JP6304674B2 - Drying apparatus and drying method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a drying apparatus and a drying method for removing hydrocarbon-based volatile oil adhering to a heat exchanger.

  FIG. 6 shows a method for manufacturing a heat exchanger for a room air conditioner. The heat exchanger manufacturing method for room air conditioners includes a fin press step S10 for forming aluminum fins by pressing thin aluminum, a copper tube insertion step S20 for inserting a copper tube into the aluminum fin, and expanding the copper tube. Tube expansion step S30, drying step S40 for removing hydrocarbon-based volatile oil adhering to the aluminum fins and the copper tube in the fin press step S10, and brazing step S50 for attaching and welding a U-shaped copper tube to the copper tube And a leakage inspection step S60 for confirming that no gas is leaking from the inside of the copper tube.

  According to this manufacturing method, in the drying step S40, for example, hot air is applied to the heat exchanger (aluminum fin and copper tube) by the drying device (fluid heating device) described in Patent Document 1, and the heat exchanger is set to 150 to By heating and drying at 180 [° C.] for about 1 minute, hydrocarbon-based volatile oil adhering to the heat exchanger can be vaporized and removed.

Utility Model No. 3174458

  However, since the conventional drying apparatus vaporizes and removes the hydrocarbon-based volatile oil as described above, it has a large environmental load and may have an adverse effect on the environment.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said situation, The place made into the subject is providing the drying apparatus and drying method which can reduce environmental impact.

In order to solve the above problems, a drying apparatus according to the present invention includes:
A drying device for removing hydrocarbon-based volatile oil adhering to a heat exchanger,
A conveyor for conveying the heat exchanger from one side to the other;
A replacement unit that applies a predetermined amount of washing water to the heat exchanger being conveyed by the conveyor, removes the volatile oil adhering to the heat exchanger, and adheres the washing water to the heat exchanger;
A removal unit for removing the washing water adhering to the heat exchanger;
A drying unit that is provided on the other side of the conveyor than the replacement unit and the removal unit, and that applies hot air to the heat exchanger being conveyed by the conveyor to dry the heat exchanger. It is characterized by.

The drying device
A drain pan for recovering a mixed liquid of the washing water applied to the heat exchanger and the volatile oil removed from the heat exchanger;
Oil-water separation in which the cleaning water is stored in advance and has a storage space in which the mixed liquid recovered by the drain pan is stored, and the mixed liquid is separated into the cleaning water and the volatile oil in the storage space A tank,
A circulation pump for sending the cleaning water in the accommodation space to the replacement unit;
It is preferable that a circulation unit including

In the above drying device,
The oil-water separation tank is
A cylindrical first inflow arranged such that a first inlet on one end side is connected to the drain pan, and a second inlet on the other end is located below the surface of the washing water in the accommodation space. And
A first outflow portion in which a first outlet on one end side is disposed below the second inlet, and a second outlet on the other end side is connected to the circulation pump;
A partition plate provided between the second inflow port and the first outflow port in the housing space and forming a detour path from the second inflow port to the first outflow port,
The partition plate has a groove formed at a position facing the second inflow port.

In the above drying device,
The oil-water separation tank is
A temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of the cleaning water in the accommodation space;
A heating unit for heating the washing water;
It is preferable to include a temperature control unit that controls the heating unit so that the temperature of the cleaning water is a target temperature that is lower than 70 ° C. and higher than 20 ° C.

In the above drying device,
The oil-water separation tank is
A water level detection unit for detecting the level of the washing water in the accommodation space;
When the water level detected by the water level detection unit falls below a predetermined first threshold value, it is preferable to include a second inflow unit that allows normal temperature water to flow into the accommodation space until the water level reaches the second threshold value.

In the above drying device,
The oil-water separation tank is
A pH detection unit for detecting the pH of the washing water in the accommodation space;
And a third outflow part for allowing the washing water and the volatile oil in the accommodating space to flow out when the pH detected by the pH detection part is smaller than 5 or larger than 8. preferable.

In the above drying device,
It is preferable that the circulation unit includes an ion exchange resin membrane or a reverse osmosis membrane, and allows the room temperature water supplied from a water source to flow into the second inflow portion through the ion exchange resin membrane or the reverse osmosis membrane. .

In the above drying device,
The drying unit includes:
A suction duct for sucking in the hot air;
A branch path connecting the suction duct and the oil / water separation tank;
An exhaust fan provided in the branch path,
The exhaust fan preferably allows the hot air to flow into the accommodation space of the oil / water separation tank through the branch path.

In the above drying device,
The removal unit is provided on the other side of the conveyor with respect to the replacement unit, and injects compressed gas onto the heat exchanger that is being conveyed by the conveyor, and removes the washing water adhering to the heat exchanger. The structure provided with the air blow nozzle to perform can be taken.

In the above drying device,
The conveyor includes an inclined portion having an upward slope from the one side toward the other side,
The replacement unit is provided above the conveyance surface in the inclined portion,
The removal unit includes a water flow plate that is provided below a conveying surface in the inclined portion and generates a water flow of the cleaning water from the other side to the one side in the inclined portion, and the heat flow plate causes the heat to flow. The washing water adhering to the exchanger can be removed.

In order to solve the above problems, the drying method according to the present invention comprises:
A drying method for removing hydrocarbon-based volatile oil adhering to a heat exchanger,
A conveying step of conveying the heat exchanger by a conveyor;
A replacement step of applying a predetermined amount of washing water to the heat exchanger in the conveying step, removing the volatile oil adhering to the heat exchanger, and attaching the washing water to the heat exchanger;
A removing step of removing the washing water adhering to the heat exchanger during the transporting step;
And a drying step of drying the heat exchanger by applying hot air to the heat exchanger after the removing step in the conveying step.

The drying method is
Including a circulation step of recovering the wash water applied to the heat exchanger and returning the recovered wash water to a replacement unit that performs the replacement step;
The circulation step includes
A first circulation step for recovering a mixed liquid of the washing water applied to the heat exchanger and the volatile oil removed from the heat exchanger;
A second circulation step in which the mixed liquid recovered in the first circulation step is accommodated in an accommodation space in which the washing water is accommodated in advance;
A third circulation step for separating the mixed liquid accommodated in the second circulation step into the washing water and the volatile oil in the accommodation space;
And a fourth circulation step in which the wash water separated in the third circulation step is sent to the replacement unit by a circulation pump.

In the above drying method,
In the second circulation step, a first inlet on one end side is connected to a drain pan that collects the mixed liquid in the first circulation step, and a second inlet on the other end side is connected to the washing water in the accommodation space. The mixed liquid is accommodated in the accommodating space via a cylindrical first inflow portion arranged to be positioned below the water surface,
In the fourth circulation step, the first outlet on one end side is disposed below the second inlet, and the second outlet on the other end side passes through the first outlet connected to the circulation pump. And sending the washing water to the replacement unit,
In the third circulation step, a groove portion is provided in the housing space between the second inlet and the first outlet, facing the second inlet, and the second flow Separating the mixed liquid into the cleaning water and the volatile oil in a space above the partition plate in the accommodation space using a partition plate that forms a detour path from the inlet to the first outlet. It is characterized by.

In the above drying method,
In the circulation step, it is preferable that the cleaning water is heated so that the temperature of the cleaning water in the accommodation space becomes a target temperature lower than 70 ° C. and higher than 20 ° C.

In the above drying method,
In the circulation step, when the level of the cleaning water in the accommodation space falls below a predetermined first threshold value, the accommodation is performed from a second inflow part different from the first inflow part until the water level reaches a second threshold value. It is preferable to allow room temperature water to flow into the space.

In the above drying method,
In the circulation step, when the pH of the washing water is smaller than 5 or larger than 8, the washing water in the accommodation space and the third washing water in the accommodation space are separated from the third outflow portion different from the second outflow portion. It is preferable to let the volatile oil flow out.

In the above drying method,
In the circulation step, it is preferable to supply the room temperature water to the second inflow portion through an ion exchange resin membrane or a reverse osmosis membrane.

In the above drying method,
In the drying step, it is preferable that the hot air applied to the heat exchanger is sent out to the accommodation space.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the drying apparatus and drying method which can reduce environmental impact can be provided.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the drying apparatus which concerns on this invention. (A) is a front view of the oil-water separation tank of the present invention. (B) is a top view of the oil-water separation tank of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the change of the water surface in the oil-water separation tank of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the drying apparatus which concerns on the 1st modification of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the drying apparatus which concerns on the 2nd modification of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the manufacturing method of the heat exchanger for general room air conditioners.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a drying apparatus and a drying method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, an aluminum heat exchanger for a room air conditioner will be described as an example of the heat exchanger.

[Drying equipment]
FIG. 1 shows a drying apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The drying apparatus 1 removes hydrocarbon-based volatile oil adhering to the heat exchanger, and includes a conveyor 2, a replacement unit 3, a removal unit 4, a drying unit 5, and a circulation unit 6. .

  The conveyer 2 conveys the heat exchanger placed on the upper surface of the conveyer belt after the tube expansion step S30 shown in FIG. 6 from one side to the other side (conveying direction in the drawing) at a preset conveying speed. . A replacement unit 3, a removal unit 4, and a drying unit 5 are arranged in this order from one side of the conveyor 2 to the other side.

  The replacement unit 3 applies a predetermined amount of washing water (60 [° C.] water in this embodiment) to the heat exchanger, removes volatile oil adhering to the heat exchanger, and attaches the washing water. . In other words, the replacement unit 3 replaces the volatile oil adhering to the heat exchanger with water at 60 [° C.]. The replacement unit 3 includes a replacement nozzle 10 provided above the conveyor 2. The replacement nozzle 10 is connected to a circulation pump 18 described later via a pipe. The replacement nozzle 10 applies a predetermined amount of washing water (100 to 300 liters per minute in this embodiment) sent from the circulation pump 18 to the heat exchanger passing under the replacement nozzle 10 in a shower shape. .

  The temperature of the washing water is set to a temperature (in this embodiment, 60 [° C.]) smaller than 70 [° C.] and larger than 20 [° C.] (preferably 50 [° C.]). By setting the temperature of the cleaning water to a temperature higher than 50 [° C.], the cleaning water can be given more thermal energy than the room temperature water. And with this thermal energy, the fluidity of the volatile oil can be increased, and a state in which the volatile oil is easily peeled off from the heat exchanger can be created. Further, the volatile oil contains a hydrocarbon substance that vaporizes at 70 [° C.], but the hydrocarbon substance is prevented from vaporizing by setting the temperature of the washing water to a temperature lower than 70 [° C.]. be able to. In this embodiment, the substitution unit 3 can remove about 95% of the volatile oil adhering to the heat exchanger.

  The removal unit 4 ejects compressed gas to the heat exchanger and removes the washing water adhering to the heat exchanger. The removal unit 4 includes at least one air blow nozzle 11 provided above the conveyor 2. The air blow nozzle 11 injects compressed gas into a heat exchanger that passes under the air blow nozzle 11. In this embodiment, the removal unit 4 can remove almost all of the cleaning water adhering to the heat exchanger.

  The drying unit 5 applies hot air to the heat exchanger to dry the heat exchanger. In other words, the drying unit 5 removes volatile oil and washing water that could not be removed by the replacement unit 3 and the removal unit 4 by heat drying. The drying unit 5 includes a heat source 12 provided below the conveyor 2, a circulation fan 13 and a blowout duct 14, and a suction duct 15 provided above the conveyor 2.

  The heat source 12 includes a near-infrared light source (for example, a halogen lamp) that emits light included in a near-infrared wavelength region (for example, 0.75 to 2.0 [μm]), and a heating member that is heated by the near-infrared light source. A light source control unit for controlling the output of the near infrared light source. The light source control unit is a near-infrared light source so that the temperature of the fluid around the heating member (corresponding to “hot air” of the present invention) becomes 170 [° C.] or higher (170 [° C.] in this embodiment). Control the output of.

  Hot air at 170 [° C.] is sent to the blowout duct 14 by the circulation fan 13, blown out from the blowout duct 14 toward the heat exchanger, then sucked in by the suction duct 15, and sent to the heat source 12 again.

  In this embodiment, about 95% of the volatile oil is removed by the replacement unit 3, and almost all of the washing water is removed by the removal unit 4, so that the drying unit 5 has about 5% of the volatile oil and very little washing. What is necessary is just to remove water. For this reason, compared with the conventional drying apparatus, the drying apparatus 1 can reduce an environmental load significantly. Furthermore, in the drying apparatus 1, the drying time per heat exchanger is shortened (for example, about 1/2 of the conventional one), and the drying load is reduced.

  The circulation unit 6 collects a mixed liquid of washing water applied to the heat exchanger and volatile oil removed from the heat exchanger, separates the collected mixed liquid into washing water and volatile oil, and separates the washed water. Is sent to the replacement unit 3. The circulation unit 6 includes a drain pan 16, an oil / water separation tank 17, a circulation pump 18, and an ion exchange resin membrane 19.

  The drain pan 16 collects a mixed liquid of washing water applied to the heat exchanger and volatile oil removed from the heat exchanger. The drain pan 16 is provided below the conveyor 2 at a position facing the replacement nozzle 10 of the replacement unit 3 and the air blow nozzle 11 of the removal unit 4. The drain pan 16 has a tray part that receives the mixed liquid and a drain port provided on the bottom surface of the dish part. The drain port is connected to the oil / water separation tank 17.

  The circulation pump 18 sends out the cleaning water separated in the oil / water separation tank 17 to the replacement nozzle 10 of the replacement unit 3 by a predetermined amount (in this embodiment, 100 to 300 liters per minute). Further, in the circulation pump 18, the amount of wash water delivered can be changed as appropriate, so that the replacement amount (wash water supply amount) per unit volume of the heat exchanger is made constant regardless of the size of the heat exchanger. be able to.

  The oil / water separation tank 17 separates the mixed liquid recovered by the drain pan 16 into washing water and volatile oil. FIG. 2A shows a front view of the oil / water separation tank 17, and FIG. 2B shows a top view of the oil / water separation tank 17. In FIG. 2A, the side wall 20f on the front side of the oil / water separation tank 17 is omitted, and in FIG. 2B, the upper wall 20a and the like of the oil / water separation tank 17 are omitted.

  The oil / water separation tank 17 includes a main body part 20, a first inflow part 21, a first outflow part 22, a partition plate 23 (groove part 24a and partition part 24b), a temperature detection part 25, a heating part 26, and a temperature. The control part 27, the water level detection part 28, the 2nd inflow part 29, the 2nd outflow part 30, the pH detection part 31, and the 3rd outflow part 32 are provided.

  The main body 20 forms an accommodation space for separating the mixed liquid into cleaning water and volatile oil. The accommodation space includes an upper wall 20a and a lower wall 20b facing each other in the first direction X1 (height direction), side walls 20c and 20d facing each other in the second direction X2 (width direction), and a third direction X3 (depth direction). Are formed with opposing side walls 20e, 20f. The upper wall 20a is shorter in the second direction X2 than the lower wall 20b. In other words, the upper wall 20a is formed with an opening over the entire third direction X3 at the end on the side wall 20c side. A cylindrical (in this embodiment, a rectangular tube) first inflow portion 21 is inserted into the opening without any gap.

  The first inflow portion 21 is a cylindrical member that prevents the volatile oil in the storage space from being stirred when the mixed liquid enters the storage space. The first inflow portion 21 is accommodated such that the first inflow port 21a at the upper end is connected to the drain port of the drain pan 16, and the second inflow port 21b at the lower end is located below the surface of the wash water in the accommodation space. It is arranged in the space. In the present embodiment, the first inflow port 21a is positioned on the same plane as the upper wall 20a, but the first inflow port 21a may be positioned above the upper wall 20a.

  The mixed liquid that has entered the housing space is separated into cleaning water and volatile oil over time, and a layer of volatile oil is formed on the surface of the cleaning water. If the surface of the washing water undulates in this state, the volatile oil may be agitated and mixed with the washing water to emulsify. In this respect, in this embodiment, since the second inlet 21b of the first inflow portion 21 is located below the water surface of the washing water, the mixed liquid that has entered the accommodation space is in the first inflow portion 21. Collides with the surface of the wash water on the inside. And the wave of the water surface which arises by a collision is limited to the inner side of the 1st inflow part 21. FIG. For this reason, in the oil / water separation tank 17, it is possible to prevent the volatile oil from being stirred outside the first inflow portion 21.

  The first outlet 22 has a first outlet 22a on one end connected to the side wall 20c below the second inlet 21b, a second outlet 22b on the other end connected to the circulation pump 18, (For example, a pipe with a valve).

  The partition plate 23 is a plate-like member that is provided between the second inflow port 21b and the first outflow port 22a and divides the accommodation space into two in the vertical direction. The partition plate 23 includes a groove portion 24a and a partition portion 24b. In the present embodiment, the portion bent in the L-shaped cross section of the plate member is the groove portion 24a, and the other flat plate portion is the partition portion 24b.

  The groove 24a makes the flow of the mixed liquid that has entered the accommodation space gentle. The groove 24a is formed at a position facing the second inlet 21b. The opening area of the groove 24a is substantially the same as the opening area of the second inlet 21b. The depth of the groove 24a is substantially the same as the distance from the bottom surface of the groove 24a to the lower wall 20b (in this embodiment, 150 [mm]). Moreover, the distance from the 2nd inflow port 21b to the upper end of the groove part 24a is smaller than the depth of the groove part 24a (in this embodiment, 100 [mm]).

  The mixed liquid that has entered the housing space vigorously flows downward and collides with the bottom surface of the groove 24a, and then collides with the side surface of the groove 24a and the side wall 20c. By repeating such a collision, a turbulent flow occurs in the flow of the mixed liquid in the groove 24a, and the flow of the mixed liquid from the groove 24a toward the side wall 20d becomes gentle. As a result, the fluctuation of the interface between the cleaning water and the volatile oil due to the flow speed of the mixed liquid can be reduced, and the stirring of the volatile oil can be reduced.

  The partition part 24b and the groove part 24a form a detour path from the second inlet 21b to the first outlet 22a. In the present embodiment, the length of the partition portion 24b in the second direction X2 is 200 [mm].

  When washing water is sent out from the first outflow portion 22 by the circulation pump 18, a circulating water flow is generated in the accommodation space. When the partition plate 23 is not provided, the mixed liquid that has entered the housing space is affected by the circulating water flow and may be sent out from the first outflow portion 22 together with the cleaning water, or the interface between the cleaning water and the volatile oil may be caused by the circulating water flow. There is a risk that shaking will increase and the volatile oil will be stirred. In this respect, in the present embodiment, since the accommodation space is divided into two parts by the partition plate 23, the upper side of the partition plate 23 is hardly affected by the circulating water flow. For this reason, in this embodiment, while separating the mixed liquid that has entered the housing space into washing water and volatile oil, it is possible to ensure time for the volatile oil to float on the surface of the washing water, Stirring of volatile oil caused by the circulating water stream can be reduced.

  The temperature detection unit 25 is a sensor that detects the temperature of the cleaning water in the accommodation space. The heating unit 26 includes an electric heater, and heats cleaning water in the accommodation space or room temperature water described below. The temperature control unit 27 has a target temperature (60 [° C.] in the present embodiment) in which the temperature of the washing water or normal temperature water is smaller than 70 [° C.] and larger than 20 [° C.] (preferably 50 [° C.]). The heating unit 26 is controlled so that

  The water level detection unit 28 is a sensor that has three electrodes having different lengths and detects the water level of the cleaning water in the accommodation space. In the water level detection unit 28, by supplying an alternating current to the electrode, it is possible to prevent the electrode from being made into a battery and to prevent the ionized substance from adhering, thereby extending the life of the electrode and making it maintenance-free.

  The second inflow portion 29 has one end connected to the side wall 20c between the second inlet 21b and the groove 24a, and the other end connected to a water source (for example, a water pipe) via the ion exchange resin film 19. It is. The second inflow part 29 has a valve. When the water level detected by the water level detection part 28 falls below a predetermined first threshold value, the valve is opened, and the water level becomes the second threshold value (however, the second threshold value> Normal temperature water is allowed to flow into the accommodation space from the water source until the first threshold value is reached. The water level detection unit 28 detects whether or not the water level has fallen below the first threshold value by energizing the longest electrode and an intermediate length electrode, and whether or not the water level has reached the second threshold value is the longest. Detection is performed by energization between the electrode and the shortest electrode. In the present specification, “normal temperature water” refers to water that is supplied from a water source (for example, a water pipe) and is not heated.

  The second outflow portion 30 is a pipe having one end connected to the side wall 20d above the surface of the cleaning water in the accommodation space. The second outflow portion 30 is provided at a position where the cleaning water does not flow out in a state where the level of the cleaning water in the accommodation space has reached the second threshold value. That is, the 2nd outflow part 30 flows out only volatile oil.

  The pH detection unit 31 is a sensor that detects the pH of the cleaning water in the accommodation space. The third outflow portion 32 is a pipe having one end connected to the lower wall 20b. The third outflow part 32 has a valve, and when the pH detected by the pH detection part 31 is smaller than 5 or larger than 8, the valve is opened to wash and volatilize in the accommodation space. Drain all oil.

  By the way, since the copper pipe is used for the heat exchanger, when washing water is poured on the heat exchanger, there is a possibility that the copper pipe corrosion (ant's nest corrosion) of the heat exchanger may occur. In this respect, in the drying apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the copper tube corrosion (ant's nest corrosion) of the heat exchanger can be reduced by the following configuration.

  First, the drying apparatus 1 has a configuration in which washing water of 60 [° C.] is applied to the heat exchanger. Generally, when the water temperature rises, the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water decreases. In the case of cleaning water at 60 [° C.], the dissolved oxygen amount is about 5 [ppm]. When the amount of dissolved oxygen is about 5 ppm, it can be considered that the supply of oxygen to the heat exchanger is stopped. Therefore, according to the above configuration, oxidation of the copper tube of the heat exchanger can be prevented.

  Secondly, the drying apparatus 1 has a configuration in which washing water having a pH of 5 to 8 (neutral) is applied to the heat exchanger. By controlling the pH of the wash water between 5 and 8, it is possible to prevent the hydrogen ion concentration of the wash water from increasing. As a result, hydrolysis of the ester contained in the volatile oil can be suppressed, and generation of carboxylic acid that causes copper pipe corrosion can be suppressed.

  Thirdly, the drying apparatus 1 has a configuration in which washing water not containing the following impurities is applied to the heat exchanger. That is, the drying apparatus 1 has a configuration in which normal temperature water flows from the water source (for example, a water pipe) through the ion exchange resin membrane 19 into the accommodation space. The ion exchange resin membrane 19 removes mineral components (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium) and chlorine contained in room temperature water. Thereby, the production | generation of the phosgene which causes the production | generation of a hydrogen ion and copper pipe corrosion can be suppressed.

  Fourthly, the drying apparatus 1 has a configuration in which hot air of 170 [° C.] or higher is applied to the heat exchanger. Since carboxylic acid and phosgene causing copper pipe corrosion have a boiling point of 163 [° C.] or less, even if carboxylic acid and phosgene are attached to the heat exchanger, carboxylic acid and phosgene can be evaporated by the above configuration. Can do.

[Drying method]
Next, a drying method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following, the drying method according to the present embodiment is performed by the drying apparatus 1, but may be performed by an apparatus other than the drying apparatus 1.

  The drying method according to the present embodiment includes a transport process, a replacement process, a removal process, a drying process, and a circulation process. The replacement process, removal process, and drying process are performed in this order during the transport process. The circulation process is performed in parallel with the transport process.

  A conveyance process is a process of conveying the heat exchanger which tube expansion process S30 shown in FIG. 6 was complete | finished from the one side to the other side by the preset conveyance speed. The conveyance process is performed by the conveyor 2.

  The replacement process is a process in which a predetermined amount of washing water (60 [° C.] water in the present embodiment) is applied to the heat exchanger, the volatile oil adhering to the heat exchanger is removed, and the washing water is attached. The temperature of the washing water is set to a temperature (in this embodiment, 60 [° C.]) smaller than 70 [° C.] and larger than 20 [° C.] (preferably 50 [° C.]). The replacement process is performed by the replacement unit 3.

  A removal process is a process of injecting compressed gas to a heat exchanger, and removing the washing water adhering to the heat exchanger. The removal process is performed by the removal unit 4.

  The drying step is a step of applying hot air to the heat exchanger to dry, in other words, a step of removing volatile oil and washing water that could not be removed in the replacement step and the removal step by heat drying. In the drying process, the fluid is heated using a near-infrared light source to raise the temperature of the fluid to 170 [° C.] or more to generate hot air. The drying process is performed by the drying unit 5.

  In this embodiment, about 95% of the volatile oil is removed in the replacement step, and almost all of the washing water is removed in the removal step. Therefore, in the drying step, about 5% of the volatile oil and very little washing water are added. Remove it. For this reason, the drying method according to the present embodiment can significantly reduce the environmental load as compared with the conventional drying method. Furthermore, in the drying method according to the present embodiment, the drying time per heat exchanger is shortened, so that the drying load can be reduced.

  The circulation step includes a first circulation step for recovering a mixed liquid of the washing water applied to the heat exchanger and the volatile oil removed from the heat exchanger, and a second circulation step for storing the recovered mixed liquid in the storage space. The third circulation step of separating the accommodated mixed liquid into washing water and volatile oil in the accommodation space, and the fourth circulation step of sending the separated washing water to the replacement unit 3 are included.

  The first circulation process is performed by the drain pan 16.

  In the second circulation step, the mixed liquid is placed in the accommodation space so that the stirring of the volatile oil is reduced. Specifically, the spread of the wave of the water surface (the wave of the water surface generated when the liquid mixture enters the accommodation space) is limited. The second circulation step is performed by the first inflow portion 21.

  In the third circulation step, the mixed solution is separated into washing water and volatile oil so that stirring of the volatile oil is reduced. Specifically, the stirring of the volatile oil can be reduced by generating a turbulent flow with respect to the mixed liquid that has entered the housing space and slowing the flow of the mixed liquid. This is performed by the groove 24 a of the partition plate 23. In addition, by forming a detour path from the point where the mixed liquid enters to the point where the wash water is sent out, the influence of the circulating water flow generated when the wash water is sent out does not reach the vicinity of the water surface. Stirring can be reduced. This is performed by the partition portion 24 b of the partition plate 23.

  The fourth circulation step is performed by the first outflow portion 22 and the circulation pump 18.

  Further, in the circulation step, the cleaning water or the room temperature water in the accommodation space is set so that the temperature of the cleaning water is smaller than 70 [° C.] and larger than 20 [° C.] (preferably 50 [° C.]). The step of heating, the step of allowing room temperature water to flow into the housing space until the water level reaches the second threshold when the water level of the cleaning water falls below a predetermined first threshold value, and the pH of the cleaning water being stored outside the range of 5-8. A step of causing the cleaning water and volatile oil in the space to flow out and / or a step of supplying room temperature water into the accommodation space via the ion exchange resin membrane 19.

  In FIG. 3, the change of the water surface in accommodation space is shown. Prior to the start of the drying method according to the present embodiment, only the cleaning water (strictly, the room temperature water introduced from the second inflow portion 29 is heated to 60 [° C.]) is accommodated in the accommodation space. (See FIG. 3A). When the drying method according to the present embodiment is started and the cleaning water is sent out from the first outflow portion 22 by the circulation process, the level of the cleaning water in the accommodation space is lowered by the amount sent out (see FIG. 3B).

  When a certain amount of time elapses (for example, 10 minutes after the start), the water level of the washing water further decreases, but the liquid level of the volatile oil rises because the mixed liquid enters (see FIG. 3C). When the water level of the cleaning water falls below the first threshold value, room temperature water enters from the second inflow portion 29 until the water level of the cleaning water reaches the second threshold value, and thus the water level of the cleaning water increases (FIG. 3 (D )reference).

  When the time further elapses (for example, 35 minutes after the start), the water level of the washing water decreases, while the water level of the volatile oil increases (see FIG. 3E). When the water level of the cleaning water falls below the first threshold value, room temperature water enters from the second inflow portion 29 until the water level of the cleaning water reaches the second threshold value. 2 Volatile oil flows out from the outflow portion 30 (see FIG. 3F).

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of the drying apparatus and the drying method which concern on this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment.

[First Modification]
FIG. 4 shows a drying apparatus 1A according to a first modification of the present invention. The drying apparatus 1A is different from the drying apparatus 1 in that it includes a conveyor 2 ′ and a removal unit 4 ′.

  The conveyor 2 'includes an inclined portion having an upward gradient from one side to the other side. The upward slope of the inclined portion is 5 ° to 45 ° with respect to the installation surface (floor surface) of the conveyor 2 ′. The inclined portion is provided up to the front of the drying unit 5. The replacement nozzle 10 of the replacement unit 3 is provided above the conveyance surface in the inclined portion, and the water flow plate 33 of the removal unit 4 ′ is provided below the conveyance surface in the inclined portion. The replacement nozzle 10 and the water flow plate 33 face each other.

  The water flow plate 33 of the removal unit 4 ′ surrounds the lower surface and both side surfaces of the transport surface, and generates a water flow of the cleaning water in the direction opposite to the transport direction (from the other side to the one side) at the inclined portion. The flowing water plate 33 has a length in the transport direction (a length from one side end to the other side end) of 250 to 500 [mm].

  The water flow of the cleaning water generated by the water flow plate 33 passes between the aluminum fins of the heat exchanger passing through the water flow plate 33, and the cleaning water is peeled off from the aluminum fins by the surface tension of the water flow and flows to the drain pan 16. That is, when the heat exchanger passes through the water flow plate 33, the volatile oil is removed by the cleaning water of the replacement nozzle 10 and the cleaning water adheres thereto, but the heat exchanger adheres due to the water flow of the cleaning water generated in the water flow plate 33. Most of the wash water is removed. In the removal unit 4 ′, the air blow nozzle 11 is not necessary.

  When the drying method according to the present invention is performed by the drying apparatus 1A, the replacement step and the removal step are performed almost simultaneously.

[Second Modification]
FIG. 5 shows a drying apparatus 1B according to a second modification of the present invention. The drying device 1B is different from the drying device 1 in that it includes a drying unit 5 ′.

The drying unit 5 ′ includes a branch path branched from the circulation path from the suction duct 15 to the heat source 12, and an exhaust fan 34 provided in the branch path. The hot air flowing through the circulation path from the suction duct 15 to the heat source 12 contains about 5% of volatile oil removed from the heat exchanger and very little washing water as water vapor. The exhaust fan 34 discharges a constant amount (for example, 5 to 20 [m ³ / min]) of hot air from the circulation path to the branch path. Thereby, water vapor | steam is removed with a hot air, and it can prevent that the water | moisture content of the hot air applied to a heat exchanger will be saturated.

  The branch path is connected to the oil / water separation tank 17. By letting hot air and steam flow into the cleaning water in the oil / water separation tank 17 by the exhaust fan 34, the hot air becomes thermal energy for keeping the cleaning water warm, and the steam returns to the cleaning water and volatile oil again.

  That is, according to the drying apparatus 1 </ b> B, about 5% of volatile oil removed from the heat exchanger can be liquefied and recovered by the oil / water separation tank 17. As a result, the drying unit 5 ′ has a structure without an exhaust duct (exhaust ductless structure). This drying unit 5 'can also be applied to the drying apparatus 1A.

  When the drying method according to the present invention is performed by the drying apparatus 1B, hot air applied to the heat exchanger is sent out to the accommodation space in the drying process.

[Other variations]
In the drying apparatus according to the present invention, the circulation unit 6 can be omitted, and in the drying method according to the present invention, the circulation step can be omitted.

  The position, size, range, and shape of each component of the oil / water separation tank 17 can be changed as appropriate. For example, the length of the first inflow portion 21 in the third direction X3 may be about ½ of the length of the side wall 20c in the third direction X3 or may be shorter. Moreover, it may replace with the 1st inflow part 21, and may use the plate-shaped member extended below from the edge part by the side wall 20c side of the upper wall 20a. In this case, a cylindrical first inflow portion is formed by the plate-like member and a part of the side walls 20c, 20e, and 20f.

  In the present invention, a reverse osmosis membrane (RO membrane) can be used in place of the ion exchange resin membrane 19 ". However, the reverse osmosis membrane (RO membrane) requires drainage treatment of treated water containing impurities. In this respect, the ion exchange resin membrane 19 does not require wastewater treatment.

  In the drying apparatus 1 </ b> A, the removal unit 4 may be provided between the drying unit 5 and the circulation unit 6. In this case, the air blow nozzle 11 of the removal unit 4 is provided on the lower side of the conveyor 2, a suction duct is provided on the upper side of the conveyor 2 at a position facing the air blow nozzle 11, and the gas sucked by the suction duct is air blow nozzle. 11 is preferably provided with a blower for circulation. Furthermore, an exhaust fan 34 shown in FIG. 5 may be provided, and hot air from the exhaust fan 34 may be supplied to the air blow nozzle 11.

  The replacement nozzle 10 may be provided with a water guide for applying cleaning water vertically (linearly) to the heat exchanger. By providing the water guide, the discharge area of the cleaning water can be controlled within an appropriate range.

  It is preferable that the flow direction of the compressed gas injected from the air blow nozzle 11 is opposite to the conveying direction of the conveyor 2. In order to make it a reverse direction, you may provide a baffle plate in the position facing the air blow nozzle 11 on both sides of the conveyor 2. FIG.

1, 1A, 1B Dryer 2, 2 'Conveyor 3 Replacement unit 4, 4' Removal unit 5 Drying unit 6 Circulation unit 10 Replacement nozzle 11 Air blow nozzle 12 Heat source 13 Circulation fan 14 Blowing duct 15 Suction duct 16 Drain pan 17 Oil / water separation Tank 18 Circulation pump 19 Ion exchange resin membrane 20 Main body part 21 First inlet 21a First inlet 21b Second inlet 22 First outlet 21a First outlet 21b Second outlet 23 Partition plate 24a Groove 24b Partition 25 temperature detection unit 26 heating unit 27 temperature control unit 28 water level detection unit 29 second inflow unit 30 second outflow unit 31 pH detection unit 32 third outflow unit 33 flow plate 34 exhaust fan

Claims (14)

A drying device for removing hydrocarbon-based volatile oil adhering to a heat exchanger,
A conveyor for conveying the heat exchanger from one side to the other;
A replacement unit that applies a predetermined amount of washing water to the heat exchanger being conveyed by the conveyor, removes the volatile oil adhering to the heat exchanger, and adheres the washing water to the heat exchanger;
A removal unit for removing the washing water adhering to the heat exchanger;
A drying unit that is provided on the other side of the conveyor than the replacement unit and the removal unit, applies hot air to the heat exchanger being conveyed by the conveyor, and dries the heat exchanger;
A circulation unit ,
The circulation unit is
A drain pan for recovering a mixed liquid of the washing water applied to the heat exchanger and the volatile oil removed from the heat exchanger;
Oil-water separation in which the cleaning water is stored in advance and has a storage space in which the mixed liquid recovered by the drain pan is stored, and the mixed liquid is separated into the cleaning water and the volatile oil in the storage space A tank,
A circulation pump for sending the cleaning water in the accommodation space to the replacement unit,
The oil-water separation tank is
A cylindrical first inflow arranged such that a first inlet on one end side is connected to the drain pan, and a second inlet on the other end is located below the surface of the washing water in the accommodation space. And
A first outflow portion in which a first outlet on one end side is disposed below the second inlet, and a second outlet on the other end side is connected to the circulation pump;
A partition plate provided between the second inflow port and the first outflow port in the housing space and forming a detour path from the second inflow port to the first outflow port,
The drying apparatus , wherein the partition plate has a groove formed at a position facing the second inlet . The oil-water separation tank is
A temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of the cleaning water in the accommodation space;
A heating unit for heating the washing water;
The so that the temperature of the washing water becomes higher target temperature than 20 ° C. less than 70 ° C., drying apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by comprising a temperature control unit for controlling the heating unit . The oil-water separation tank is
A water level detection unit for detecting the level of the washing water in the accommodation space;
When the water level detected by the water level detection unit falls below a predetermined first threshold value, a second inflow unit that allows normal temperature water to flow into the accommodation space until the water level reaches a second threshold value is provided. The drying apparatus according to claim 2 . The oil-water separation tank is
A pH detection unit for detecting the pH of the washing water in the accommodation space;
And a third outflow part that causes the washing water and the volatile oil in the accommodating space to flow out when the pH detected by the pH detection part is smaller than 5 or larger than 8. The drying apparatus according to claim 3 . The circulation unit includes an ion exchange resin membrane or a reverse osmosis membrane, and allows the room temperature water supplied from a water source to flow into the second inflow portion through the ion exchange resin membrane or the reverse osmosis membrane. The drying apparatus according to claim 3 or 4 . The drying unit includes:
A suction duct for sucking in the hot air;
A branch path connecting the suction duct and the oil / water separation tank;
An exhaust fan provided in the branch path,
The drying apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the exhaust fan causes the hot air to flow into the accommodation space of the oil / water separation tank through the branch path. The removal unit is provided on the other side of the conveyor with respect to the replacement unit, and injects compressed gas onto the heat exchanger that is being conveyed by the conveyor, and removes the washing water adhering to the heat exchanger. The drying apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising an air blow nozzle that performs the operation. The conveyor includes an inclined portion having an upward slope from the one side toward the other side,
The replacement unit is provided above the conveyance surface in the inclined portion,
The removal unit includes a water flow plate that is provided below a conveying surface in the inclined portion and generates a water flow of the cleaning water from the other side to the one side in the inclined portion, and the heat flow plate causes the heat to flow. The drying apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the washing water attached to the exchanger is removed. A drying method for removing hydrocarbon-based volatile oil adhering to a heat exchanger,
A conveying step of conveying the heat exchanger by a conveyor;
A replacement step of applying a predetermined amount of washing water to the heat exchanger in the conveying step, removing the volatile oil adhering to the heat exchanger, and attaching the washing water to the heat exchanger;
A removing step of removing the washing water adhering to the heat exchanger during the transporting step;
A drying step in which hot air is applied to the heat exchanger after the removing step in the conveying step to dry the heat exchanger;
The washing water having been subjected to the heat exchanger was collected, and recovered the cleaning water, wherein the circulation step of returning to the replacement unit for the replacement step,
The circulation step includes
A first circulation step for recovering a mixed liquid of the washing water applied to the heat exchanger and the volatile oil removed from the heat exchanger;
A second circulation step in which the mixed liquid recovered in the first circulation step is accommodated in an accommodation space in which the washing water is accommodated in advance;
A third circulation step for separating the mixed liquid accommodated in the second circulation step into the washing water and the volatile oil in the accommodation space;
A fourth circulation step of sending the wash water separated in the third circulation step to the replacement unit by a circulation pump,
In the second circulation step, a first inlet on one end side is connected to a drain pan that collects the mixed liquid in the first circulation step, and a second inlet on the other end side is connected to the washing water in the accommodation space. The mixed liquid is accommodated in the accommodating space via a cylindrical first inflow portion arranged to be positioned below the water surface,
In the fourth circulation step, the first outlet on one end side is disposed below the second inlet, and the second outlet on the other end side passes through the first outlet connected to the circulation pump. And sending the washing water to the replacement unit,
In the third circulation step, a groove portion is provided in the housing space between the second inlet and the first outlet, facing the second inlet, and the second flow Using the partition plate that forms a detour path from the inlet to the first outlet, the mixed liquid is separated into the washing water and the volatile oil in the space above the partition plate in the accommodation space. A drying method characterized by the above. Wherein in the circulation step, according to claim 9 in which the temperature of the washing water in the accommodation space is so large target temperature than 20 ° C. less than 70 ° C., characterized by heating the washing water Drying method. In the circulation step, when the level of the cleaning water in the accommodation space falls below a predetermined first threshold value, the accommodation is performed from a second inflow part different from the first inflow part until the water level reaches a second threshold value. The drying method according to claim 10 , wherein normal temperature water is allowed to flow into the space. In the circulation step, when the pH of the washing water is smaller than 5 or larger than 8, the washing water in the accommodation space and the third washing water in the accommodation space are separated from the third outflow portion different from the second outflow portion. The drying method according to claim 11 , wherein volatile oil is allowed to flow out. The drying method according to claim 11 or 12 , wherein in the circulation step, the room temperature water is supplied to the second inflow portion through an ion exchange resin membrane or a reverse osmosis membrane. The drying method according to claim 9 , wherein in the drying step, the hot air applied to the heat exchanger is sent out to the accommodation space.

Images