Temperature control system

Abstract

A temperature control system 1 for controlling the temperature of a fluid flowing inside a pipe 10, by means of a heating member 20 disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the pipe 10, comprises: measuring instruments such as an inlet temperature sensor 51, an inlet pressure sensor 53, and a flowmeter 55 that are disposed on the upstream side of the pipe 10 and detect the state of the fluid; and a fluid resistance member 30 that is disposed inside the pipe 10.

Description

Temperature control system

[0001] This invention relates to a temperature control system.

[0002] As shown in Patent Document 1, an electrically heated transparent surface heating element is disclosed. In the technology described in Patent Document 1, the entire heating surface is formed of a transparent conductive film.

[0003] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-016491

[0004] When a fluid flows through a pipe with heating elements positioned on its outer surface, it is necessary to precisely control the heating elements to reduce the expansion of gases in the fluid, which can form bubbles, depending on the temperature of the heating elements and the type of fluid. However, reliably suppressing bubble formation is difficult.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention aims to reduce the influence of bubbles generated during heating in a pipe on which a heating element is arranged on the outer surface.

[0006] According to an aspect of the present invention, a temperature control system is provided for controlling the temperature of a fluid flowing inside a pipe using a heating element arranged on the outer surface of the pipe, the system comprising: a measuring instrument for detecting the state of the fluid, arranged upstream of the pipe; and a fluid resistance element, arranged inside the pipe.

[0007] According to an aspect of the present invention, in a pipe on which a heating element is arranged on the outer surface, the influence of bubbles generated during heating can be reduced.

[0008] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a temperature control system according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing piping according to the first embodiment. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing an example of an antifoaming member according to the first embodiment. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an antifoaming member according to the first embodiment. Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing conventional piping. Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing piping according to the second embodiment. Figure 7 is a partially enlarged view of Figure 6. Figure 8 is a diagram showing the process of fixing a resistance member to piping according to the second embodiment.

[0009] The following describes embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The components of the embodiments described below can be combined as appropriate. In addition, some components may not be used.

[0010] [First Embodiment] <Temperature Control System> Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of piping according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the piping according to the first embodiment. The temperature control system 1 controls the temperature of the fluid flowing inside the pipe 10 using a heating member 20 arranged on the outer surface of the pipe 10. The temperature control system 1 controls the temperature of the fluid in the pipe 10 through which the fluid flows from the inlet 10a to the outlet 10b. In addition to the pipe 10 described above, the temperature control system 1 includes a heating member 20 and a controller 100.

[0011] The piping 10 is a tube through which the fluid to be temperature-controlled flows from the inlet 10a to the outlet 10b. In this embodiment, the piping 10 is made of, for example, a transparent material. The transparent material is, for example, a quartz glass tube. A resistance member 30, which will be described later, is placed inside the piping 10. A defoaming member 40, which will be described later, is placed downstream of the piping 10.

[0012] If it is not necessary to visually inspect the state of the fluid flowing inside the pipe 10, the pipe 10 may be made of an opaque material. Examples of opaque materials include quartz, glass, glassy carbon, silicon carbide (SiC), aluminum alloy, or copper alloy.

[0013] The piping 10 may be made of a fluororesin such as PFA (Perfluoroalkoxy Alkane) or PTFE (Poly Tetra Fluoro Etherene).

[0014] The heating element 20 regulates the temperature of the fluid flowing inside the pipe 10. The heating element 20 can be, for example, a sheet heater, a thin-film heater, a vapor-deposited heater, or a thermoelectric module. For example, a vapor-deposited heater may be deposited in a spiral pattern on the outer surface of the pipe 10.

[0015] <Resistance Member> The temperature control system 1 includes a resistance member 30. The resistance member 30 is located inside the piping 10. The resistance member 30 obstructs the flow of fluid inside the piping 10. The resistance member 30 comprises a rod-shaped body 31 and a resistor 32.

[0016] The rod-shaped body 31 is rod-shaped and aligned with the axial direction of the pipe 10.

[0017] The axial length of the rod-shaped body 31 is longer than the length of the section of the pipe 10 where the heating member 20 is located.

[0018] The resistor 32 is arranged on the rod-shaped body 31. The resistor 32 is a member that protrudes radially outward from the rod-shaped body 31. One or more resistors 32 are arranged in a line along the axial direction.

[0019] At least one resistor 32 is located upstream of the section of the piping 10 where the heating element 20 is located. At least one resistor 32 is located inside the piping 10 upstream of the upstream end of the heating element 20. In Figure 2, the resistor 32 located furthest upstream is shown. １ It is located upstream of the section of the piping 10 where the heating element 20 is located.

[0020] The resistor 32 may be, for example, spherical, polyhedral, annular, or wing-shaped. The shape of the resistor 32 is not limited. The resistor 32 may be positioned around the rod-shaped body 31, or it may be positioned eccentrically with respect to the rod-shaped body 31.

[0021] The resistive member 30 is, for example, quartz, glass, glassy carbon, silicon carbide (SiC), aluminum containing an alloy, or copper containing an alloy.

[0022] The resistive member 30 may be formed from a fluororesin such as PFA (Perfluoroalkoxy Alkane) or PTFE (Polytetrafluoro Etherene).

[0023] <Defoaming Member> The defoaming member will be described using Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the defoaming member according to the first embodiment. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the defoaming member according to the first embodiment. The temperature control system 1 includes a defoaming member 40.

[0024] The defoaming member 40 is located downstream of the piping 10. The defoaming member 40 is located upstream of the outlet temperature sensor 52 and the outlet pressure sensor 54. The defoaming member 40 allows the fluid discharged from the piping 10 to pass further downstream. The defoaming member 40 suppresses the discharge of bubbles from the fluid outside the piping 10. The fluid inlet of the defoaming member 40 is located vertically above the outlet. The fluid outlet of the defoaming member 40 is located vertically below the outlet. The defoaming member 40 comprises a main body 41, an inlet pipe 45, and an outlet pipe 46.

[0025] The interior of the main body 41 is empty space. The shape of the main body 41 is not limited as long as it has sides that are longer vertically than the diameter of the pipe 10. Partition walls 42 may be placed inside the main body 41.

[0026] The partition wall 42 is located in the middle of the main body 41 in the vertical direction. The partition wall 42 is located vertically below the inlet pipe 45 and vertically above the outlet pipe 46.

[0027] The inlet pipe 45 allows the fluid discharged from the pipe 10 to flow into the main body 41. The inlet pipe 45 is a pipe that connects the inside and outside of the main body 41. The inlet pipe 45 is positioned to penetrate the wall portion 41a of the main body 41. The inlet pipe 45 is positioned across the outside and inside of the main body 41. The inlet pipe 45 is positioned vertically above the partition wall 42. The inlet pipe 45 is positioned vertically above the outlet pipe 46.

[0028] The outlet pipe 46 discharges the fluid that has passed through the main body 41 to the downstream side. The outlet pipe 46 is a pipe that connects the inside and outside of the main body 41. The outlet pipe 46 is positioned to penetrate the wall 41b of the main body 41. The outlet pipe 46 is positioned vertically below the partition wall 42. The outlet pipe 46 is positioned vertically below the inlet pipe 45.

[0029] Inside the defoaming member 40, in a side view, there is a space S1 between the inner circumferential surface of the main body 41 and the partition wall 42, and a space S2 between the partition wall 42 and the inner circumferential surface of the main body 41. Spaces S1 and S2 are interconnected spaces.

[0030] <Measuring Instruments> The temperature control system 1 is equipped with measuring instruments that detect the state of the fluid, located on the upstream side of the piping 10. The measuring instruments are an inlet temperature sensor 51, an inlet pressure sensor 53, and a flow meter 55. On the downstream side of the piping 10, the temperature control system 1 is equipped with an outlet temperature sensor 52 and an outlet pressure sensor 54.

[0031] The inlet temperature sensor 51 measures the inlet temperature, which is the temperature of the fluid flowing into the pipe 10. The inlet temperature sensor 51 measures the inlet temperature, which is the temperature of the fluid before it is temperature-controlled by the heating element 20. The inlet temperature sensor 51 measures the inlet temperature, which is the temperature on the inlet 10a side of the pipe 10. The inlet temperature sensor 51 is located on the inlet 10a side of the pipe 10. The inlet temperature sensor 51 is located upstream of the heating element 20. The inlet temperature sensor 51 outputs the inlet temperature to the controller 100.

[0032] The outlet temperature sensor 52 measures the outlet temperature, which is the temperature of the fluid flowing out of the pipe 10. The inlet temperature sensor 51 measures the outlet temperature, which is the temperature of the fluid that has been temperature-controlled by the heating element 20. The outlet temperature sensor 52 measures the outlet temperature, which is the temperature on the outlet 10b side of the pipe 10. The outlet temperature sensor 52 is located on the outlet 10b side of the pipe 10. The outlet temperature sensor 52 is located downstream of the heating element 20. The outlet temperature sensor 52 outputs the outlet temperature to the controller 100.

[0033] The inlet pressure sensor 53 measures the inlet pressure, which is the pressure of the fluid flowing into the pipe 10. The inlet pressure sensor 53 measures the inlet pressure, which is the pressure of the fluid before it is temperature-controlled by the heating element 20. The inlet pressure sensor 53 measures the inlet pressure, which is the pressure on the inlet 10a side of the pipe 10. The inlet pressure sensor 53 is located on the inlet 10a side of the pipe 10. The inlet pressure sensor 53 is located upstream of the heating element 20. The inlet pressure sensor 53 outputs the inlet pressure to the controller 100.

[0034] The outlet pressure sensor 54 measures the outlet pressure, which is the pressure of the fluid flowing out of the pipe 10. The outlet pressure sensor 54 measures the outlet pressure, which is the pressure of the fluid whose temperature has been controlled by the heating element 20. The outlet pressure sensor 54 measures the outlet pressure, which is the pressure on the outlet 10b side of the pipe 10. The outlet pressure sensor 54 is located on the outlet 10b side of the pipe 10. The outlet pressure sensor 54 is located downstream of the heating element 20. The outlet pressure sensor 54 outputs the outlet pressure to the controller 100.

[0035] The flow meter 55 measures the flow rate of the fluid flowing into the pipe 10. The flow meter 55 measures the flow rate of the fluid on the inlet 10a side of the pipe 10. The flow meter 55 is located on the inlet 10a side of the pipe 10. The flow meter 55 is located upstream of the heating element 20. The flow meter 55 outputs the flow rate to the controller 100.

[0036] <Controller> The controller 100 controls the temperature of the heating element 20 so as to adjust the temperature of the fluid flowing from the inlet 10a to the outlet 10b of the pipe 10 to a desired temperature. The controller 100, for example, applies a voltage to an electrode (not shown) of the heating element 20 to generate heat in the heating element 20.

[0037] The controller 100 obtains a detection result indicating the inlet temperature from the inlet temperature sensor 51. The controller 100 also obtains a detection result indicating the outlet temperature from the outlet temperature sensor 52. The controller 100 may use the inlet temperature and outlet temperature to control the output of the heating element 20.

[0038] The controller 100 acquires a detection result indicating an inlet pressure from the inlet pressure sensor 53. The controller 100 acquires a detection result indicating an outlet pressure from the outlet pressure sensor 54.

[0039] The controller 100 acquires a detection result indicating a flow rate from the flow meter 55.

[0040] <Operation> As shown in Figure 2, the temperature of the fluid flowing through the pipe 10 is adjusted by the heating member 20. When the temperature of the fluid flowing through the pipe 10 is adjusted by the heating member 20, the gas in the fluid expands, and air bubbles A are generated inside the pipe 10. A resistance member 30 is disposed inside the pipe 10. Let L1 be the distance between the rod-shaped body 31 of the resistance member 30 and the inner circumferential surface of the pipe, and L2 be the distance between the resistor 32 and the inner circumferential surface of the pipe (L1 < L2). Both the distance L1 and the distance L2 are smaller than the radius of the pipe. Since the resistance member 30 is disposed, the flow of fluid inside the pipe 10 is obstructed. Such a resistance member 30 makes it difficult for pressure fluctuations caused by the air bubbles A to move upstream.

[0041] The fluid discharged downstream from the pipe 10 flows into the defoaming member 40. In the defoaming member 40, the fluid flows into the main body 41 from the inlet pipe 45, and first flows through the space S1. Then, the fluid hits the wall 41b, turns back and flows inside the main body 41. Further, the fluid hits the wall 41a, turns back, and flows through the space S2. As the fluid flows inside the main body 41 in this manner, the air bubbles A in the fluid remain on the upper side in the vertical normal direction of the space S1. In this way, the discharge of air bubbles A in the fluid to the downstream side of the defoaming member 40 is suppressed.

[0042] <Effect> As described above, in the embodiment, a measuring instrument disposed on the upstream side of the pipe and a fluid resistance member 30 inside the pipe 10 are provided. In the present embodiment, the resistance member 30 can suppress the propagation of pressure fluctuations caused by air bubbles A generated inside the pipe 10 due to heating to the upstream side. According to the present embodiment, in the pipe 10 having the heating member 20 disposed on the outer circumferential surface thereof, the influence of air bubbles A generated during heating can be reduced. According to the present embodiment, disturbance of measured values such as flow rate and inlet pressure on the upstream side of the pipe 10 can be suppressed.

[0043] In this embodiment, at least one resistor 32 of the resistance member 30 is arranged upstream of the position where the heating member 20 of the pipe 10 is arranged. According to this embodiment, propagation of pressure fluctuation caused by air bubbles A generated inside the pipe 10 by heating to the upstream side of the pipe 10 can be more appropriately suppressed.

[0044] In this embodiment, the resistor 32 can be, for example, spherical, polyhedral, annular, or blade-shaped. According to this embodiment, the resistor 32 having an appropriate shape can be arranged according to various conditions such as the thickness of the pipe 10 and the type of fluid.

[0045] In this embodiment, a plurality of resistors 32 are arranged side by side in the axial direction. According to this embodiment, propagation of pressure fluctuation caused by air bubbles A generated inside the pipe 10 by heating to the upstream side of the pipe 10 can be suppressed more appropriately.

[0046] In this embodiment, the defoaming member 40 can appropriately suppress discharge of air bubbles A in the fluid to the downstream side of the pipe 10.

[0047] In this embodiment, in the defoaming member 40, an inlet pipe 45 serving as a fluid inlet is arranged vertically above an outlet pipe 46 serving as a fluid outlet. According to this embodiment, discharge of air bubbles A to the downstream side of the main body 41 can be suppressed.

[0048] In this embodiment, in the defoaming member 40, an outlet pipe 46 serving as a fluid outlet is arranged vertically below. According to this embodiment, only the fluid can be discharged from the outlet pipe 46. According to this embodiment, discharge of air bubbles A to the downstream side of the main body 41 can be suppressed.

[0049] With reference to Fig. 5, air bubbles generated during conventional heating will be described. Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a conventional pipe. In contrast, in the conventional art, pressure fluctuation caused by air bubbles A generated by heating inside the pipe 10 propagates through the fluid, which disturbs measured values such as flow rate or inlet pressure on the upstream side of the pipe 10.

[0050] [Modified Example] In the above explanation, a partition wall 42 was described as being located inside the defoaming member 40, but the partition wall 42 is not an essential component. The operation of the defoaming member 40 without the partition wall 42 will be explained. In the defoaming member 40, the fluid flows into the main body 41 from the inlet pipe 45 and is discharged from the outlet pipe 46. As the fluid flows inside the main body 41 in this way, the bubbles A in the fluid remain on the upper side in the vertical direction inside the main body 41.

[0051] [Second Embodiment] Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the piping according to the second embodiment. Figure 7 is a partially enlarged view of Figure 6. Figure 8 is a diagram showing the process of fixing the resistance member to the piping according to the second embodiment. In this embodiment, the resistance member 30 differs from that of the first embodiment. Other aspects are configured in the same way as in the first embodiment. The same configuration as in the first embodiment will not be described.

[0052] To prevent the resistance member 30 from shifting inside the pipe 10 due to its own weight, at least a portion of the resistance member 30 is fixed to the inner wall 10f of the pipe 10. At least a portion of either the rod-shaped body 31 or the resistance body 32 of the resistance member 30 is fixed to the inner wall 10f of the pipe 10.

[0053] The rod-shaped body 31 is bent at approximately 90 degrees at one end in the axial direction. The tip of the rod-shaped body 31, beyond the bent portion, can be fixed to the inner wall 10f of the pipe 10.

[0054] The case in which the rod-shaped body 31 is fixed will be described. In this case, for example, a welded portion 35, which is a projection extending from at least a part of the rod-shaped body 31 toward the inner wall 10f of the pipe 10, is fixed to the inner wall 10f.

[0055] The case where the resistor 32 is fixed will be described. In this case, for example, one or more of the resistors 32 arranged in the axial direction are fixed to the inner wall 10f of the pipe 10. The resistors 32 that are fixed to the inner wall 10f of the pipe 10 are provided with a projection 33. The projection 33 protrudes outward from the resistor 32.

[0056] The process of fixing the resistance member 30 to the pipe 10 will be explained using Figure 8. In Figure 8(a), the resistance member 30１ and resistance member 30 ２ are prepared. Resistance member 30 １ and resistance member 30 ２ are configured in the same manner and arranged symmetrically in the front view of FIG. 8. When no distinction is required between resistance member 30 １ and resistance member 30 ２ , they are described as resistance member 30. Resistance member 30 is bent by approximately 90 degrees on one axial end side. In the example of FIG. 8, one resistance member 30 has a length approximately half that of the pipe 10 in which resistance member 30 is arranged.

[0057] In FIG. 8(b), resistance member 30 １ has one axial (longitudinal) end, and the one axial (longitudinal) end of resistance member 30 ２ is welded thereto. The welded portion 35 may have the same shape as the resistor 32. The welded portion 35 may have the same shape as the resistor 32 having the protruding portion 33.

[0058] In FIG. 8(c), the resistance member 30 integrated by welding is inserted into the pipe 10. It is preferable to insert the resistance member 30 into the pipe while protecting the inner wall 10f of the pipe 10 with a PTFE (PolyTetraFluoroEthylene) sheet or the like. Then, in the pipe 10, the position corresponding to the resistor 32 having the protruding portion 33 of the inserted resistance member 30 and the position corresponding to the welded portion 35 are welded from the outside of the pipe 10, so as to fix the resistance member 30 to the pipe 10. It should be noted that the heating member 20, which is not illustrated, is preferably arranged avoiding the welded portion.

[0059] <Effects> As described above, in the embodiment, at least a part of the resistance member 30 is fixed to the inner wall 10f of the pipe 10. In this way, according to the present embodiment, the position of the resistance member 30 inside the pipe 10 can be fixed, and displacement of the resistance member 30 can be suppressed. The embodiment can suppress the situation where the resistance member 30 moves freely and contacts the inside of the pipe 10. According to the embodiment, the effect of reducing the influence of air bubbles generated during heating by the resistance member 30 can be maintained.

[0060] 1...Temperature control system, 10...Piping, 10a...Inlet, 10b...Outlet, 20...Heating element, 30...Resistance element, 31...Rod-shaped body, 32...Resistor, 40...Defoaming element, 41...Main body, 42...Partition wall, 45...Inlet piping, 46...Outlet piping, 51...Inlet temperature sensor, 52...Outlet temperature sensor, 53...Inlet pressure sensor, 54...Outlet pressure sensor, 55...Flow meter, 100...Controller.

Claims

1. A temperature control system for controlling the temperature of a fluid flowing inside a pipe using a heating element placed on the outer surface of the pipe, comprising: a measuring instrument for detecting the state of the fluid, placed upstream of the pipe; and a fluid resistance element, placed inside the pipe.

2. The temperature control system according to claim 1, wherein the resistive member comprises a rod-shaped body along the axial direction of the piping, and a resistive body disposed on the rod-shaped body and projecting radially outward from the rod-shaped body, wherein at least one of the resistive bodies is located upstream of the position of the heating member in the piping.

3. The temperature control system according to claim 2, wherein the resistor is spherical, polyhedral, annular, or feather-shaped.

4. The temperature control system according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of resistors are arranged in the axial direction.

5. The temperature control system according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the resistive member is fixed to the inner wall of the piping.

6. A temperature control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a defoaming member disposed downstream of the piping, wherein bubbles in the fluid are suppressed from being discharged downstream of the defoaming member.

7. The temperature control system according to claim 6, wherein the defoaming member has a fluid inlet positioned vertically above the outlet.

8. The temperature control system according to claim 6, wherein the defoaming member has the outlet for the fluid positioned vertically downward.

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