Connecting element and method for connecting modules of a droplet separator

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connecting element (10) for connecting two modules (20) of a droplet separator arranged adjacent to one another, wherein the connecting element (10) is designed as a clamping rail which has a longitudinally extended clamping body (12), wherein the clamping body (12) has a rear wall (14) and a clamping gap (16) opposite the rear wall (14), said clamping gap (16) being open along the length of the clamping body (12), and wherein the connecting element (10) has a free inner cross-section (18) which is complementary to a retaining body (24) formed from at least two retaining elements (22) each arranged on one of the modules (20).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Connecting element and method for connecting modules of a droplet separator

[0003] The present invention relates to a connecting element for connecting two adjacent modules of a droplet separator, a method for connecting two adjacent modules of a droplet separator and a droplet separator with a plurality of modules each having droplet separating elements.

[0004] Droplet separators are used, for example, in flue gas cleaning systems, in particular in flue gas desulphurization systems. Before the flue gas is treated with the separator device, the flue gas is usually cleaned in a wet scrubbing process in a flue gas cleaning system, in particular to remove sulphur dioxide (SO2) from the flue gas. The cleaned gas is then fed into the separator device to remove any particles and droplets remaining in the gas stream after wet scrubbing. Typically, such separator devices are arranged in a gas flow oriented vertically from bottom to top, so that the particles and droplets collecting on the separator elements can fall or rain down against the gas flow due to gravity. If the separator levels are suitably inclined or inclined downwards in a vertical direction, the liquid can flow downwards along the separator elements of the separator levels, following the force of gravity, and continue to rain downwards in a strand. Below the separator device, the falling or flowing particles and droplets are usually collected in a so-called scrubber sump.

[0005] Larger droplet separator systems are preferably constructed in a modular fashion, such that several droplet separator modules, each with separator levels through which a gas flow passes, are arranged adjacent to each other in a flow channel transverse to the direction of flow of the gas flow. The modules are arranged in such a way that the gas flow introduced into the flow channel is forced to pass through the modules arranged next to each other.

[0006] Experience shows that a gap can form between the modules during the operation of modular separator systems. The gap formation can be caused, for example, by mechanical loads or temperature-related expansion of the module chassis. The present invention is based on the task of providing a connecting element for connecting two adjacent modules of a droplet separator of the type described above, which counteracts gap formation between the modules. The task is also to provide a method for connecting two adjacent modules of a droplet separator and a droplet separator with several interconnected modules.

[0007] The problem is solved by a connecting element with the features of claim 1. Claim 10 describes a method that solves the problem and claim 13 describes a droplet separator that solves the problem. Advantageous embodiments are given in the subclaims.

[0008] According to the invention is a connecting element for connecting two modules of a droplet separator arranged adjacent to one another, wherein the connecting element is designed as a clamping rail which has a longitudinally extended clamping body, wherein the clamping body has a rear wall and a clamping gap opposite the rear wall and open along the length of the clamping body, and wherein the connecting element has a free inner cross-section which is complementary to a retaining body formed from at least two retaining elements each arranged on one of the modules.

[0009] In order to prevent gaps forming between the modules as effectively as possible, the modules are connected to one another using at least one connecting element according to the invention. For example, the modules to be connected have dimensions of approx. 2200 mm in length, approx. 600 mm in width and approx. 1000 mm in height. Due to the relatively large chassis dimensions of the module, larger material expansions or shrinkages can occur, particularly at high operating temperatures or during temperature changes. Due to such expansion effects, large forces can sometimes act on a connection between the modules.

[0010] Connecting elements used to date are designed, for example, as a point-fit dovetail connection. The tolerance dimensions of such classic connecting elements must be relatively high in order to enable a pairing between the connecting element and the counterparts on the modules, even with slightly irregularly aligned modules. By designing the connecting element as a clamping rail in accordance with the invention, a clamping force acting over a longitudinally extended area can be exerted on the modules to be connected. The clamping connection between the modules produced by the connecting element according to the invention can reduce gap expansion, particularly in the event of material expansion caused by temperature fluctuations.

[0011] To support high clamping forces, according to an embodiment the clamping body of the connecting element applies an actuating force that forces the clamping gap into a closed position. In this configuration, the clamping gap has a gap width in the closed position before it is attached to the retaining body that is smaller than the width of a clamping area of the retaining body in which the gap edges of the clamping gap come into contact in the assembled position. In particular, the clamping gap can be completely closed in the closed position before fitting onto the retaining body. When the connecting element is fitted, the clamping gap is widened so that it has to be forced over the clamping area of the retaining body. This results in a particularly high clamping force between the connecting element and the retaining body.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the connecting element has at one end in its longitudinal direction an opening exposing the inner cross-section of the connecting element, such that the connecting element can be plugged onto the retaining body with its end face opening to create a force-fit and / or form-fit connection of the modules. The retaining body, which is formed from two retaining elements each arranged on one of the modules, preferably has a length that corresponds to the length of the clamping body of the connecting element or is greater than the length of the clamping body of the connecting element. This ensures that the clamping gap can rest against the clamping areas of the retaining body over its entire length in the assembled position and can transmit a clamping force to the retaining body over its entire length.

[0013] The connecting element according to the invention, which is designed as a longitudinally extended clamping rail, is preferably driven in from above over the retaining elements of the respective modules to produce a clamping connection between the modules. This produces a force-fit and / or form-fit connection between the modules which, depending on the design of the retaining elements arranged on the modules, exerts a clamping force acting over a longitudinally extended area on the modules to be connected.

[0014] According to an embodiment, the connecting element has two mutually spaced clamping wings which are formed integrally with the rear wall of the clamping body, and wherein the two clamping wings delimit the clamping gap at their free ends opposite the rear wall. The clamping wings are preferably bar-like material-projections that extend over the length of the clamping rail.

[0015] For a secure hold of the connecting element on the retaining elements of the separator modules, according to an embodiment the clamping wings each have an inwardly directed projection that narrows the clamping gap on their free end regions opposite the rear wall and delimiting the clamping gap. The projections can, for example, be bar-like material-projections formed integrally with the clamping wings, which extend inwards at an angle. For example, these protrusions can be bent inwards at approximately 90° to the clamping wings.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the clamping body is designed in the form of a square tube. A round tube or other cross-sectional shapes are also conceivable.

[0017] To increase the clamping force of the connecting element, it may be provided that the connecting element comprises at least one clamping latch and wherein the clamping body has at least one latch receptacle designed to receive the clamping latch. The heating of the droplet separator modules during operation of the droplet separator, at operating temperatures of 60°C for example, can lead to considerable thermal expansion of the module chassis and thus to high expansion forces between the modules. This increases the risk of undesirable gap formation between the modules. Additional clamping latches can be provided to increase the clamping forces applied by the connecting element according to the invention. These clamping latches can, for example, be inserted into the latch receptacles provided on the connecting element during assembly of the connecting elements.

[0018] Preferably, the connecting element has two or more than two, in particular three clamping latches. The length of the connecting element is adapted to the height of the modules to be connected. For example, a connecting element can be 1000 mm long. It is also conceivable that the connecting element according to the invention has a length that is less than the height of the modules to be connected. It is also conceivable that several individual connecting elements are used to connect two modules, with the connecting elements having a length that is less than the height of the modules. Several latch receptacles can be provided, which are distributed along the length of the clamping rail on the connecting element. When assembling the connecting element, it can be provided that the clamping latches are inserted successively one after the other into a latch receptacle, whereby the clamping latches are preferably inserted one after the other from bottom to top. When dismantling the connecting element, the clamping latches are preferably removed in reverse order from top to bottom.

[0019] According to one embodiment, it may be provided that the latch receptacle is designed as a recess in the clamping body, wherein the recess is designed in particular as an opening exposing the internal cross-section, and wherein the clamping latch can be inserted into the latch receptacle and interacts with the clamping body in the inserted state in such a way that the clamping body is stiffened in the area of the latch receptacle against outward expansion of the clamping gap. Preferably, the latch receptacle is formed by means of two elongated holes in the clamping wings of the connecting element. An approximately U-shaped clamping latch can be pushed into the elongated holes and pushed downwards with the clamping jaws of the U-shaped clamping latch over the clamping wings to stiffen the connecting element in the area of the latch receptacle against outward expansion of the clamping gap.

[0020] The use of the connecting element according to the invention in chemically highly stressing environments, such as for example on droplet separators in flue gas desulphurization plants, may make it necessary to use a specific manufacturing material for the connecting element. In particular for use in flue gas desulphurization plants, it is preferable for the connecting element to be made of a plastic, in particular polypropylene (PP), at least in some areas, with the clamping body in particular being made entirely of plastic. The clamping latch can also be made of a plastic, in particular polypropylene. Alternatively or additionally, it is also conceivable that the connecting element, in particular the clamping body, is made of a metal, in particular stainless steel, at least in some areas. The use of a metal can be advantageous in order to achieve particularly high clamping forces with the connecting element. The use of a plastic, in particular polypropylene, has the advantage of high resistance to highly stressful environmental influences. The droplet separator modules to be connected and in particular the retaining elements of the modules that form the retaining body are also made entirely or partially from a plastic, in particular polypropylene. Also according to the invention is a method for connecting two modules of a droplet separator arranged side by side, comprising the following steps: Providing and arranging two modules of a droplet separator in such a way that two retaining elements, each arranged on one of the modules, form a retaining body; connecting the two modules by means of a connecting element cooperating with the retaining body according to a previously described embodiment in such a way that a force-fit and / or form-fit connection is achieved between the modules.

[0021] Preferably, it can be provided that the connection of the two modules comprises the following step: Sliding the connecting element onto the retaining body, whereby an opening on the end face of the connecting element is pushed onto the retaining body in the longitudinal direction of the connecting element.

[0022] It is also conceivable that the connection of the two modules comprises the following step: Arranging at least one clamping latch in the area of a latch receptacle to stiffen the clamping body in the area of the latch receptacle against outward expansion of the clamping gap.

[0023] Finally, a droplet separator with a plurality of modules each having droplet separating elements is also according to the invention, wherein the modules are arranged adjacent to one another and wherein two modules arranged adjacent to one another are connected to one another by means of a connecting element according to a previously described embodiment.

[0024] The invention is explained in detail below with reference to embodiments in conjunction with drawings. It shows:

[0025] Fig la front view of a connecting element according to the invention,

[0026] Fig lb a side view of the connecting element from Fig. la,

[0027] Fig. 1c a rear view of the connecting element from Fig. la,

[0028] Fig. 2 a section of the connecting element from Fig. la along section line 2-2,

[0029] Fig. 3 a clamping latch according to the invention, and Fig. 4 a connecting element in a clamping position.

[0030] Figure la schematically shows a connecting element 10 according to the invention. The connecting element 10 has a longitudinally extended clamping bar 12. A clamping gap 16, which is continuously open from top to bottom along a longitudinal axis 34 and exposes the inner cross-section of the clamping body 12. Said clamping gap 16 is laterally delimited by clamping wings 26. In the state of the connecting element 10 shown, U-shaped clamping latches 30 are inserted into latch receptacles 32 formed as elongated holes in the clamping wings 26 of the clamping body 12. Said clamping latches 30 reinforce the clamping wings 26 against outward expansion. In the present case, the connecting element 10 is shown interrupted. As shown, a connecting element 10 can have several clamping latches 30, each of which can be inserted into corresponding clamping latch receptacles 32.

[0031] Figure lb shows the connecting element 10 from Fig. la in a side view and Figure 1c shows the connecting element 10 from Fig. la in a rear view. As can be seen from Fig. lb, the clamping latches 30 are arranged eccentrically towards the rear, in the direction of the rear wall 14, with respect to the clamping wings 26. In the example shown, the clamping latches 30 are approximately U-shaped and are inserted in latch receptacles 32 in such a way that their outwardly located retaining jaws point downwards and rest against an area of the clamping wings 26 and support these against outward expansion. Fig. 1c shows that the rear wall 14 is completely closed.

[0032] Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the connecting element 10 from Fig. la along the sectional lines 2-2. In the embodiment example shown, the clamping body 12 of the connecting element 10 is designed in the manner of a square tube, i.e. there are four sides, with adjacent sides being arranged approximately at right angles to one another. One of the sides of the square tube forms the rear wall 14. Integral to the rear wall 14 are the clamping wings 26, each of which is arranged at an approximately right angle, i.e. at approximately 90° to the rear wall 14. The clamping gap 16 is arranged opposite the rear wall 14. The clamping gap 16 is bounded on both sides by a projection 28 of each of the clamping wings 26. The opening of the clamping body 12 formed by the clamping gap 16 exposes the inner cross-section 18 towards the front (at the bottom in the plane of the drawing). The projections 28 of the clamping wings 26 are formed integrally with the clamping wings 26 and run at an angle of approximately 90° to them. The clamping wings 26 are each pierced by latch receptacles 32 in the form of elongated holes, into which clamping latches 30 are inserted.

[0033] Figure 3 shows a variant of a clamping latch 30 according to the invention. The latch 30 is approximately U-shaped, i.e. it has a narrow central web which carries wide clamping jaws on both sides. As can be seen in Figs, la and 1c, the clamping jaws of the clamping latch 30 grip over the clamping wings 26 in order to support them against outward bending.

[0034] Figure 4 shows the connecting element 10 in the sectional view from Fig. 2 in a clamping position interacting with a retaining body 24 of two modules 20 of a droplet separator. The retaining body 24 is formed from two retaining elements 22, each connected to one of the modules 20 arranged next to each other. In the illustration in Fig. 4, no clamping latch 30 is inserted into the latch receptacles 32. As can be clearly seen, the latch receptacle 32 in this variant is formed as an opening in the clamping wings 26. The openings are designed as elongated holes that can accommodate the clamping jaws of a clamping latch 30. The clamping latch 30 is inserted from one side into a first opening of the bolt receiver 32 to position it in the latch receptacle 32. The latch 30 is guided through the inner cross-section 18 to the second opposite opening of the latch receptacle 32. For fastening, the clamping latch 30 is pressed downwards so that the clamping jaws grip over the areas of the clamping wings 26 adjoining below the openings of the latch receiver 32. In the present case, the latch receiver 32 is formed by means of openings in the clamping wings 26, namely as elongated holes extending in the longitudinal direction 34 of the clamping body 12. The elongated holes can also extend at other angles to the longitudinal axis 34 of the clamping body 12, in particular the elongated holes can also extend perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis 34. It is also conceivable that the latch receiver 32 is designed as notches or other such guide and / or retaining areas incorporated into the clamping wings 26. In such a variant, the clamping latch 30 can be designed in such a way that clamping jaws of the latch engage in the notches or guide and / or retaining areas in order to achieve stiffening of the clamping wings 26. LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0035] 10 Connecting element

[0036] 12 Clamping body

[0037] 14 Back wall

[0038] 16 Clamping gap

[0039] 18 Inner cross section

[0040] 20 Modules

[0041] 22 Retaining elements

[0042] 24 Retaining body

[0043] 26 Clamping wings

[0044] 28 Projection

[0045] 30 Clamping latch

[0046] 32 Latch receptacles

[0047] 34 Longitudinal axis

Claims

CLAIMS1. Connecting element (10) for connecting two modules (20) of a droplet separator arranged adjacent to one another, characterized in that the connecting element (10) is designed as a clamping rail which has a longitudinally extended clamping body (12), wherein the clamping body (12) has a rear wall (14) and a clamping gap (16) opposite the rear wall (14), said clamping gap (16) being open along the length of the clamping body (12), and wherein the connecting element (10) has a free inner cross-section (18) which is complementary to a retaining body (24) formed from at least two retaining elements (22) each arranged on one of the modules (20).

2. Connecting element (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamping body (12) of the connecting element (10) applies an actuating force which forces the clamping gap (16) into a closed position.

3. Connecting element (10) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the connecting element (10) has at one end in its longitudinal direction an opening exposing the inner cross-section (18) of the connecting element (10), such that the connecting element (10) can be plugged onto the retaining body (24) with its end opening to produce a force-locking and / or form-locking connection of the modules (20).

4. Connecting element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element (10) has two mutually spaced clamping wings (26) which are formed integrally with the rear wall (14) of the clamping body (12), and wherein the two clamping wings (26) delimit the clamping gap (16) at their free ends opposite the rear wall (14).

5. Connecting element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping wings (26) each have an inwardly directed projection (28), which narrowsthe clamping gap (16), on their free end regions opposite the rear wall (14) and delimiting the clamping gap (16).

6. Connecting element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping body (12) is designed in the form of a square tube.

7. Connecting element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element (10) comprises at least one clamping latch (30) and wherein the clamping body (12) has at least one latch receptacle (32) designed to receive the clamping latch (30).

8. Connecting element (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that the latch receptacle (32) is designed as a recess in the clamping body (12), the recess being designed in particular as an opening exposing the internal cross-section (18), and the clamping latch (30) being insertable into the latch receptacle (32) and, in the inserted state, interacting with the clamping body (12) in such a way that the clamping body (12) is stiffened in the region of the latch receptacle (32) against an outwardly directed expansion of the clamping gap (16).

9. Connecting element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element (10) is made at least in some areas from a plastic, in particular from polypropylene (PP), in particular the clamping body (12) being made entirely from plastic.

10. Method for connecting two modules (20) of a droplet separator arranged next to each other, characterized by the following steps:Providing and arranging two modules (20) of a droplet separator in such a way that two retaining elements (22), each arranged on one of the modules (20), form a retaining body (24);Connecting the two modules (20) by means of a connecting element (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9 cooperating with the retaining body (24), such that a force-fit and / or form-fit connection is achieved between the modules (20).

11. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the joining of the two modules (20) comprises the following step:Sliding the connecting element (10) onto the retaining body (24), wherein the end opening of the connecting element (20) is pushed onto the retaining body (24) in the longitudinal direction (34) of the connecting element (10).

12. Method according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that the joining of the two modules (20) comprises the following step:Arrangement of at least one clamping latch (30) in the region of a latch receptacle (32) for stiffening the clamping body (12) in the region of the latch receptacle (32) against an outwardly directed expansion of the clamping gap (16).

13. Droplet separator having a plurality of modules (20) each having droplet separating elements, wherein the modules (20) are arranged adjacent to one another and wherein in each case two modules (20) arranged adjacent to one another are connected to one another by means of a connecting element (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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