Device for recovering heat from at least two different steam flows, system, use, and method

Abstract

The invention relates in particular to a device (1), to a system, to a use of said device (1) / system, and to a method for recovering heat from at least two steam flows. A housing (2) is equipped with heat exchanger devices (3) for evaporating a substance (10), a distributor device for distributing the substance (10), and a collecting device (4) for collecting the substance (10), said substance (10) being discharged above the heat exchanger devices (3) by a steam discharge assembly (6). The device (1) comprises a compression device (12), and the heat exchanger devices (3) have a supply assembly (7), a discharge assembly (8), and a gas discharge assembly (21). Each heat exchanger device (3) has a hollow chamber, wherein a respective steam flow (9) is supplied to the hollow chamber of the heat exchanger device by the supply assembly (7), the condensed steam flow (11) is discharged from the hollow chamber of the heat exchanger device (3) by the discharge assembly (8), and the heat exchanger device (3) is designed to be closed with respect to the other heat exchanger devices (3).

Description

[0001] Device for recovering heat from at least two different steam streams, system, use and method

[0002] The invention relates to a device for recovering heat from at least two different steam streams, a system, a use and a method according to the preambles of the independent claims.

[0003] Industrial plants aiming to save and recover energy often only consider heat source flows with high mass flow and high energy content. For such heat source flows, a heat pump must be provided for each source stream, which means installing multiple compressors and heat exchangers, resulting in significant overall effort and complexity. For example, heat recovery in an industrial plant with a destination column, a stripper column, and a flash tank would require a total of three heat pumps.

[0004] Furthermore, heat source flows with low mass flow and low energy content are neglected in conventional systems, as the installation of heat pumps for these heat source flows does not meet the economic criteria.

[0005] Various devices for recovering heat from steam streams are known in the prior art. For example, devices are known in which the heat of a single steam stream can be recovered. However, a disadvantage of such devices is that they are designed in such a way that a separate device is used for each individual steam stream. For example, in a plant with several distillation columns, a separate device is required for each of these distillation columns in order to utilize the different overhead vapors of the distillation columns and transfer their heat as a heating medium to the respective bottom evaporator. Such conventional plants are very complex and require considerable effort.

[0006] The object of the invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, the object of the invention is to provide a device, a system, a use, and a method that simultaneously enables the recovery of heat from several different steam streams without the different steam streams and their condensates mixing. The invention is thus based, among other things, on the objective of creating a device with a simple design that requires minimal operating effort.

[0007] The problem according to the invention is solved in particular by the features of the independent patent claims.

[0008] The invention relates in particular to a device, especially a heat pump, preferably a finned falling film evaporator, more preferably a plate falling film evaporator or a pillow plate falling film evaporator or a so-called “dimpled” plate falling film evaporator, for recovering heat from at least two, in particular different, steam streams, preferably for recovering heat from at least two different low-temperature steam streams. The device may be configured for evaporation, in particular falling film evaporation, of a liquid, in particular aqueous, substance, in particular the unevaporated liquid substance and / or the liquid, in particular aqueous, substance supplied by the substance feed device.

[0009] The device can be designed to recover heat from several, in particular different, steam streams, especially from several steam sources, with different compositions, different temperatures and / or different pressures, especially without these steam streams, especially the steam sources, mixing.

[0010] The different steam flows can be supplied to the device, in particular exclusively, so that the heat of the steam flows is recovered and / or recoverable in the device.

[0011] In particular, it may be provided that the device, especially the heat pump, is integrated into a heat pump system or is part of a heat pump system.

[0012] The device can be designed as a lamellar falling film evaporator.

[0013] Preferably, the device comprises a housing, in particular one forming and / or limiting an interior space.

[0014] In particular, it is provided that the housing, especially the interior formed by the housing, is preferably designed to be closed off from the environment.

[0015] The housing may be provided with openings, particularly exclusively, for the pumping device, the steam discharge arrangement, the at least two supply arrangements, and the at least two discharge arrangements. Preferably, the housing contains at least two heat exchanger devices, particularly separate and / or isolated from the other heat exchanger devices, for the vaporization of a liquid, particularly aqueous, substance, especially for the vaporization of the unvaporized liquid substance and / or for the vaporization of a liquid, particularly aqueous, substance supplied by the substance supply device.

[0016] The device may include at least two heat exchanger devices, in particular each an independent bundle of fins.

[0017] In particular, it may be provided that the device has a heat exchanger device for each steam flow, especially one supplied to the device.

[0018] The device may include two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten or more heat exchanger devices.

[0019] Within the scope of the present invention, a heat exchanger device can be understood to be a device, in particular an evaporation device, preferably a bundle of fins, wherein the device, in particular the evaporation device, has a cavity and / or wherein the device, in particular the evaporation device, is designed for evaporating the liquid, in particular aqueous, substance, in particular on the outer surface of the device.

[0020] Preferably, a distribution device is arranged above the at least two heat exchanger devices.

[0021] It may be provided that the distribution device is designed and / or arranged in such a way as to distribute and / or apply the liquid, in particular aqueous, substance to the at least two heat exchanger devices, in particular to the outer surfaces of the at least two heat exchanger devices, preferably to the surfaces of the fins.

[0022] Preferably, a collection device for the unevaporated liquid substance, in particular the concentrate of the liquid substance, is provided below the at least two heat exchanger devices.

[0023] It may be provided that the collecting device is designed and / or arranged to collect and / or capture the unvaporized liquid substance, in particular the concentrate of the liquid substance.

[0024] It is preferably provided that the unvaporized liquid substance, in particular from the collecting device, can be supplied and / or fed to the distributor device by a pumping device, in particular a pumping device arranged in a substance recirculation arrangement, so that, if necessary, the liquid, in particular aqueous, substance, in particular unvaporized liquid substance and, if necessary, liquid substance supplied by the substance supply device, flows from the distributor device down to the at least two heat exchanger devices, in particular forming a film on the outer surface of the at least two heat exchanger devices, preferably forming a film on the surfaces of the fins of the at least two heat exchanger devices, and if necessary, the liquid, in particular aqueous, substance, in particular at least partially, evaporates.

[0025] The pumping device can be configured to circulate the liquid, particularly aqueous, substance to be evaporated, whereby the liquid, particularly aqueous, substance to be evaporated may optionally run down the outer surfaces of the at least two heat exchanger devices, preferably forming a film on the outer surfaces of the fins of the at least two heat exchanger devices, and may optionally evaporate the liquid, particularly aqueous, substance, particularly at least partially. The pumping device may be configured as a circulating pump.

[0026] Within the scope of the present invention, the outer surface of the heat exchanger device can be understood to be the outside of the cavity, in particular the surface that comes into contact with the liquid substance of the device.

[0027] In particular, it can be provided that unvaporized liquid substance and / or liquid, especially aqueous, substance supplied by the substance supply device escapes from the distributor device, so that optionally the unvaporized liquid substance and / or the liquid, especially aqueous, substance supplied by the substance supply device runs down the at least two heat exchanger devices, in particular forming a film on the outer surface of the at least two heat exchanger devices, preferably forming a film on the surfaces of the fins of the at least two heat exchanger devices, and optionally the unvaporized liquid substance and / or the liquid, especially aqueous, substance supplied by the substance supply device evaporates, in particular at least partially.

[0028] Within the scope of the present invention, liquid, in particular aqueous, substance can be understood to mean the unvaporized liquid substance and / or the liquid, in particular aqueous, substance supplied by the substance supply device.

[0029] It may be provided that the liquid, in particular aqueous, substance exiting the distribution device is at least partially evaporated at the at least two heat exchanger devices and thus converted into, in particular at least partially, evaporated substance and into, in particular at least partially, unevaporated liquid substance.

[0030] It is preferably provided that the evaporated substance, in particular above the at least two heat exchanger devices or to the side of the at least two heat exchanger devices, can be removed and / or discharged by a steam removal arrangement, in particular from the device.

[0031] It may be provided that the vapor removal arrangement includes a droplet separator device so that, if necessary, droplets, in particular droplets of the substance entrained by the evaporated substance, are separated and / or separable.

[0032] It is preferably provided that the device comprises at least one compression device, in particular at least one vapor compressor, preferably several compression devices and / or several vapor compressors, for compressing the vaporized substance discharged by the vapor removal arrangement.

[0033] It is preferably provided that the at least one compression device compresses the vaporized substance discharged by the vapor removal arrangement, so that the vaporized substance compressed by the at least one compression device has a higher temperature and a higher pressure than the vaporized substance supplied to the at least one compression device, in particular the uncompressed substance.

[0034] It may be provided that the substance vaporized in the device is compressed to a higher pressure and / or a higher temperature by the at least one compression device, so that the compressed vaporized substance can be used for heating purposes if necessary.

[0035] In particular, it may be provided that several compression devices and / or several vapor compressors are arranged in series, so that the vaporized substance is compressed and / or compressible in multiple stages, if necessary.

[0036] It may be provided that the vaporized substance compressed by the at least one compression device is fed and / or feedable to at least one further compression device for further compression, so that, if necessary, the vaporized substance compressed by the at least one further compression device has a higher temperature and / or a higher pressure than the compressed substance fed to this compression device.

[0037] It is preferably provided that the at least two heat exchanger devices each have a, in particular their own, supply arrangement and each have a, in particular their own, discharge arrangement and optionally each have a, in particular their own, gas discharge arrangement.

[0038] It is preferably provided that the at least two heat exchanger devices each have a cavity, in particular a closed one.

[0039] The cavity of the respective heat exchanger device can be located inside the heat exchanger device and be formed by the heat exchanger device, in particular enclosed and / or sealed off from the environment.

[0040] It is preferably provided that the cavity, in particular closed, has openings for the supply arrangement, in particular for the respective supply arrangement, and for the discharge arrangement, in particular for the respective discharge arrangement, and optionally for the gas discharge arrangement, and optionally is otherwise closed and / or tightly sealed.

[0041] It is preferably provided that a steam flow can be supplied and / or supplied to the cavity of the heat exchanger device, in particular to each heat exchanger device, by means of the, in particular the respective, supply arrangement for heating the, in particular the respective, heat exchanger device.

[0042] It may be provided that a first supply arrangement for heating the first heat exchanger device allows a first steam flow to be supplied and / or delivered to the cavity of the first heat exchanger device. It may also be provided that a further supply arrangement for heating the second heat exchanger device allows a further steam flow to be supplied and / or delivered to the cavity of the second heat exchanger device.

[0043] In particular, it may be provided that the steam streams, especially the first steam stream and the subsequent steam streams, have different compositions and / or different temperatures and / or different pressures.

[0044] It is preferably provided that the condensed steam flow, in particular a condensate flow, preferably of the condensate of the respective supplied steam flow, can be removed and / or discharged from the cavity of the heat exchanger device, in particular by the respective discharge arrangement, in particular by the respective discharge arrangement.

[0045] It may be provided that the first condensed steam stream, in particular a first condensate stream, can be removed and / or discharged from the cavity of the first heat exchanger device by means of a first discharge arrangement.

[0046] It may be provided that, by means of a further discharge arrangement from the cavity of the further heat exchanger device, the further condensed steam flow, in particular a further condensate flow, can be discharged and / or removed.

[0047] In particular, it may be provided that the condensed steam streams, especially the first condensed steam stream and the subsequent condensed steam streams, have different compositions and / or different temperatures and / or different pressures.

[0048] It may be provided that the temperature of the steam flow supplied by the, in particular the respective, supply arrangement of the, in particular the respective, heat exchanger device is higher than the temperature of the steam flow, in particular the condensate flow, condensed by the, in particular the respective, discharge arrangement from the cavity of the, in particular the respective, heat exchanger device.

[0049] The steam flows, in particular the steam flows supplied by the supply arrangement of the heat exchanger device, preferably the steam flows supplied by the supply arrangement of the respective heat exchanger device, can have a different composition, a different temperature and / or a different pressure.

[0050] It can be provided that the at least two heat exchanger devices are designed to condense the supplied steam flow, so that the liquid, in particular aqueous, substance evaporates and / or can be evaporated on the at least two heat exchanger devices, in particular on the outer surface of the at least two heat exchanger devices, preferably on the surface of the fins of the at least two heat exchanger devices, due to the heat of condensation generated by the condensation of the supplied steam flow.

[0051] In particular, it can be provided that the condensation of the steam flow supplied by the, in particular the respective, supply arrangement takes place inside the cavity of the at least two heat exchanger devices, in particular inside the fins, wherein the, in particular the respective, condensed steam flow is discharged and / or can be discharged at the bottom of the cavity of the, in particular the respective, heat exchanger device by the discharge arrangement.

[0052] It is preferably provided that a gas flow can be removed and / or removed from the cavity of the heat exchanger device, in particular by the respective gas removal arrangement, wherein the gas flow optionally comprises the uncondensed gases of the steam flow supplied to the respective heat exchanger device, or wherein the gas flow optionally consists of the uncondensed gases of the steam flow supplied to the respective heat exchanger device.

[0053] It may be provided that a first gas flow can be removed and / or removed from the cavity of the first heat exchanger device by means of a first gas removal arrangement, wherein the first gas flow comprises the uncondensed gases of the first steam flow.

[0054] It may be provided that a further gas flow can be removed and / or discharged from the cavity of the further heat exchanger device by means of a further gas discharge arrangement, wherein the further gas flow comprises the uncondensed gases of the further steam flow.

[0055] In particular, it may be provided that the gas discharge arrangement is arranged above or to the side of the discharge arrangement.

[0056] It is preferably provided that the, in particular the respective, preferably the at least two, particularly preferably each, heat exchanger device(s) of the device, in particular the cavity and the supply arrangement and the discharge arrangement and the gas discharge arrangement of the heat exchanger device(s), preferably the cavity and the supply arrangement and the discharge arrangement and the gas discharge arrangement of the respective heat exchanger device, is / are closed and / or tightly sealed with respect to the other heat exchanger device(s), in particular the cavity and the supply arrangement and the discharge arrangement and the gas discharge arrangement of the other heat exchanger device(s), of the device, so that the steam flows can be fed into the device, in particular into the at least two heat exchanger devices, independently of each other, in particular unmixed, and / or supplied, and the condensed steam flows, in particular the respective, are optionallyIn particular, the condensate streams, and optionally the gas streams, can be discharged and / or removed independently of one another, especially unmixed, from the device, especially from the at least two heat exchanger devices. It may be provided that the device, especially the at least two heat exchanger devices, is designed such that the liquid, especially aqueous, substance flows through the device unmixed, especially unmixed with the steam stream supplied by the feed arrangement, the condensed steam stream discharged by the discharge arrangement, and the gas stream discharged by the gas discharge arrangement.

[0057] It can be provided that the, in particular the respective, preferably the at least two, particularly preferably each, heat exchanger device(s) of the device, in particular the cavity and the supply arrangement and the discharge arrangement and the gas discharge arrangement of the heat exchanger device(s), preferably the cavity and the supply arrangement and the discharge arrangement and the gas discharge arrangement of the respective heat exchanger device, is / are closed and / or tightly sealed from the environment, in particular from the housing, preferably from the interior formed by the housing, so that the steam flows can be supplied and / or fed into the device, in particular into the at least two heat exchanger devices, independently of each other, in particular unmixed, and the, in particular the respective, condensed steam flows, in particular the condensate flows, and the gas flows can be supplied independently of each other.especially unmixed, can be discharged and / or discharged from the device, in particular from the at least two heat exchanger devices.

[0058] In particular, it may be provided that the device, especially the at least two heat exchanger devices, is designed to recover the heat from different steam streams without mixing, wherein, if necessary, the steam streams and the condensates and, if necessary, the uncondensed gases of the different steam streams flow through the device without mixing.

[0059] It is possible for the steam streams supplied to the device to have different compositions, pressures, and temperatures. The inventor states that heat recovery from different steam streams takes place in a single device, in particular in a finned falling film evaporator, and not, as in conventional systems, in several devices, especially several heat exchangers, which process only one steam stream.

[0060] The inventor states that the device can be used in various industries and applications, such as in particular in the chemical industry, the pulp and paper industry, the food industry, the beverage industry, the juice concentration industry, the solvent recovery industry, the district heating industry, the wastewater management, wastewater treatment, the distillation industry and / or the crystallization industry.

[0061] This allows the heat from several different steam streams, especially the heat from steam streams that are neglected in conventional systems, to be used in a single device.

[0062] The inventor states that the device may require less installation space, less instrumentation, and be easier to control, as only one device is needed for multiple steam flows. This may result in fewer modifications to existing systems.

[0063] In particular, it may be provided that the steam flows supplied to the at least two heat exchanger devices are each supplied by separate, in particular separated, supply arrangements.

[0064] In particular, it may be provided that the condensed steam streams discharged by the at least two heat exchanger devices are each discharged by separate, and especially isolated, discharge arrangements. In particular, it may be provided that the gas streams discharged by the at least two heat exchanger devices, especially the uncondensed gases of the steam streams, are each discharged by separate, and especially isolated, gas discharge arrangements.

[0065] It may be provided that the steam flows and the condensed steam flows and, if applicable, the gas flows flow through the devices unmixed and / or without mixing.

[0066] Within the scope of the present invention, gas stream can be understood to mean the uncondensed gases of a steam stream, in particular one supplied to the heating device.

[0067] Within the scope of the present invention, the term "unvaporized liquid substance" can be understood to mean the unvaporized substance.

[0068] Within the scope of the present invention, the heat exchanger device can be understood to be one of the at least two heat exchanger devices of the device.

[0069] If necessary, it is provided that the at least two heat exchanger devices each comprise a bundle of fins, in particular vertically arranged fins.

[0070] If necessary, the slats are arranged parallel to each other.

[0071] If necessary, the slats are arranged at a distance from each other.

[0072] Optionally, the fins are designed and / or constructed like a cushion plate. Optionally, the fins comprise two overlapping sheets, the sheets being welded together, thereby forming the cavity of the respective heat exchanger device.

[0073] Within the scope of the present invention, housing can be understood to mean a casing or container.

[0074] It may be provided that at least two heat exchanger devices, in particular at least two bundles of vertically arranged fins, are arranged in the housing, in particular in its interior.

[0075] In particular, it can be provided that several lamellae, arranged parallel to each other but with a distance between them, form a bundle of lamellae.

[0076] The inventor states that heat transfer may take place on the surface of the fins, with the, in particular hot, steam flow being directed into the cavity of one of the at least two heat exchanger devices, in particular into the interior of one of the at least two heat exchanger devices, preferably into the interior of the fins.

[0077] The inventor states that, if necessary, outside the cavity of the at least two heat exchanger devices, in particular along the outer surface of the at least two heat exchanger devices, preferably along the surface of the fins, the liquid, in particular aqueous, substance flows downwards and evaporates.

[0078] Optionally, the device includes at least one compression device, in particular at least one steam compressor, preferably several compression devices and / or several steam compressors, for compressing the steam flow supplied by the feed arrangement of the, in particular, respective, heat exchanger device. Optionally, the at least one compression device compresses the steam flow supplied by the, in particular, respective, feed arrangement of the, in particular, respective, heat exchanger device, so that, if applicable, the steam flow compressed by the at least one compression device has a higher temperature and a higher pressure than the uncompressed steam flow.

[0079] It may be provided that the steam flow supplied to the device, in particular to the at least one heat exchanger device or at least two heat exchanger devices, is compressed to a higher pressure and / or a higher temperature by the at least one compression device, so that the energy consumption of the device can be reduced if necessary.

[0080] In particular, it may be provided that several compression devices and / or several steam compressors are arranged in series, so that, if necessary, the steam flow supplied by the at least one compression device is compressed and / or compressible in multiple stages.

[0081] It may be provided that the steam flow compressed by the at least one compression device is fed and / or can be fed to at least one further compression device for further compression, so that, if necessary, the steam flow compressed by the at least one further compression device has a higher temperature and / or a higher pressure than the compressed steam flow fed to this compression device.

[0082] Within the scope of the present invention, a compression device and a compaction device can be understood to be a device which is designed for the compaction and / or compression of a steam stream.

[0083] It may be provided that the at least one compression device for evacuating the interior of the housing is designed to an internal pressure of less than 250 mbar. Optionally, it is provided that the at least two heat exchanger devices, in particular the materials of the at least two heat exchanger devices, are adapted to the steam flow supplied by the supply arrangement, in particular the respective one.

[0084] It may be provided that the material of the, in particular the respective, heat exchanger device, in particular the bundle of fins of the heat exchanger device, is preferably substantially resistant or resistant to the steam flow supplied by the supply arrangement of the, in particular the respective, heat exchanger device.

[0085] In particular, it is provided that the heat exchanger device, especially the bundle of fins, is made of a material, the material being selected on the basis of the physicochemical properties of the supplied, in particular the respective, steam stream.

[0086] The inventor states that the device can still be operated even if a steam flow is not supplied to all heat exchanger devices.

[0087] If applicable, it is provided that the at least two heat exchanger devices comprise steel and / or stainless steel, or that the at least two heat exchanger devices are made of steel and / or stainless steel.

[0088] Where applicable, it is provided that the liquid substance is water, aqueous solutions, alcohols, organic solutions, wastewater, solvents or a substance that forms an explosive atmosphere, or that the liquid substance comprises water, aqueous solutions, alcohols, organic solutions, wastewater, solvents or a substance that forms an explosive atmosphere.

[0089] The liquid substance can be designed, in particular exclusively, for heat transport within the device. The liquid substance can be a substance, in particular a mass flow from a system, that is concentrated and / or can be concentrated by the device, such that the concentrated substance is discharged and / or can be discharged from the device.

[0090] If applicable, it is provided that the collection device comprises at least two collection device units or that the collection device is formed from at least two collection device units.

[0091] If necessary, the at least two collection device units are arranged below the at least two heat exchanger devices.

[0092] In particular, it may be provided that a collection device unit is arranged below each of the at least two heat exchanger devices, so that, if necessary, the unevaporated liquid substance, in particular exclusively, of this heat exchanger device is collected, collected and / or gathered by the collection device unit.

[0093] If necessary, the distribution device is provided for to comprise at least two distribution device units or to consist of at least two distribution device units.

[0094] If necessary, the at least two distribution device units are arranged above the at least two heat exchanger devices.

[0095] In particular, it can be provided that a distribution device unit is arranged above each of the at least two heat exchanger devices, so that the liquid substance, preferably exclusively, is supplied and / or can be supplied to this heat exchanger device by the distribution device unit. Optionally, it is provided that the at least two collection device units are designed to collect and / or gather the unvaporized liquid substance, preferably the concentrate of the liquid substance, from the at least two heat exchanger devices.

[0096] In particular, it may be provided that the respective collection device unit is designed to collect and / or gather the unevaporated liquid substance, in particular the concentrate of the liquid substance, preferably from the respective heat exchanger device.

[0097] It may be provided that the respective collection device unit captures or collects unvaporized liquid substance, wherein the unvaporized liquid substance runs down from one of the heat exchanger devices of at least two heat exchanger devices.

[0098] If necessary, the at least two distribution device units are designed to supply the liquid, in particular aqueous, substance, in particular the unvaporized liquid substance and / or the liquid substance supplied by the substance supply device, to the at least two heat exchanger devices.

[0099] If applicable, it is provided that the pumping device comprises at least two pumping device units or that the pumping device is formed from at least two pumping device units.

[0100] If necessary, it is provided that the unvaporized liquid substance, in particular the concentrate of the liquid substance, collected by the at least two collection device units, and / or the liquid substance supplied by the substance supply device, is supplied by the at least two pump device units to the at least two distribution device units, in particular to the respective distribution device unit.

[0101] If necessary, it is provided that the unvaporized liquid substance, in particular the concentrate of the liquid substance, captured and / or collected by the respective collection device unit, and / or the liquid substance supplied by the substance supply device, is supplied to the respective pumping device unit, the respective distribution device unit, in particular the respective distribution device unit, and the respective heat exchanger device.

[0102] It may be provided that a collection device unit and / or a distribution device unit are each assigned to a heat exchanger device, so that the liquid, in particular aqueous, substance is supplied and / or can be supplied, in particular recirculated and / or recirculated, from the respective collection device units to the respective distribution device units via the respective pump device units.

[0103] In particular, it may be provided that a collection device unit is arranged below each heat exchanger device of the at least two heat exchanger devices and / or a distribution device unit is arranged above each heat exchanger device of the at least two heat exchanger devices, so that the liquid substance is supplied and / or can be supplied, in particular recirculated and / or recirculated, from the respective collection device unit to the respective distribution device unit via a respective pump device unit.

[0104] It may be provided that the respective pumping device unit feeds the unvaporized liquid substance captured and / or collected by the respective collection device unit of a heat exchanger device to the distribution device unit of the heat exchanger device or to the distribution device unit of another heat exchanger device.

[0105] The inventor states that this may also allow liquid substances to be processed by the device, whereby the liquid substances have a higher boiling point rise, so that only the substance in the last collection unit has the desired final concentration. It may be provided that the unvaporized liquid substance, in particular the concentrate of the liquid substance, is discharged from one, in particular the last, collection unit by the concentrate discharge device, wherein the unvaporized liquid substance, in particular the concentrate of the liquid substance, may have the highest concentration in this concentrate discharge device.

[0106] If necessary, the collection device for the unvaporized liquid substance, in particular the concentrate of the liquid substance, is provided for in the bottom part of the housing of the device.

[0107] If applicable, it is provided that the liquid, in particular aqueous, substance and / or, in particular new and / or fresh, liquid, in particular aqueous, substance is supplied and / or can be supplied to the device, in particular to the bottom part of the housing of the device and / or the substance recirculation arrangement, via a substance supply device.

[0108] If necessary, it is provided that the unvaporized liquid substance, in particular the concentrate of the liquid substance, is discharged and / or can be discharged from the device, in particular from the bottom part of the housing of the device and / or from the collecting device and / or from one of the at least two collecting device units and / or from the substance recirculation arrangement, via a concentrate discharge device.

[0109] In particular, the invention relates optionally to a system, in particular a heat pump system, for recovering heat from at least two, in particular different, steam streams, wherein the system comprises at least one, in particular according to the invention, device.

[0110] The plant may optionally comprise at least two plant components, in particular a distillation column and / or a stripper column and / or an evaporator and / or a chemical reactor and / or a liquid expansion device and / or other steam-generating devices. It may optionally be provided that each component, in particular the at least two heat exchangers, is supplied with a separate steam stream, in particular unmixed and / or independently of each other, via the respective feed arrangement of the at least two heat exchangers.

[0111] If necessary, it is provided that a steam flow, in particular unmixed and / or independently of each other, is supplied to the respective heat exchanger device of the device by the respective supply arrangement of the respective heat exchanger device.

[0112] It may be provided that the steam flows of the at least two plant devices, in particular unmixed and / or independently of each other, are supplied to the device, in particular to the at least two heat exchanger devices, by means of the supply arrangements of the at least two heat exchanger devices.

[0113] In particular, it may be provided that the device, in particular the at least two heat exchanger devices of the device, is supplied with at least two, in particular different, steam flows from the at least two, in particular different, plant devices by means of the supply arrangements.

[0114] In particular, the invention may relate to the use of a device, especially one according to the invention, for recovering heat from at least two, especially different, steam streams, or as a heat pump or as part of a heat pump system.

[0115] In particular, the invention may relate to the use of a system, particularly according to the invention, for recovering heat from at least two, in particular different, steam streams or as a heat pump system. In particular, the invention may relate to a method for recovering heat from at least two, in particular different, steam streams by means of a device, in particular according to the invention, or a system, in particular according to the invention, comprising the following steps:

[0116] Supply of the liquid, in particular aqueous, substance, in particular the unvaporized liquid substance and optionally the liquid substance supplied by the substance supply device, from the collecting device to the distribution device by the pumping device, so that the liquid, in particular aqueous, substance, in particular the unvaporized liquid substance and optionally the liquid substance supplied by the substance supply device, runs down the at least two heat exchanger devices, in particular forming a film on the outer surfaces of the at least two heat exchanger devices, preferably forming a film on the surfaces of the fins of the at least two heat exchanger devices, and optionally the liquid, in particular aqueous, substance, in particular the unvaporized liquid substance and optionally the liquid substance supplied by the substance supply device, preferably at least partially, evaporates.

[0117] Supply of the, in particular the respective, steam flow to the, in particular the respective, heat exchanger device by the, in particular the respective, supply arrangement for heating the, in particular the respective, heat exchanger device.

[0118] Removal of the, in particular the respective, condensed steam stream, especially the condensate stream, preferably the condensate of the supplied steam stream, through the, in particular the respective, removal arrangement from the, in particular the respective, heat exchanger device.

[0119] Removal of the, in particular the respective, gas stream, especially the uncondensed gases of the supplied steam stream, preferably the non-condensable gas of the supplied steam stream, particularly preferably an exhaust air stream, through the, in particular the respective, gas removal arrangement from the, in particular the respective, heat exchanger device.

[0120] Removal of the vaporized substance, in particular from the device, above the at least two heat exchanger devices by the vapor removal arrangement.

[0121] Compression of the vaporized substance discharged by the vapor removal arrangement by the at least one compression device, such that the vaporized substance compressed by the at least one compression device has a higher temperature and a higher pressure than the vaporized substance supplied, in particular uncompressed, to the at least one compression device.

[0122] If necessary, it is provided that the steam flow supplied by the, in particular the respective, supply arrangement of the, in particular the respective, heat exchanger device is compressed by at least one compression device before being supplied to the, in particular the respective, heat exchanger device.

[0123] In particular, it may be intended that the specified semantic order of the procedural steps does not necessarily correspond to the chronological order.

[0124] It may be provided that the substance recirculation arrangement, the supply arrangement, the discharge arrangement, the gas discharge arrangement and / or the steam discharge arrangement are designed as pipe devices, in particular as pipes.

[0125] Within the scope of the present invention, "designed" can also be understood to mean "equipped" or "designed".

[0126] Further features of the invention may become apparent from the claims, the description of the exemplary embodiments, and the figures. The invention will now be further explained using exemplary, non-exclusive, and / or non-limiting embodiments.

[0127] It should be noted that in the different figures and / or embodiments, identical parts may be provided with the same reference numerals and / or the same designations. The disclosures contained in the entire description and / or the claims may be applied analogously to identical parts with the same reference numerals and / or the same designations. Furthermore, the positional indications chosen in the description, such as top, bottom, from the right, from the left, side, and the like, may be applied to the figure directly described and illustrated.

[0128] Fig. 1 shows a schematic graphic representation of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention,

[0129] Fig. 2 shows a schematic graphic representation of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention, and

[0130] Fig. 3 shows a schematic graphic representation of a first embodiment of the system according to the invention.

[0131] Unless otherwise specified, the reference symbols correspond to the following components:

[0132] Device 1, housing 2, heat exchanger device 3, collection device 4, pumping device 5, steam discharge arrangement 6, feed arrangement 7, discharge arrangement 8, steam flow 9, liquid substance 10, condensed steam flow 11, compression device 12, compression device 13, distillation column 14, stripper column 15, evaporator device 16, collection device unit 17, distribution device unit 18, pumping device unit 19, substance recirculation arrangement 20, gas discharge device 21, gas flow 22, unvaporized liquid substance 23 and vaporized substance 24.

[0133] Figure 1 shows a schematic graphic representation of a first embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention. According to this embodiment, the device 1 is designed as a lamellar falling film evaporator for recovering heat from three different steam streams.

[0134] Furthermore, the device 1 comprises a housing 2, wherein three heat exchanger devices 3, in particular three bundles of fins, are arranged in the housing 2 for the evaporation of a liquid, in particular aqueous, substance 10.

[0135] Above the three heat exchanger devices 3 is a distribution device, which is not shown for clarity.

[0136] Among the three heat exchanger devices 3, a collection device 4 for the unvaporized liquid substance 23 is provided.

[0137] The unvaporized liquid substance 23 is fed from the collecting device 4 to the distributor device by means of a pumping device 5, in particular a circulation pump, so that the liquid, in particular aqueous, substance 10, wherein the liquid, in particular aqueous, substance 10 comprises the unvaporized liquid substance 23 and the liquid substance 10 supplied by the substance supply device of the device 1, flows down from the distributor device onto the three heat exchanger devices 3, in particular forming a film on the outer surfaces of the three heat exchanger devices 3, and at least partially evaporates.

[0138] In other words, the liquid substance 10 is recirculated from the sump of the device 1 by means of the pumping device 5, and flows downwards distributed along the heat exchanger devices 3, in particular the bundles of fins of the heat exchanger devices 3, preferably the surface of the fins of the heat exchanger devices 3.

[0139] On the heat exchanger devices 3, in particular on the outer surface of the

[0140] Heat exchanger devices 3, preferably on the surface of the fins of the

[0141] In heat exchanger devices 3, evaporation takes place due to the condensation heat of the steam streams supplied to the heat exchanger devices 3.

[0142] The vaporized substance 10 is removed above the three heat exchanger devices 3 by a steam removal arrangement 6.

[0143] The three heat exchanger devices 3 each have a supply arrangement 7, a discharge arrangement 8, and a gas discharge arrangement 21.

[0144] The three heat exchanger devices 3 each have a closed cavity, wherein the closed cavity has, in particular exclusively, openings for the respective supply arrangement 7 and the respective discharge arrangement 8 and the respective gas discharge arrangement 21.

[0145] Through the supply arrangement 7, a steam flow 9 is supplied to the cavity of the heat exchanger device 3 for heating purposes.

[0146] The discharge arrangement 8 removes the condensed steam flow 11, in particular a condensate flow, from the cavity of the heat exchanger device 3.

[0147] By means of the respective gas discharge arrangement 21, a gas flow 22 is discharged from the cavity of the heat exchanger device 3, wherein the gas flow 22 comprises the uncondensed gases of the supplied steam flow.

[0148] Inside the cavity of the heat exchanger device 3, in particular inside the fins, the condensation of the steam flow 9 supplied by the supply arrangement 7 takes place, the condensed steam flow 11 finally being discharged at the bottom of the cavity of the heat exchanger device 3 by the discharge arrangement 8.

[0149] Furthermore, the heat exchanger device 3 is designed to be closed in relation to the other heat exchanger devices 3, so that the steam flows are fed into the device 1, in particular into the respective heat exchanger devices 3, independently of each other, in particular unmixed, and the condensed steam flows, in particular the condensate flows, and the gas flows 22 can be discharged and / or removed from the device 1, in particular from the respective heat exchanger devices 3, independently of each other, in particular unmixed.

[0150] The device 1 comprises two compression devices 12 for compressing the vaporized substance 24 discharged by the steam discharge arrangement 6, wherein the two compression devices 12 compress the vaporized substance 24 discharged by the steam discharge arrangement 6, such that the vaporized substance 24 compressed by the at least one compression device 12 has a higher temperature and a higher pressure than the supplied, in particular uncompressed, vaporized substance 24.

[0151] Furthermore, the device 1 comprises a compression device 13 for compressing the steam flow 9 supplied by the supply arrangement 7 of the heat exchanger device 3, wherein the compression device 13 compresses the steam flow 9 supplied by the supply arrangement 7 of the heat exchanger device 3, such that the steam flow 9 compressed by the at least one compression device 13 has a higher temperature and a higher pressure than the uncompressed steam flow 9.

[0152] According to this embodiment, the compression device 13 is provided in the steam stream 9 with the lowest temperature in order to increase the efficiency of the device 1.

[0153] The three heat exchanger devices 3, in particular the materials of the three heat exchanger devices 3, are adapted to the steam flow 9 supplied by the supply arrangement 7.

[0154] The collection device 4 for the unvaporized liquid substance 23 is the bottom part of the housing 2 of the device 1. According to this embodiment, the liquid, and in particular new, liquid, especially aqueous, substance 10 is supplied to the substance recirculation arrangement 20 of the device 1 via a substance supply device, and the unvaporized liquid substance 23, in particular the concentrate of the liquid substance, is discharged from the bottom part of the housing 2 of the device 1 via a concentrate discharge device. The substance supply device and the concentrate discharge device are not shown in the figures.

[0155] Figure 2 shows a schematic graphic representation of a first embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention. The features of the embodiment according to Figure 2 may preferably correspond to the features of the embodiment according to Figure 1.

[0156] According to this embodiment, the collection device 4 comprises three collection device units 17, wherein the collection device units 17 are arranged below the heat exchanger device 3,

[0157] According to this embodiment, the distributor device comprises three distributor device units 18, wherein the distributor device units 18 are arranged above the heat exchanger devices 3.

[0158] The collection device units 17 are designed to collect the unevaporated liquid substance 23, in particular the concentrate of the liquid substance, from the heat exchanger device 3.

[0159] Furthermore, the pumping device 5 of the device 1 comprises three pumping device units 19.

[0160] The unvaporized liquid substance 23, in particular the concentrate of the liquid substance, collected by the collection device unit 17, is fed to the distribution device unit 18 of the heat exchanger device 3 by a pump device unit 19. According to this embodiment, the liquid, and in particular aqueous, substance 10 is fed to the substance recirculation arrangement 20 of the device 1 via a substance feed device, and the unvaporized liquid substance 23, in particular the concentrate of the liquid substance, is discharged from the bottom part of the housing 2 of the device 1 via a concentrate discharge device. The substance feed device and the concentrate discharge device are not shown in the figures.

[0161] Figure 3 shows a schematic graphic representation of a first embodiment of the system according to the invention. The features of the embodiment according to Figure 3 may preferably correspond to the features of the embodiment according to Figures 1 and / or 2.

[0162] The applicability of the invention is illustrated by this example, although no limitation or restriction of its applicability is intended. In a fictitious industrial process, the energy of three steam streams is to be reused in the device 1, the condensation of which would otherwise occur through cooling water.

[0163] The vapor streams originate from a distillation column 14, a stripper column 15 and an evaporator device 16 with a hypothetical temperature of 85 °C, 72 °C and 80 °C respectively.

[0164] This implies that the steam generated on the outer surfaces of the heat exchanger devices 3 must have a lower temperature than the coldest steam stream 9, which in this case originates from the stripper column 15.

[0165] In the following, it is assumed that the recirculating liquid substance 10 is water at a pressure of 250 mbar-abs, so that its saturation temperature is 65 °C.

[0166] The vaporized substance 24, namely water vapor, exiting the device 1 at 65 °C and 250 mbar-abs, and in particular being discharged by the steam discharge arrangement 6, is fed to a series of one or more compression devices 12, where the pressure is increased to hypothetically 5 bar-abs or more.

[0167] The steam discharged from the device 1 by the steam discharge arrangement 6 at a pressure of 5 bar abs can subsequently be reused to heat various consumers in the industrial plant. The device 1 allows several independent steam flows to be processed within it to generate a steam flow with a higher temperature, which can then be reused for any other suitable application. The inventor states that an advantage of the device is that the steam flows supplied to the heat exchanger devices 3 and the condensate and gas flows discharged from the heat exchanger devices 3 do not mix.

[0168] The pressure increase through the compression devices 12 is 4.75 bar, which is associated with certain energy costs that depend on the power coefficient of the compressor system.

[0169] To reduce energy costs, the process can be further optimized by providing a compression device 13 at the coldest heat source(s).

[0170] In this case, the stripper column 15 operates at a temperature of 72 °C. By installing the compression device 13, the temperature can be increased to 80 °C. Consequently, the pressure and temperature on the outside of the heat exchanger devices 3 can also be raised, for example, from 250 mbar-abs to 385 mbar-abs (saturation temperature of 75 °C), so that the vaporized substance 24 produced from the three steam streams requires only a pressure increase of 4.615 bar on the outside of the heat exchanger devices 3, 135 mbar less than before. The saving in compression energy on the outside of the heat exchanger devices 3 is greater than the energy consumption of the compression device 13. With this exemplary configuration, the effects according to the invention can be achieved and the disclosed processes can be carried out.

[0171] The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown, but includes any device 1, any system, any use and any method according to the following patent claims.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device (1), in particular a heat pump, preferably a finned falling film evaporator, for recovering heat from at least two different steam streams, wherein the device (1) comprises a housing (2), wherein at least two heat exchanger devices (3) for evaporating a liquid, in particular aqueous, substance (10) are arranged in the housing (2), wherein a distributor device is arranged above the at least two heat exchanger devices (3), wherein a collection device (4) for the unevaporated liquid substance (23) is provided below the at least two heat exchanger devices (3), wherein the unevaporated liquid substance (23), in particular from the collection device (4), is supplied to the distributor device by a pump device (5), in particular a pump device (5) arranged in a substance recirculation arrangement (20), so that the liquid, in particular aqueous,Substance (10) runs down the at least two heat exchanger devices (3), in particular forming a film on the outer surfaces of the at least two heat exchanger devices (3), and at least partially evaporates, and wherein the evaporated substance (24) is discharged, in particular above or to the side of the at least two heat exchanger devices (3), by a vapor discharge arrangement (6), characterized in that - that the device (1) comprises at least one compression device (12), in particular at least one vapor compressor, for compressing the vaporized substance (24) discharged by the vapor discharge arrangement (6), - that the at least one compression device (12) compresses the vaporized substance (24) discharged by the vapor discharge arrangement (6), such that the vaporized substance (24) compressed by the at least one compression device (12) exhibits a higher temperature and pressure than the supplied, in particular uncompressed, vaporized substance (24), - that the at least two heat exchanger devices (3) each have a supply arrangement (7) and each have a discharge arrangement (8) and each have a gas discharge arrangement (21), - that the at least two heat exchanger devices (3) each have a cavity, in particular a closed one, - that the cavity, in particular a closed one, has openings, in particular exclusively, for the supply arrangement (7) and for the discharge arrangement (8) and for the gas discharge arrangement (21), - that a steam flow (9) is supplied to the cavity of the heat exchanger device (3) by the respective supply arrangement (7) for heating the heat exchanger device (3), - that the condensed steam flow (11), in particular a condensate flow, is removed from the cavity of the heat exchanger device (3) by the respective discharge arrangement (8), - that a gas stream (22) is discharged from the cavity of the heat exchanger device (3) by the respective gas discharge arrangement (21), wherein the gas stream (22) comprises the uncondensed gases of the steam stream, - and that the respective heat exchanger device (3), in particular the cavity and the supply arrangement (7) and the discharge arrangement (8) and the gas discharge arrangement (21) of the respective heat exchanger device (3), is designed to be closed in relation to the other heat exchanger devices (3) of the device (1), in particular the cavity and the supply arrangement (7) and the discharge arrangement (8) and the gas discharge arrangement (21) of the other heat exchanger devices (3) of the device (1).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, - that the at least two heat exchanger devices (3) each comprise a bundle of, in particular vertically arranged, fins, - where, if necessary, the slats are arranged parallel to each other, - where, if necessary, the slats are arranged apart from each other, - where, if necessary, the slats are designed like a cushion plate, - and wherein, if necessary, the lamellae comprise two overlapping sheets, the sheets being welded together, thereby forming the cavity.

3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, - that the device (1 ) comprises at least one compression device (13), in particular at least one steam compressor, for compressing the steam flow (9) supplied by the supply arrangement (7) to the heat exchanger device (3), - and that the at least one compression device (13) compresses the steam flow (9) supplied by the feed arrangement (7) of the heat exchanger device (3) such that the steam flow (9) compressed by the at least one compression device (13) has a higher temperature and pressure than the uncompressed steam flow (9).

4. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - that the at least two heat exchanger devices (3), in particular the materials of the at least two heat exchanger devices (3), are adapted to the steam flow (9) supplied by the supply arrangement (7), - and / or that the at least two heat exchanger devices (3) comprise steel and / or stainless steel.

5. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the liquid substance (10) is water, aqueous solutions, alcohols, organic solutions, wastewater, solvents or a substance (10) that forms an explosive atmosphere.

6. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - that the collection device (4) comprises at least two collection device units (17), - that the at least two collection device units (17) are arranged below the at least two heat exchanger devices (3), - that the distribution device comprises at least two distribution device units (18), - that the at least two distribution device units (18) are arranged above the at least two heat exchanger devices (3), - that the at least two collection device units (17) are designed to collect the unvaporized liquid substance (23), in particular the concentrate of the liquid substance, from the at least two heat exchanger devices (3), - that the at least two distribution device units (18) are designed to supply the liquid, in particular aqueous, substance (10) to the at least two heat exchanger devices (3), - that the pumping device (5) comprises at least two pumping device units (19), - and that the unvaporized liquid substance (23), in particular the concentrate of the liquid substance, collected by the at least two collection device units (17), is supplied to the at least two distribution device units (18) by the at least two pump device units (19).

7. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - that the collecting device (4) for the unvaporized liquid substance (23), in particular the concentrate of the liquid substance, is the bottom part of the housing (2) of the device (1 ), - and / or that the liquid, in particular aqueous, substance (10) is supplied to the device (1) via a substance supply device, in particular to the bottom part of the housing (2) of the device (1) and / or to the substance recirculation arrangement (20). - and / or that the unevaporated liquid substance (23), in particular the concentrate of the liquid substance, is discharged from the device (1), in particular from the bottom part of the housing (2) of the device (1), and / or from the collecting device (4), and / or from one of the at least two collecting device units (17), and / or from the substance recirculation arrangement (20), via a concentrate discharge device.

8. System, in particular a heat pump system, for recovering heat from at least two different steam streams, characterized in that - that the system comprises at least one device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7 - that the plant comprises at least two plant devices, in particular a distillation column (14) and / or a stripper column (15) and / or an evaporator device (16) and / or a chemical reactor and / or a liquid expansion device and / or other steam-generating devices, - and that the device (1), in particular the at least two heat exchanger devices (3) of the device (1), is supplied with a steam flow (9) of one of the at least two plant devices by means of the respective supply arrangement (7) of the at least two heat exchanger devices (3).

9. Use of a device (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 for recovering heat from at least two different steam streams or as a heat pump or as part of a heat pump system.

10. Use of a system according to claim 8 for recovering heat from at least two different steam streams or as a heat pump system.

11. Method for recovering heat from at least two different steam streams, using a device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7 or a system according to claim 8, comprising the following steps: - Supply of the liquid, in particular aqueous, substance (10) from the collecting device (4) to the distribution device by the pumping device (5), so that the liquid, in particular aqueous, substance (10) runs down the at least two heat exchanger devices (3), in particular forming a film on the outer surfaces of the at least two heat exchanger devices (3), and at least partially evaporates, - Supply of the respective steam flow (9) to the respective heat exchanger device (3) through the respective supply arrangement (7) for heating the respective heat exchanger device (3), - Removal of the respective condensed steam stream (11), in particular the condensate stream, through the respective removal arrangement (8) from the respective heat exchanger device (3), - Removal of the respective gas stream (22), in particular the uncondensed gases of the supplied steam stream, through the respective gas removal arrangement (21) from the respective heat exchanger device, - Removal of the vaporized substance (24) above the at least two heat exchanger devices (3) by the vapor removal arrangement (6), - Compression of the vaporized substance (24) discharged by the vapor removal arrangement (6) by the at least one compression device (12), such that the vaporized substance (24) compressed by the at least one compression device (12) has a higher temperature and a higher pressure than the supplied, in particular uncompressed, vaporized substance (24).

12. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the steam flow (9) supplied by the supply arrangement (7) of the heat exchanger device (3) is compressed by at least one compression device (13) before being supplied to the heat exchanger device (3).

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