Distillation Apparatus Heat Collection Circuit with Dynamic Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distillation apparatuses face challenges in efficiently collecting thermal energy from first output fluids that include components difficult to compress, and struggle to flexibly cope with fluctuations in fluid flow rates.
Innovation Solution
A distillation apparatus featuring a separator, cooler, heater, and heat collection circuit with a working medium that circulates thermal energy from the first output fluid to the second output fluid via a compressor and expanding mechanism, and includes a circulation-amount adjusting section to adapt to flow rate fluctuations by adjusting the working medium's circulation amount.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If direct compression is used to collect thermal energy from the first output fluid, then thermal energy collection efficiency is improved, but the system becomes inapplicable when the fluid contains components that are difficult to compress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a working medium as an intermediary substance between the first output fluid and the compressor. The working medium absorbs thermal energy from the first output fluid through heat exchange, then the compressed working medium transfers this energy to the second output fluid. This mediator approach allows thermal energy collection without directly compressing the problematic first output fluid, resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and compositional adaptability.
2Device complexity
If fixed circulation amount is used in the heat collection circuit, then system simplicity is maintained, but the system cannot flexibly cope with fluctuations in fluid flow rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic circulation-amount adjusting section that automatically modifies the circulation amount of the working medium based on real-time detection of the first output fluid's flow rate. When flow rate increases, circulation amount increases to maximize thermal energy collection; when flow rate decreases, circulation amount decreases to maintain system stability. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the system to flexibly adapt to flow rate fluctuations while maintaining operational efficiency.
3Loss of energy
If thermal energy is collected from high-flow-rate fluid, then energy recovery is maximized, but the system cannot effectively handle low-flow-rate conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the circulation amount of the working medium according to the flow rate of the first output fluid. The circulation-amount adjusting section modifies key operational parameters (circulation rate, heat exchange efficiency) to match varying flow conditions. This enables the system to maximize thermal energy recovery during high-flow periods while maintaining effective operation during low-flow periods, thereby resolving the contradiction between energy recovery maximization and broad handling capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A distillation apparatus includes a separator, a cooler, a heater, and a heat collection circuit. The heat collection circuit includes a circulation channel, a compressor, an expanding mechanism, a storing section capable of storing a working medium in a liquid state, and a circulation-amount adjusting section that adjusts a circulation amount of the working medium. The circulation-amount adjusting section adjusts an outflow amount of the working medium, which is stored in the storing section, to the circulation channel or an inflow amount of the working medium, which is circulating in the circulation channel, to the storing section such that the circulation amount increases or decreases according to an increase or a decrease in a flow rate of the first output fluid.