Abstract
A support structure for a condensation system is disclosed having a pair of tube bundles connected at its respective upper ends to steam distribution lines for introducing steam into the tube bundles. The lower ends of the tube bundles are connected to condensate collectors for receiving condensate from the tube bundles and the tube bundles are arranged in a V shape such that the steam distribution lines of a pair of tube bundles are further apart from one another than are the condensate collectors of the pair of tube bundles.
Claims
1. An installation for condensing steam, comprising: two tube bundles connected by means of their upper ends to steam distribution lines for the introduction of steam into the tube bundles and are connected by means of their lower ends to condensate collectors for receiving condensate from the tube bundles; the tube bundles are arranged in V-shaped fashion such that the steam distribution lines of a pair of tube bundles run with a greater spacing to one another than the condensate collectors of the pair of tube bundles, such that the condensate collectors are arranged in the region of a lower vertex of the V-shaped arrangement; above the pair of tube bundles, at least one aspirating fan is arranged in the region between the steam distribution lines; the fan is borne by a central support pillar which extends from the fan to the vertex; the tube bundles are mounted on a support bracket which extends in the longitudinal direction of the vertex and which is connected to the central support pillar; the tube bundles are self-supporting.
2. The installation for condensing steam as claimed in claim 1, wherein the central support pillar extends vertically below the fan as far as the support bracket.
3. The installation for condensing steam as claimed in claim 1, wherein the central support pillar has a lower section which extends from below the support bracket to a placement surface of the installation.
4. The installation for condensing steam as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in the case of multiple rows of tube bundles in a V-shaped arrangement, mutually adjacent tube bundles are connected by means of their upper ends to a common steam distribution line.
5. The installation for condensing steam as claimed in claim 1, wherein support pillars which are adjacent in a longitudinal direction of the vertex and/or support pillars of mutually adjacent V-shaped tube rows run, below the support brackets and at least over a subregion of their length, at an angle (W) which deviates from 90° with respect to a horizontal plane (H).
6. The installation for condensing steam as claimed in claim 5, wherein adjacent support pillars which run obliquely at least in sections below the support brackets are mounted on a common foundation.
7. The installation for condensing steam as claimed in claim 6 of two adjacent oblique support pillars or, in the case of multi-row installations, groups of four adjacent oblique support pillars, are mounted on a common foundation.
8. The installation for condensing steam as claimed in claim 7, wherein adjacent support pillars and/or tube bundles and/or support brackets are connected to one another by means of struts.
9. The installation for condensing steam as claimed in claim 8, wherein the support bracket is held by bearing means which extend from the support pillar to the support bracket situated at a lower level.
10. The installation for condensing steam as claimed in claim 9, wherein, on the support bracket, there is arranged a self-supporting support structure which, separately from the support pillar, bears the weight of a fan ring.
11. The installation for condensing steam as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support pillars and/or the support brackets are formed at least partially by lattice girders.
12. The installation for condensing steam as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the support pillar is at least partially of tubular form.
13. The installation for condensing steam as claimed in claim 12, wherein the support pillar has or forms a duct for conducting cooling air from bottom to top to a drive unit of the fan.
14. The installation for condensing steam as claimed in claim 13, wherein a blower is provided for conveying the cooling air through the duct by suction or pressure action.
15. The installation for condensing steam as claimed in claim 14, wherein multiple adjacent rows of mutually adjacent tube bundles are mounted in a V-shaped arrangement on at least one crossmember which extends transversely with respect to the vertex, wherein the crossmember is mounted on at least one support pillar and/or at least one crossmember support.
16. The installation for condensing steam as claimed in claim 15, wherein the number of support pillars and/or crossmember supports which bear the crossmember is smaller than the number of rows borne by the crossmember.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0056] The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0057] FIG. 1 shows an installation for condensing steam in a first side view;
[0058] FIG. 2 shows the installation of FIG. 1 in a second view;
[0059] FIG. 3 shows an installation for condensing steam in a plan view;
[0060] FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of an installation for condensing steam in a first side view;
[0061] FIG. 5 shows the installation of FIG. 4 in a second side view;
[0062] FIG. 6 shows an individual module of the installation of FIG. 4 in a perspective view;
[0063] FIG. 7 shows a module of FIG. 6 in a plan view;
[0064] FIG. 8 is a perspective illustration of a further embodiment of a support structure for a module;
[0065] FIG. 9 shows the module of FIG. 8 in a side view;
[0066] FIG. 10 shows the module of FIGS. 8 and 9 in a further side view;
[0067] FIG. 11 shows the module of FIGS. 8 to 10 in a plan view;
[0068] FIG. 12 is a perspective illustration of a further embodiment of an installation for condensing steam;
[0069] FIG. 13 shows the installation as per FIG. 12 in a side view;
[0070] FIG. 14 is a schematic illustration of a further embodiment of an installation for condensing steam in a first side view;
[0071] FIG. 15 shows the installation of FIG. 14 in a second view;
[0072] FIG. 16 shows the installations of FIGS. 14 and 15 in a plan view from above;
[0073] FIG. 17 shows a further embodiment of an installation for condensing steam in a first side view;
[0074] FIG. 18 shows the installation of FIG. 17 in a second view;
[0075] FIG. 19 shows the installation of FIGS. 17 and 18 in a plan view from above;
[0076] FIG. 20 is a schematic illustration of a further embodiment of an installation for condensing steam in a first side view;
[0077] FIG. 21 shows the installation of FIG. 20 in a second view;
[0078] FIG. 22 shows the installations of FIGS. 20 and 21 in a plan view from above;
[0079] FIG. 23 shows a further embodiment of an installation for condensing steam in a side view;
[0080] FIG. 24 shows a further embodiment of an installation for condensing steam in a side view, and
[0081] FIG. 25 shows a further embodiment of an installation for condensing steam in a side view.
[0082] In the figures, the same reference designations are used for identical or similar components, even if a repeated description is omitted for reasons of simplicity.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS
[0083] FIG. 1 shows an installation 1 for condensing steam. The installation 1 is illustrated merely schematically and is intended merely to illustrate the design principle. The installation 1 comprises tube bundles 2 which are connected by means of their upper ends 3 to steam distribution lines 4. By means of their lower ends 5, the tube lines 2 are each connected to condensate collectors 6. The tube bundles 2 are arranged in a V shape, such that the steam distribution lines 4 of a pair of tube bundles 2 run with a greater horizontal spacing to one another than the condensate collectors 6. In the illustration of FIG. 1, the condensate collectors 6 extend into the plane of the drawing in the longitudinal direction of a lower vertex 7. At least one fan 8 is arranged, above the pair of tube bundles 2, in the region between the steam distribution lines 4. “Between the steam distribution lines” does not mean that the fan 8 must imperatively be situated at the same height as the steam distribution lines 4. However, it can be seen in the plan view (FIG. 3) that, as viewed in the projection onto a placement surface, an individual fan 8 is always situated between the steam distribution lines 4.
[0084] The fan 8 is mounted on a central support pillar 9 which extends from the fan 8 to the vertex 7. The support pillar 9 extends beyond the lower ends 5 and the condensate collectors 6 in the direction of a placement surface 10 on which the support pillar 9 is mounted. An upper section 11 of the support pillar 9 consequently bears substantially the fan 8 or a fan assembly comprising a fan gearing (not illustrated in any more detail) and a fan drive unit. A lower section 12 of the support pillar 9 additionally bears the tube bundles 2 which are mounted on support brackets 13 which extend in the longitudinal direction of the vertex 7.
[0085] The support brackets 13 are narrow, and are only as wide as necessary. The support brackets 13 serve only for accommodating the forces from the tube bundles 2 and the lines connected thereto, specifically the steam distribution line 4 and the condensate collectors 6. At the height of the support bracket 13, there is no closed platform as in the case of the roof type of construction.
[0086] Such a unit composed of heat exchanger and fan will hereinafter be referred to as module 14. FIG. 1 shows multiple modules 14 of identical design. In this exemplary embodiment, there are four modules 14. The arrangement may also be referred to as a VVVV arrangement, which may be continued in this form to any desired extent.
[0087] FIG. 3 shows, in a second side view, a situation in which four such modules 14 are connected in series with one another and are fed via a common steam distribution line 4.
[0088] The steam distribution lines 4 running between two modules 14 provide a supply to each of the mutually adjacent tube bundles 2 (FIG. 1). The adjacent tube bundles 2 are arranged in A-shaped or roof-shaped fashion in said region. Said tube bundles are connected to one another at the steam side. In the region of the lower ends 5, the individual tube bundles 2 however open into separate condensate collectors 6. Only the tube bundles at the edges are connected via dedicated steam distribution lines 4 to the steam supply. FIG. 1 furthermore shows that, for statical reasons, the tube bundles 2 at the edges are connected, in the region of their upper ends 3, via horizontally acting struts 15 to the adjacent tube bundle 2. In this way, the outer tube bundles 2 are fixed. By contrast, the inner tube bundles 2 do not need to be braced relative to one another. They rest against one another, and in particular, are coupled to one another by means of their tube plates (not illustrated in any more detail) in the region of the steam distribution lines 4.
[0089] FIG. 2 shows the arrangement of FIG. 1 from the side. Altogether, FIG. 1 thus involves an arrangement of 4×4 modules 14. By way of example, two rows 16 of modules 14 are illustrated in FIG. 3. The number of rows 16 may be increased, as may the length of the rows 16 in the direction of the vertex 7.
[0090] It can be seen that the central supports 9 are, in the region of the vertex 7, arranged vertically below the fans 8 and, correspondingly to the number of modules 14, only 8 support pillars 9 are required to support the entire installation 1.
[0091] The reference signs introduced with regard to FIGS. 1 to 3 will also be used in the further figures to denote functionally identical components.
[0092] FIGS. 4 and 5 show further details of a possible embodiment of a condensing installation. By contrast to FIGS. 1 to 3, the tube bundles have not been illustrated, and instead, a secondary support structure 17 is illustrated, which will be discussed below on the basis of FIGS. 6 and 7.
[0093] The construction of the installation 1 in FIG. 4 is very similar to that of FIGS. 1 and 2. The figure shows support pillars 9 with a lower section 12 in each case in the form of a lattice girder. The lower section 12 is adjoined by the upper section 11 which extends in the form of a central tube as far as a fan base 18, which is a constituent part of the secondary support structure 17. The steam distribution lines 4 are situated above the fan base 18.
[0094] It can be seen from FIG. 5 that the diameter of the steam distribution lines 4 decreases in stepped fashion in one direction. Steam is progressively dissipated downward via the individual tube bundles 2. Consequently, the cross section of the steam distribution lines 4 can also be reduced in continuous or stepped fashion. The illustration from a side elevation in FIG. 5 shows that the support brackets 13 of an individual module 14 are configured identically and are in the form of a lattice girder. They point diametrically along the vertex 7. They are situated below the secondary support structure 17 which extends above the support brackets 13 as far as the steam distribution lines 4.
[0095] FIG. 6 shows the construction of the secondary support structure 17. The latter surrounds the triangular-prism-shaped interior space of the module 14. Two limbs of the secondary support structure 17 run parallel to the tube bundles 2. The limbs bear a fan base 18 which forms the upper termination of the secondary support structure 17. The triangular face sides of the interior space are likewise spanned by the secondary support structure 17 of lattice type of construction.
[0096] The fan base 18 bears a fan ring (not illustrated in any more detail) which surrounds the fan blades of the fan for the purposes of air guidance. Altogether, the entire module 14 as illustrated in FIG. 6 is composed of self-supporting components. The secondary support structure 17, with its lattice-like structure and the fan base 18, is self-supporting. The steam distribution lines are mounted on self-supporting tube bundles 2. The front steam distribution line 4 has a smaller diameter than the rear steam distribution line. This is because the rear steam distribution line 4 is provided for providing a supply to tube bundles 2 of a further module. The front steam distribution line 4 provides a supply only to the illustrated tube bundles 2. The support brackets 13 are self-supporting, as is the central support pillar 9. Altogether, it is thus possible with reduced material outlay and a high depth of production to provide preconfigured assemblies which can be installed on site with little installation outlay.
[0097] FIG. 7 shows the module of FIG. 6 in a plan view. To give a better overview, the lower steam distribution line 4 has been illustrated in shortened form. The fan base 18 has stiffening means in the corner region, and struts 21 which extend from the upper edges of the two limbs to the central support pillar 9. The fan base 18 is centered by means of said struts 21. In a manner not illustrated in any more detail, the secondary support structure 17 is cladded in substantially windproof fashion in the region of its triangular face sides.
[0098] The exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 8 to 10 differs from that of FIG. 4 in that the central support pillar 9, in its lower section 12, is not in the form of a lattice girder but is tubular. The upper section 11 thereof is also of tubular form. The central support pillar 9 may thus also be referred to as a tubular mast. Owing to the different loading situation, however, there is a step change in diameter above the support brackets 13. The support pillar 9 is designed to be slimmer in its upper section 11 than in its lower section 12. Furthermore, the support brackets 13 are connected by bearing means 19 to an upper end 20 of the support pillar 9. The support brackets 13 are thereby subjected to less bending loading. It is thus possible for the structural height of the support brackets 13 to be reduced, in particular in the region of attachment to the central support pillar 9 (FIG. 9).
[0099] FIG. 10 shows, in a further side view, a situation in which in each case two bearing means 19 duly converge in the region of the upper end 20 of the support pillar 9, but in the region of the support brackets 13, are led to the in each case outer corners of the support brackets 13 and thus run spaced apart from the vertex 7. This improves the torsional stiffness of the support brackets 13 in the direction of the vertex 7. The axis of the vertex 7 runs into the plane of the drawing in FIG. 10 and lies at the transition region from the relatively thick lower section 12 of the support pillar 9 to the relatively slim upper section 11 of the support pillar 9.
[0100] FIG. 10 diagrammatically shows the construction of the secondary support structure 17, which delimits the substantially triangular-prism-shaped interior space and, in the upper region, bears the fan base 18. In this exemplary embodiment, the fan base 18 is of square configuration and has lattice struts running in the plane of the fan base 18 with diagonal stiffening means in the corner region of the fan base 18. The number of struts is as low as possible in order to keep the air resistance as low as possible. Merely for the purposes of centering the fan base 18 relative to the upper end 20 of the central support pillar 9, there are provided four struts 21 by means of which the fan base 18 is connected to the support pillar 9 in a horizontal direction.
[0101] The embodiment of FIG. 12 differs from that of FIGS. 8 to 11 in that the support pillar 9 is, in the region of its lower section 12, in the form of a tube of larger diameter than in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8. This may in particular be a concrete tube. Also, by contrast to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9, said lower section 12 does not extend through the support brackets 13. The support brackets 13 are mounted on the lower section 12. Also, the upper section therefore does not begin only above the support brackets 13, but rather begins at the lower height region of the support brackets 13. This can be attributed to the different material compositions of the support pillar 9. The support pillar 9 is therefore not imperatively a materially integral, unipartite component. It may be of multi-part construction or assembled from different materials. The support pillar 9 may consequently be a hybrid component composed of concrete or reinforced concrete in its lower section 12 and composed of steel in the form of a lattice structure or a tubular structure in its upper section 11. With regard to the bracing means such as can be seen in particular in FIG. 13, reference is made to the explanations of FIGS. 8 to 11.
[0102] The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 14 is very similar to that of FIG. 1, such that reference can be made to the reference signs introduced there and the explanation relating thereto. The only difference is that the lower section 12 of the support pillar 9 is arranged at an angle W, which deviates from 90°, with respect to a horizontal plane H. Specifically, the horizontal plane is defined by the placement surface 10 or else by the plane in which the support brackets 13 of the individual modules 14 extend. In this exemplary embodiment, the lower ends 22 of mutually adjacent rows 16 (FIG. 16) are mounted in a common foundation 23. The angle W is in this case measured transversely with respect to the longitudinal extent of the rows 16. FIG. 15 shows that the support pillars 9 are furthermore arranged at an angle W1 of 90° with respect to the horizontal plane H.
[0103] By contrast to this, the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 17 shows that the support pillars 9 are, in a viewing direction toward the face sides of the individual rows 16, arranged at a 90° angle W1 with respect to the horizontal plane H. FIG. 17 shows that the lower sections 12 of the support pillars 9 enclose with the horizontal plane H an angle W (FIG. 18) which deviates from 90°, and as in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 14, said lower sections converge in a common foundation 23. FIG. 19 shows that said foundations 23 are situated directly below the respective vertex 7 of the rows 16 of modules 14. In the case of this arrangement, too, only four central foundations 23 are required for the mounting of a total of eight modules 14.
[0104] Finally, FIG. 20 shows an exemplary embodiment in which the support pillars 9, by means of their lower ends 22, assume an angle W, which deviates from 90°, relative to the horizontal plane H both in the direction of the vertex 7 and in the direction transversely with respect to the vertex 7. In this way, only a single central foundation 23 is required for four modules 14, as can be seen in FIG. 22. The entire arrangement of FIG. 3 is consequently mounted on only two foundations 23. In the case of arrangements with three or four rows 16, there are inevitably further foundation points, such that the arrangement is made altogether even more stable.
[0105] In FIGS. 14 to 23, additional arrangements of struts for the purposes of stiffening the primary and secondary support structures have not been illustrated. FIG. 23 shows a possible example of how the individual support pillars 9 can be connected by means of lateral struts 24 to adjacent support pillars 9. Said struts 24 may be arranged in crisscrossing fashion and may extend from the lower ends 22 of the support pillars 9 up to or into the region of the support brackets 13. Together with struts 15 in the upper region of the tube bundles 2 and struts 25 in the region of the support brackets 13, an assembly stiffened in the manner of a framework is realized which can accommodate even high lateral wind loads with relatively little material outlay.
[0106] FIG. 24 shows an alternative exemplary embodiment which dispenses with the crisscrossing struts 24 (FIG. 23). Struts 15 are provided in the upper region of the tube bundles 2 and additional horizontal struts 25 are provided in the region of the support brackets 13. The horizontally acting struts 25 and the self-supporting tube bundles 2 give rise, owing to the triangular arrangement, to a torsion-resistant framework which can accommodate very high loads.
[0107] FIG. 25 shows an embodiment in which an additional crossmember 26 is arranged transversely with respect to the rows of modules 14. The crossmember 26 extends under all of the modules 14. It belongs to the primary support structure. It is situated at the level of the support brackets 13. The support brackets 13 extend, as in the other exemplary embodiments, in the direction of the vertex 7 and thus into the plane of the drawing. In this schematic illustration, the support brackets 13 are situated on the upper edge of the crossmember 26. The supports 9 of every second module 14 extend through the crossmember 26. The supports 9 of the other modules 14 have only an upper section 11. The supports 9 of the rows 16 at the edges have no lower section. The rows 16 at the edges are, by means of the crossmember 26, borne by the supports 9 of the adjacent, inner row 16. Therefore, for a total of seven rows 16, only three supports 9 with lower sections 12 which project as far as the placement surface 10 are required.
[0108] In a manner which is not illustrated in any more detail, the tube bundles 2 are configured such that the installation 1 comprises at least one codirectional-flow condenser in which steam and condensate flow in the same direction and at least one counterflow condenser (reflux condenser) in which the condensate flows counter to the steam. The counterflow condenser is connected to an upper suction chamber.
[0109] The foregoing description of some embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention. The specifically described embodiments explain the principles and practical applications to enable one ordinarily skilled in the art to utilize various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto, and their equivalents. Further, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described by the appended claims.
