JP5996207B2 - Steam supply device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a steam supply apparatus for supplying steam to an apparatus that uses steam.

  Steam supply devices that generate high-temperature and high-pressure steam used in various chemical processes, food preparation, or sterilization of specific objects are known. Such a steam supply device generates water by evaporating water, then compresses it using a compressor, and supplies it to steam utilization equipment.

  However, in the case of the steam supply device that compresses the steam and supplies it to the steam utilization facility, the flow rate of the steam generated in the evaporator is often smaller than the optimum flow rate for the operation of the compressor. Thus, when the flow rate of the steam generated by heating in the evaporator is not sufficient, the compression efficiency of the compressor is significantly reduced, and the overall efficiency of the steam supply device is significantly reduced.

  An object of the present invention is to provide steam that can effectively maintain the compression efficiency of the compression unit even when the flow rate of the steam generated by heating in the evaporator does not reach the flow rate for efficient operation of the compressor. A supply device is being provided.

  In order to achieve the above object, a vapor supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an evaporator that generates vapor from a liquid, a compression unit that compresses vapor that has flowed out of the evaporator, and a vapor that flows out of the compression unit. A first flow path for allowing steam to flow into the inlet of the compression unit, a second flow path for flowing steam flowing out of the compression unit into the evaporator, and a flow of steam flowing out of the compression unit to the steam utilization facility A third flow path, a first valve that opens and closes the first flow path, and a second valve that opens and closes the second flow path.

  According to the present invention, the compression efficiency of the compression unit can be effectively maintained even when the heating capacity of the evaporator is small. Therefore, the overall efficiency of the steam supply device can be effectively increased.

  Moreover, the steam supply apparatus of this embodiment can prevent the compression unit surge effectively.

1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a steam supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is drawing which shows roughly the one part operation | movement form of the steam supply apparatus of FIG. It is drawing which shows schematically the operation | movement form of the other part of the steam supply apparatus of FIG. It is drawing which shows roughly the other one part operation | movement form of the steam supply apparatus of FIG.

  Hereinafter, a steam supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a drawing schematically showing a configuration of a steam supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the steam supply apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an evaporator 100, a compression unit 200, a first flow path 300, a second flow path 400, a third flow path 500, a first valve 600, a second valve. A valve 700, a third valve 800, first coolers 810 and 820, a second cooler 830, gas-liquid separators 910, 920 and 930, and a fourth flow path 950 are provided.

  The evaporator 100 heats the inflowing liquid W to generate steam. The inside of the evaporator 100 is maintained at a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure. In this case, the boiling point of the liquid W is lower than the boiling point under atmospheric pressure. Thus, if the boiling point of the liquid W is lowered, the amount of heat necessary for the evaporation of the liquid W is reduced. Hereinafter, the case where the liquid W flowing into the evaporator 100 is water will be described as an example.

  The compression unit 200 is for compressing steam flowing out from the evaporator 100, that is, steam, and may include various types of compressors such as a centrifugal type or an axial flow type compressor. The compression unit 200 may be configured in a form in which a plurality of compressors are connected in multiple stages. Referring to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the compression unit 200 of the steam supply apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes three compressors 210, 220, and 230 connected in multiple stages. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the compressors 210, 220, and 230 are referred to as a first compressor 210, a second compressor 220, and a third compressor 230 in order from the most advanced.

  A pressure reducing channel 160 for reducing the pressure inside the evaporator 100 is connected to the channel 150 that connects the outlet of the evaporator 100 and the inlet of the compression unit 200, that is, the inlet of the first compressor 210. The A decompression pump 170 that forcibly takes out air or water vapor inside the evaporator 100 is disposed in the decompression flow path 160 so as to reduce the pressure inside the evaporator 100.

  The first flow path 300 has an outlet of the third compressor 230 and an inlet of the first compressor 210 so that the compressed steam flowing out of the compression unit 200 is re-inflowed into the inlet of the compression unit 200. Link. In the present embodiment, the first flow path 300 is connected to the first compressor 210 via a gas-liquid separator 910 connected to the inlet of the first compressor 210. A check valve 320 is arranged in the first flow path 300 in order to prevent the steam from flowing backward from the inlet of the compression unit 200 toward the outlet of the compression unit 200. The first flow path 300 may be provided with a bypass valve that shuts off the first flow path 300 in advance when it is determined that the first flow path 300 is unnecessary.

  The second flow path 400 connects the compressor at the rearmost end, that is, the outlet of the third compressor 230, and the evaporator 100 so that the compressed steam flowing out from the compression unit 200 flows into the evaporator 100. . A check valve 410 is arranged in the second flow path 400 to prevent the vapor from flowing backward from the evaporator 100 toward the outlet of the compression unit 200.

  In the present embodiment, each of the first flow path 300 and the second flow path 400 is connected to the flow path 550 that is directly connected to the flow outlet of the compression unit 200, thereby being connected to the flow outlet of the compression unit 200. However, the first exhaust passage 350 for discharging the steam to the outside atmosphere is connected to the passage 550 directly connected to the outlet. The first exhaust passage 350 is for adjusting the amount of steam circulating through the compression unit 200, and the valve 352 of the first exhaust passage 350 is opened and closed by the amount of steam circulating through the compression unit 200. Be controlled. A silencer 360 is disposed in the first exhaust flow path 350 so as to reduce noise due to discharge of high-temperature and high-pressure steam.

  The third flow path 500 is connected to the outlet of the compression unit 200 and the steam so that the compressed steam flowing out from the compression unit 200 flows out to the steam utilization equipment U, that is, equipment that performs physical and chemical processes using the steam. Connect to the use equipment U. A flow meter 520 for measuring the flow rate of the steam flowing into the steam utilization facility U is arranged in the third flow path 500.

  In the present embodiment, the second exhaust channel 510 is connected to the third channel 500. The second exhaust channel 510 is used to adjust the operating conditions of the steam supply device 1 by discharging the water vapor in the third channel 500 to the outside by opening and closing the valve 512. For example, the second exhaust flow path 510 may be used to adjust the initial operating condition of the compression unit 200, and when the steam is not supplied to the utilization facility U, the operating condition of the steam supply device 1 is continuously increased. A role of discharging steam to the outside may be performed so that it can be maintained.

  The first valve 600 serves to open and close the first flow path 300 so as to intermittently flow the compressed steam in the first flow path 300. That is, the first valve 600 interrupts the flow of compressed steam that continues from the outlet of the compression unit 200 to the inlet of the compression unit 200. The first valve 600 may be a pressure reducing valve that is opened when the pressure of the outflow steam of the compression unit 200 reaches a predetermined pressure.

  The second valve 700 serves to open and close the second flow path 400 so as to interrupt the flow of compressed steam in the second flow path 400. That is, the second valve 700 interrupts the flow of the compressed steam that continues from the outlet of the compression unit 200 to the inlet of the evaporator 100. The second valve 700 can also adjust the degree of opening of the second flow path 400 so that the flow rate of the compressed steam flowing through the first flow path 300 can be controlled. The second valve 700 may be an electronic valve that can be electronically controlled.

  The first coolers 810 and 820 are disposed between the first to third compressors 210, 220, and 230, and add moisture to the compressed steam that flows out from the front end compressor and flows into the rear end compressor. The steam is then cooled. That is, the first coolers 810 and 820 are disposed between the first compressor 210 and the second compressor 220 and between the second compressor 220 and the third compressor 230, respectively. The steam is injected into the steam that is compressed in step S2 and flows into the second compressor 220, and the steam that is compressed in the second compressor 220 and flows into the third compressor 230, and then cooled. The first coolers 810 and 820 are supplied with water from the outside so that moisture can be injected into the compressed steam, and the water flows into the flow paths 812 and 822 that flow into the first coolers 810 and 820. Valves 814 and 824 capable of controlling the flow rate are arranged.

  The second cooler 830 is disposed in the first flow path 300, and adds water to the compressed steam passing through the first flow path 300, and injects water into the first flow path 300 so as to cool the steam. To play a role. The second cooler 830 is supplied with water from the outside so that moisture can be injected into the compressed steam of the first channel 300, and the water channel 832 that flows into the second cooler 830 has water flowing in. A valve 834 capable of controlling the flow rate is arranged.

  The gas-liquid separators (Knock out drums) 910, 920, 930 are arranged on the inlet side of the compressors 210, 220, 230, and separate liquid water from the steam flowing into the compressors 210, 220, 230. Perform a role. That is, the gas-liquid separators 910, 920, and 930 remove the fumed water contained in the steam flowing into the respective compressors 210, 220, and 230, so that each of the compressors 210, 220, and 230 has a liquid state. Suppresses the inflow of water.

  The fourth flow path 950 connects the gas-liquid separators 910, 920, 930 and the evaporator 100 so that the water separated and discharged from the gas-liquid separators 910, 920, 930 flows into the evaporator 100. To do. In the fourth flow path 950, the drainage storage tank 952 for storing the liquid W separated in the gas-liquid separators 910, 920, and 930 and the water in the drainage storage tank 952 are forcibly supplied to the evaporator 100. A pump 954 for pumping is arranged.

  Next, the partial operation form and effect of the steam supply apparatus 1 described above will be described.

  Water flows into the evaporator 100 and heats it to produce steam. At this time, the internal pressure of the evaporator 100 is set lower than 1 atm so that the water in the evaporator 100 boils at 100 ° C. or less. In order to set the internal pressure of the evaporator 100 to be lower than 1 atm, the internal pressure of the evaporator 100 is lowered in advance using the decompression pump 170.

  The steam generated in the evaporator 100 flows into the gas-liquid separator 910 located at the forefront. In the gas-liquid separator 910, the mist-like water contained in the steam is condensed and separated from the steam.

  The vapor from which liquid water has been separated through the gas-liquid separator 910 flows into the first compressor 210 of the compression unit 200. As the steam passes through the first compressor 210, the pressure and temperature rise.

  The high-temperature and high-pressure steam that has flowed out of the first compressor 210 passes through the first cooler 810 and decreases in temperature. Since the first cooler 810 adds moisture having a temperature lower than that of the steam to the steam flowing out from the first compressor 210, the first cooler 810 cools the steam flowing out from the first compressor 210 and increases the total amount of steam. . Moreover, the 1st cooler 810 can suppress effectively the fall of the compression efficiency by thermal expansion by reducing the temperature of the high temperature steam which flowed out from the 1st compressor 210. FIG.

  The steam that has passed through the first cooler 810 again flows into the second compressor 220 through the gas-liquid separator 920. The steam that has passed through the second compressor 220 is further compressed to a high pressure, and the temperature rises during the compression process. The steam flowing out from the second compressor 220 is cooled by the first cooler 820 connected to the rear end of the second compressor 220. In the process in which the steam flowing out from the second compressor 220 is cooled by the first cooler 820, the total amount of steam further increases.

  The steam that has passed through the second compressor 220 and the first cooler 820 connected to the rear end thereof flows into the third compressor 230 through the gas-liquid separator 930. The steam flowing into the third compressor 230 is further compressed.

  On the other hand, in order to improve the compression efficiency of the compression unit 200, the flow rate of the steam flowing into the compression unit 200 must be ensured. However, the flow rate of the steam generated in the evaporator 100 does not reach the required steam flow rate in the compression unit 200.

  As described above, when the flow rate of the steam generated in the evaporator 100 does not reach the flow rate required for the efficient operation of the compression unit 200, the second flow path 400 is opened, The compressed vapor that has flowed out flows into the evaporator 100.

  FIG. 2 is a drawing schematically showing a state in which the first flow path 300 and the third flow path 500 are blocked and the second flow path 400 is opened.

  Referring to FIG. 2, when the second flow path 400 is opened, the high-pressure compressed steam flowing out from the compression unit 200 flows into the evaporator 100. Since the temperature of the compressed steam flowing out from the compression unit 200 increases while passing through the multistage compressor, if the compressed steam flowing out from the compression unit 200 flows into the evaporator 100, the evaporator 100 further Exhaust a large amount of steam. That is, the steam that flows out from the compression unit 200 flows into the evaporator 100 while retaining the energy transmitted from the compression unit 200, so that the evaporator 100 does not input a large amount of heat and the flow rate of the outflow steam. Effectively increase.

  As described above, the steam supply device 1 of the present embodiment controls the opening and closing of the second flow path 400 so that the amount of steam discharged from the evaporator 100 can be reduced even when the heating capacity of the evaporator 100 is relatively small. Increase according to the optimum operating flow rate of the compression unit 200.

  On the other hand, the steam that passes through the compression unit 200 passes through the first coolers 810 and 820, but the first coolers 810 and 820 add moisture to the steam, so the flow rate of the steam that passes through the compression unit 200 is reduced. It can be further increased.

  Further, the water discharged from the gas-liquid separators 910, 920, and 930 flows into the evaporator 100 again by the pump 954. The water is a condensed high-temperature steam and has a high temperature. Therefore, even if the evaporator 100 does not absorb much heat, it is easily converted into steam.

  When the flow rate of the steam passing through the compression unit 200 is secured, the third valve 800 is opened to open the third flow path 500, and the steam is supplied to the steam utilization facility U.

  FIG. 3 is a view schematically showing a state in which the second flow path 400 and the third flow path 500 are opened. As shown in FIG. 3, when the third flow path 500 is opened, compressed steam is generated. Is supplied to the steam utilization equipment U. The amount of steam flowing into the steam utilization facility U is measured by the flow meter 520.

  On the other hand, during the operation of the compression unit 200, the pressure difference between the inlet and the outlet of the compression unit 200 becomes larger than a predetermined range, or the flow rate of the steam passing through the compression unit 200 is less than the predetermined range. In this case, a surge may occur.

  In order to prevent such a surge of the compression unit 200, the pressure difference between the inlet and the outlet of the compression unit 200 is maintained below a predetermined range, and the flow rate of the compression unit 200 is maintained above a predetermined magnitude. There is a need.

  FIG. 4 is a drawing schematically showing a state in which the first flow path 300 is opened. As shown in FIG. 4, the steam supply device 1 according to the present embodiment prevents surge in the compression unit 200 by controlling the opening and closing of the first flow path 300. That is, the first valve opens the first flow path 300 when the pressure difference between the inlet and the outlet of the compression unit 200 reaches a predetermined range, so that the inlet and outlet of the compression unit 200 are opened. Maintain the pressure difference below a predetermined range. Therefore, the surge of the compression unit 200 is effectively prevented.

  When the first flow path 300 is opened, the compressed steam passing through the first flow path 300 is cooled while passing through the second cooler 830, and the flow rate is also increased.

  Although the steam supply device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be embodied in various forms within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the compression unit 200 includes the three compressors 210, 220, and 230 connected in multiple stages. However, the compression unit 200 includes two or four or more connected in multiple stages. The compressor may be provided. Further, the compression unit 200 may be configured to include one compressor.

  In addition, the steam supply device 1 according to the above embodiment has been described as including the gas-liquid separators 910, 920, 930, the first coolers 810, 820, the second cooler 830, and the fourth flow path 950. The steam supply apparatus according to the present invention may be configured in a form that does not include the gas-liquid separator, the first cooler, the second cooler, and the fourth flow path.

  Moreover, although the 1st valve 600 of the vapor | steam supply apparatus 1 by the said embodiment was demonstrated as what is a pressure-reduction valve, the 1st valve 600 may be an electronic valve which can be controlled electronically. In this case, the first valve 600 may be controlled so as to adjust the opening and closing of the first flow path 300 according to the pressure and flow rate of the outlet of the compression unit 200 so that surge of the compression unit 200 can be prevented.

  Moreover, although the steam supply apparatus 1 by the said embodiment was demonstrated as what supplies the vapor | steam which vaporized water to the vapor | steam utilization equipment U, the vapor supply apparatus by this invention evaporates liquids other than water, The steam may be supplied to the steam utilization facility U.

  In addition, it goes without saying that the steam supply apparatus according to the present invention is embodied in various forms.

  The present invention is applicable to technical fields related to steam utilization equipment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Steam supply apparatus 100 Evaporator 200 Compression unit 300 1st flow path 400 2nd flow path 500 3rd flow path 600 1st valve 700 2nd valve 800 3rd valve 910,920,930 Gas-liquid separator 950 4th flow Road U Steam utilization equipment

Claims (7)

An evaporator that generates vapor from a liquid;
A compression unit for compressing the vapor flowing out of the evaporator;
A first flow path for allowing the vapor flowing out of the compression unit to flow again into the compression unit;
A second flow path that is separate from the first flow path for allowing the vapor flowing out of the compression unit to flow back into the evaporator;
A third flow path for causing the steam flowing out from the compression unit to flow into the steam utilization facility;
A first valve for opening and closing the first flow path;
A second valve for opening and closing the second flow path;
A vacuum passage which is connected to the flow path connecting the said evaporator and the inlet of the compression unit,
A decompression pump disposed in the decompression flow path,
The steam supply device, wherein the first flow path connects the outlet of the compression unit and the inlet of the compression unit without passing through the evaporator .   The steam supply apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a third valve that opens and closes the third flow path.   The steam supply device according to claim 1, wherein the compression unit includes a plurality of compressors connected in multiple stages.   And a first cooler that is disposed between the compressors and that cools the steam by adding the liquid to the steam flowing out from the compressor at the front end and flowing into the compressor at the rear end. The steam supply device according to claim 3.   The steam supply apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second cooler that cools the steam by adding the liquid to the steam that passes through the first flow path.   The steam supply apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a gas-liquid separator that separates and discharges the liquid contained in the steam flowing into the compression unit.   The steam supply device according to claim 6, further comprising a fourth flow path for allowing the liquid discharged from the gas-liquid separator to flow into the evaporator.