Test device

Abstract

To downsize a device.SOLUTION: A testing device 100 includes: a container 110; a supply pipe 126; a return pipe 128; a fluid circulation device 120 including a pump 124 in which an inlet side is connected to the return pipe 128 and a discharge side is connected to the supply pipe 126; and a test piece 130 which is placed inside the container 110 and in which one end is removably attached to the supply pipe 126 and another end is removably attached to the return pipe 128.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a test apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Heat exchangers are widely used in various fields. For example, heat exchangers are used as an evaporator and a condenser that constitute a binary generator. The evaporator of the binary generator exchanges heat between warm water such as hot spring water and a working fluid. The condenser of the binary generator exchanges heat between cold water such as well water and a working fluid.

[0003] Raw water such as the above-mentioned hot spring water, well water, and tap water contains hardness components. Therefore, there is a risk that scale adheres to the heat transfer surface in contact with the raw water in the heat exchanger, or the heat transfer surface corrodes (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] For this reason, it is desired to grasp the operating time until a problem occurs on the heat transfer surface, such as the operating time until scale adheres to the heat transfer surface or the operating time until the heat transfer surface corrodes, and to evaluate the effects of inhibitors such as scale inhibitors and corrosion inhibitors.

[0005] Therefore, conventionally, a test machine equivalent to an actual machine has been manufactured to calculate the operating time until a problem occurs on the heat transfer surface and to evaluate the effects of inhibitors.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] However, in the above prior art, the testing machine becomes large-scale, and in order to calculate the operation time until a problem occurs on the heat transfer surface, it is necessary to pass a large amount of raw water through the testing machine. In addition, the operation time until a problem occurs on the heat transfer surface may be as long as about 10 months to 1 year.

[0008] In view of such problems, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a testing device capable of miniaturizing the device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, a testing device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a fluid circulation device having a container, a supply pipe, a return pipe, and a pump whose suction side is connected to the return pipe and whose discharge side is connected to the supply pipe, and a test object whose one end is detachably provided on the supply pipe and whose other end is detachably provided on the return pipe and is arranged in the container.

[0010] Further, the container may be formed of a material that is at least partially transparent.

[0011] Further, the container may have an opening formed at least partially.

[0012] Further, the container stores a solution containing a hardness component, and the testing device may include a temperature adjustment unit that adjusts the temperature of the solution stored in the container.

[0013] Further, the container stores a solution containing a hardness component, and the testing device may include a concentration adjustment unit that adjusts the concentration of the hardness component contained in the solution stored in the container.

[0014] Further, scale may adhere to the outer surface of the test object due to the hardness component contained in the solution.

[0015] Further, the testing device may include a stirring unit provided in the container.

Effects of the Invention

[0016] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to miniaturize the device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values shown in such embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding and do not limit the present disclosure unless otherwise specified. In the present specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals to omit redundant descriptions, and elements not directly related to the present disclosure are not shown.

[0019] [Test Device 100] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a test device 100 according to the present embodiment. The test device 100 is a device simulating a heat exchanger. As shown in FIG. 1, the test device 100 includes a container 110, a fluid circulation device 120, a test body 130, a stirrer 140, a temperature adjustment device 150, a liquid level adjustment device 160, a first liquid level sensor 170, a second liquid level sensor 172, a temperature sensor 174, and a central control unit 180. In FIG. 1, solid arrows indicate the flow direction of the refrigerant. Also, in FIG. 1, dashed arrows indicate the signal flow.

[0020] Container 110 stores solution S. Solution S is a liquid that mimics raw water such as hot spring water, well water, or tap water. That is, solution S is a liquid containing hardness components. Hardness components are substances that cause scale. Hardness components are, for example, calcium compounds, magnesium compounds, and silicon compounds. The calcium compound is, for example, calcium carbonate. The magnesium compound is, for example, magnesium carbonate. The silicon compound is, for example, silica. Note that, in order to perform the evaluation earlier, a liquid containing a higher concentration of hardness components than the raw water may be used as solution S.

[0021] Container 110 has, for example, a cylindrical shape. Container 110 is formed of a transparent material such as glass or plastic. Here, "transparent" means being transparent to such an extent that the inside of container 110 can be visually recognized from the outside. Also, container 110 has heat resistance and chemical resistance. In the present embodiment, the upper surface of container 110 is open.

[0022] Fluid circulation device 120 circulates a fluid (for example, a refrigerant) inside test body 130 described later. In the present embodiment, fluid circulation device 120 includes refrigerant storage unit 122, pump 124, supply pipe 126, and return pipe 128.

[0023] Refrigerant storage unit 122 stores the refrigerant. Also, in the present embodiment, refrigerant storage unit 122 cools the stored refrigerant.

[0024] Pump 124 sucks the refrigerant from refrigerant storage unit 122 and supplies it to test body 130 through supply pipe 126. Also, pump 124 sucks the refrigerant from test body 130 through return pipe 128 and supplies it to refrigerant storage unit 122. The suction side of pump 124 is connected to return pipe 128. The discharge side of pump 124 is connected to supply pipe 126.

[0025] Supply pipe 126 and return pipe 128 are formed of a flexible material. The flexible material is, for example, rubber or elastomer. That is, supply pipe 126 and return pipe 128 are rubber hoses.

[0026] One end opening of the supply pipe 126 is connected to the discharge side of the pump 124. The opening 126a at the other end of the supply pipe 126 is connected to the opening 130a at one end of the test body 130.

[0027] One end opening of the return pipe 128 is connected to the suction side of the pump 124. The opening 128a at the other end of the return pipe 128 is connected to the opening 130b at the other end of the test body 130.

[0028] The fluid circulation device 120 is driven and controlled by a circulation control unit 210 described later.

[0029] The test body 130 is tubular. In this embodiment, the test body 130 is a U-shaped tube. The test body 130 is formed of metal. The metal is, for example, stainless steel (SUS), copper.

[0030] The test body 130 is disposed in the container 110. Specifically, the test body 130 is immersed in the solution S stored in the container 110.

[0031] Also, the opening 130a at one end of the test body 130 is detachably connected to the opening 126a of the supply pipe 126. The opening 130b at the other end of the test body 130 is detachably connected to the opening 128a of the return pipe 128. Note that the outer diameter of the test body 130 is slightly larger than the inner diameters of the supply pipe 126 and the return pipe 128.

[0032] When the pump 124 of the fluid circulation device 120 is driven, the refrigerant is supplied to the test body 130 through the supply pipe 126 (opening 126a). Then, after passing through the test body 130, the refrigerant is returned to the fluid circulation device 120 through the return pipe 128 (opening 128a). In this way, the refrigerant circulates through the test body 130.

[0033] The stirrer 140 stirs the solution S in the container 110. In this embodiment, the stirrer 140 includes a stirring bar 142 and a magnetic stirrer 144. The stirring bar 142 (stirring unit) is provided in the container 110. The container 110 is placed on the magnetic stirrer 144. The magnetic stirrer 144 rotates the stirring bar 142. Due to the rotation of the stirring bar 142, the solution S in the container 110 is stirred.

[0034] Note that the stirrer 140 is not limited in configuration as long as it can stir the solution S in the container 110. The stirrer 140 may include a stirring blade (stirring unit) provided in the container 110 and a motor for rotating the stirring blade.

[0035] The stirrer 140 is driven and controlled by a stirring control unit 216 described later.

[0036] The temperature adjustment device 150 heats the solution S in the container 110. The temperature adjustment device 150 is, for example, an electric heater. The temperature adjustment device 150 is driven and controlled by a temperature adjustment unit 212 described later.

[0037] The liquid level adjustment device 160 supplies water (e.g., pure water) into the container 110. The liquid level adjustment device 160 is driven and controlled by a concentration adjustment unit 214 described later.

[0038] The first liquid level sensor 170 and the second liquid level sensor 172 detect the position (liquid level) of the liquid level of the solution S stored in the container 110.

[0039] The temperature sensor 174 detects the temperature of the solution S stored in the container 110.

[0040] The central control unit 180 is composed of a semiconductor integrated circuit including a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The central control unit 180 reads out programs, parameters, etc. for operating the CPU from the ROM. The central control unit 180 manages and controls the entire test device 100 in cooperation with a RAM as a work area and other electronic circuits.

[0041] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the central control unit 180 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, the dashed arrows indicate the signal flow.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, the central control unit 180 functions as a circulation control unit 210, a temperature adjustment unit 212, a concentration adjustment unit 214, and a stirring control unit 216.

[0043] The circulation control unit 210 controls the fluid circulation device 120. The circulation control unit 210 controls, for example, either or both of the cooling by the refrigerant storage unit 122 and the output of the pump 124 so that the surface temperature of the test body 130 becomes the first target temperature T1.

[0044] The temperature adjustment unit 212 adjusts the temperature of the solution S stored in the container 110. In the present embodiment, the temperature adjustment unit 212 controls the temperature adjustment device 150 so that the detected value of the temperature sensor 174 becomes the second target temperature T2. Note that the second target temperature T2 is higher than the first target temperature T1.

[0045] Further, the temperature adjustment unit 212 stops the temperature adjustment device 150 when the detected value of the first liquid level sensor 170 is less than the first liquid level L1. The first liquid level L1 is a liquid level that can be regarded as dry burning.

[0046] The concentration adjustment unit 214 adjusts the concentration of the hardness component contained in the solution S stored in the container 110. In the present embodiment, the concentration adjustment unit 214 controls the liquid level adjustment device 160 so that the detected value of the second liquid level sensor 172 becomes the second liquid level L2. The second liquid level L2 is the liquid level of the solution S stored in the container 110 before the test by the test device 100 starts. The second liquid level L2 is a value exceeding the first liquid level L1.

[0047] As described above, since the upper surface of the container 110 is open, if it continues to be heated by the temperature adjustment device 150, the water in the solution S evaporates, and the concentration of the hardness components contained in the solution S increases. Therefore, the concentration adjustment unit 214 controls the liquid level adjustment device 160 to supply water so that the detected value of the second liquid level sensor 172 becomes the second liquid level L2. As a result, the concentration adjustment unit 214 can maintain the concentration of the hardness components contained in the solution S stored in the container 110 at the set value.

[0048] The stirring control unit 216 controls the stirrer 140. For example, the stirring control unit 216 controls the rotational speed of the stirring bar 142 so that the flow velocity temperature of the solution S on the outer surface of the test body 130 becomes the target value.

[0049] As described above, the test apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a container 110, a fluid circulation device 120, and a test body 130 detachably provided on the fluid circulation device 120. In the test apparatus 100, the test body 130 may have a size that allows it to be immersed in the solution S stored in the container 110. Therefore, the test apparatus 100 can reduce the size of the apparatus itself compared to a conventional testing machine equivalent to the actual machine. Thus, the test apparatus 100 can reduce the cost of the apparatus itself compared to a conventional testing machine.

[0050] Further, in the test apparatus 100, the refrigerant circulates inside the test body 130, and the solution S contacts the outside of the test body 130. Therefore, scale can be attached to the outer surface (heat transfer surface) of the test body 130 by the hardness components contained in the solution S. Also, as described above, the upper surface of the container 110 is open, and the container 110 is formed of a transparent material. Therefore, it is possible to confirm (visually recognize) defects (scale adhesion and corrosion) on the outer surface (heat transfer surface) of the test body 130 from the outside of the test apparatus 100. For this reason, unlike a conventional testing machine, the test apparatus 100 can confirm defects on the heat transfer surface without disassembling the apparatus.

[0051] In addition, the test apparatus 100 can freely change the concentration of the hardness components in the solution S (solution S in the initial state) stored in the container 110. In other words, the container 110 can store the solution S containing the hardness components at a desired concentration. Therefore, for example, a test can be performed by storing in the container 110 a solution S having a higher concentration of hardness components than the raw water supplied to the actual machine. In this case, the time until a problem occurs in the test body 130 can be shortened compared to the case where raw water is stored in the container 110. Thereby, for example, if an inhibitor such as a scale inhibitor or a corrosion inhibitor is introduced into the container 110 and a test is performed, the effect of the inhibitor can be evaluated at an early stage.

[0052] Also, as described above, the test apparatus 100 includes a circulation control unit 210 and a temperature adjustment unit 212. Thereby, the test apparatus 100 can freely change the temperature difference between the refrigerant and the solution S. That is, the test apparatus 100 can freely change the temperature difference (temperature difference of the heat transfer surface) between the inside and the outside of the test body 130. Therefore, for example, a test can be performed by increasing the temperature difference between the refrigerant and the solution S compared to the site where the actual machine is installed. In this case, the time until a problem occurs in the test body 130 can be shortened compared to the on-site environment where the actual machine is installed. Thereby, for example, if an inhibitor is introduced into the container 110 and a test is performed, the effect of the inhibitor can be evaluated at an early stage.

[0053] Also, as described above, the test apparatus 100 includes a concentration adjustment unit 214. Thereby, the test apparatus 100 can maintain the solution S at the set concentration. Therefore, the test apparatus 100 can perform a stable test.

[0054] Also, as described above, the test apparatus 100 includes a stirrer 140. Thereby, the stirrer 140 can avoid a situation where the concentration of the solution S becomes uneven in the container 110.

[0055] Also, as described above, the test apparatus 100 includes a stirring control unit 216. Thereby, the test apparatus 100 can freely change the flow rate of the solution S flowing on the outer surface of the test body 130. For this reason, for example, it is possible to perform a test by increasing the flow rate of the solution S flowing on the outer surface of the test body 130 compared to the site where the actual machine is installed. It is possible to shorten the scale adhesion time compared to the site where the heat exchanger is installed. In this case, it is possible to shorten the time until a problem occurs in the test body 130 compared to the site environment where the actual machine is installed. Thereby, for example, if a test is performed by introducing an inhibitor into the container 110, it becomes possible to evaluate the effect of the inhibitor at an early stage.

[0056] Also, as described above, the test apparatus 100 includes a first liquid level sensor 170 and a temperature adjustment unit 212. Thereby, the test apparatus 100 can prevent dry burning by the temperature adjustment apparatus 150.

[0057] As described above, the embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Needless to say, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. It is obvious that those skilled in the art can conceive of various modification examples or correction examples within the scope described in the claims, and it is naturally understood that those also belong to the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0058] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the upper surface of the container 110 is open has been taken as an example. However, the upper surface of the container 110 does not have to be open. The container 110 may have an opening formed at least in part. For example, an opening may be formed at the upper part on the side surface of the container 110. In this case, the outer surface of the test body 130 can be confirmed through the opening.

[0059] Also, in the above embodiment, the case where the container 110 is formed of a transparent material has been taken as an example. However, at least a part of the container 110 may be formed of a transparent material. In this case, the outer surface of the test body 130 can be confirmed through the portion (window) formed of the transparent material.

[0060] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the test apparatus 100 includes the temperature adjustment device 150 and the temperature adjustment unit 212 has been given as an example. However, the test apparatus 100 does not necessarily have to include the temperature adjustment device 150 and the temperature adjustment unit 212. The test apparatus 100 only needs to include at least the fluid circulation device 120 and be able to create a temperature difference between the inside and the outside of the test body 130.

[0061] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the refrigerant storage unit 122 cools the stored refrigerant has been given as an example. However, the refrigerant storage unit 122 may heat the stored refrigerant. The test apparatus 100 only needs to be able to create a temperature difference between the inside and the outside of the test body 130. For example, the inside of the test body 130 may be at a higher temperature than the outside.

[0062] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the temperature adjustment device 150 heats the solution S in the container 110 has been given as an example. However, the temperature adjustment device 150 may cool the solution S in the container 110. The test apparatus 100 only needs to be able to create a temperature difference between the inside and the outside of the test body 130. For example, the inside of the test body 130 may be at a higher temperature than the outside.

[0063] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the test apparatus 100 includes the liquid level adjustment device 160 and the concentration adjustment unit 214 has been given as an example. However, the test apparatus 100 does not necessarily have to include the liquid level adjustment device 160 and the concentration adjustment unit 214. For example, when the container 110 is a sealed container, the liquid level adjustment device 160 and the concentration adjustment unit 214 can be omitted.

[0064] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the test apparatus 100 includes the stirrer 140 has been given as an example. However, the stirrer 140 is not an essential component.

[0065] The present disclosure can contribute, for example, to Goal 12 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), "Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns."

Description of Reference Numerals

[0066] Solution S 100 Test apparatus 110 Container 120 Fluid circulation device 124 Pump 126 Supply pipe 128 Return pipe 130 Specimen 142 Stirrer (stirring part) 212 Temperature adjustment part 214 Concentration adjustment part

Claims

1. a container, a supply pipe, a return pipe, and a fluid circulation device having a pump with an inlet connected to the return pipe and an outlet connected to the supply pipe, a test body disposed in the container, having one end detachably provided on the supply pipe and the other end detachably provided on the return pipe, A test apparatus comprising:

2. The test apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the container is formed of a transparent material.

3. The test apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a part of the container has an opening formed therein.

4. The container stores a solution containing a hardness component, The test apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a temperature adjustment unit configured to adjust the temperature of the solution stored in the container.

5. The container stores a solution containing a hardness component, The test apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a concentration adjustment unit configured to adjust the concentration of the hardness component contained in the solution stored in the container.

6. The test apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein scale adheres to the outer surface of the test body due to the hardness component contained in the solution.

7. The test apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a stirring unit provided in the container.

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