively, in the case of a distiller, heat can be used to facilitate the passage of states and separate chemical components.

[0056] Alternatively, in the case of pasteurizers, heat can be used to treat raw materials and fresh semi-finished products at temperatures that significantly reduce the bacterial load while preserving the nutritional properties of the food.

[0057] The present invention achieves important advantages.

[0058] First, it is possible to obtain outstanding heating performance, and also to facilitate maintenance.

[0059] It also provides a compact, low-noise solution.

[0060] The invention is therefore susceptible to many modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept characterizing it, and all of the detailed components may be replaced by other technically equivalent components, and all materials used, as well as dimensions, may in fact be any as required.

Claims

1. 1. An industrial device comprising: a circuit (2) in which a working fluid circulates, said circuit (2) including means (20) for heating the working fluid and removing the evaporator; A circulation line (31) in which a heat transfer fluid circulates, the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid in the circulation line (31) being 10 to 500 m ３ / h circulation line (31); A first heat exchanger (901) in thermal communication with the circuit (2) and the circulation line (31); and an industrial heater (92) including a second heat exchanger (902) through which the circulation line (31) passes; The industrial apparatus, wherein the means (20) comprises a piston pump (21).

2. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heat transfer fluid is other than water.

3. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first heat exchanger (901) is a tube bundle exchanger.

4. 3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a capacity control means (93) for controlling the flow rate of working fluid in the circuit (2), the capacity control means (93) comprising an electrically operated valve (930) arranged along the circuit (2).

5. 3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a steam generator; or a dryer, comprising the heater (92) receiving heat from the circulation line (31) and using it for a given process.

6. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a distiller, emulsifier, or pasteurizer having the heater (92) that receives heat from the circulation line (31) and is used for a predetermined process.

7. 3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a reactor for carrying out a chemical reaction, said reactor comprising said heater (92) receiving heat from a circulation line (31) for use in a given process.

8. 3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an electric motor (22) for driving the piston pump (21), the electric motor (22) comprising or being a magnetic asynchronous electric motor (22).

9. 3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the working fluid is R1233ZD(E).

10. 3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a control unit for regulating the temperature and pressure required to maintain the working fluid circulating in the circuit (2) in the liquid phase.

11. A heating method performed by the device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising the steps of: circulating a working fluid in the circuit (2); Heating a working fluid circulating in said circuit (2); performing heat transfer from said working fluid to a heat transfer fluid recirculating in a first circulation line (31); providing heat coming from a heat transfer fluid in a heater (92) located along said circulation line (31);

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the working fluid has a pressure of 6 to 8 bar.

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