JP7492300B2 - Thermoelectric Generators and Steam Systems - Google Patents

Description

The technology disclosed herein relates to a thermoelectric power generation device and a steam system equipped with the same.

Thermoelectric power generation devices that generate thermoelectric power using a thermoelectric conversion element have been known for some time. For example, in the thermoelectric power generation device disclosed in Patent Document 1, a thermoelectric conversion element is provided between an inner tube through which exhaust gas flows and a heat dissipation fin. In this thermoelectric power generation device, the high-temperature surface of the thermoelectric conversion element is heated by the exhaust gas, and the low-temperature surface of the thermoelectric conversion element is cooled by the heat dissipation fin. This creates a temperature difference between the high-temperature surface and the low-temperature surface, generating thermoelectric power.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-234194

However, the thermoelectric power generation device of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it cannot generate much power. In other words, since the low-temperature side of the thermoelectric conversion element is naturally cooled by the heat dissipation fins, it is not possible to generate much temperature difference between the high-temperature side and the low-temperature side. As a result, it is not possible to generate much power.

The technology disclosed herein has been developed in consideration of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a thermoelectric power generation device capable of increasing the amount of power generation and a steam system equipped with the same.

The thermoelectric power generation device of the present disclosure includes a thermoelectric conversion module, a heating heat exchanger, and a cooling heat exchanger. The thermoelectric conversion module has a lower first surface and an upper second surface that are opposed to each other in the vertical direction, and generates thermoelectric power according to the temperature difference between the first surface and the second surface. The heating heat exchanger has a container-shaped heating body that is provided below the first surface in contact with the first surface and is supplied with steam, and heats the first surface with the steam from the heating body. The cooling heat exchanger has a container-shaped cooling body that is provided above the second surface in contact with the second surface and is supplied with cooling liquid, and cools the second surface with the cooling liquid from the cooling body.

The steam system of the present disclosure includes a steam-using device that is supplied with steam and uses the supplied steam, and the thermoelectric power generation device. A portion of the steam supplied to the steam-using device is supplied to the heating body.

The above-mentioned thermoelectric power generation device can increase the amount of power generation.

The above steam system can increase the amount of electricity generated by the thermoelectric power generation device.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a power generation unit in which a plurality of thermoelectric power generation devices are assembled. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the thermoelectric power generation device. FIG. 3 is a rear view showing a schematic configuration of the thermoelectric power generation device. FIG. 4 is a left side view showing a schematic configuration of the thermoelectric power generation device. FIG. 5 is a right side view showing a schematic configuration of the thermoelectric power generation device. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the thermoelectric power generation device as viewed from the front. FIG. 7 is a piping diagram showing a schematic configuration of a heat recovery system provided with a thermoelectric power generation device. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the gas-liquid separation section. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a liquid pressure-feeding device. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a switching valve. FIG. 11 is a view corresponding to FIG. 10 and showing one state of the switching valve.

An exemplary embodiment is described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 is a front view showing the schematic configuration of a power generation unit U in which multiple thermoelectric power generation devices 8 are assembled. The power generation unit U is formed by assembling multiple thermoelectric power generation devices 8. In this example of the power generation unit U, three thermoelectric power generation devices 8 are assembled. Specifically, the three thermoelectric power generation devices 8 are stacked vertically to form an integrated unit. In this power generation unit U, the top plate 88 of the thermoelectric power generation device 8 also serves as the bottom plate 81 of the thermoelectric power generation device 8 located directly above it.

Figure 2 is a front view showing the schematic configuration of the thermoelectric power generation device 8. Figure 3 is a rear view showing the schematic configuration of the thermoelectric power generation device 8. Figure 4 is a left side view showing the schematic configuration of the thermoelectric power generation device 8. Figure 5 is a right side view showing the schematic configuration of the thermoelectric power generation device 8. Figure 6 is an exploded oblique view showing the thermoelectric power generation device 8 as viewed from the front.

The thermoelectric power generation device 8 of this embodiment generates thermoelectric power using a thermoelectric conversion module 84. Thermoelectric power generation is power generation that converts thermal energy into electrical energy. Specifically, the thermoelectric power generation device 8 includes a bottom plate 81, a heating heat exchanger 82, a thermoelectric conversion module 84, a cooling heat exchanger 85, a movable plate 86, a leaf spring 87, and a top plate 88. In the thermoelectric power generation device 8, the bottom plate 81, the heating heat exchanger 82, the thermoelectric conversion module 84, the cooling heat exchanger 85, the movable plate 86, the leaf spring 87, and the top plate 24 are provided in this order from the bottom.

In this example, the up-down direction corresponds to the vertical direction. In this example, the left-right direction refers to the left-right direction in Figures 2 and 3, and the front-rear direction refers to the left-right direction in Figures 4 and 5.

The bottom plate 81 is formed as a plate extending horizontally. In this example, the bottom plate 81 has a rectangular shape in a plan view.

The thermoelectric conversion module 84 has a lower first surface 84a and an upper second surface 84b that face each other in the vertical direction. The thermoelectric conversion module 84 generates thermoelectric power according to the temperature difference between the first surface 84a and the second surface 84b. That is, the first surface 84a is a high-temperature surface, and the second surface 84b is a low-temperature surface.

Specifically, the thermoelectric conversion module 84 is formed in the shape of a horizontally extending plate. The thermoelectric conversion module 84 is formed by combining a large number of thermoelectric conversion elements into a plate shape. A thermoelectric conversion element is a device that converts thermal energy into electrical energy, and is also called a Seebeck element. In this way, one surface of the large number of thermoelectric conversion elements combined into a plate shape is formed as a first surface 84a, and the other surface is formed as a second surface 84b. The first surface 84a and the second surface 84b are each formed in a horizontally extending plane.

In this example, multiple thermoelectric conversion modules 84 are provided, more specifically, four thermoelectric conversion modules 84 are provided. The multiple thermoelectric conversion modules 84 are arranged in the left-right direction.

The heating heat exchanger 82 has a container-shaped main body 821 that is provided below the first surface 84a of the thermoelectric conversion module 84 in contact with the first surface 84a and is supplied with steam, and heats the first surface 84a with the steam from the main body 821. In other words, the heating heat exchanger 82 is a heat source for heating the first surface 84a of the thermoelectric conversion module 84.

Specifically, the heating heat exchanger 82 has a main body 821, an inlet 822, and an outlet 823. The main body 821 is formed in the shape of a semi-cylindrical container extending horizontally. More specifically, the main body 821 extends in the left-right direction. The main body 821 is provided in a state in which an arc protrudes downward. The main body 821 is an example of a heating main body. The inlet 822 is provided on the left side surface 821a of the main body 821, and the outlet 823 is provided on the right side surface 821b of the main body 821. The upper surface 821c of the main body 821 is formed in a horizontally extending plane. The main body 821 is provided in a state in which the upper surface 821c contacts the first surface 84a of the multiple thermoelectric conversion modules 84.

In the heating heat exchanger 82, steam flows into the main body 821 from the inlet 822. The steam that flows into the main body 821 exchanges heat with the first surface 84a while flowing inside the main body 821. More specifically, the steam in the main body 821 dissipates heat to the first surface 84a via the upper surface 821c. This heats the first surface 84a. The steam in the main body 821 condenses into drain by exchanging heat with the first surface 84a. The drain in the main body 821 flows out from the outlet 823.

Condensed drainage within the main body 821 temporarily accumulates at the bottom of the main body 821. Therefore, the condensed drainage does not impede the heating of the first surface 84a. In other words, since the heating heat exchanger 82 is provided below the first surface 84a, i.e., below the thermoelectric conversion module 84, drainage can accumulate at a position away from the upper surface 821c that contacts the first surface 84a. This improves the heating efficiency of the heating heat exchanger 82.

The heating heat exchanger 82 is supported on the bottom plate 81 via spacers 83a. The spacers 83a are formed in a rod shape extending in the vertical direction and are provided between the bottom plate 81 and the main body 821 of the heating heat exchanger 82. In this example, the spacers 83a are located at the four corners of the bottom plate 81.

The cooling heat exchanger 85 has a container-shaped main body 851 that is provided above and in contact with the second surface 84b of the thermoelectric conversion module 84 and is supplied with a cooling liquid, and cools the second surface 84b with the cooling liquid in the main body 851. In other words, the cooling heat exchanger 85 is a cooling source for cooling the second surface 84b of the thermoelectric conversion module 84.

Specifically, the cooling heat exchanger 85 has a main body 851, an inlet 852, and an outlet 853. The main body 851 is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped container. More specifically, the main body 851 is provided in a state in which the longitudinal direction of the rectangular parallelepiped coincides with the horizontal direction and coincides with the left-right direction. The main body 851 is an example of a cooling main body. The inlet 852 and the outlet 853 are provided on the front surface 851a of the main body 851. More specifically, the inlet 852 is provided at the left end of the front surface 851a, and the outlet 853 is provided at the right end of the front surface 851a.

The upper surface 851b and the lower surface 851c of the main body 851 are formed in a horizontally extending plane. The main body 851 is provided with the lower surface 851c in contact with the second surfaces 84b of the multiple thermoelectric conversion modules 84. The main body 851 is also provided with the upper surface 851b in contact with the movable plate 86 described later.

In the cooling heat exchanger 85, the cooling liquid flows into the main body 851 from the inlet 852. The cooling liquid that flows into the main body 851 exchanges heat with the second surface 84b while flowing inside the main body 851. More specifically, the cooling liquid in the main body 851 absorbs heat from the second surface 84b via the lower surface 851c. This cools the second surface 84b. The cooling liquid that has exchanged heat with the second surface 84b in the main body 851 flows out from the outlet 853.

In this way, the first surface 84a is heated and the second surface 84b is cooled, so that a temperature difference occurs between the first surface 84a and the second surface 84b. Therefore, in the thermoelectric conversion module 84, thermoelectric power is generated according to the temperature difference between the first surface 84a and the second surface 84b. Moreover, since the first surface 84a is actively heated by the heating heat exchanger 82 and the second surface 84b is actively cooled by the cooling heat exchanger 85, the temperature difference between the first surface 84a and the second surface 84b can be earned. Therefore, the amount of power generated by the thermoelectric conversion module 84 is increased. In addition, since the heating efficiency in the heating heat exchanger 82 is improved as described above, the amount of power generated by the thermoelectric conversion module 84 is further increased.

In addition, at least one of the interior of the main body 821 of the heating heat exchanger 82 and the interior of the main body 851 of the cooling heat exchanger 85 is formed as a single space. In this example, the interiors of both main bodies 821, 851 are formed as a single space. Therefore, the temperature is uniform inside the main bodies 821, 851. Therefore, in the main body 821 of the heating heat exchanger 82, the first surfaces 84a of the multiple thermoelectric conversion modules 84 are heated evenly. In the main body 851 of the cooling heat exchanger 85, the second surfaces 84b of the multiple thermoelectric conversion modules 84 are cooled evenly. This improves the power generation efficiency in the thermoelectric conversion modules 84.

In addition, the thermoelectric conversion module 84 and the main body 851 of the cooling heat exchanger 85 are provided so as to be movable up and down. In the heating heat exchanger 82, the main body 821 may expand due to the heat and pressure of the steam. If the thermoelectric conversion module 84 and the main body 851 of the cooling heat exchanger 85 are fixed, the thermoelectric conversion module 84 may be damaged if the main body 821 of the heating heat exchanger 82 expands and deforms. In this embodiment, since the main body 851 of the thermoelectric conversion module 84 and the main body 851 of the cooling heat exchanger 85 are provided so as to be movable up and down, the thermoelectric conversion module 84 and the main body 851 are displaced upward in accordance with the expansion and deformation of the main body 821 of the heating heat exchanger 82. In other words, the expansion and deformation of the main body 821 of the heating heat exchanger 82 can be absorbed. Therefore, damage to the thermoelectric conversion module 84 caused by the expansion and deformation of the main body 821 of the heating heat exchanger 82 is prevented.

The leaf spring 87 is an example of an elastic member that is provided above the main body 851 of the cooling heat exchanger 85 and biases the main body 851 downward. In this example, the leaf spring 87 is formed by bending a plate member into an asymmetric U-shape. In this example, a plurality of leaf springs 87 are provided, more specifically, two leaf springs 87 are provided. The two leaf springs 87 are aligned in the left-right direction.

Leaf spring 87 is provided so as to have elasticity in the up-down direction. Specifically, leaf spring 87 is fixed to a top plate 88 provided above leaf spring 87. Leaf spring 87 is fixed by fastening the longer of two asymmetric straight portions to top plate 88 with bolt 87a. In other words, leaf spring 87 has two asymmetric straight portions, the shorter of which is the free end.

The top plate 88 is formed in a plate shape extending horizontally. Like the bottom plate 81, the top plate 88 is rectangular in plan view. The top plate 88 is supported on the upper surface 821c of the body 821 of the heating heat exchanger 82 via spacers 83b. The spacers 83b are formed in a rod shape extending in the vertical direction and are provided between the top plate 88 and the upper surface 821c. In this example, the spacers 83b are located at the four corners of the top plate 88.

The movable plate 86 is formed in a plate shape perpendicular to the vertical direction, and is arranged between the main body 851 of the cooling heat exchanger 85 and the leaf spring 87 so as to be freely movable up and down, and transmits the biasing force of the leaf spring 87 to the main body 851.

Specifically, the movable plate 86 is formed in a plate shape extending horizontally. The movable plate 86 is provided in a state where the lower surface is in contact with the upper surface 851b of the main body 851 of the cooling heat exchanger 85. The movable plate 86 is also provided in a state where the upper surface is in contact with the leaf spring 87. More specifically, the upper surface of the movable plate 86 is in contact with the shorter straight line portion of the two straight lines of the leaf spring 87. The movable plate 86 is formed in a size that covers the upper surface 851b of the main body 851 of the cooling heat exchanger 85 in a plan view. The movable plate 86 transmits the biasing force of the leaf spring 87 to the upper surface 851b of the main body 851. In other words, the leaf spring 87 biases the main body 851 of the cooling heat exchanger 85 downward via the movable plate 86.

In this way, the leaf spring 87 biases the body 851 of the cooling heat exchanger 85 downward, thereby increasing the degree of contact between the second surface 84b of the thermoelectric conversion module 84 and the body 851, and between the first surface 84a of the thermoelectric conversion module 84 and the body 821. This improves the efficiency of heat exchange between the thermoelectric conversion module 84 and the heating heat exchanger 82 and the cooling heat exchanger 85. This makes it possible to increase the temperature difference between the first surface 84a and the second surface 84b.

Moreover, the leaf spring 87 biases the main body 851 of the cooling heat exchanger 85 downward via the movable plate 86, so that the biasing force of the leaf spring 87 acts evenly on the entire main body 851. This makes it possible to evenly increase the degree of contact between the second surface 84b and the main body 851, and between the first surface 84a and the main body 821.

In addition, when the main body 821 of the heating heat exchanger 82 expands and deforms, the thermoelectric conversion module 84, the main body 851 of the cooling heat exchanger 85, and the movable plate 86 are displaced upward against the biasing force of the leaf spring 87. In other words, the expansion and deformation of the main body 821 of the heating heat exchanger 82 can be absorbed. In this way, by providing the leaf spring 87, it is possible to prevent damage to the thermoelectric conversion module 84 caused by the expansion and deformation of the main body 821 of the heating heat exchanger 82, while increasing the degree of adhesion between the thermoelectric conversion module 84 and the main bodies 821 and 851.

Furthermore, the thermoelectric power generation device 8 further includes guide rods 89a and 89b. The guide rod 89a is an example of a guide portion that guides the vertical movement of the movable plate 86. The guide rod 89a extends in the vertical direction. The guide rod 89a is provided between the bottom plate 81 and the top plate 88. In this example, multiple guide rods 89a are provided, and more specifically, four guide rods 89a are provided.

The movable plate 86 has a through hole 86a through which the guide rod 89a passes. With this configuration, the movable plate 86 moves up and down along the guide rod 89a. In addition, notches 86b are provided at the four corners of the movable plate 86 to avoid contact with the spacer 83b.

The guide rod 89b is an example of a guide portion that guides the vertical movement of the main body 851 of the cooling heat exchanger 85. The guide rod 89b extends in the vertical direction. The guide rod 89a is provided by fixing the upper end to the movable plate 86. In other words, the guide rod 89b extends downward from the movable plate 86. The guide rod 89b moves up and down together with the movable plate 86. In this example, a plurality of guide rods 89b are provided, more specifically, four guide rods 89b are provided. The guide rods 89b are located outside the main body 851 of the cooling heat exchanger 85. With this configuration, the main body 851 moves up and down along the guide rods 89b. Therefore, the main body 851 moves up and down without shifting relative to the thermoelectric conversion module 84 and the movable plate 86.

Next, a heat recovery system 100 provided with the above-mentioned power generation unit U (i.e., three thermoelectric power generation devices 8) will be described. Figure 7 is a piping diagram showing the schematic configuration of the heat recovery system 100 provided with the thermoelectric power generation devices 8. For ease of explanation, Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of one thermoelectric power generation device 8.

The heat recovery system 100 recovers drain generated by condensation of steam in steam-using equipment installed outside the heat recovery system 100 and flash steam (steam, etc.) from the drain. In other words, the heat recovery system 100 recovers heat from the high-temperature drain and the flash steam. The heat recovery system 100 is an example of a steam system.

The heat recovery system 100 comprises a gas-liquid separation section 1, a header tank 2, a heat exchanger 4, a liquid pressure-feeding device 5, a path switching section 6, and a power generation unit U.

The gas-liquid separation section 1 separates the drain sent from the steam-using equipment (not shown) and its flash steam. The gas-liquid separation section 1 has a recovery pipe 10, a liquid pipe 11, and a gas pipe 12.

Drain and flash steam generated by steam-using equipment flow into the recovery pipe 10. The liquid pipe 11 and gas pipe 12 are branch pipes formed when the recovery pipe 10 branches into two. Of the drain and flash steam that flow into the recovery pipe 10, the drain flows into the liquid pipe 11 and the flash steam flows into the gas pipe 12. The gas pipe 12 is a straight pipe that extends vertically upward from the end of the recovery pipe 10. The gas pipe 12 is connected to the heat exchanger 4 and supplies flash steam to the heat exchanger 4. The liquid pipe 11 extends downward from the end of the recovery pipe 10. The liquid pipe 11 is connected to the header tank 2 and allows drain to flow into the header tank 2.

As shown in FIG. 8, the liquid pipe 11 is a so-called U-shaped pipe that is bent into a U-shape. Specifically, the liquid pipe 11 has a first pipe 11a, a second pipe 11b, a third pipe 11c, and a fourth pipe 11d. The first pipe 11a is a straight pipe that extends vertically downward from the end of the recovery pipe 10. The second pipe 11b is a straight pipe that extends horizontally from the lower end of the first pipe 11a and is the part that corresponds to the bottom of the U-shape. The third pipe 11c is a straight pipe that extends vertically upward from the end of the second pipe 11b. In other words, the first pipe 11a and the third pipe 11c extend vertically parallel to each other. The fourth pipe 11d is a straight pipe that extends horizontally from the upper end of the third pipe 11c. The fourth pipe 11d is connected to the side of the header tank 2 (more specifically, the tank body 21).

In the liquid pipe 11 configured in this manner, drain is retained in the first pipe 11a, the second pipe 11b, and the third pipe 11c, and the retained drain is water-sealed. More specifically, in the third pipe 11c, drain is retained up to the upper end, while in the first pipe 11a, the head of the drain is lower than the head of the drain in the third pipe 11c. In other words, a head difference H of the drain occurs between the first pipe 11a and the third pipe 11c. This head difference H is caused by the pressure loss in the heat exchanger 4. The pressure loss of the heat exchanger 4 is offset by the head difference H thus generated. The first pipe 11a and the third pipe 11c are set to a sufficient height to ensure the head difference H equivalent to the pressure loss of the heat exchanger 4. Therefore, the pressure loss of the heat exchanger 4 can be reliably offset. This allows flash steam to easily flow from the gas pipe 12 into the heat exchanger 4.

The header tank 2 is a water-sealed header tank into which drainage generated by steam-using equipment flows and is stored. Specifically, the header tank 2 has a container-shaped tank body 21 and an overflow pipe 24.

The tank body 21 has an internal space divided into a liquid phase section 22 of drain and a gas phase section 23 of steam. The tank body 21 is connected to the liquid pipe 11 (fourth pipe 11d), the outflow pipe 13, and the inflow pipe 16a. The liquid pipe 11 opens into the gas phase section 23. The outflow pipe 13 is connected to the top of the tank body 21 and opens into the gas phase section 23. The inflow pipe 16a opens into the liquid phase section 22. In the tank body 21, drain flows in from the liquid pipe 11 and is stored. In the tank body 21, drain from the heat exchanger 4 flows in through the outflow pipe 13 and is stored. In the tank body 21, drain from the liquid phase section 22 flows into the liquid pressure-feeding device 5 through the inflow pipe 16a. One end of the overflow pipe 24, which is an inflow end, opens into the liquid phase section 22, and the other end, which is an outflow end, penetrates the side wall at the top of the tank body 21 and opens to the atmosphere.

The internal space of the tank body 21 is sealed by the water seal of the water seal trap 3. Specifically, the water seal trap 3 is connected to the tank body 21 by the connecting pipe 15a and the outflow pipe 15b. One end of the connecting pipe 15a, which is the inflow end, opens to the gas phase part 23 of the tank body 21, and the other end, which is the outflow end, opens to the seal water of the water seal trap 3. In other words, the other end of the connecting pipe 15a is water sealed. One end of the outflow pipe 15b, which is the inflow end, is connected to the water seal trap 3, and the other end, which is the outflow end, opens to the liquid phase part 22 of the tank body 21. The water seal trap 3 normally prevents the steam of the tank body 21 from leaking out by the water seal, but in an emergency in which the tank body 21 becomes abnormally high pressure, the water seal is broken and the steam of the tank body 21 escapes to the atmosphere. In addition, in the water seal trap 3, excess drainage generated by condensation of steam flows into the tank body 21 through the outflow pipe 15b and is stored.

The heat exchanger 4 has a first flow path 41 and a second flow path 42, which are internal flow paths. The first flow path 41 is for allowing flash steam of drain flowing from the steam-using equipment into the header tank 2 to flow in and exchange heat with the object of the second flow path 42 (e.g., water). More specifically, a gas pipe 12 is connected to the inlet end of the first flow path 41, and an outlet pipe 13 is connected to the outlet end of the first flow path 41. The second flow path 42 is connected to an inlet pipe 14a that supplies water and an outlet pipe 14b through which water flows out from the second flow path 42. In the heat exchanger 4, the flash steam of the first flow path 41 exchanges heat with the water of the second flow path 42, and the water is heated. The flash steam condenses to become drain and flows into the header tank 2 via the outlet pipe 13. In this way, the heat of the flash steam is recovered.

As shown in FIG. 9, the liquid pumping device 5 has a casing 50 in which a drain storage chamber 51 and a steam exhaust port 55 are formed, and performs an inflow operation in which the drain of the header tank 2 flows into the storage chamber 51 and is stored therein by discharging steam from the storage chamber 51 through the exhaust port 55, and a pumping operation in which the drain of the storage chamber 51 is pumped by introducing steam into the storage chamber 51.

Specifically, the liquid pumping device 5 alternates between an inflow operation and a pumping operation. During the pumping operation, the steam introduced into the storage chamber 51 is a working gas, and is high-temperature, high-pressure steam. The liquid pumping device 5 comprises a casing 50, which is an airtight container, an intake valve 56, an exhaust valve 57, and a valve operating mechanism 58. The liquid pumping device 5 is an example of a steam-using device that the heat recovery system 100 comprises.

The casing 50 is formed by connecting the main body 50a and the lid 50b with bolts, and a drain storage chamber 51 is formed inside. The lid 50b is provided with an inlet 52 through which the drain flows in, a pressure delivery port 53 through which the drain is pressure-delivered, an air supply port 54 through which the working gas is supplied, and an exhaust port 55 through which the working gas is discharged. All of these inlets 52, etc. are provided in the lid 50b and communicate with the storage chamber 51. The inlet 52 is connected to the inlet pipe 16a, the pressure delivery port 53 is connected to the pressure delivery pipe 16b, the air supply port 54 is connected to the air supply pipe 16c, and the exhaust port 55 is connected to the exhaust pipe 16d. The air supply pipe 16c supplies high-pressure steam generated, for example, by a boiler in the steam system to the air supply port 54. The pressure delivery pipe 16b supplies the drain from the pressure delivery port 53 to a specified usage point. This allows the heat of the high-temperature drain to be recovered.

The intake valve 56 is provided at the intake port 54 and opens and closes the intake port 54. The exhaust valve 57 is provided at the exhaust port 55 and opens and closes the exhaust port 55. A valve operating rod 57a is connected to the lower part of the exhaust valve 57. A connecting plate 57b extending to the lower area of the intake valve 56 is attached to the valve operating rod 57a. With this configuration, when the valve operating rod 57a rises, the intake valve 56 opens the intake port 54, while the exhaust valve 57 closes the exhaust port 55. When the valve operating rod 57a descends, the intake valve 56 closes the intake port 54, while the exhaust valve 57 opens the exhaust port 55.

The valve operating mechanism 58 is provided in the casing 50 and operates the intake valve 56 and the exhaust valve 57 by moving the valve operating rod 57a up and down. The valve operating mechanism 58 has a float 581 and a snap mechanism 59.

The float 581 is formed in a spherical shape, and a lever 582 is attached to it. The lever 582 is rotatably supported by an axis 583 provided on a bracket 584. An axis 585 is provided on the lever 582 at the end opposite the float 581. The snap mechanism 59 has a float arm 591, a sub-arm 592, a coil spring 593, and two receiving members 594a and 594b. One end of the float arm 591 is rotatably supported by an axis 596 provided on a bracket 597. A groove 591a is formed on the other end of the float arm 591, and the axis 585 of the lever 582 fits into the groove 591a. With this configuration, the float arm 591 swings around the axis 596 as the float 581 rises and falls.

Float arm 591 is provided with shaft 595a. Sub-arm 592 has its upper end rotatably supported by shaft 596, and its lower end with shaft 595b. Receiving member 594a is rotatably supported by shaft 595a of float arm 591, and receiving member 594b is rotatably supported by shaft 595b of sub-arm 592. A compressed coil spring 593 is attached between both receiving members 594a, 594b. Sub-arm 592 is provided with shaft 598, and the lower end of valve operating rod 57a is connected to shaft 598.

In the liquid pressure transfer device 5, when no drain is stored in the storage chamber 51, the float 581 is located at the bottom of the storage chamber 51. In this state, the valve operating rod 57a is lowered, the intake valve 56 is closed, and the exhaust valve 57 is open. As drain flows in from the inlet 52 and accumulates in the storage chamber 51, the float 581 rises. Meanwhile, in the storage chamber 51, as the drain accumulates, steam is discharged from the exhaust port 55. In this way, the inflow operation is performed. In other words, the drain is replaced by steam during the inflow operation. When the water level of the drain in the storage chamber 51 reaches a predetermined high water level, the valve operating rod 57a is raised by the snap mechanism 59. This causes the intake valve 56 to open and the exhaust valve 57 to close.

When the intake valve 56 opens, steam (high-pressure steam) is supplied from the intake port 54 and introduced into the upper part of the storage chamber 51 (the space above the drain). The drain stored in the storage chamber 51 is then pushed downward by the pressure of the introduced steam and pumped out from the pumping port 53. In this way, the pumping operation is performed. When the drain water level in the storage chamber 51 drops due to this pumping operation, the float 581 descends. Then, when the drain water level in the storage chamber 51 reaches a predetermined low water level, the snap mechanism 59 lowers the valve operating rod 57a. This closes the intake valve 56 and opens the exhaust valve 57.

The path switching unit 6 has a first path that supplies the steam discharged from the exhaust port 55 to the header tank 2 and a second path that supplies the steam to the first flow path 41 of the heat exchanger 4 that is separate from the header tank 2, and selectively switches between the first path and the second path depending on the exhaust pressure, which is the pressure of the steam discharged from the exhaust port 55, during the inflow operation of the liquid pumping device 5. In other words, the path switching unit 6 switches the path of the steam discharged from the exhaust port 55 during the inflow operation of the liquid pumping device 5. Specifically, the path switching unit 6 switches to the first path when the exhaust pressure is less than a predetermined value during the inflow operation of the liquid pumping device 5, and switches to the second path when the exhaust pressure is equal to or greater than the predetermined value.

More specifically, the path switching unit 6 has a switching valve 60, a connecting pipe 71, an atmospheric release pipe 74, and a check valve 75.

The switching valve 60 is connected to the exhaust pipe 16d. The communication pipe 71 is connected to the switching valve 60 and the header tank 2. More specifically, the communication pipe 71 has one end, which is the inflow end, connected to the first outflow passage 64 of the switching valve 60, and the other end, which is the outflow end, connected to the gas space portion 23 of the header tank 2. The atmosphere release pipe 74 has one end, which is the inflow end, connected to the second outflow passage 65 of the switching valve 60, and the other end, which is the outflow end, open to the atmosphere. In this example, the first path is formed by the communication pipe 71, and the second path is formed by the atmosphere release pipe 74. The check valve 75 is provided in the atmosphere release pipe 74. The check valve 75 only allows the flow of steam from the switching valve 60 toward the atmosphere.

The switching valve 60 selectively switches between the first and second paths depending on the exhaust pressure. In other words, the switching valve 60 switches the steam supply location between the header tank 2 and the atmosphere by allowing the steam discharged from the exhaust port 55 to flow into the communication pipe 71 or the atmospheric release pipe 74 depending on the exhaust pressure. As shown in FIG. 10, the switching valve 60 has an inflow path 62 into which the steam discharged from the exhaust port 55 flows, a first outflow path 64 to which the first path is connected, a second outflow path 65 to which the second path is connected, a valve body 671 that opens and closes the first outflow path 64, and a spring 676 that biases the valve body 671 in the valve opening direction. When the exhaust pressure reaches a predetermined value or more, the exhaust pressure causes the valve body 671 to close against the biasing force of the spring 676. The spring 676 is an example of a biasing member.

Specifically, the switching valve 60 has a casing 61, a screen 66, and a valve mechanism 67.

A fluid flow path is formed in the casing 61. Specifically, the flow path is formed by an inflow path 62, a capture path 63, and two outflow paths 64, 65 (i.e., a first outflow path 64 and a second outflow path 65). The flow path has a first flow path for discharging the inflowing steam to the header tank 2 side, and a second flow path for discharging the inflowing steam to the heat exchanger 4 side. The first flow path is formed by the inflow path 62, the capture path 63, and the first outflow path 64. The second flow path is formed by the inflow path 62, the capture path 63, and the second outflow path 65.

The exhaust pipe 16d is connected to the inflow passage 62. In other words, the inflow passage 62 is a flow path through which steam flows in from the exhaust pipe 16d. The first outflow passage 64 is a flow path through which steam flows out to the communication pipe 71, and the second outflow passage 65 is a flow path through which steam flows out to the atmosphere release pipe 74. The inflow passage 62 and the second outflow passage 65 face each other and have a common axis X1 that extends horizontally.

The capture passage 63 is a flow path connected to the inlet passage 62 and the second outlet passage 65, and is provided with a screen 66. In other words, the inlet passage 62 and the second outlet passage 65 are connected via the capture passage 63. More specifically, the capture passage 63 extends obliquely downward from the inlet passage 62, and a side portion of the capture passage 63 is connected to the second outlet passage 65. In other words, the axis X2 of the capture passage 63 is inclined downward with respect to the axis X1 as it approaches the second outlet passage 65.

The first outflow passage 64 is located below the capture passage 63 and communicates with the capture passage 63. The first outflow passage 64 also constitutes the valve chamber of the valve mechanism 67. More specifically, the first outflow passage 64 extends in the vertical direction. That is, the first outflow passage 64 extends in a direction perpendicular to the inflow passage 62 and the second outflow passage 65, and extends in a direction inclined with respect to the capture passage 63. The casing 61 is provided with a partition wall 641 that separates the capture passage 63 and the first outflow passage 64. The partition wall 641 is provided with a communication hole 642 that communicates the capture passage 63 and the first outflow passage 64. Steam flows from the capture passage 63 through the communication hole 642 into the first outflow passage 64 thus configured.

The screen 66 captures foreign matter in the steam flowing from the inlet passage 62 to the first outlet passage 64 and the second outlet passage 65. The screen 66 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending coaxially with the axis X2 of the capture passage 63. One end of the screen 66 opens toward the inlet passage 62. In the capture passage 63, steam from the inlet passage 62 flows into the inside of the screen 66, passes through the peripheral wall of the screen 66, and flows into the first outlet passage 64 or the second outlet passage 65. As the steam passes through the screen 66 in this manner, foreign matter in the steam is captured.

The valve mechanism 67 is provided in the first outflow passage 64 and opens and closes the first outflow passage 64 (i.e., the first flow path). Specifically, the valve mechanism 67 opens the first outflow passage 64 to allow steam to flow into the communication pipe 71. The valve mechanism 67 also closes the first outflow passage 64 to allow steam to flow from the second outflow passage 65 to the atmosphere release pipe 74. The valve mechanism 67 has a valve body 671, a valve seat 673, a spring 676, and a baffle plate 677.

A valve hole 675 is provided in the first outflow passage 64. The valve body 671 is formed in a disk shape. The valve body 671 is housed in the first outflow passage 64 with its axis extending in the vertical direction. The valve body 671 is provided so as to be able to move up and down. The valve body 671 is disposed above the valve hole 675 and opens and closes the valve hole 675 by moving up and down. The valve seat 673 is provided at the bottom of the first outflow passage 64. The valve seat 673 is formed with a valve hole 675. The valve hole 675 opens in the vertical direction in the first outflow passage 64. The valve hole 675 communicates between the first outflow passage 64 and the communication pipe 71.

The spring 676 is a coil spring that biases the valve body 671 in the valve opening direction. The spring 676 is provided below the valve body 671 in the first outflow passage 64, and biases the valve body 671 upward. In other words, the spring 676 is provided between the valve body 671 and the valve seat 673.

One end of the spring 676 is connected to the underside of the valve body 671 to support the valve body 671. More specifically, one end of the spring 676 is fitted into and connected to an annular recess 672 formed in the underside of the valve body 671. The other end of the spring 676 is supported by the valve seat 673. More specifically, the other end of the spring 676 is fitted into an annular recess 674 formed around the valve hole 675 in the upstream end face of the valve seat 673.

The baffle plate 677 prevents steam flowing from the capture passage 63 into the first outflow passage 64 from hitting the upper surface of the valve body 671. The baffle plate 677 is provided above the valve body 671 in the first outflow passage 64. The baffle plate 677 is formed into a substantially conical surface, and is provided with the apex of the conical surface located on the upper side. When the valve is open, the valve body 671 is pressed against the baffle plate 677 by the biasing force of the spring 676.

In the valve mechanism 67, when the pressure in the first outflow passage 64 (i.e., exhaust pressure) falls below a predetermined value, the valve body 671 rises due to the biasing force of the spring 676 and leaves the valve seat 673, and the valve hole 675 is opened (state shown in FIG. 10). In addition, in the valve mechanism 67, when the pressure in the first outflow passage 64 (i.e., exhaust pressure) exceeds a predetermined value, the valve body 671 falls against the biasing force of the spring 676 due to the pressure and seats on the valve seat 673 (state shown in FIG. 11). This closes the valve hole 675. In this way, the first outflow passage 64 is opened and closed by opening and closing the valve hole 675. The pressure in the first outflow passage 64 corresponds to the pressure of the steam that has flowed into the inflow passage 62 and the first outflow passage 64. The predetermined value is set to the value of the exhaust pressure at which the water seal of the water seal trap 3 is broken during the inflow operation of the liquid pressure-feeding device 5.

In the path switching unit 6 configured in this manner, when the pressure of the steam discharged from the exhaust port 55 and flowing into the switching valve 66 (i.e., exhaust pressure) is equal to or higher than a predetermined value during the inflow operation of the liquid pressure-feeding device 5, the first outflow path 64 is closed in the switching valve 60. As a result, the communication pipe 71 (i.e., the first path) is blocked, and the steam that flows into the switching valve 60 from the exhaust pipe 16d is released into the atmosphere via the second outflow path 65 and the atmosphere release pipe 74. In other words, the path switching unit 6 prevents high-pressure steam equal to or higher than a predetermined value from being supplied to the header tank 2, and releases the heat of the steam into the atmosphere.

In addition, in the path switching unit 6, when the pressure of the steam discharged from the exhaust port 55 and flowing into the switching valve 66 (i.e., exhaust pressure) falls below a predetermined value during the inflow operation of the liquid pressure-feeding device 5, the first outflow path 64 is opened in the switching valve 60. Therefore, the communication pipe 71 (i.e., the first path) is opened, and the steam flowing into the switching valve 60 from the exhaust pipe 16d flows from the first outflow path 64 through the communication pipe 71 into the header tank 2. This equalizes the pressure between the tank body 21 and the storage chamber 51, and gas-liquid replacement (i.e., replacement of drain with steam) is performed between the two. Therefore, drain flows smoothly from the header tank 2 into the liquid pressure-feeding device 5.

Also, as shown in FIG. 7, in the heat recovery system 100, inlet pipes 17a, 18a and outlet pipes 17b, 18b are connected to the power generation unit U (thermoelectric power generation device 8).

Specifically, the inflow pipe 17a has one end, which is the inflow end, connected to the middle of the air supply pipe 16c, and the other end, which is the outflow end, connected to the thermoelectric power generation device 8. More specifically, the inflow pipe 17a is connected to the inlet 822 of the heating heat exchanger 82. According to this configuration, a part of the steam flowing through the air supply pipe 16c is supplied to the body 821 of the heating heat exchanger 82 through the inflow pipe 17a. The outflow pipe 17b has one end, which is the inflow end, connected to the thermoelectric power generation device 8, and the other end, which is the outflow end, connected to the middle of the gas pipe 12. More specifically, the outflow pipe 17b is connected to the outlet 823 of the heating heat exchanger 82. According to this configuration, the drain in the body 821 of the heating heat exchanger 82 flows out to the gas pipe 12 through the outflow pipe 17b. The other end of the outflow pipe 17b may be connected to the recovery pipe 10 or the liquid pipe 11 instead of the gas pipe 12.

The inflow pipe 18a has one end, which is the inflow end, connected to the middle of the inflow pipe 14a, and the other end, which is the outflow end, connected to the thermoelectric power generation device 8. More specifically, the inflow pipe 18a is connected to the inlet 852 of the cooling heat exchanger 85. According to this configuration, water flowing through the inflow pipe 14a is supplied to the main body 851 of the cooling heat exchanger 85 via the inflow pipe 18a. That is, in the main body 851 of the cooling heat exchanger 85, water is supplied as a coolant. The outflow pipe 18b has one end, which is the inflow end, connected to the thermoelectric power generation device 8, and the other end, which is the outflow end, connected to the inflow pipe 14a downstream of the inflow pipe 18a. More specifically, the outflow pipe 18b is connected to the outlet 853 of the cooling heat exchanger 85. According to this configuration, the water in the main body 851 of the cooling heat exchanger 85 flows out to the inflow pipe 14a via the outflow pipe 18b.

In this way, steam is supplied to the heating heat exchanger 82 and water is supplied to the cooling heat exchanger 85, whereby the first surface 84a of the thermoelectric conversion module 84 is heated and the second surface 84b is cooled. This causes thermoelectric power generation in the thermoelectric power generation device 8.

As described above, the thermoelectric power generation device 8 of the embodiment includes a thermoelectric conversion module 84, a heating heat exchanger 82, and a cooling heat exchanger 85. The thermoelectric conversion module 84 has a lower first surface 84a and an upper second surface 84b that face each other in the vertical direction, and generates thermoelectric power according to the temperature difference between the first surface 84a and the second surface 84b. The heating heat exchanger 82 has a container-shaped main body 821 that is provided below the first surface 84a in contact with the first surface 84a and is supplied with steam, and heats the first surface 84a with the steam from the main body 821. The cooling heat exchanger 85 has a container-shaped main body 851 that is provided above the second surface 84b in contact with the second surface 84b and is supplied with cooling liquid, and cools the second surface 84b with the cooling liquid from the main body 851.

The heat recovery system 100 of the embodiment includes a liquid pumping device 5 that is supplied with steam and uses the supplied steam, and a thermoelectric power generation device 8. A portion of the steam supplied to the liquid pumping device 5 is supplied to the main body 821.

According to these configurations, the first surface 84a is actively heated by the heating heat exchanger 82, and the second surface 84b is actively cooled by the cooling heat exchanger 85, so that the temperature difference between the first surface 84a and the second surface 84b can be increased. Therefore, the amount of power generated by the thermoelectric conversion module 84 can be increased.

In addition, since the heating heat exchanger 82 is provided below the first surface 84a, i.e., below the thermoelectric conversion module 84, the drainage generated by condensation of steam in the main body 821 can be stored in a position away from the portion in contact with the first surface 84a (i.e., the upper surface 821c). Therefore, the heating of the first surface 84a is not hindered by the condensed drainage. This improves the heating efficiency of the heating heat exchanger 82. Therefore, the amount of power generation by the thermoelectric conversion module 84 is further increased.

In addition, in the thermoelectric power generation device 8 of the above embodiment, the thermoelectric conversion module 84 and the main body 851 of the cooling heat exchanger 85 are arranged to be freely movable up and down.

According to this configuration, when the body 821 of the heating heat exchanger 82 thermally expands and deforms due to the heat and pressure of the steam, the thermoelectric conversion module 84 and the body 851 of the cooling heat exchanger 85 are displaced upward in response to the expansion and deformation. In other words, the expansion and deformation of the body 821 of the heating heat exchanger 82 can be absorbed. Therefore, damage to the thermoelectric conversion module 84 caused by the expansion and deformation of the body 821 of the heating heat exchanger 82 can be prevented.

In addition, the thermoelectric power generation device 8 of the above embodiment further includes a leaf spring 87 disposed above the main body 851 and biasing the main body 851 downward.

According to this configuration, the leaf spring 87 biases the body 851 of the cooling heat exchanger 85 downward, thereby increasing the degree of contact between the second surface 84b of the thermoelectric conversion module 84 and the body 851, and between the first surface 84a of the thermoelectric conversion module 84 and the body 821. This improves the efficiency of heat exchange between the thermoelectric conversion module 84 and the heating heat exchanger 82 and the cooling heat exchanger 85. This makes it possible to increase the temperature difference between the first surface 84a and the second surface 84b.

In addition, when the body 821 of the heating heat exchanger 82 expands and deforms, the thermoelectric conversion module 84 and the body 851 of the cooling heat exchanger 85 are displaced upward against the biasing force of the leaf spring 87. In other words, the expansion and deformation of the body 821 of the heating heat exchanger 82 can be absorbed. In this way, by providing the leaf spring 87, it is possible to prevent damage to the thermoelectric conversion module 84 caused by the expansion and deformation of the body 821 of the heating heat exchanger 82, while increasing the degree of adhesion between the thermoelectric conversion module 84 and the bodies 821 and 851.

In addition, the thermoelectric power generation device 8 of the above embodiment is further provided with a movable plate 86 which is formed in a plate shape perpendicular to the vertical direction, is arranged between the main body 851 and the leaf spring 87 so as to be freely movable up and down, and transmits the biasing force of the leaf spring 87 to the main body 851.

According to this configuration, the leaf spring 87 biases the main body 851 of the cooling heat exchanger 85 downward via the movable plate 86, so that the biasing force of the leaf spring 87 acts evenly on the entire main body 851. Therefore, the degree of contact between the second surface 84b and the main body 851, and the degree of contact between the first surface 84a and the main body 821 can be increased evenly.

In addition, the thermoelectric power generation device 8 of the above embodiment further includes a guide rod 89a that guides the vertical movement of the movable plate 86.

With this configuration, the movable plate 86 moves up and down along the guide rod 89a. This prevents the movable plate 86 from shifting from the leaf spring 87 and the main body 851 of the cooling heat exchanger 85.

In addition, in the thermoelectric power generation device 8 of the above embodiment, both the interior of the main body 821 and the interior of the main body 851 are formed as a single space.

This configuration allows the temperature inside the main bodies 821 and 851 to be uniform. Therefore, in the main body 821 of the heating heat exchanger 82, the first surface 84a of the thermoelectric conversion module 84 is heated evenly. In the main body 851 of the cooling heat exchanger 85, the second surface 84b of the thermoelectric conversion module 84 is cooled evenly. This improves the power generation efficiency of the thermoelectric conversion module 84.

Other Embodiments
As described above, the above embodiment has been described as an example of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited to this, and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, replacements, additions, omissions, etc. are appropriately performed. In addition, it is also possible to combine the components described in the above embodiment to form a new embodiment. In addition, among the components described in the attached drawings and detailed description, not only components essential for solving the problem but also components that are not essential for solving the problem in order to exemplify the technology may be included. Therefore, the fact that these non-essential components are described in the attached drawings and detailed description should not immediately lead to the determination that these non-essential components are essential.

For example, the shapes of the main body 821 of the heating heat exchanger 82 and the main body 851 of the cooling heat exchanger 85 are not limited to the shapes described above, and may be any shape that can properly exchange heat with the first surface 84a and the second surface 84b.

In addition, the movable plate 86 may be omitted. In other words, the leaf spring 87 may be in direct contact with the main body 851 of the cooling heat exchanger 85 to urge the main body 851 downward.

In addition, either the main body 821 of the heating heat exchanger 82 or the main body 851 of the cooling heat exchanger 85 may be formed in a single space.

In addition, neither the body 821 of the heating heat exchanger 82 nor the body 851 of the cooling heat exchanger 85 need to be formed in a single space. For example, the bodies 821 and 851 may have passages for steam or coolant formed therein.

In addition, a liquid other than water may be supplied to the main body 851 of the cooling heat exchanger 85 as a cooling liquid.

In addition, a coil spring, for example, may be used as the elastic member instead of the leaf spring 87. In this case, too, the coil spring is provided so as to have elasticity in the vertical direction.

The thermoelectric power generation device 8 may also be installed in a steam system other than the heat recovery system 100.

As described above, the technology disclosed herein is useful for thermoelectric power generation devices and steam systems.

100 Heat recovery system (steam system)
5. Liquid pumping equipment (steam-using equipment)
8 Thermoelectric power generation device 82 Heating heat exchanger 821 Main body (heating main body)
84 Thermoelectric conversion module 84a First surface 84b Second surface 85 Cooling heat exchanger 851 Main body (cooling main body)
86 Movable plate 87 Leaf spring (elastic member)
89a Guide rod (guide part)

Claims (4)

a thermoelectric conversion module having a lower first surface and an upper second surface that are opposed to each other in a vertical direction, and that generates thermoelectric power in response to a temperature difference between the first surface and the second surface;
a heating heat exchanger having a container-shaped heating body provided below the first surface in contact with the first surface and supplied with steam, the heating heat exchanger heating the first surface with the steam from the heating body;
a cooling heat exchanger having a container-shaped cooling body provided above the second surface in contact with the second surface and supplied with a cooling liquid, the cooling heat exchanger cooling the second surface with the cooling liquid of the cooling body;
The thermoelectric conversion module and the cooling body are provided so as to be movable up and down,
Further, an elastic member is provided above the cooling body and biases the cooling body downward,
a movable plate formed in a plate shape perpendicular to the up-down direction, disposed between the cooling body and the elastic member so as to be movable up and down, and transmitting the biasing force of the elastic member to the cooling body;
The movable plate is formed to a size that covers an upper surface of the cooling body in a plan view ,
The heating body is formed in a semi-cylindrical container shape extending horizontally, with an arc protruding downward and a flat upper surface in contact with the first surface.
A thermoelectric power generation device characterized by: 2. The thermoelectric generating device according to claim 1,
At least one of the interior of the heating body and the interior of the cooling body is formed as a single space.
A thermoelectric power generation device characterized by. 2. The thermoelectric generating device according to claim 1,
The movable plate further includes a guide portion for guiding the vertical movement of the movable plate.
A thermoelectric power generation device characterized by. A steam-using device to which steam is supplied and which uses the supplied steam;
The thermoelectric power generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A part of the steam supplied to the steam-using device is supplied to the heating body.
A steam system characterized by.

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