Drain pumping system and method thereof

Abstract

To provide a drain force feed system capable of easily mixing high pressure drain and low pressure drain with a simple constitution.SOLUTION: Although the low-pressure drain is generated from the low-pressure steam using device 31 and the high-pressure drain is generated from the high-pressure steam using device 41, since the solenoid valve 10 provided in the high-pressure drain pipe 23 is normally closed, the low-pressure drain is preferentially stored in the drain header 5 and the valve chest 61 of the liquid pumping device 6. When the drain level reaches the mixing level L1, the level sensor 7 detects it, and the control part 9 gives a valve-opening signal to the electromagnetic valve 10 to open the electromagnetic valve 10. The high-pressure drain is mixed with the low-pressure drain in the drain header 5, and flows into the valve chest 61 of the liquid pumping device 6 as the medium-pressure drain. When the drain level in the chamber 61 reaches the pumping level L2, the drain in the chamber 61 is returned to the feed water tank 2 through the outflow pipe 16.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a drain pumping system including a drain pumping device that pumps drain using a driving fluid such as steam, and a method thereof. [Background technology]

[0002] The prior art of the present disclosure includes a steam boiler condensate recovery device described in Patent Document 1, which will be described later. Water is supplied to a steam boiler 3 of this condensate recovery device from a water supply tank 13 through a water supply pipe 16. A water supply pump 17 is provided in the water supply pipe 16, and transfers water from the water supply tank 13 to the steam boiler 3.

[0003] Steam generated by a steam boiler 3 is supplied to high-pressure steam-using equipment 1 via a high-pressure header 2. High-pressure drain generated in high-pressure steam-using equipment 1 flows into a drain tank 5 through a trap 4. A drain pump 11 and a hot water jet pump 10 are provided in the piping connected to this drain tank 5, forming a circulation system. The hot water jet pump 10 generates a suction force at a suction port 10c by injecting high-pressure driving water introduced from an inlet 10a through a discharge port 10b.

[0004] The steam generated by the steam boiler 3 is also given to the low-pressure header 7 from the high-pressure header 2 via a pressure reducing valve 8, and this low-pressure steam is supplied from the low-pressure header 7 to the low-pressure steam using equipment 6. Low-pressure drain flows into the discharge pipe connected to the low-pressure steam using equipment 6 and is taken into the suction port 10c of the hot water jet pump 10 via a trap 9.

[0005] That is, the low-pressure drain discharged from the low-pressure steam-using equipment 6 is sucked into the circulation system of the drain tank 5 from the suction port 10c according to the suction force of the hot water jet pump 10, and is mixed with the high-pressure drain in the drain tank 5. In this way, the high-pressure drain and the low-pressure drain are mixed in the drain tank 5, and the pressure in the circulation system rises, but the drain corresponding to this increase is returned to the steam boiler 3 through the return pipe 12. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 55-43205 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In drain recovery systems for steam-using equipment, high-pressure drain and low-pressure drain are often generated, and in such cases, the high-pressure drain and the low-pressure drain must be mixed and recovered. However, when mixing the high-pressure drain and the low-pressure drain, the pressure of the high-pressure drain can hinder smooth suction and mixing of the low-pressure drain.

[0008] For this reason, in the technology disclosed in the aforementioned Patent Document 1, a circulation system including a hot water jet pump 10 and a drain pump 11 is provided, and high-pressure drain and low-pressure drain are mixed by suction of the drain. However, the installation of the hot water jet pump 10, the drain pump 11, etc., causes problems in that the system becomes complicated and large in size.

[0009] Therefore, an object of the drain pressure-feeding system according to the present disclosure is to easily mix high-pressure drain and low-pressure drain with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The drain pumping system according to the present disclosure comprises: a mixing zone that receives the inflow of condensate generated from the steam; a low-pressure drain inlet passage for allowing low-pressure drain, which is the drain at low pressure, to flow toward the mixing region; a high-pressure drain inlet conduit for allowing high-pressure drain, which is drain having a higher pressure than the low-pressure drain, to flow toward the mixing region, the high-pressure drain inlet conduit having an opening / closing means for blocking or opening the flow of the high-pressure drain in accordance with a given closing signal or opening signal; a drain pumping means having a storage space portion for storing drain within the mixing region, an outlet portion for discharging the drain stored in the storage space portion, a pumping detection means for detecting that the amount of drain stored in the storage space portion has reached a predetermined pumping reference amount, a mixing detection means for detecting that the amount of drain stored in the storage space portion has reached the predetermined mixing reference amount and outputting a mixing detection signal, and an introduction portion for introducing a high-pressure driving fluid toward the storage space portion, wherein when the pumping detection means detects the pumping reference amount of drain, the introduction portion is opened and the high-pressure driving fluid is introduced into the storage space portion, causing the drain stored in the storage space portion to be pumped out from the outlet portion; a control means for supplying a close signal to the opening and closing means to block the flow of the high-pressure drain when the mixture detection means does not output the mixture detection signal, and for supplying an open signal to the opening and closing means to open the flow of the high-pressure drain when the mixture detection means outputs the mixture detection signal; The present invention is characterized by the following features.

[0011] Further, the drain pumping method according to the present disclosure includes: a drain pumping means having a storage space for receiving drain generated from steam and storing the drain, an outlet for discharging the drain stored in the storage space, and an inlet for introducing a high-pressure driving fluid toward the storage space; A drain pumping method using a first step of not allowing high-pressure drain, which is the drain having a high pressure, to flow into the storage space, but allowing low-pressure drain, which is the drain having a lower pressure than the high-pressure drain, to flow into the storage space; a second step of detecting that the amount of drain stored in the storage space has reached a predetermined mixing reference amount; a third step of mixing the high-pressure drain with the low-pressure drain based on the fact that the amount of drain stored in the storage space portion has reached a predetermined mixing reference amount, and causing the mixed drain of the low-pressure drain and the high-pressure drain to flow into the storage space portion; a fourth step of detecting that the amount of drain stored in the storage space portion has reached a predetermined pressure-feed reference amount; a fifth step of introducing the driving fluid into the storage space from the inlet port based on the fact that the amount of drain stored in the storage space has reached a predetermined pressure-feed reference amount, and then pumping the drain stored in the storage space to discharge it from the outlet port; The present invention is characterized by the following features. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] In the drain pressure transfer system according to the present disclosure, when the mixture detection means does not output a mixture detection signal, the control means sends a close signal to the opening / closing means to block the flow of high-pressure drain, and when the mixture detection means outputs a mixture detection signal, the control means sends an open signal to the opening / closing means to open the flow of high-pressure drain.

[0013] That is, when the amount of drain stored in the storage space does not reach the predetermined mixing standard amount and the mixing detection means does not output a mixing detection signal, a close signal is sent to the opening / closing means to block the flow of high-pressure drain, so that low-pressure drain preferentially flows into the mixing region. Then, when the amount of drain stored in the storage space reaches the predetermined mixing standard amount and the mixing detection means outputs a mixing detection signal, an open signal is sent to the opening / closing means and high-pressure drain flows into the mixing region.

[0014] Therefore, the high-pressure drain is mixed with the low-pressure drain only when the low-pressure drain that has been preferentially flowing into the storage space reaches a predetermined mixing standard amount. Therefore, since the low-pressure drain is not mixed with the high-pressure drain that has already been stored after the fact, the high-pressure drain and the low-pressure drain can be easily mixed. Furthermore, since the high-pressure drain is mixed with the low-pressure drain based on an open signal output by the control means, the high-pressure drain and the low-pressure drain can be mixed with a simple configuration.

[0015] The drain pumping method according to the present disclosure includes a first step of allowing low-pressure drain to flow into the storage space without allowing high-pressure drain to flow into the storage space, so that the low-pressure drain flows preferentially into the mixing region. Then, in a third step, the high-pressure drain is mixed with the low-pressure drain based on the fact that the amount of drain stored in the storage space has reached a predetermined mixing standard amount.

[0016] Therefore, the high-pressure drain is mixed with the low-pressure drain only when the low-pressure drain that has been preferentially flowing into the storage space reaches a predetermined mixing standard amount. Therefore, since the low-pressure drain is not mixed with the high-pressure drain that has already been stored after the fact, the high-pressure drain and the low-pressure drain can be easily mixed. Furthermore, since the high-pressure drain is caused to flow into the storage space by detecting the storage amount of drain in the storage space, the high-pressure drain and the low-pressure drain can be mixed with a simple configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall block diagram of a steam using system 1 illustrating a first embodiment of a drain pumping system and a drain pumping method according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 2 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the liquid pressure-feeding device 6 shown in FIG. 1, and is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a connection point with a vapor introduction pipe 18. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a flowchart of a drain mixing process program executed by a control unit 9 shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] [Terminology used in the embodiments] The main terms used in the embodiments correspond to the following elements of the drain pumping system and drain pumping method according to the present disclosure.

[0019] Steam use system 1: Drain pressure transfer system and drain pressure transfer method Drain header 5...Mixing area Liquid pressure transfer device 6: Drain pressure transfer means Level sensor 7: Mixture detection means Control unit 9: Control means Solenoid valve 10: Opening and closing means Low-pressure drain piping 14: Low-pressure drain inlet Connection portion of the liquid pumping device 6 with the outflow pipe 16...outflow portion The connection portion of the liquid pumping device 6 with the steam introduction pipe 18... introduction portion High-pressure drain piping 22, 23: High-pressure drain inlet Refill pipe 24... Refill path Valve chest 61: Storage space Float 62 and float arm 63...pressure feed detection means Mixing level L1: Mixing standard amount Pressure level L2: Standard pressure amount Step S1: First process Step S2: Second process Step S3: Third process Steam...Drive fluid Level signal...Mixed detection signal Valve closing signal...Closing signal Valve open signal...Open signal

[0020] [First embodiment] A first embodiment of a drain pressure-feeding system and drain pressure-feeding method according to the present disclosure will be described using as an example a steam using system 1. The steam using system 1 transfers steam generated in a boiler to various steam-using devices, recovers drain (condensate) generated from the steam in each steam-using device and supplies it to the boiler, and generates steam again from the recovered drain by recycling it through reflux.

[0021] (Explanation of the overall configuration of the steam using system 1) First, the overall configuration of the steam using system 1 will be described. Fig. 1 is an overall block diagram of the steam using system 1. As shown in Fig. 1, water is supplied to a boiler 3 from a water supply tank 2 through a pipe 11. The boiler 3 heats the supplied water to generate steam, and this steam is taken into a steam header 4 through a pipe 12. The taken-in steam is then branched in the steam header 4 and provided to a low-pressure steam using device 31 through a pipe 13. A pressure reducing valve 35 is provided in the pipe 13, and reduced-pressure low-pressure steam is provided to the low-pressure steam using device 31.

[0022] In the low-pressure steam using device 31, drain is generated as steam is used, and a low-pressure drain pipe 14 is connected to the bottom of the low-pressure steam using device 31, and the generated drain flows downstream through the low-pressure drain pipe 14. A steam trap 32 is installed in the low-pressure drain pipe 14. This steam trap is an automatic valve that opens and closes according to the amount of drain that flows into the internal valve chest.

[0023] A drain header 5 is disposed downstream of the steam trap 32, and the downstream end of the low-pressure drain pipe 14 is connected to this drain header 5. An inlet pipe 15 equipped with a check valve 33 is connected to the bottom of the drain header 5, and the downstream end of this inlet pipe 15 is connected to the liquid pressure-feeding device 6.

[0024] The liquid pumping device 6 is a device that pumps out condensate stored in an internal valve chamber 61 using steam pressure as a driving source. A float 62 fixed to the tip of a float arm 63 is disposed in the valve chamber 61, and the float 62 rises or falls depending on the amount of condensate stored. The float arm 63 is rotatable around a rotation shaft 63a, and as the float 62 rises or falls, the float arm 63 rotates up and down around the rotation shaft 63a. An outflow pipe 16 is connected near the bottom of the liquid pumping device 6, and the downstream end of the outflow pipe 16 is connected to the water supply tank 2.

[0025] A check valve (not shown) is built into the connection point between the liquid pumping device 6 and the outflow pipe 16, allowing only the flow of drain from the valve chamber 61 toward the downstream outflow pipe 16.

[0026] An exhaust pipe 17 that is open to the outside is provided on the top surface of the liquid pressure-feeding device 6. In addition, a steam inlet pipe 18 is connected to the upper side wall of the liquid pressure-feeding device 6, and high-pressure driving steam is supplied from this steam inlet pipe 18 to the valve chamber 61.

[0027] 2 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the liquid pumping device 6, and is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the connection point with the steam inlet pipe 18. An air intake valve 70 for opening and closing communication between the steam inlet pipe 18 and the valve chest 61 is provided on the upper part of the liquid pumping device 6.

[0028] Air inlet valve 70 comprises a valve case 71, a cylindrical screen 72, an air inlet valve body 73, and a lifting rod 74. A through hole 71a is formed in the interior of valve case 71 along the vertical direction, and the upper opening of this through hole 71a constitutes air inlet valve port 76. The lower end of through hole 71a opens toward valve chamber 61.

[0029] The space above air inlet valve port 76 communicates with steam introduction pipe 18, and a mesh cylindrical screen 72 is placed in this space. Air inlet valve body 73 is provided within cylindrical screen 72. Air inlet valve body 73 is a spherical steel ball, and is located above air inlet valve port 76. Air inlet valve body 73 is guided by cylindrical screen 72 and is positioned so that it can freely reciprocate up and down (in the directions of arrows 91 and 92).

[0030] Under normal conditions, the intake valve element 73 descends in the direction of arrow 92 under the influence of its own weight and the pressure of high-pressure driving steam supplied from the steam inlet pipe 18, contacting the intake valve port 76 and closing the intake valve 70. This valve closure prevents high-pressure driving steam from the steam inlet pipe 18 from flowing into the valve chest 61.

[0031] An elevator rod 74 is disposed in the through-hole 71a in the valve case 71. The thickness of this elevator rod 74 is sufficiently smaller than the inner diameter of the through-hole 71a, and both thickness surfaces are configured as flat surfaces. Therefore, a sufficient space is secured between the thickness surface of the elevator rod 74 and the inner surface of the through-hole 71a, and this space is configured as a flow path for high-pressure driving steam.

[0032] The tip 74a of the lifting rod 74 is formed as a thin, cylindrical bar, and when the lifting rod 74 rises in the direction of arrow 91, the tip 74a protrudes upward from the air intake valve port 76, pushing up the air intake valve body 73 and opening the air intake valve 70. A connecting shaft 74b protruding laterally is provided at the lower end of the lifting rod 74, and this connecting shaft 74b is connected to a sub-arm 75. The sub-arm 75 is swingable about a swing shaft 75a and is connected to the float arm 63 (FIG. 1) described above by a link mechanism. Note that in FIG. 2, the air intake valve body 73, lifting rod 74, and sub-arm 75 are shown as a side view rather than a cross-sectional view.

[0033] 1 is also connected to a pipe 21, and the downstream end of this pipe 21 is connected to a high-pressure steam using device 41. A high-pressure drain pipe 22 equipped with a steam trap 42 is connected to the bottom of this high-pressure steam using device 41, and drain generated from the steam flows downstream through the high-pressure drain pipe 22.

[0034] The downstream end of the high-pressure drain pipe 22 is connected to a flash tank 45. A high-pressure drain pipe 23 equipped with a solenoid valve 10 is further connected to the bottom of this flash tank 45. The solenoid valve 10 performs opening and closing operations in accordance with a valve closing signal or valve opening signal given to it. The downstream end of the high-pressure drain pipe 23 is connected to the drain header 5 described above.

[0035] A level sensor 7 is provided in the valve chamber 61 of the liquid pumping device 6. This level sensor 7 detects when the water level of the drain stored in the valve chamber 61 reaches the mixture level L1 and outputs a level signal. The level signal output by the level sensor 7 is taken into the control unit 9 via an input line 81. The control unit 9 then performs a predetermined process based on the level signal and issues a valve close signal or valve open signal to the above-mentioned solenoid valve 10 via an output line 82.

[0036] A refilling pipe 24 is connected to the top of the flash tank 45. The downstream end of this refilling pipe 24 is connected to the steam introduction pipe 18 described above.

[0037] (Explanation of the operation of the steam using system 1) Next, we will explain the operation of the steam using system 1. The boiler 3 receives water from the water supply tank 2, heats the water, and generates steam. The generated steam is reduced in pressure by the pressure reducing valve 35 and is supplied to the low-pressure steam using device 31 through the pipe 13 as low-pressure steam.

[0038] The low-pressure steam using device 31 uses the provided steam to, for example, heat-treat an object. The low-pressure steam used in the low-pressure steam using device 31 condenses due to heat release and heat exchange with the object during the heat treatment, and low-pressure drain is generated from the steam. In this embodiment, low-pressure drain is generated at approximately 0.1 MPa (gauge pressure), which is slightly higher than atmospheric pressure.

[0039] The steam trap 32 provided in the low-pressure drain pipe 14 automatically opens or closes depending on the amount of low-pressure drain flowing down from the low-pressure steam using device 31, and allows the low-pressure drain to flow appropriately toward the drain header 5. The low-pressure drain that has flowed into the drain header 5 passes through the check valve 33, flows through the inlet pipe 15, and flows into the valve chest 61 of the liquid pumping device 6.

[0040] The high-pressure steam generated in the boiler 3 is also supplied to a high-pressure steam using device 41 through a pipe 21. Like the low-pressure steam using device 31, the high-pressure steam using device 41 also uses steam to perform predetermined processes such as heating of objects, and high-pressure drain is generated from the steam.

[0041] This high-pressure drain has a higher pressure than the above-mentioned low-pressure drain, and in this embodiment, a high-pressure drain of approximately 0.8 MPa (gauge pressure) is generated. This high-pressure drain passes through the steam trap 42 and the high-pressure drain pipe 22, is temporarily taken into the flash tank 45, and then flows from the flash tank 45 down to the high-pressure drain pipe 23 in which the solenoid valve 10 is provided.

[0042] 3 is a flowchart of a drain mixing process program executed by the control unit 9. Normally, the control unit 9 outputs a valve closing signal to the solenoid valve 10 provided in the high-pressure drain pipe 23 (step S1). Therefore, the solenoid valve 10 is closed, and normally, high-pressure drain does not flow into the drain header 5.

[0043] That is, under normal circumstances, high-pressure condensate does not flow into the drain header 5, and only the above-mentioned low-pressure condensate flows in, so that the low-pressure condensate also flows preferentially into the valve chest 61 of the liquid pumping device 6, which receives the condensate from the drain header 5. The amount of condensate flowing into the valve chest 61 increases over time, but the air and steam inside the valve chest 61 are discharged to the outside through the exhaust pipe 17, so the condensate flows into the valve chest 61 smoothly.

[0044] When the amount of low-pressure drain in the valve chamber 61 gradually increases and the drain water level exceeds the mixing level L1, the level sensor 7 detects this and outputs a level signal to the control unit 9. Based on this level signal, the control unit 9 recognizes that the drain water level in the valve chamber 61 has exceeded the mixing level L1 (step S2), and outputs a valve open signal to the solenoid valve 10 (step S3).

[0045] The solenoid valve 10 receives this valve open signal and opens, causing the high-pressure drain from the flash tank 45 to flow into the drain header 5 through the high-pressure drain piping 23. Because low-pressure drain has already flowed into the drain header 5 from the low-pressure drain piping 14, the high-pressure drain mixes with the low-pressure drain inside the drain header 5, and the drain becomes intermediate drain with a pressure intermediate between the low-pressure drain and the high-pressure drain. In this embodiment, the low-pressure drain of about 0.1 MPa mixes with the high-pressure drain of about 0.8 MPa, and the drain becomes medium-pressure drain of about 0.4 MPa (gauge pressure).

[0046] Then, this medium-pressure drain flows into the valve chamber 61 of the liquid pumping device 6 through the inlet pipe 15. At this point, low-pressure drain whose drain level has exceeded the mixing level L1 is stored in the valve chamber 61, and the inflow of the medium-pressure drain causes the drain level to rise further and reach the pumping level L2.

[0047] Here, the float 62 floats up according to the amount of condensate that has flowed into the valve chamber 61, and the float arm 63 also rotates around the rotation shaft 63a. This rotation of the float arm 63 is transmitted to a link mechanism (not shown) connected to the float arm 63, and when the condensate water level reaches the pumping level L2, the link mechanism performs a snap operation, causing the sub-arm 75 connected to the link mechanism to suddenly rotate clockwise in FIG. 2.

[0048] The rotation of sub-arm 75 is transmitted via connecting shaft 74b to lifting rod 74 of air inlet valve 70, causing lifting rod 74 to rise in the direction of arrow 91. As a result, tip 74a of lifting rod 74 pushes up air inlet valve body 73, opening air inlet valve port 76. With air inlet valve port 76 open, high-pressure driving steam that has been introduced through steam inlet pipe 18 flows from air inlet valve port 76 through through-hole 71a of valve case 71 and into valve chest 61.

[0049] When high-pressure driving steam flows into the valve chamber 61, the pressure inside the valve chamber 61 rises, and the condensate stored inside is suddenly pushed out into the outflow pipe 16. This condensate then passes through the outflow pipe 16 and is supplied to the water supply tank 2, and the condensate generated from the steam is returned to the water supply tank 2.

[0050] In this embodiment, the amount of drain indicated by the mixing level L1 is less than the amount of drain indicated by the pumping level L2. Therefore, after the low-pressure drain is mixed with the high-pressure drain and the medium-pressure drain is introduced into the valve chest 61, the drain in the valve chest 6 can be reliably pumped to the suction tank 2.

[0051] The drain water level drops rapidly and becomes below the mixing level L1 as a result of the drain water stored in the valve chamber 61 being pushed out all at once into the outflow pipe 16. Accordingly, the level sensor 7 stops outputting the level signal, and the control unit 9 recognizes that the drain water level has become below the mixing level L1 (step S4), and again outputs a valve close signal to the solenoid valve 10 (step S1).

[0052] Upon receiving this valve closing signal, solenoid valve 10 closes, blocking the flow of high-pressure condensate down high-pressure drain pipe 23. This returns the system to its normal state, no high-pressure condensate flows into drain header 5, and only the above-mentioned low-pressure condensate flows in through low-pressure drain pipe 14, and the low-pressure condensate also flows preferentially into valve chamber 61 of liquid pumping device 6, which receives the inflow of condensate from drain header 5. Steam using system 1 repeats the above operations, appropriately mixing high-pressure condensate with low-pressure condensate and returning the condensate from liquid pumping device 6 to feedwater tank 2.

[0053] As described above, the high-pressure drain generated in the high-pressure steam-using device 41 is taken into the flash tank 45 (re-evaporation region) through the high-pressure drain pipe 22, where it is exposed to low pressure and re-evaporates to generate flash steam. This flash steam is then supplied to the steam introduction pipe 18 through the make-up pipe 24 connected to the top of the flash tank 45, and is replenished with the driving steam. Therefore, in this embodiment, the flash steam generated from the high-pressure drain can be effectively used to replenish the driving steam.

[0054] [Other embodiments] In the above-described embodiment, examples are given for each of the drain pressure-feeding system, mixing area, low-pressure drain inlet channel, high-pressure drain inlet channel, opening / closing means, storage space, outlet section, pressure-feeding reference amount, pressure-feeding detection means, mixing reference amount, mixing detection means, driving fluid, introduction section, drain pressure-feeding means, open signal, control means, refilling channel, first step, second step, third step, fourth step and fifth step, but these are merely examples, and different configurations can also be adopted for each.

[0055] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the mixing process of low-pressure drain and high-pressure drain (second and third steps) is executed by the control unit 9 (control means) according to a program, whereas the pumping process of the drain in the valve chamber 61 (storage area) (fourth and fifth steps) is executed mechanically in accordance with the link mechanism connected to the float 62 and the float arm 63 (pumping detection means) and the automatic opening and closing of the air intake valve 70. However, the pumping process of the drain may also be executed by the control means according to a program.

[0056] In this case, the drain pumping means (liquid pumping device 6) may be provided with a detection means (level sensor, etc.) that detects a pumping reference amount (pumping level L2, etc.) and outputs a pumping detection signal, and an opening / closing means (solenoid valve, etc.) that opens and closes the introduction of high-pressure driving fluid (high-pressure steam, etc.), and upon receiving the pumping detection signal, the control means (control unit 9, etc.) opens the opening / closing means (solenoid valve, etc.) to introduce the high-pressure driving fluid (high-pressure steam, etc.).

[0057] In the above-described embodiment, the level sensor 7 (mixing detection means) directly detects the level of the drain stored in the valve chamber 61 (storage space), but other configurations may be employed as long as they detect that the amount of drain stored in the storage space has reached a predetermined mixing standard amount. For example, the rotation angle of the float arm 63 (pressure-feed detection means) can be detected by a sensor, and the drain level can be indirectly detected based on this.

[0058] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the drain header 5 is used as an example of a mixing area, but other configurations can be used as long as they are areas that combine drains flowing in from multiple flow paths, and a mixing area may be formed directly in the drain pressure-transfer means (such as the liquid pressure-transfer device 6).

[0059] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a float-type liquid pressure-feeding device 6 incorporating a float 62 and a float arm 63 (pressure-feeding detection means) was exemplified as the drain pressure-feeding means, but an automatic valve other than a float type, etc., can also be used as the drain pressure-feeding means. Also, in the above-described embodiment, steam was used as the driving fluid, but air can also be used instead.

[0060] The above-described embodiments can be arbitrarily combined to form new embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1: Steam use system 5: Drain header 6: Liquid pumping device 7: Level sensor 9: Control unit 10: Solenoid valve 14: Low pressure drain pipe 16: Outlet pipe 18: Steam introduction pipe 22, 23: High-pressure drain pipe 24: Refill pipe 61: Valve chamber 62: Float 63: Float arm L1: Mixing level L2: Pressure level

Claims

1. a mixing zone that receives the inflow of condensate generated from the steam; a low-pressure drain inlet passage for allowing low-pressure drain, which is the drain at low pressure, to flow toward the mixing region; a high-pressure drain inlet conduit for allowing high-pressure drain, which is drain having a higher pressure than the low-pressure drain, to flow toward the mixing region, the high-pressure drain inlet conduit having an opening / closing means for blocking or opening the flow of the high-pressure drain in accordance with a given closing signal or opening signal; a drain pumping means having a storage space portion for storing drain within the mixing region, an outlet portion for discharging the drain stored in the storage space portion, a pumping detection means for detecting that the amount of drain stored in the storage space portion has reached a predetermined pumping reference amount, a mixing detection means for detecting that the amount of drain stored in the storage space portion has reached the predetermined mixing reference amount and outputting a mixing detection signal, and an introduction portion for introducing a high-pressure driving fluid toward the storage space portion, wherein when the pumping detection means detects the pumping reference amount of drain, the introduction portion is opened and the high-pressure driving fluid is introduced into the storage space portion, causing the drain stored in the storage space portion to be pumped out from the outlet portion; a control means for supplying a close signal to the opening and closing means to block the flow of the high-pressure drain when the mixture detection means does not output the mixture detection signal, and for supplying an open signal to the opening and closing means to open the flow of the high-pressure drain when the mixture detection means receives the mixture detection signal output by the mixture detection means; A drain pressure transfer system comprising:

2. 2. The drain pressure feeding system according to claim 1, The mixing reference amount is less than the pumping reference amount. A drain pressure transfer system characterized by:

3. 3. The drain pressure-feeding system according to claim 1 or 2, a replenishment passage that takes in re-evaporated steam generated by re-evaporation of the high-pressure drain, supplies the re-evaporated steam to the introduction section of the drain pumping means, and mixes the re-evaporated steam with the driving fluid to replenish the driving fluid; A drain pressure transfer system comprising:

4. a drain pumping means having a storage space for receiving drain generated from steam and storing the drain, an outlet for discharging the drain stored in the storage space, and an inlet for introducing a high-pressure driving fluid toward the storage space; A drain pumping method using a first step of not allowing high-pressure drain, which is the drain having a high pressure, to flow into the storage space, but allowing low-pressure drain, which is the drain having a lower pressure than the high-pressure drain, to flow therein; a second step of detecting that the amount of drain stored in the storage space has reached a predetermined mixing reference amount; a third step of mixing the high-pressure drain with the low-pressure drain based on the fact that the amount of drain stored in the storage space portion has reached a predetermined mixing reference amount, and causing the mixed drain of the low-pressure drain and the high-pressure drain to flow into the storage space portion; a fourth step of detecting that the amount of drain stored in the storage space portion has reached a predetermined pressure-feed reference amount; a fifth step of introducing the driving fluid into the storage space from the inlet port based on the fact that the amount of drain stored in the storage space has reached a predetermined pressure-feed reference amount, and then pumping the drain stored in the storage space to discharge it from the outlet port; A drain pressure-feeding method comprising:

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