Heat Recovery Ejector with Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steam-heat recovery structures face difficulties in controlling the heat amount and temperature of water supplied to boilers and other devices, as they lack effective mechanisms to manage the heat from condensed steam drains.
Innovation Solution
A heat recovery apparatus comprising a pump, an ejector, and a temperature control unit that circulates water through a circulation pipe, mixes steam drains with the water to recover heat, and controls water temperature by discharging and replenishing water in the tank, along with a heat exchanging unit for convective heat exchange and a permanent magnet for iron removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If an ejector is used to recover steam drain in a conventional structure, then heat recovery is achieved, but the heat amount and water temperature cannot be controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the water management into separate functional segments: a circulation system for heat recovery, a discharge system for temperature control, and a replenishment system for maintaining water levels. This segmentation allows independent optimization of heat recovery efficiency and temperature control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature control unit continuously monitors the water temperature in the tank and provides feedback to adjust the discharge and replenishment operations. This feedback mechanism enables precise control of water temperature supplied to boilers and other devices while maintaining efficient heat recovery.
2Temperature
If steam drain is mixed with make-up water in a conventional ejector system, then preheating is achieved, but the temperature of supplied water cannot be precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the discharge quantity and replenishment timing based on real-time temperature measurements. The temperature control unit modifies operational parameters on-the-fly to achieve precise temperature control while maintaining efficient heat recovery from steam drain.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as discharge flow rate, replenishment rate, and circulation speed to achieve precise temperature control. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system can supply water at precisely controlled temperatures to different devices.
3Productivity
If water circulation is increased to improve heat recovery, then heat exchange efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation pump and circulation pipe serve multiple functions: they circulate water for heat recovery, enable temperature control through coordinated discharge operations, and maintain system pressure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the heat recovery function with the temperature control function into a unified circulation system. The same pump and circulation pathways are used for both heat exchange and temperature regulation, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high heat exchange efficiency.
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
Efficient recovery and control of heat from steam drains, allowing precise temperature management of water supplied to boilers and other devices, such as washing machines, with improved iron removal and heat exchange efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The ejector is configured to suction the steam drain and mix the steam drain with the circulating water so as to recover the steam drain
Implementation Method 2
The heat exchanging unit is configured to perform heat exchange using a convective flow due to a temperature difference with respect to water accumulated in a different tank
Data Source
AI summary
A heat recovery apparatus recovers steam drain including at least one of steam used in a different device and drain where the steam used in the different device is condensed so as to recover heat contained in the steam drain. The heat recovery apparatus includes a pump, which circulates water accumulated in a tank through circulation pipes, an ejector, which is interposed in the circulation pipes and suctions the steam drain and mixes the steam drain with the circulating water so as to recover the steam drain, and a ball tap and a temperature controller, which perform temperature control of the water in the tank by replenishing the tank with tap water after a part of the water in the tank is discharged in the case where the water in the tank has reached a preliminarily set first temperature.