Vacuum-insulated transport pipe equipment and pipeline transport system

Abstract

We provide a vacuum-insulated transport pipe device and pipeline transport system. [Solution] The present invention discloses a vacuum-insulated transport pipe device and a pipeline transport system, the pipeline transport system comprising two transport pipe devices, a pump, and a control unit, each of the transport pipe devices comprising an inner pipe, an outer pipe, and an electric heating structure, each of the inner pipes provided inside the outer pipe, each inner pipe forming a sealed chamber between each inner pipe and each outer pipe, each electric heating structure surrounding each inner pipe and connected to each inner pipe, each chamber being vacuumed by the pump by removing the air from each chamber, the control unit controlling the operating state of each electric heating structure and the pump, thereby reducing the transfer of thermal energy to the outside through each outer pipe, making it easier to maintain the temperature of the inner pipe at an initial temperature, and reducing the electrical energy consumption of each electric heating structure.

Description

Technical Field

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[0003]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electrothermal insulation of pipelines used for transporting fluid substances, and particularly to a vacuum-insulated pipeline transport device and a pipeline transport system.

Background Art

[0002] Due to some special requirements for substance transportation, it is necessary to insulate the pipelines for transporting such substances. The insulation means can not only reduce the heat energy escape, but also maintain the pipeline temperature by replenishing the escaped heat energy. In response to such needs, a thermal insulation device for pipelines has been devised.

[0003] A known electrothermal insulation device for pipelines includes an outer skin, a thermal insulation layer, and a heating device. Among them, the outer skin has an inner wall, an outer wall, and an accommodation space. The accommodation space is located between the inner wall and the outer wall, and the pipeline is covered by the inner wall. The thermal insulation layer is provided in the accommodation space, and the thermal insulation layer includes an aerogel heat insulation blanket and a film. The aerogel heat insulation blanket is covered by the film, and the heating device is provided in the accommodation space. The heating device has an electric heating plate, and the electric heating plate is applied to the inner wall. The electric heating plate is mainly composed of a conductive circuit on a heat-resistant insulating substrate. Utilizing the resistance characteristics of the conductive circuit, when an electric current flows through the conductive circuit, heat energy is generated in the conductive circuit to heat such a pipeline.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The main object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum-insulated pipeline transport device and a pipeline transport system.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] The inner tube is provided in the chamber, and the two sealing structures each seal both ends of the chamber along the axial direction of the outer tube, and the inner tube extends through each of the sealing structures to the outside of the outer tube, and a one-way switching valve is provided in the outer tube and communicates with the chamber, and a distance is formed between the heating structure and the tube wall of the outer tube on the side facing the chamber, and an installation hole is formed in the outer tube that connects the chamber and the outer circumference of the outer tube, and an electrical connection port is installed in the installation hole and is formed to be airtightly coupled to the outer tube, and the heating structure is electrically connected to the electrical connection port,

[0008] A vacuum-insulated transport pipe device, characterized in that a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor are each provided in the chamber and connected to the inner pipe, and the temperature sensor is used to sense the temperature of the inner pipe, and the pressure sensor is used to sense the pressure of the chamber, and both are electrically connected to the electrical connection port.

[0009] A pipeline transport system comprising two transport pipe devices, which are vacuum-insulated transport pipe devices, a joint structure, an extraction pipeline, a pump, and a control unit,

[0010] Each of the transport pipe devices is installed sequentially, the joint structure connects each adjacent inner pipe, the extraction pipe connects each one-way switching valve to the pump, and the pump extracts air from inside each chamber by passing through the extraction pipe.

[0011] The control unit, which mainly consists of electronic and electrical circuits, includes two controllers, two temperature sensors, and two pressure sensors, with one controller corresponding to each transport pipe device, each controller being electrically connected to the respective electrical connection ports and one-way switching valves of the transport pipe devices, each temperature sensor sensing the temperature of each inner pipe and transmitting the temperature data obtained by sensing to the corresponding controller, each pressure sensor sensing the pressure of each chamber and transmitting the pressure data to the corresponding controller, each controller includes a microprocessor, each microprocessor runs an application program, and thereby each microprocessor controls the electric heating structure, the operating state of the pump, and the communication or disconnection state of each one-way switching valve based on the respective temperature data and pressure data, characterized in that the pipeline transport system is configured as described above.

[0012] In a vacuum state, each of the chambers allows the thermal energy of the inner tube and each of the electric heating structures to pass through each of the outer tubes, reducing the transfer of energy to the outside. This makes it easier to maintain the temperature of the inner tube at the initial temperature and reduces the electrical energy consumption of each of the electric heating structures required for heating and maintaining the temperature of each of the inner tubes. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view of a transport pipe apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a magnified section of Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a partial system diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing a portion where two adjacent transport pipe devices are joined by a joint structure. [Figure 5] This is an electrical circuit block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, a preferred embodiment of the pipeline transport system of the present invention comprises several transport pipe devices 01, a joint structure 02, an extraction pipe 03, a pump 04, and a control unit 05, wherein each of the transport pipe devices 01 is a type of vacuum-insulated transport pipe device, and each of the transport pipe devices 01 includes an inner pipe 10, an outer pipe 20, and an electric heating structure 30, wherein each of the inner pipes 10 transports a flowable substance (not shown in the figures) Used for this purpose, each of the outer tubes 20 has a cavity 22 formed inside it, each of the inner tubes 10 is provided in each of the cavity 22, and several sealing structures 40 each seal both ends of each of the outer tubes 20 along the axial direction of each of the cavity 22, and each of the sealing structures 40 is connected to each of the outer tubes 20, and both ends of each of the inner tubes 10 in the axial direction extend through each of the sealing structures 40 to the outside of each of the outer tubes 20.

[0015] Each of the inner tubes 10, outer tubes 20, and sealing structures 40 is constructed using a selected metal material, and each of the inner tubes 10 and outer tubes 20 is connected to each of the corresponding sealing structures 40 by soldering, thereby creating a structure with sufficient rigidity to not deform even when subjected to air pressure.

[0016] Each of the transport pipe devices 01 is installed sequentially, and each of the inner pipes 10 is sequentially facing each other along the axial direction. The joining structure 02 connects adjacent inner pipes 10, thereby connecting the inner pipes 10 that are adjacent to each other in the axial direction. One inner pipe 10 is connected to a source of the substance (not shown in the figure), and the other inner pipe 10 is connected to external equipment (not shown in the figure). As a result, the substance is sequentially passed through each of the inner pipes 10 from the source into the equipment and flows.

[0017] A preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 3 has at least two of the transport pipe devices 01, and it should not be interpreted that the number of transport pipe devices 01 constituting the pipeline transport system of the present invention is only two. Rather, by changing the number of the joining structures 02 in accordance with the change in the number of transport pipe devices 01, each of the two adjacent inner pipes 10 in the axial direction is joined by one of the joining structures 02.

[0018] Several one-way switching valves 52 are each provided on each of the outer pipes 20 and communicate with each of the chambers 22, with at least one one-way switching valve 52 installed for each of the outer pipes 20 individually. In this example, it is selected that two one-way switching valves 52 are provided for each of the outer pipes 20 individually. The extraction pipe 03 connects each of the one-way switching valves 52 to the pump 04, and the pump 04 removes the air from inside each of the chambers 22 by passing through the extraction pipe 03, thereby creating a vacuum in each of the chambers 22.

[0019] Each of the one-way switching valves 52 is used to control only the flow of air from each of the chambers 22 toward the extraction pipe 03, preventing air from entering each of the chambers 22 via each of the one-way switching valves 52, and each of the one-way switching valves 52 can be selected to be open or closed as needed, allowing the pump 04 to extract air from one or more of the chambers 22 that are correspondingly in communication with one or more of the one-way switching valves 52 in the open state, while the pump 04 cannot extract air from one or more of the chambers 22 that are correspondingly in communication with one or more of the one-way switching valves 52 in the closed state.

[0020] Each of the electric heating structures 30 is provided in each of the chambers 22, and each of the electric heating structures 30 annularly surrounds the outside of each of the inner tubes 10. A distance is formed between each of the electric heating structures 30 and the tube wall 24 on the side facing the chamber 22 of each of the outer tubes 20, so that each of the electric heating structures 30 does not contact the tube wall 24, and each of the electric heating structures 30 can avoid the transfer of thermal energy to each of the outer tubes 20 through the contact conduction form. Each of the electric heating structures 30 is mainly composed of at least one electric heating sheet (not shown in the figure).

[0021] Installation holes 26 are formed in each of the outer tubes 20 to communicate each of the chambers 22 with the outer periphery of each of the outer tubes 20. The two electrical connection ports 28 are respectively installed in each of the installation holes 26 and are formed to be airtightly coupled to each of the outer tubes 20, so that the penetration of air passing between each of the electrical connection ports 28 and each of the installation holes 26 into each of the chambers 22 can be avoided. Each of the electric heating structures 30 is electrically connected to each of the electrical connection ports 28 respectively.

[0022] The joining structure 02, each of the one-way switching valves 52, each of the electric heating structures 30, and each of the electrical connection ports 28 are all existing technologies well-known to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains, so the details of their specific configurations are omitted respectively.

[0023] The control unit 05 is mainly composed of an electronic and electrical circuit, which includes two controllers 62, several temperature sensors 64, and several pressure sensors 66. Among them, each of the controllers 62 is electrically connected to each of the electrical connection ports 28 respectively. Each of the temperature sensors 64 is respectively connected to each of the inner pipes 10. Each of the pressure sensors 66 is respectively provided in each of the chambers 22. For each of the transport pipe devices 01, one of the electrical connection ports 28 is correspondingly installed. For each of the transport pipe devices 01, one of the controllers 62 is correspondingly arranged. Each of the controllers 62 is electrically connected to the electrical connection port 28 and each of the one-way switching valves 52 of each of the transport pipe devices 01 arranged thereon. For each of the transport pipe devices 01, at least one of the temperature sensors 64 and at least one of the pressure sensors 66 are correspondingly arranged.

[0024] Each of the temperature sensors 64 and each of the pressure sensors 66 are electrically connected to each of the electrical connection ports 28 respectively. Each of the temperature sensors 64 is used to sense the temperature of each of the inner pipes 10 respectively, and transmits the temperature data obtained by sensing to the corresponding controllers 62 through each of the electrical connection ports 28. Each of the pressure sensors 66 senses the pressure of each of the chambers 22 respectively, and transmits the pressure data obtained by sensing to the corresponding controllers 62 through each of the electrical connection ports 28. Each of the controllers 62 includes a microprocessor 68 respectively. Each of the microprocessors 68 operates an application program respectively. Thus, each of the microprocessors 68 controls the operating state of each of the electrothermal structures 30, the pump 04, and the communication state or cut-off state of each of the one-way switching valves 52 based on each of the temperature data and each of the pressure data respectively.

[0025] Each controller 62 receives the respective temperature data and the respective pressure data, and after the microprocessor 68 performs a comparison, it judges the respective temperature data and the respective pressure data according to the difference between the initial temperature and the initial pressure, and selectively controls the corresponding electric heating structure 30, the pump 04 and the corresponding one-way switching valve 52, thereby enabling the temperature of each corresponding inner tube 10 to be maintained at the initial temperature and the corresponding chambers 22 to be maintained in a vacuum state. Such a vacuum state does not necessarily mean that the pressure in each chamber 22 is zero, but rather refers to a state in which the pressure in each chamber 22 is lower than atmospheric pressure.

[0026] The mode in which the control unit 05 controls the pump 04 includes a step of controlling the operation or non-operation of the pump 04, and a step of controlling the output power of the pump 04 when it is in operation.

[0027] In a vacuum state, each of the chambers 22 allows the thermal energy of the inner tube 10 and each of the electric heating structures 30 to pass through each of the outer tubes 20, reducing the transfer of energy to the outside. This makes it easier to maintain the temperature of the inner tube 10 at the initial temperature and reduces the electrical energy consumption of each of the electric heating structures 30 required for heating and maintaining the temperature of each of the inner tubes 10.

[0028] If, for example, the electric heating structure 30 located in one of the transport pipe devices 01 is unable to operate normally, or if a rupture of one of the outer pipes 20 or the sealing structure 40 causes outside air to enter the chamber 22 inside the outer pipe 20, the transport pipe device 01 may be removed for inspection, repair, or replacement. In this case, the controller 62 located in relation to the remaining transport pipe devices 01 that have not been removed controls the communication or shutdown state of the corresponding one-way switching valves 52, thereby enabling the chamber 22 inside each of the transport pipe devices 01 that have not been removed to be continuously maintained in a vacuum state, and enabling the temperature of each of the corresponding inner pipes 10 to be continuously maintained at the initial setting temperature. Furthermore, after the inspection and repair of the transport pipe device 01, which is awaiting removal, is completed, or after the transport pipe device 01 is replaced with a new one, the pump 04 is simply operated to remove the air from the chamber 22 inside the transport pipe device 01 that has been inspected, repaired, or replaced, and reduce the pressure until it becomes a vacuum. The control unit 05 then simply controls the heat generation of the corresponding electric heating structure 30 to raise the temperature of the inner tube 10 until it returns to the initial setting temperature, thereby facilitating the maintenance or replacement of the transport pipe device 01. In a preferred embodiment, after the maintenance or replacement of the transport pipe device 01 is completed, the time required to restore operation is shortened, and the overall electrical energy consumed is kept low.

[0029] Each of the transport pipe devices 01 further includes a first insulating mat 54 and a second insulating mat 56, of which each of the first insulating mats 54 and each of the second insulating mats 56 is made of an aerogel composite nanomaterial having an insulating and heat-retaining effect. Each of the first insulating mats 54 is provided in the chamber 22, and each of the first insulating mats 54 surrounds the outside of each of the electric heating structures 30 and each of the inner pipes 10 in an annular manner, and a distance is formed between each of the first insulating mats 54 and each of the pipe walls 24, so that each of the first insulating mats 54 does not come into contact with the outer pipe 20, thereby preventing thermal energy from being transmitted to each of the outer pipes 20 via contact conduction. Each of the second insulating mats 56 surrounds the outside of each of the outer pipes 20 and each of the sealing structures 40, thereby reducing the dissipation of thermal energy to the outside through each of the outer pipes 20 and each of the sealing structures 40.

[0030] The outside of the joint structure 02 is surrounded by an insulating portion 58, which is used to reduce the dissipation of thermal energy to the outside as it passes through the joint structure 02.

[0031] The control unit 05 further includes a display unit 72 and an operating device 74, of which the display unit 72 and the operating device 74 are electrically coupled to each of the controllers 62, the display unit 72 is used to display each of the temperature data and each of the atmospheric pressure data, and the operating device 74 is mainly composed of an electronic and electrical circuit and is used to operate and control each of the controllers 62.

[0032] Each controller 62 transmits the temperature data and atmospheric pressure data of each transport pipe device 01 located on it to the display 72, enabling the management and maintenance personnel to monitor and measure each transport pipe device 01 remotely via the display 72. This allows them to detect abnormalities and the location of the abnormal transport pipe device 01, making it easier for the management and maintenance personnel to immediately inspect, repair, or replace the affected transport pipe device 01 or pump 04, thereby improving the system's maintenance and inspection / repair efficiency.

[0033] In conjunction with the installation of the operating device 74, the system administrator and maintenance personnel can switch to manual operation in a timely manner based on the presence or absence of abnormalities in the operation of individual components, maintenance and updating of hardware components, version upgrades or updates of the application program, or other needs. They can also intervene in the control of the corresponding transport pipe device 01 or pump 04 in place of one or more selected controllers 62 using higher system management authority, and the system administrator and maintenance personnel can also change the set temperature and set pressure by operating the operating device 74. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 2: Identification number indicating the enlarged portion of Figure 1 for drawing a partial enlarged view of Figure 2. 01: Transport pipe device 02:Joint structure 03:Bleed air pipe line 04: Pump 05: Control Unit 10: Inner tube 20:Outer tube 22: Chamber 24: Pipe wall 26: Installation hole 28: Electrical connection port 30: Electric heating structure 40: Sealed structure 52: One-way switching valve 54: First insulation mat 56: Second insulation mat 58: Insulation section 62: Controller 64: Temperature sensor 66: Barometric pressure sensor 68: Microprocessor 72: Display 74: Operating device

Claims

1. A vacuum-insulated transport pipe device comprising an inner tube used for transporting a fluid material, an outer tube in which a chamber is formed, and an electric heating structure provided in the chamber and surrounding the inner tube in an annular manner, The inner tube is provided in the chamber, and the two sealing structures each seal both ends of the chamber along the axial direction of the outer tube, and the inner tube extends through each of the sealing structures to the outside of the outer tube, and a one-way switching valve is provided in the outer tube and communicates with the chamber, and a distance is formed between the heating structure and the tube wall of the outer tube on the side facing the chamber, and an installation hole is formed in the outer tube that connects the chamber and the outer circumference of the outer tube, and an electrical connection port is installed in the installation hole and is formed to be airtightly coupled to the outer tube, and the heating structure is electrically connected to the electrical connection port, A vacuum-insulated transport pipe device, characterized in that a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor are each provided in the chamber and connected to the inner pipe, and the temperature sensor is used to sense the temperature of the inner pipe, and the pressure sensor is used to sense the pressure of the chamber, and both are electrically connected to the electrical connection port.

2. The vacuum heat-insulating transport pipe apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first insulating mat provided in the cavity and surrounding the outside of the electric heating structure and the inner pipe in an annular manner, wherein a distance is formed between the first insulating mat and the pipe wall.

3. A pipeline transport system comprising two transport pipe devices, each being a vacuum-insulated transport pipe device as described in claim 1, a joint structure, an extraction pipeline, a pump, and a control unit, Each of the transport pipe devices is installed sequentially, the joint structure connects each adjacent inner pipe, the extraction pipe connects each one-way switching valve to the pump, and the pump extracts air from inside each chamber by passing through the extraction pipe. The control unit, which mainly consists of electronic and electrical circuits, includes two controllers, two temperature sensors, and two pressure sensors, with one controller corresponding to each transport pipe device, each controller being electrically connected to the respective electrical connection ports and one-way switching valves of the transport pipe devices, each temperature sensor sensing the temperature of each inner pipe and transmitting the temperature data obtained by sensing to the corresponding controller, each pressure sensor sensing the pressure of each chamber and transmitting the pressure data to the corresponding controller, each controller including a microprocessor, each microprocessor running an application program, thereby each microprocessor controlling the electric heating structure, the operating state of the pump, and the communication or disconnection state of each one-way switching valve based on the respective temperature data and pressure data, characterized in that the pipeline transport system.

4. The pipeline transport system according to claim 3, characterized in that the outside of the joint structure is surrounded by an insulating portion.

5. The pipeline transport system according to claim 3, wherein the control unit further includes a display used for displaying each of the temperature data and each of the atmospheric pressure data, and an operating device mainly composed of an electronic and electrical circuit used for operating and controlling each of the controllers, wherein the display and the operating device are electrically coupled to each of the controllers, respectively.

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