JP7001387B2 - Steam trap with cleaning mechanism and how to clean the steam trap - Google Patents

Description

The steam trap with a cleaning mechanism and the method for cleaning the steam trap according to the present application relate to a technique for cleaning for removing foreign matter stuck in the discharge port of the steam trap.

Industrial plants may have a piping system that transfers steam generated by the boiler to the supply destination at high temperature and high pressure. When steam is liquefied in this pipe and drain (condensed water of steam) is generated, it becomes an obstacle to the transfer of steam or the like, so it is necessary to appropriately discharge the drain to the outside of the pipe.

For this reason, steam traps are provided throughout the piping system. For example, the float type steam trap has a hollow float inside, and this float floats according to the retention of the drain that has flowed into the steam trap, and the drain is automatically discharged to the outside of the pipe by opening the drain outlet. It has become like. After draining, the float descends and closes the drain outlet, so steam leakage does not occur.

By the way, depending on the initial stage of steam transfer and the operating condition during steam transfer, air may intervene in the piping. Then, when air enters the steam trap, the inflow of drain into the steam trap is blocked, and as a result of the float not floating, air binding (air obstruction) occurs in which the drain cannot be discharged.

In order to eliminate such air binding, there is a steam trap equipped with an automatic air vent (automatic air bleeding) mechanism. This steam trap has an upper outlet formed at the top. An automatic on-off valve called an X element is provided so that the upper discharge port can be closed or opened.

The X element expands in a hot steam atmosphere to block the upper outlet and prevent steam leakage, and when the steam trap is filled with air or drain, it contracts to open the upper outlet and open the air or drain. Is automatically discharged to the outside. Then, when steam flows into the steam trap after the air or drain is discharged, the X element expands again according to the high temperature of the steam and closes the upper discharge port.

Here, foreign matter such as dust and scale may adhere and accumulate on the upper discharge port. In such a case, even if the X element expands, the upper discharge port is not surely blocked by the adhesion of foreign matter, and from here. The inconvenience of causing steam leakage occurs.

In order to deal with such a situation, there is a technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 described later. In this technique, an operating member capable of advancing and retreating is provided at the upper discharge port. Then, when performing a cleaning operation for removing foreign matter, the operator rotates the operating member and advances the operating member toward the inside of the steam trap. As a result, foreign matter adhering to the upper discharge port is removed at the tip of the operating member. After the cleaning is completed, the operator rotates the operating member in the reverse direction and retracts the operating member to store it.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-45615

However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, there is a problem that the cleaning operation cannot be performed unless the operator recognizes the steam leak due to the adhesion of foreign matter, and the steam leak cannot be dealt with promptly. There is. In particular, when the operator determines steam leakage due to the adhesion of foreign matter based on experience from the operating status of the steam trap, the certainty is poor, and it is possible to reliably determine the necessity of cleaning and perform the cleaning operation. There is also the problem of not being able to do it.

Therefore, the steam trap with a cleaning mechanism and the method for cleaning the steam trap according to the present application have a problem of solving these problems, and the steam trap and the steam trap with a cleaning mechanism capable of performing a cleaning operation on the steam trap at an appropriate timing. The purpose is to provide a cleaning method for steam traps.

The steam trap with a cleaning mechanism according to the present application is
A discharge port formed in the main body that can be closed or opened, and that discharges the fluid that has accumulated inside the main body to the outside by opening and prevents the fluid from leaking by blocking.
A control means that transmits a cleaning signal according to a pre-recorded transmission timing rule,
A cleaning means that receives a cleaning signal and performs a cleaning operation on the outlet.
It is characterized by being equipped with.

In addition, the method for cleaning the steam trap according to the present application is as follows.
According to the transmission timing rule recorded in advance, a cleaning signal is transmitted and
Receives a cleaning signal and performs a cleaning operation on the outlet.
It is characterized by that.

The steam trap with a cleaning mechanism and the steam trap cleaning method according to the present application transmit a cleaning signal according to a transmission timing rule, receive the cleaning signal, and perform a cleaning operation on the discharge port. Therefore, it is possible to deal with steam leakage at an appropriate timing.

It is sectional drawing of the steam trap which shows 1st Embodiment of the steam trap with a cleaning mechanism and the steam trap cleaning method which concerns on this application. It is a functional block diagram of the steam trap shown in FIG. It is a graph which shows the waveform of the vibration generated when the steam trap shown in FIG. 1 normally drains a drain. It is a graph which shows the waveform of the vibration generated when a steam leak occurs in the steam trap shown in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart of the program executed by the control unit shown in FIG. It is a flowchart of the program executed by the control unit of the steam trap of the 2nd Embodiment of the steam trap with a cleaning mechanism and the cleaning method of a steam trap which concerns on this application.

[Explanation of terms in the embodiment]
The main terms shown in the embodiments correspond to the following elements of the steam trap with a cleaning mechanism and the method of cleaning the steam trap according to the present application, respectively.
Detection unit 8 and detection head 10 ... Leakage detection means Control unit 4 ... Control means Memory 6 ... Storage means Advance / retreat member 21 ... Cleaning member Motor 20 and advance / retreat member 21 ... Cleaning means Steam trap body 90h ・ ・ ・ Main body upper discharge port 96 ・ ・ ・ Discharge port Steam, drain or air ・ ・ ・ Fluid

The detection of the vibration waveform of the frequency peculiar to the steam leak shown in the embodiment (first embodiment and the second embodiment), the arrival of the preventive cleaning time (second embodiment), and the like are the cleaning according to the present application. It is a transmission timing rule in the steam trap with a mechanism and the cleaning method of the steam trap.

[First Embodiment]
A first embodiment of the steam trap with a cleaning mechanism and the method for cleaning the steam trap according to the present application will be described.

(Explanation of steam trap)
Industrial plants may have a piping system that transfers steam generated by the boiler to the supply destination at high temperature and high pressure. When steam is liquefied in this pipe, drain (condensed steam water) stays and the space for steam transfer is reduced, resulting in a decrease in steam transfer efficiency.

In order to avoid such a situation, a large number of steam traps are provided everywhere in the piping. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the steam trap 90 in the present embodiment. A branch pipe 81 is provided in communication with the main pipe (not shown), and a connection port 99 provided in the steam trap main body 90h is connected to this branch pipe 81, and from here in the internal space of the steam trap main body 90h. Steam or drain flows into a valve chamber 91 in the direction of arrow 101.

A drain outlet 97 is provided below the valve chamber 91 of the steam trap main body 90h, but normally, this drain outlet 97 is blocked by the float 95 to prevent steam leakage. ing. The float 95 is configured as a hollow sphere.

When the drain stays in the valve chamber 91 and the amount of drain water reaches a certain level, the float 95 floats accordingly and opens the drain discharge port 97. As a result, the drain flows out from the drain discharge port 97 through the drain discharge passage 98 in the direction of the arrow 102 according to the momentum based on the high pressure in the pipe, and is discharged to the drain recovery pipe 82.

By the way, depending on the initial stage of steam transfer and the operating condition during steam transfer, air may intervene in the piping. When air enters the steam trap body 90h, the inflow of drain into the valve chamber 91 is blocked by the intervention of air, and as a result of the float 95 not floating, air binding occurs in which the drain cannot be discharged.

In order to eliminate such air binding, an upper discharge port 96 is formed in the upper part of the valve chamber 91 of the steam trap main body 90h, and an X element 60 is provided for the upper discharge port 96. A thermoliquid (temperature sensitive liquid) is enclosed inside the X element 60, and when the temperature rises above a predetermined reference temperature, the thermoliquid inside the X element 60 is vaporized, so that the X element 60 is shown in FIG. It is designed to expand in the vertical direction. When the temperature drops below the reference temperature, the thermoliquid is liquefied and the X element 60 shrinks.

The expansion / contraction of the X element 60 closes / opens the upper discharge port 96 of the steam trap main body 90h, and it is possible to appropriately eliminate the air binding while preventing steam leakage.

That is, when steam is contained in the valve chamber 91, the X element 60 expands due to the high temperature atmosphere of the steam and closes the upper discharge port 96 located above the X element 60, so that steam leakage usually occurs. Be prevented. On the other hand, when air enters the valve chamber 91, the temperature around the X element 60 falls below the reference temperature, so that the X element 60 contracts and opens the upper discharge port 96. By this opening, the air in the valve chamber 91 is discharged from the upper discharge port 96 through the upper discharge passage 88 in the direction of arrow 103 according to the momentum based on the high pressure in the pipe.

When the drain stays in the valve chamber 91, the X element 60 also contracts, so that the drain is discharged from the drain discharge port 97 and a part of the drain is also discharged from the upper discharge port 96. After the air and drain are discharged, the X element 60 expands due to the inflow of steam into the valve chamber 91, and the upper discharge port 96 is closed again to prevent steam leakage.

(Explanation of cleaning mechanism, etc.)
Foreign matter such as dust and scale may adhere to and accumulate on the upper discharge port 96, and the following mechanism is provided in this embodiment in order to perform a cleaning operation to remove such foreign matter. ..

An advancing / retreating member 21 is provided in the space from the upper discharging port 96 to the upper discharging path 88, and the tip portion 21a of the advancing / retreating member 21 is located in the vicinity of the upper discharging port 96. The rear end portion of the advancing / retreating member 21 is connected to the shaft of the motor 20, and the advancing / retreating member 21 advances / retreats in the vertical direction in FIG. 1 according to the rotational drive of the motor 20. By lowering the tip portion 21a of the advancing / retreating member 21 toward the upper discharge port 96, the foreign matter adhering to and accumulating on the upper discharge port 96 is removed.

Further, the steam trap 90 in the present embodiment is provided with a monitoring sensor 2, and the detection head 10 of the monitoring sensor 2 is fixed in contact with the steam trap main body 90. The monitoring sensor 2 detects the vibration of the steam trap main body 90h through the detection head 10 at a predetermined cycle.

As shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. 2, the monitoring sensor 2 includes a control unit 4, a memory 6, and a detection unit 8. The detection unit 8 outputs the vibration of the steam trap main body 90h captured by the detection head 10 to the control unit 4 as a vibration signal which is a leakage signal. Then, the control unit 4 executes the process according to a predetermined program, outputs a cleaning signal to the motor 20, and drives the motor 20.

3A and 3B are graphs of vibration waveforms generated in the steam trap body 90h. FIG. 3A is a graph showing the vibration waveform L1 generated when the steam trap 90 normally drains the drain. When the steam trap 90 normally drains the drain, as shown by the vibration waveform L1, the fluctuation range a1 between the maximum point P1 and the minimum point P2 of the waveform is almost constant. On the other hand, FIG. 3B is a graph showing the vibration waveform L2 generated when the steam trap 90 has a steam leak, and a substantially constant level of vibration is generated.

The frequency of the vibration generated when the drain is normally discharged and the vibration generated when the steam leaks are different, but the detection unit 8 and the detection head 10 in the present embodiment have a wide frequency range. It is a compatible sensor and can detect any vibration.

The monitoring sensor 2 in the present embodiment detects the vibration of the steam trap main body 90h, and also detects the temperature of the steam trap main body 90h through the detection head 10 at a predetermined cycle. By detecting the temperature of the steam trap body 90h, for example, if foreign matter adheres and accumulates on the drain outlet 98 and a drain discharge failure occurs, the temperature drop of the steam trap body 90h due to the retention of the drain is detected and the drain is drained. Detects poor discharge.

(Explanation of the program executed by the control unit)
The program executed by the control unit 4 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the control unit 4 determines whether or not a steam leak has occurred in the steam trap 90 (step S1). When the predetermined vibration level is continuously detected with almost no fluctuation for a certain period of time or longer, the control unit 4 recognizes that the vibration waveform L2 is peculiar to the steam leak and determines that the steam leak has occurred.

Even when steam leaks, the float 95 floats to drain the drain, so the vibration waveform L1 is generated in the steam trap body 90h, but it is superimposed by the vibration waveform L2 as shown in FIG. 3B. The vibration waveform L1 is not detected.

If it is determined in step S1 that a steam leak has occurred, the control unit 4 outputs a cleaning signal to the motor 20 and executes cleaning (step S2). As described above, the motor 20 receives this cleaning signal and advances / retreats the advancing / retreating member 21. In this case, the advancing / retreating member 21 repeats the advancing / retreating operation once or twice or more a predetermined number of times. The number of advance / retreat operations can be arbitrarily set by the administrator by operating the monitoring sensor 2 in advance. Foreign matter adhering to and accumulating on the upper discharge port 96 is removed by the advancing / retreating operation of the advancing / retreating member 21.

After that, the control unit 4 stores n + 1 as n in the memory 6 (step S3), and determines whether steam leakage has occurred again (step S4). When the foreign matter is properly removed by the cleaning in step S2, the vibration waveform L2 due to steam leakage is not detected, and the vibration waveform L1 shown in FIG. 3A is detected.

When the difference between the maximum point P1 and the minimum point P2 is the reference difference a2 or more, the control unit 4 determines that the vibration waveform is L1. Regarding the grasp of the maximum point P1, the point where the fluctuation of the vibration level changes from rising to falling and then the point where the falling continues for a predetermined level or more is recognized as the maximum point P1 and the minimum point P2. Regarding grasping, the point where the fluctuation of the vibration level changes from falling to rising, and then the point where the rising continues for a predetermined level or more is recognized as the minimum point P2. When the control unit 4 detects the vibration waveform L1, the cleaning process ends.

On the other hand, if the foreign matter is not properly removed by the cleaning in the immediately preceding step S2, the vibration waveform L2 of the steam leak shown in FIG. 3B is continuously detected. After returning, a cleaning signal is output to the motor 20 again to execute cleaning. Then, the processes of steps S3 and S4 are repeated up to three times (step S6).

If the steam leak is not resolved even after repeating the cleaning process three times, the process proceeds from step S6 to step S7, and the control unit 4 outputs an error signal to display an error. The error signal is transmitted to a central controller (not shown) over a wireless or wired communication line, which the central controller bases on, for example, from the upper outlet 96 with a code to identify the steam trap on the monitor. Displays that the steam leak is not eliminated by the automatic cleaning process. The administrator who recognizes this indication takes measures to deal with the steam leak of the designated steam trap.

In this embodiment, the cleaning process is repeated 3 times, but it can be repeated 2 times or 4 times or more.

[Second Embodiment]
A second embodiment of the steam trap with a cleaning mechanism and the method for cleaning the steam trap according to the present application will be described.

The configuration of the steam trap 90 according to the present embodiment is the same as the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in the first embodiment, and the content of the cleaning process for detecting steam leakage and performing cleaning is shown in FIG. It is the same as the processing content shown by the flowchart shown in 4. In the present embodiment, the control unit 4 further executes the preventive cleaning process shown in the flowchart of FIG.

In the present embodiment, for each steam trap 90, the preventive cleaning function ON or OFF for whether or not the administrator performs preventive cleaning, and the time when the preventive cleaning is performed are input and set in advance. ..

For example, when using a standard product of the same type as the steam trap 90, if foreign matter adheres to and accumulates on the upper outlet 96 and steam leaks occur in about one month, 20 days have passed since the steam trap 90 was installed. Is set as the preventive cleaning time. In addition, for example, depending on the installation status of the steam trap 90, there are places where foreign matter is likely to adhere and accumulate, and for the steam trap 90 installed in such places, the preventive cleaning function can be turned on to prevent steam leakage. Set a preventive cleaning time. These data input in advance by the administrator are registered in the memory 6 (FIG. 2) in the monitoring sensor 2.

The procedure of the preventive cleaning operation executed by the control unit 4 is as follows. As shown in FIG. 5, first, the control unit 4 determines whether or not the preventive cleaning time registered in the memory 6 has arrived (step S11). Then, when the preventive cleaning time has come, preventive cleaning is carried out (step S12). This preventive cleaning operation is the same as the cleaning operation shown in the first embodiment.

That is, the control unit 4 outputs a cleaning signal toward the motor 20, and the motor 20 receives the cleaning signal and advances / retreats the advancing / retreating member 21. As a result, foreign matter such as dust and scale adhering to the upper discharge port 96 is removed. Steam leakage from the upper discharge port 96 occurs as a result of the gradual accumulation of dust, scale, etc. slightly adhering to the upper discharge port 96. Therefore, it is possible to surely prevent the steam leak by performing the cleaning operation in the stage before the steam leak actually occurs from the upper discharge port 96.

After performing preventive cleaning, the control unit 4 turns off the preventive cleaning function stored in the memory 6 and ends the process (step S13). In this embodiment, as a result of turning off the preventive cleaning function in step S13, the preventive cleaning operation is performed only once. For example, the preventive cleaning period is set and registered as a fixed period, and this period is set as a cycle. Preventive cleaning can also be repeated.

[Other embodiments]
In each of the above embodiments, the cleaning mechanism for the upper discharge port 96 of the steam trap 90 is exemplified, but the cleaning mechanism can also be applied to other discharge ports, for example, the drain discharge port 97.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the advancing / retreating member 21 performs an advancing / retreating operation in the vertical direction, but as another embodiment, the motor 20 may be driven to rotate and rotate at the same time as the advancing / retreating operation in the vertical direction. can. By performing the advancing / retreating operation while rotating, the foreign matter adhering and accumulating can be removed more reliably.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the advancing / retreating member 21 is configured to advance / retreat or rotate according to the rotational drive of the motor 20, but an actuator other than the motor 20 may be used. For example, a solenoid or a power (hydraulic, pneumatic or hydraulic) cylinder may be used as the actuator.

2: Monitoring sensor 4: Control unit 6: Memory 8: Detection unit 10: Detection head
20: Motor 21: Advance / retreat member 90h: Steam trap body 96: Upper discharge port

Claims (4)

A discharge port formed in the main body that can be closed or opened, and that discharges the fluid that has accumulated inside the main body to the outside by opening and prevents the fluid from leaking by blocking.
A leak detecting means that detects a leak by detecting the vibration generated according to the leak of the fluid and outputs a leak signal.
It is a cleaning means that receives the leak signal and performs a cleaning operation on the discharge port, and has a cleaning member that can move forward and backward toward the discharge port, and the cleaning member moves forward and backward to the discharge port. Cleaning means to perform cleaning operation,
It is a steam trap with a cleaning mechanism equipped with
The leak detecting means grasps the vibration generated by the fluid as a vibration waveform, and detects the vibration generated according to the leakage when the difference between the maximum point and the minimum point of the vibration waveform is smaller than the preset reference difference. A steam trap with a cleaning mechanism that recognizes and outputs a leak signal . The cleaning according to claim 1 , wherein the cleaning means receives a leak signal a plurality of times and repeats a cleaning operation, and then outputs an error signal when the leak signal is continuously received and displays an error display on a display unit. Steam trap with mechanism. The steam trap with a cleaning mechanism according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the cleaning means prophylactically performs the cleaning operation when a set cleaning time has arrived . A steam trap that is formed in the main body and can be closed or opened, and has a discharge port that discharges the fluid accumulated inside the main body to the outside by opening and prevents the fluid from leaking by blocking. In the target steam trap cleaning method,
The leak detecting means detects the leak by detecting the vibration generated according to the leak of the fluid, outputs the leak signal, and outputs the leak signal.
The cleaning means has a cleaning member that can move forward and backward toward the discharge port, receives the leak signal, and performs a cleaning operation on the discharge port by moving the cleaning member forward and backward.
The leak detecting means grasps the vibration generated by the fluid as a vibration waveform, and detects the vibration generated according to the leakage when the difference between the maximum point and the minimum point of the vibration waveform is smaller than the preset reference difference. A steam trap cleaning method characterized by recognizing and outputting a leak signal .

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