Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
  • F28B—STEAM OR VAPOUR CONDENSERS
  • F28B7/00—Combinations of two or more condensers, e.g. provision of reserve condenser
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
  • F28C—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT WITHOUT CHEMICAL INTERACTION
  • F28C1/00—Direct-contact trickle coolers, e.g. cooling towers
  • F28C1/14—Direct-contact trickle coolers, e.g. cooling towers comprising also a non-direct contact heat exchange
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
  • F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
  • F28F25/00—Component parts of trickle coolers
  • F28F25/02—Component parts of trickle coolers for distributing, circulating, and accumulating liquid
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
  • F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
  • F28F25/00—Component parts of trickle coolers
  • F28F25/10—Component parts of trickle coolers for feeding gas or vapour
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
  • Y02B30/00—Energy efficient heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC]
  • Y02B30/70—Efficient control or regulation technologies, e.g. for control of refrigerant flow, motor or heating

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a power plant, and more particularly to a power plant comprising at least one multiple-effect evaporative condenser which has a substantially improved energy efficiency and water consumption requirement as compared to conventional evaporative cooling tower for a power plant.
• a conventional evaporative cooling tower for a power plant such as a steam power plant having a condenser 203
• the evaporative cooling tower generally comprises a main tower 301, a water collection basin 201 provided at a lower portion of the main tower 301, a plurality of fill material packs 208 provided above the water collection basin 201, a water distributing device 206 provided above the fill material packs 208, and a water pump 202 connected between the water collection basin 201 and the condenser 203. Cooling water in the water collection basin 201 is pumped by the water pump 202 to flow into the condenser 203 through a water inlet 203A.
• the cooling water absorbs heat from the condenser 203 and is pumped out thereof through a water outlet 203B.
• the cooling water is then pumped into the water distributing device 206 which sprays the cooling water on the fill material packs 208.
• the cooling water then forms a downwardly moving water film in the fill material packs 208.
• Ambient air is upwardly drawn from under the fill material packs 208 so that the ambient air which has a relatively lower temperature is arranged to perform heat exchange with the cooling water which has a relatively higher temperature in the fill material packs 208.
• Heat in the cooling water is carried away by the ambient air and this lowers the temperature of the cooling water.
• the cooling water is then allowed to drop into the water collection basin 201.
• the cooling water is then pumped back into the condenser 203 through the water inlet 203A and this completes a circulating cycle of the cooling water between the condenser 203 and the cooling tower 301.
• the main tower 301 has a top ventilating opening 32. Ambient air is drawn from a lower portion of the main tower 301 and is arranged to perform heat exchange with the water film in the fill material packs 208. The air absorbs heat from the cooling water and flows to the upper portion of the main tower 301.
• a major disadvantage for the above-mentioned conventional cooling tower is that the overall manufacturing and operating cost of the evaporative cooling tower is very high. Take a 600MW power plant as an example, the circulation rate of the cooling water is approximately 78000 m 3 / hr. The overall power required by the water pump used in the evaporative cooling tower of this power plant is approximately 6900kW. Furthermore, the overall size of a typical evaporative cooler is extremely huge and usually take the form of a hyperboloid structure. Although hyperboloid structures are said to minimize usage of material and maximize structural strength, their actual sizes are huge and it requires a substantial amount of land and space to accommodate even one evaporative cooling tower.
• An objective of the present invention is to provide a multiple-effect evaporative condenser which can be used in a power plant for effectively and efficiently rejecting heat from the power plant.
• Another objective of the present invention is to provide a multiple-effect evaporative condenser which eliminates the need to have any hyperboloid cooling tower for a typical power plant.
• the overall size of the multiple-effect evaporative condenser can be substantially reduced as compared to conventional evaporative cooling towers.
• Another objective of the present invention is to provide a multiple-effect evaporative condenser which utilizes a plurality of highly efficient heat exchanging pipes for providing a relatively large area of heat exchanging surfaces.
• Another objective of the present invention is to provide a multiple-effect evaporative condenser which substantially lowers the volume and rate of cooling water circulation and the required power for water pumps.
• the present invention saves a substantial amount of energy as compared to conventional evaporative cooling towers for a given power plant.
• Another objective of the present invention is to provide a highly efficient heat exchanging pipe which comprises a plurality of inner heat exchanging fins providing relatively large contact surface area. More specifically, the highly efficient heat exchanging pipe is capable of achieving critical heat flux density for a given material of the highly efficient heat exchanging pipe.
• the present invention provides a power plant, comprising:
• a power generating system having a circulating heat exchange fluid
• a tower housing [0012] a tower housing; and [0013] a multiple-effect evaporative condenser having an air inlet side and an air outlet side which is opposite to the air inlet side, comprising:
• an evaporative cooling system which comprises at least one multiple-effect evaporative condenser connected to the power generating system for effectively cooling the heat exchange, the multiple-effect evaporative condenser comprising: [0015] an air inlet side and an air outlet side which is opposite to the air inlet side;
• a pumping device adapted for pumping a predetermined amount of cooling water at a predetermined flow rate
• a first cooling unit comprising:
• a first water collection basin for collecting the cooling water from the pumping device; [0019] a plurality of first heat exchanging pipes connected to the condenser and immersed in the first water collection basin; and
• a first fill material unit provided underneath the first heat exchanging pipes, wherein the cooling water collected in the first water collection basin is arranged to sequentially flow through exterior surfaces of the first heat exchanging pipes and the first fill material unit;
• a second cooling unit comprising:
• a second water collection basin positioned underneath the first cooling unit for collecting the cooling water flowing from the first cooling unit; [0023] a plurality of second heat exchanging pipes immersed in the second water collection basin; and
• a second fill material unit provided underneath the second heat exchanging pipes, wherein the cooling water collected in the second water collection basin is arranged to sequentially flow through exterior surfaces of the second heat exchanging pipes and the second fill material unit;
• a bottom water collecting basin positioned underneath the second cooling unit for collecting the cooling water flowing from the second cooling unit
• the cooling water collected in the bottom water collection basin being arranged to be guided to flow back into the first water collection basin of the first cooling unit, the heat exchange fluid from the evaporator being arranged to flow through the first heat exchanging pipes of the first cooling unit and the second heat exchanging pipes of the second cooling unit in such a manner that the heat exchange fluid is arranged to perform highly efficient heat exchanging process with the cooling water for lowering a temperature of the heat exchange fluid, a predetermined amount of air being drawn from the air inlet side for performing heat exchange with the cooling water flowing through the first fill material unit and the second fill material unit for lowering a temperature of the cooling water, the air having absorbed the heat from the cooling water being discharged out of the first fill material unit and the second fill material unit through the air outlet side.
• an evaporative cooling system for a power plant having a power generating system and a tower housing, said evaporative cooling system comprising at least one multiple-effect evaporative condenser connected to the power generating system for effectively cooling the heat exchange fluid, the multiple-effect evaporative condenser comprising:
• a pumping device adapted for pumping a predetermined amount of cooling water at a predetermined flow rate
• a first cooling unit comprising:
• a first water collection basin for collecting the cooling water from the pumping device
• a first fill material unit provided underneath the first heat exchanging pipes, wherein the cooling water collected in the first water collection basin is arranged to sequentially flow through exterior surfaces of the first heat exchanging pipes and the first fill material unit;
• a second cooling unit comprising:
• a second water collection basin positioned underneath the first cooling unit for collecting the cooling water flowing from the first cooling unit
• a bottom water collecting basin positioned underneath the second cooling unit for collecting the cooling water flowing from the second cooling unit
• the cooling water collected in the bottom water collection basin being arranged to be guided to flow back into the first water collection basin of the first cooling unit, the heat exchange fluid from the evaporator being arranged to flow through the first heat exchanging pipes of the first cooling unit and the second heat exchanging pipes of the second cooling unit in such a manner that the heat exchange fluid is arranged to perform highly efficient heat exchanging process with the cooling water for lowering a temperature of the heat exchange fluid, a predetermined amount of air being drawn from the air inlet side for performing heat exchange with the cooling water flowing through the first fill material unit and the second fill material unit for lowering a temperature of the cooling water, the air having absorbed the heat from the cooling water being discharged out of the first fill material unit and the second fill material unit through the air outlet side.
• Fig. 1 is a conventional cooling tower of a power plant.
• Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a power plant according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a cooling structure of a power plant according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating that a tower housing has a plurality of multiple-effect evaporative condensers.
• Fig. 4 is a schematic sectional view of five multiple-effect evaporative condensers along sectional plane A-A of Fig. 3.
• Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of one evaporative cooling system of the power plant according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 6 is a plan view of a filter arrangement of the multiple-effect evaporative condensers according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 7 is a side view of the filter arrangement of the multiple-effect evaporative condensers according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 8 a side view of the multiple-effect evaporative condensers according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a cleaning device of the filtering arrangement.
• FIG. 9 a schematic diagram of the cleaning device of the filter arrangement according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 10 a plan view of the first passage plate of the first water collection basin according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 11 is a partial side view of a flow control mechanism of the multiple effect evaporative condenser according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 12 is a first schematic diagram of the flow control mechanism of the multiple effect evaporative condenser according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 13 is a partial plan view of the flow control mechanism of the multiple effect evaporative condenser according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 14 is second schematic diagram of the flow control mechanism of the multiple effect evaporative condenser according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 15 is third schematic diagram of the flow control mechanism of the multiple effect evaporative condenser according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 16 is a sectional view of a heat exchanging pipe of the multiple effect evaporative condenser according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 17 is a schematic diagram of a first guiding system of the multiple effect evaporative condenser according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 18 is another schematic diagram of the first guiding system of the multiple effect evaporative condenser according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 19 is a schematic diagram of a second guiding system of the multiple effect evaporative condenser according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 20 is another schematic diagram of the second guiding system of the multiple effect evaporative condenser according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 21 is an alternative mode of a first water collection basin of the multiple effect evaporative condenser according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
• the power plant such as a steam power plant, comprises a power generating system 10 having a predetermined amount of heat exchange fluid, a tower housing 3 having an air inlet 31 and an air outlet 32, and an evaporative cooling system 40 which comprises at least one multiple-effect evaporative condenser 1 which is accommodated in the tower housing 3 and is connected to the power generating system 10 for lowering a temperature of the predetermined heat exchange fluid, such as saturated steam.
• the power generating system 10 may comprise a turbine, an electric generator, and a heat exchange fluid generator, such as a steam generator.
• the heat exchange fluid may be steam or vapor.
• the heat exchange fluid is circulated between various components of the power plant for performing heat exchange with different mediums and may do work on the turbine for generating electricity.
• the multiple-effect evaporative condenser 1 comprises an air inlet side 101, an air outlet side 102 which is opposite to the air inlet side 101, a pumping device 601 adapted for pumping a predetermined amount of cooling water at a predetermined flow rate and volume, a first cooling unit 51, a second cooling unit 52, and a bottom water collection basin 53.
• the first cooling unit 51 comprises a first water collection basin 511 for collecting the cooling water from the pumping device 601, a plurality of first exchanging pipes 512, and a first fill material unit 513.
• the heat exchanging pipes 512 are connected to the heat generating system 10 and immersed in the first water collection basin 511.
• the first fill material unit 513 is provided underneath the first heat exchanging pipes 512, wherein the cooling water collected in the first water collection basin 511 is arranged to sequentially flow through exterior surfaces of the first heat exchanging pipes 512 and the first fill material unit 513.
• the second cooling unit 52 comprises a second water collection basin 521, a plurality of second heat exchanging pipes 522, and a second fill material unit 523.
• the second water collection basin 521 is positioned underneath the first cooling unit 51 for collecting the cooling water flowing from the first cooling unit 51.
• the plurality of second heat exchanging pipes 522 are immersed in the second water collection basin 521.
• the second fill material unit 523 is provided underneath the second heat exchanging pipes 522, wherein the cooling water collected in the second water collection basin 521 is arranged to sequentially flow through exterior surfaces of the second heat exchanging pipes 522 and the second fill material unit 523.
• the bottom water collecting basin 53 is positioned underneath the second cooling unit 52 for collecting the cooling water flowing from the second cooling unit 52.
• the cooling water collected in the bottom water collection basin 53 is arranged to be guided to flow back into the first water collection basin 511 of the first cooling unit 51, while the heat exchange fluid from the power generating system 10 is arranged to flow through the first heat exchanging pipes 512 of the first cooling unit 51 and the second heat exchanging pipes 522 of the second cooling unit 52 in such a manner that the heat exchange fluid is arranged to perform highly efficient heat exchanging process with the cooling water for lowering a temperature of the heat exchange fluid.
• a predetermined amount of air is drawn from the air inlet side 101 for performing heat exchange with the cooling water flowing through the first fill material unit 513 and the second fill material unit 523 for lowering a temperature of the cooling water.
• the evaporative cooling system 40 comprises a plurality of multiple-effect evaporative condensers 1 accommodated in the tower housing 3. As shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the tower housing 3 has a generally circular cross sectional shape.
• the multiple-effect evaporative condensers 1 are spacedly arranged in the tower housing 3 in two rows and a plurality of columns such that technicians can pass through the space (hereinafter referred to central aisle 304 of the tower housing 3) formed between each row of the multiple-effect evaporative condensers 1 and the spaces (hereinafter referred to branch aisles 305 of the tower housing 3) formed between each column of the multiple-effect evaporative condensers 1.
• This arrangement allows easy access by the technicians for maintenance of each of the multiple-effect evaporative condensers 1.
• a longitudinal axis of each of the multiple-effect evaporative condensers 1 is substantially parallel to each other.
• a longitudinal axis of each of the multiple-effect evaporative condensers 1 is substantially aligned.
• multiple-effect evaporative condensers 1 may vary depending on the circumstances in which the power plant and the multiple-effect evaporative condensers 1 are operated.
• FIG. 4 of the drawings five multiple-effect evaporative condensers 1 are illustrated.
• Each of the multiple-effect evaporative condensers 1 actually comprises a plurality of cooling units (in additional to the first cooling unit 51 and the second cooling unit 52 described above) positioned between the first water collection basin 51 1 and the bottom water collection basin 53.
• each two adjacent multiple-effect evaporative condensers 1 may be grouped to form an evaporative condenser unit 8 so that each of the evaporative condenser units 8 is linked by a top sealing member 701 which is connected between two first water collection basins 511 of the two adjacent multiple-effect evaporative condensers 1 respectively.
• each of the top sealing members 701 covers the top portion of the aisle formed between two air inlet sides 101 of two multiple-effect evaporative condensers 1 of each evaporative condenser unit 8.
• the purpose of the top sealing members 701 is to prevent incoming air (from the central aisle 304) from escaping through the opening covered by the top sealing members 701.
• the pumping device 601 is preferably positioned in the bottom water collection basin 53 at the air inlet side 101, and is connected to the first water collection basin 511 through a water pipe 602.
• each of the multiple-effect evaporative condensers 1 may be separately controlled so that when maintenance is required, technicians may simply turn off one or more multiple-effect evaporative condensers 1 for replacing the pumping device 601, the cooling units 51 (52), or any other components.
• a conventional cooling tower for a 600MW power plant requires approximately 280 m 3 of cooling water circulating the power plant and the cooling tower.
• the total volume of cooling water required for the power plant having the same power generating capacity is only approximately 78 m 3 , because the rate at which the cooling water circulates is only approximately 4300m 3 /hr.
• the water pipe 602 may be made of plastic or composite material so as to further lower the manufacturing and maintenance cost of the entire system.
• each of the multiple-effect evaporative condensers 1 comprises first through fifth cooling units 51, 52, 6, 7, 9.
• the number of cooling units utilized depend on the circumstances in which the air conditioning system is operated.
• Fig. 4 illustrates a situation where the multiple-effect evaporative condenser 1 comprise five cooling units, namely, the first cooling unit 51, the second cooling unit 52, the third cooling unit 6, the fourth cooling unit 7, and the fifth cooling unit 9. In practical use, the number of cooling units may be as many as fifteen, or even more.
• the cooling water passes through one cooling unit, its temperature is arranged to increase by absorbing heat from the relevant heat exchanging pipes and is to be lowered by a predetermined temperature gradient by extracting heat to the ambient air (referred to as one "temperature cooling effect" on the cooling water), so that if the cooling water passes through five cooling units 51, 52, 6, 7, 9, the multiple- effect evaporative condenser 1 has a total of five temperature effects on the cooling water because the cooling water is heated up by the heat exchanging pipes five times and cooled down by the ambient air in the relevant fill material unit five times.
• the third cooling unit 6 comprises a third water collection basin 61, a plurality of third heat exchanging pipes 62 immersed in the third water collection basin 61 , and a third fill material unit 63 provided under the third water collection basin 61.
• the fourth cooling unit 7 comprises a fourth water collection basin 71, a plurality of fourth heat exchanging pipes 72 immersed in the fourth water collection basin 71, and a fourth fill material unit 73 provided under the fourth water collection basin 71.
• the fifth cooling unit 9 comprises a fifth water collection basin 91, a plurality of fifth heat exchanging pipes 92 immersed in the fifth water collection basin 91, and a fifth fill material unit 93 provided under the fifth water collection basin 91.
• a sixth cooling unit may comprise a sixth water collection basin, a plurality of sixth heat exchanging pipes, and a sixth fill material unit, so on and so forth.
• the cooling water is pumped by the pumping device 601 to flow into the first water collection basin 511 of the first cooling unit 51.
• the cooling water is arranged to perform heat exchange with the heat exchange fluid flowing through the first heat exchanging pipes 512 and absorb a certain amount of heat.
• the cooling water is then allowed to flow into the first fill material unit 513 where it forms thin water film under the influence of gravity.
• the water film performs heat exchange with the air draft so that heat is extracted from the cooling water to the ambient air.
• the cooling water is then guided to flow into the second water collection basin 521 of the second cooling unit 52 and performs another cycle of heat exchange with the heat exchange fluid flowing through the second heat exchanging pipes 522 and in the second fill material unit 523.
• the cooling water is guided to sequentially flow through first through fifth cooling unit 51, 52, 6, 7, 9 to absorb heat from the heat exchange fluid flowing through the various heat exchanging pipes.
• each of the multiple-effect evaporative condensers 1 further comprises at least one filter arrangement 54 detachably supported between the first cooling unit 51 and the second cooling unit 52 for filtering unwanted substances from the cooling water flowing from the first cooling unit 51 to the second cooling unit 52, as shown in Fig. Fig. 5 to Fig. 8 of the drawings.
• the filter arrangement 54 comprises a main panel 541, a plurality of through filtering holes 542 spacedly formed on the main panel 541, a filtering net 543 attached on a bottom side of the main panel 541, and a supporting member 544 provided at a bottom side of the main panel 541.
• the cooling water from the first cooling unit 51 is arranged to pass through the filtering holes 542 so that large particles are stopped at the filtering holes 542. After that, the cooling water is then arranged to pass through the filtering net 543 to reach the second cooling unit 52.
• the filter arrangement 54 further comprises a cleaning arrangement 545 which is used for periodically cleaning the filtering net 543.
• the cleaning arrangement 545 comprises a plurality of guiding pulleys 5451 provided at two ends of the filtering net 543, a plurality of cleaning nozzles 5452 supported at a position adjacent to the guiding pulleys 5451 respectively.
• the cleaning arrangement 545 is particularly suitable for use in a multiple-effect evaporative condenser 1 which comprises at least three cooling units 51 , 52, 6, 7, 9. Fig.
• FIG. 9 illustrates five cooling units so that a lengthy filtering net 543 is used to pass through each guiding pulley 5451.
• the filtering net 543 is divided into a plurality of filtering sections 5431 wherein each filtering section 5431 is securely supported in between each two corresponding cooling units 51, 52, 6, 7, 9 by two corresponding guiding pulleys 5451.
• the guiding pulleys 5451 is driven to rotate by a pulley driving unit 548, they drive the filtering net 543 to move along the guiding pulleys 5451.
• the cleaning nozzles 5452 are activated to eject fluid, such as water, at a predetermined speed so as to remove particles trapped by the filtering net 543.
• the filtering net 543 may be configured by stainless steel which has sufficient rigidity. In this situation, the main panel 541 described above may be omitted.
• the filter arrangement 54 further comprises a plurality of supporting stems 546 provided on two sides of the multiple- effect evaporative condenser 1 for supporting the filtering net 543 through a plurality of connectors 547.
• the first water collection basin 511 has a first stabilizing compartment 5111 connected to the pumping device 601, a first heat exchanging compartment 5112 provided adjacent to and communicated with the first stabilizing compartment 5111 via a first water channel 5113, wherein the first heat exchanging pipes 512 are immersed in the first heat exchanging compartment 5112.
• the cooling water pumped by the pumping device 601 is guided to flow into the first stabilizing compartment 5111.
• the stabilizing compartment 5111 is filled with a predetermined amount of cooling water which reaches the first water channel 5113, the cooling water flows into the heat exchanging compartment 5112 through the first water channel 5113.
• the purpose of the first stabilizing compartment 5111 is to provide a buffer zone for controlling the flow rate and pressure of the cooling water. These parameters affect the performance of the heat exchanging process between the cooling water and the first heat exchanging pipes 512.
• the first water channel 5113 should be elongated in shape and extend along a longitudinal direction of the first water collection basin 511 so as to allow the cooling water to evenly flow into the first heat exchanging compartment 5112 along a longitudinal direction of the first heat exchanging pipes 512.
• the cooling water enters the first heat exchanging compartment 5112 at an even flow rate along the entire length of the first heat exchanging pipes 512.
• This structural arrangement also ensures that the first heat exchanging pipes 512 are immersed in the cooling water in its entirety.
• the first water collection basin 511 has a first inner sidewall 5114, a first outer sidewall 5115, a first partitioning wall 5116, a first bottom plate 5117, and a first passage plate 5118.
• the first partitioning wall 5116 is provided between the first inner sidewall 5114 and the first outer sidewall 5115, and divides the first water collection basin 511 into the first stabilizing compartment 5111 and the first heat exchanging compartment 5112, wherein the first water channel 5113 is formed on the first partitioning wall 5116 along a longitudinal direction thereof.
• the first stabilizing compartment 5111 is formed between the first inner sidewall 5114, the first partitioning wall 5116, and the first bottom plate 5117.
• the first heat exchanging compartment 5112 is formed by the first partitioning wall 5116, the first outer sidewall 5115, and the first passage plate 5118.
• the first stabilizing compartment 5111 is formed at a side portion of the first water collection basin 511 along a longitudinal direction thereof.
• the first stabilizing compartment 5111 and the first heat exchanging compartment 5112 are divided by the first partitioning wall 5116.
• the first passage plate 5118 has a plurality of first passage holes 5119 for allowing the cooling water contained in the first heat exchanging compartment 5112 to fall into the first fill material unit 513. Referring to Fig. 10 to Fig. 13 of the drawings, the first passage holes 5119 are distributed along the first passage plate
• each two adjacent first passage holes 5119 of an upper row thereof is arranged to form a triangular distribution with a corresponding first passage hole 5119 of the adjacent row of the first passage holes 5119.
• the first passage holes 5119 all have identical shape and size.
• each of the multiple-effect evaporative condensers 1 comprises a flow control mechanism 55 which comprises at least one control plate 551 movably provided underneath the first passage plate 5118 of the first water collection basin 511, and at least one driving member 552 connected to the control plate 551 for driving the control plate 551 to move in a horizontal and reciprocal manner.
• the control plate 551 has a plurality of control holes 5511 spacedly distributed thereon. The number, size, and shape of the control holes 5511 are identical to those of the first passage holes 5119. Moreover, centers of the first passage holes 5119 are normally aligned with those of the control holes 5511 respectively.
• the flow control mechanism 55 further comprises a plurality of securing members 553 mounted on the first water collection basin 551 and is arranged to normally exert an upward biasing force toward the control plate 551 so as to maintain a predetermined distance between the control plate 551 and the first passage plate 5118.
• the driving member 552 comprises an adjustment screw adjustably connected between the first water collection basin 511 and the control plate 551 for driving the control plate 551 to move in a horizontal and reciprocal manner.
• the purpose of the flow control mechanism 55 is to control the flow rate of the cooling water flowing from the first cooling unit 51 to the second cooling unit 52, or from an upper cooling unit to a lower cooling unit.
• the controlled flow rate ensures that the heat exchanging pipes, such as the second heat exchanging pipes 522, can be fully immersed in the cooling water so as to perform the heat exchange process in the most effective and efficient manner.
• the flow control mechanism 55 comprises the same number of control plates 551 as that of the cooling units 51, 52, 6, 7, 9.
• the flow control mechanism will comprise five control plates 551 and five driving members 552.
• the structure of each of the control plates 551 and the driving members 552 is identical and has been described above.
• the first water collection basin 511 further has a pair of first securing slots 5110 formed at lower portions of the first partitioning wall 5116 and the first outer sidewall 5115 respectively.
• Each of the first securing slots 5110 is elongated along a longitudinal direction of the first water collection basin 511, wherein the securing members 553 are mounted in the first securing slots 5110 respectively.
• each of the securing members 553 is a resilient element which normally exerts an upward biasing force against the control plate 551.
• the first water collection basin 511 (or other water collection basins used in the present invention) can be manufactured as an integral body for ensuring maximum structural integrity and minimum manufacturing cost.
• the material used may be plastic material or stainless steel.
• the flow control mechanism 55 further comprises an automated control system 554 operatively connected to at least one driving member 552.
• the automated control system 554 comprises a central control unit 5541, a connecting member 5542 connected between the central control unit 5541 and the driving member 552, and a sensor 5543 provided in the first water collection basin 511 and electrically connected to the central control unit 5541.
• the sensor 5543 detects the water level in the first water collection basin 511 and sends a signal to the central control unit 5541, which is pre-programmed to respond to the sensor signal.
• the central control unit 5541 is then arranged to drive the connecting member 5542 to move horizontally so as to drive the driving member 552 to move in the same direction for controlling the flow rate of the cooling water flowing through the first passage plate 5118.
• the multiple effect evaporative condenser 1 further comprises a plurality of inspection windows 56 formed on the first water collection basin 511 and the second water collection basin 521 for allowing a technician to visually observe the water level in the first water collection basin 511 and the second water collection basin 521 respectively.
• Each of the inspection windows 56 may include a transparent glass for allowing the technician to visually observe the water level from an exterior of the corresponding water collection basin. Note that the inspection windows 56 may be formed on each cooling unit.
• the second water collection basin 521 has a second heat exchanging compartment 5211, wherein the second heat exchanging pipes 522 are immersed in the second heat exchanging compartment 5211.
• the cooling water coming from the first cooling unit 51 is guided to flow into the second heat exchanging compartment 5211 via the filter arrangement 54.
• the second water collection basin 521 has a second inner sidewall 5212, a second outer sidewall 5213, and a second passage plate 5214.
• the second heat exchanging compartment 5211 is defined within the second inner sidewall 5212, the second outer sidewall 5213, and the second passage plate 5214.
• the second passage plate 5214 has a plurality of second passage holes 5215 for allowing the cooling water contained in the second heat exchanging compartment 5211 to fall into the bottom water collection basin 53 or an additional cooling unit, such as the third cooling unit 6, when the multiple-effective evaporative condenser 1 has more than two cooling units.
• the second passage holes 5215 are distributed along the second passage plate 5214 in a predetermined array, wherein a center of each of the second passage holes 5215 in a particular row is arranged not to align with that of the second passage holes 5215 in the next row. Moreover, each two adjacent second passage holes 5215 of an upper row thereof is arranged to form a triangular distribution with a corresponding second passage hole 5215 of the adjacent row of the second passage holes 5215.
• the second passage holes 5215 all have identical shape and size. These structures are identical to that of the first passage plate 5118, and the first passage holes 5119.
• the second water collection basin 521 further has a pair of second securing slots 5216 formed at lower portions of the second inner side wall 5212 and the second outer sidewall 5213 respectively.
• Each of the second securing slots 5216 is elongated along a longitudinal direction of the second water collection basin 521, wherein the corresponding securing members 553 are mounted in the second securing slots 5216 respectively.
• each of the securing members 553 is a resilient element which normally exert an upward biasing force against the corresponding control plate 551.
• the flow control mechanism 55 may be operated through the automated control system 554 operatively connected to all the driving members 552 for electrically and automatically controlling the movement of all of the driving members and ultimately the control plates 551.
• each of the multiple effect evaporative condensers 1 further comprises a supplementary water supply unit 20 which comprises a plurality of water level sensors 21 provided in the first water collection basin 511 and the second water collection basin 521 respectively, a plurality of supplemental water pipes 22 extended between the water pipe 602 and the first water collection basin 511 and the second water collection basin 521 respectively, and a plurality of water control valves 23 provided in the supplemental water pipes 22 respectively for controlling a flow of water therein.
• a supplementary water supply unit 20 which comprises a plurality of water level sensors 21 provided in the first water collection basin 511 and the second water collection basin 521 respectively, a plurality of supplemental water pipes 22 extended between the water pipe 602 and the first water collection basin 511 and the second water collection basin 521 respectively, and a plurality of water control valves 23 provided in the supplemental water pipes 22 respectively for controlling a flow of water therein.
• the water control valves 23 are activated to allow a predetermined amount of water to pass through the supplemental water pipes 22 so as to ensure adequate supply of water is maintained in the first water collection basin 511 and the second water collection basin 521. It is important to mention that the supplemental water pipes 22 and the water level sensor 21 may be provided for each cooling unit of the multiple effect evaporative condenser 1. [00105] Referring to Fig.
• each of the first heat exchanging pipes 512 comprises a first pipe body 5121 and a plurality of first retention members 5122 spacedly formed in the first pipe body 5121, and a plurality of first heat exchanging fins 5123 extended from an inner surface 5124 of the first pipe body 5121.
• the first pipe body 5121 has two curved side portions 5125 and a substantially flat mid portion 5126 extending between the two curved side portions 5125 to form rectangular cross sectional shape at the mid portion 5126 and two semicircular cross sectional shapes at two curved side portions 5125 of the first heat exchanging pipe 512.
• first retention members 5122 are spacedly distributed in the flat mid portion 5126 along a transverse direction of the corresponding first pipe body 5121 so as to form a plurality of first pipe cavities 5127.
• Each of the first retention members 5122 has a predetermined elasticity for reinforcing the structural integrity of the corresponding first heat exchanging pipe 512.
• each of the first heat exchanging fins 5123 are extended from an inner surface of the first pipe body 5121.
• the first heat exchanging fins 5123 are spacedly and evenly distributed along the inner surface 5124 of first pipe body 5121 for enhancing heat exchange performance between the heat exchange fluid flowing through the corresponding first heat exchanging pipe 512 and the cooling water.
• the first heat exchanging fins 5123 and the corresponding retention members 5122 may be used to withstand a certain amount of external pressure so as to reinforcing the structural integrity of the first heat exchanging pipes 512.
• the length of the first heat exchanging fins 5123 depend on the actual circumstances in which the first heat exchanging pipes 512 are used.
• each of the second heat exchanging pipes 522 comprises a second pipe body 5221 and a plurality of second retention members 5222 spacedly formed in the second pipe body 5221, and a plurality of second heat exchanging fins 5223 extended from an inner surface 5224 of the pipe body 5221.
• the second pipe body 5221 has two curved side portions 5225 and a substantially flat mid portion 5226 extending between the two curved side portions 5225 to form rectangular cross sectional shape at the mid portion 5226 and two semicircular cross sectional shapes at two curved side portions 5225 of the second heat exchanging pipe 522.
• the retention members 5222 are spacedly distributed in the flat mid portion 5226 along a transverse direction of the corresponding pipe body 5221 so as to form a plurality of second pipe cavities 5227.
• Each of the retention members 5222 has a predetermined elasticity for reinforcing the structural integrity of the corresponding second heat exchanging pipe 522.
• each of the second heat exchanging fins 5223 are extended from an inner surface of the second pipe body 5221.
• the second heat exchanging fins 5223 are spacedly and evenly distributed along the inner surface 5224 of second pipe body 5221 for enhancing heat exchange performance between the heat exchange fluid flowing through the corresponding second heat exchanging pipe 522 and the cooling water.
• the multiple-effect evaporative condenser 1 comprises many cooling units, such as the above-mentioned first through fifth cooling units 51, 52, 6, 7, 9, the third through fifth heat exchanging pipes 62, 72, 92 are structurally identical to the first heat exchanging pipes 512 and the second heat exchanging pipes 522 described above.
• each of the first through fifth heat exchanging pipes 512, 522, 62, 72, 92 are configured from aluminum which can be recycled and reused very conveniently and economically.
• each of the heat exchanging pipes 512, 522, 62, 72, 92 has a thin oxidation layer formed on an exterior surface and an interior surface thereof for preventing further corrosion of the relevant heat exchanging pipe. The formation of this thin oxidation layer can be by anode oxidation method.
• each of the heat exchanging pipes 512, 522, 62, 72, 92 may also have a thin layer of polytetrafluoroethylene formed on an exterior surface and/or interior surface thereof to prevent unwanted substances from attaching on the exterior surfaces of the heat exchanging pipes 512, 522, 62, 72, 92.
• Fig. 17 of the drawings it illustrates that the first heat exchanging pipes 512 and the second heat exchanging pipes 522 are connected in parallel.
• the heat exchange fluid enters the relevant multiple-effect evaporative condenser 1 and passes through the first through second heat exchanging pipes 512, 522 at the same time.
• the temperature of the heat exchange fluid will be substantially lowered and the heat exchange fluid is arranged to exit the multiple-effect evaporative condenser 1.
• the first cooling unit 51 further comprises a first guiding system 514 connected to the first heat exchanging pipes 512 to divide the first heat exchanging pipes 512 into several piping groups so as to guide the heat exchange fluid to flow through the various piping groups in a predetermined order.
• the first guiding system 514 comprises a plurality of first inlet collection pipes 5141 extended between outer ends of the first heat exchanging pipes 512, a first outlet pipe 5142 extended between inner ends of the first heat exchanging pipes 512.
• the first inlet collection pipes 5141 and the first outlet pipe 5142 are substantially parallel to each other in which the first outlet pipe 5142 is extended at a position between the two first inlet collection pipes 5141.
• first heat exchanging pipes 512 there ten first heat exchanging pipes 512 in the first cooling unit 51.
• the ten heat exchanging pipes 512 are divided into two piping groups in which each piping group contains five heat exchanging pipes 512 which are extended between a first inlet collection pipe
• first heat exchanging pipes 512 are extended between one of the first inlet collection pipes 5141 and the first outlet pipe
• the first heat exchanging pipes 512 are inclinedly and downwardly extended from the first inlet collection pipe 5141 toward the first outlet pipe 5142.
• the heat exchange fluid is arranged to enter the first heat exchanging pipes 512 through the first inlet collection pipes 5141.
• the heat exchange fluid is arranged to flow through the first heat exchanging pipes 512 and perform heat exchange with the cooling water as described above. After that, the heat exchange fluid is arranged to leave the first cooling unit 51 through the first outlet pipe 5142.
• the first guiding system 514 further comprises a plurality of first heat exchanging fins 5123 extended between each two adjacent first heat exchanging pipes 512 for substantially increasing a surface area of heat exchange between the first heat exchanging pipes 512 and the cooling water, and for reinforcing a structural integrity of the first guiding system 514.
• These first heat exchanging fins 5223 may be integrally extended from an outer surface of the first heat exchanging pipes 512, or externally attached or welded on the outer surfaces of the first heat exchanging pipes 512.
• the second cooling unit 52 further comprises a second guiding system 524 connected to the second heat exchanging pipes 522 to divide the second heat exchanging pipes 522 into several piping groups so as to guide the heat exchange fluid to flow through the various piping groups in a predetermined order.
• the second guiding system 524 comprises a plurality of second inlet collection pipes 5241 extended between outer ends of the second heat exchanging pipes 522, a second outlet pipe 5242 extended between inner ends of the second heat exchanging pipes 522.
• the second inlet collection pipes 5241 and the second outlet pipe 5242 are substantially parallel to each other in which the second outlet pipe 5242 is extended at a position between the two second inlet collection pipes 5241.
• each piping group contains five heat exchanging pipes 522 which are extended between a second inlet collection pipe 5241 and a second outlet pipe 5242.
• Five of the second heat exchanging pipes 522 are extended between one of the second inlet collection pipes 5241 and the second outlet pipe 5242 at a transverse direction thereof, while another five of the second heat exchanging pipes 522 are extended between another second inlet collection pipes 5241 and the second outlet pipe 5242 from the other side thereof.
• This configuration is graphically depicted in Fig. 17 of the drawings.
• the second heat exchanging pipes 522 are inclinedly and downwardly extended from the second inlet collection pipe 5241 toward the second outlet pipe 5242.
• the heat exchange fluid is arranged to enter the second heat exchanging pipes 522 through the second inlet collection pipes 5241.
• the heat exchange fluid is arranged to flow through the second heat exchanging pipes 522 and perform heat exchange with the cooling water as described above. After that, the heat exchange fluid is arranged to leave the second cooling unit 52 through the second outlet pipe 5242.
• the second guiding system 524 further comprises a plurality of second heat exchanging fins 5223 extended between each two adjacent second heat exchanging pipes 522 for substantially increasing a surface area of heat exchange between the second heat exchanging pipes 522 and the cooling water, and for reinforcing a structural integrity of the second guiding system 524.
• These second heat exchanging fins 5223 may be integrally extended from an outer surface of the second heat exchanging pipes 522, or externally attached or welded on the outer surfaces of the second heat exchanging pipes 522.
• FIG. 21 of the drawings an alternative mode of the power plant according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated.
• the alternative mode is identical to the preferred embodiment as described above except the first water collection basin 51 ⁇ .
• the first stabilizing compartment 511 of the first water collection basin 511 is indently formed at a side portion of the first water collection basin 511 ' along a longitudinal direction thereof, wherein the first stabilizing compartment 5111 ' is connected to the water pipe 602 for allowing the cooling water to enter the first water collection basin 511 ' at the first stabilizing compartment 511 .
• the first stabilizing compartment 5111 ' is configured as an indention or slot which communicates with the first heat exchanging compartment 5112.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Thermal Sciences (AREA)
• Heat-Exchange Devices With Radiators And Conduit Assemblies (AREA)

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• 2015
  • 2015-08-11 CN CN201580083086.1A patent/CN108027216B/zh active Active
  • 2015-08-11 WO PCT/US2015/044732 patent/WO2017027022A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2015-08-11 US US15/751,806 patent/US20180224209A1/en not_active Abandoned

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