Multi-Stage Flash Steam Recovery With Low-Pressure Compression
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat recovery systems are limited in the amount of high-temperature and high-pressure steam they can produce due to lower temperatures and pressures in later stages of flash tanks, limiting their efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A heat recovery utilization system that includes a circulation line with a first heat exchanger, high-pressure and low-pressure flash tanks, steam merging lines, and low-pressure stage compressors to enhance steam pressure and temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If liquid heated by heat exchange with heat source medium is sequentially guided to multiple flash tanks, then heat is efficiently recovered, but the amount of high-temperature and high-pressure steam is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the flash tank into high-pressure and low-pressure stages, with the high-pressure flash tank generating high-temperature steam and the low-pressure flash tank generating low-pressure steam. This segmentation allows different pressure levels to be optimized independently, resolving the contradiction between heat recovery efficiency and steam quantity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the pressure parameter across different stages of the flash tank system. By maintaining high pressure in the first stage and reducing pressure in subsequent stages, the system enables both high-temperature steam generation and efficient heat recovery, thereby increasing the total amount of usable steam.
2Quantity of substance
If low-pressure flash tank steam is merged with high-pressure flash tank steam, then the amount of steam is increased, but compressor power is required to pressurize low-pressure steam
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies partial pressurization only to the low-pressure steam from the low-pressure flash tank, rather than pressurizing all steam. This partial action approach increases the total usable steam quantity while minimizing the energy required for compression, as only a portion of the steam requires pressurization.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enables the generation and use of a larger amount of high-temperature and high-pressure steam while efficiently recovering heat, utilizing a smaller compressor power.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat exchanger for heating the first medium in a liquid state flowing through the circulation line through heat exchange with a heat source medium
Implementation Method 2
a high-pressure flash tank provided in the circulation line and to which the first medium in the liquid state heated by the first heat exchanger is guided
Implementation Method 3
at least one low-pressure stage compressor for pressurizing the steam of the first medium from the at least one low-pressure flash tank
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
This heat recovery utilization system comprises: a circulation line through which a first medium circulates; a first heat exchanger for heating the first medium in a liquid state flowing through the circulation line by means of heat exchange with a heat source medium; a high-pressure flash tank which is provided to the circulation line and through which the first medium in the liquid state heated by the first heat exchanger is guided; at least one low-pressure flash tank which is provided to the circulation line and through which the first medium in the liquid state is guided from the high-pressure flash tank; a steam supply line for guiding the steam of the first medium generated in the high-pressure flash tank to a heat utilization facility; a steam merging line for merging the steam of the first medium generated in the at least one low-pressure flash tank into the steam of the first medium from the high-pressure flash tank flowing through the steam supply line; and at least one low-pressure stage compressor provided to the steam merging line and raising the pressure of the steam of the first medium from the at least one low-pressure flash tank.