AU2008226193A1 - Condensation system - Google Patents

Description

Condensation system The invention concerns a condensation system with the features of the generic part of claim 1. 5 Condensation systems for cooling turbine or process steams have been employed for many years in the field of energy generation with large dimensions. Like in the constructions known, for example, from DE 199 37 800 B4, fans extract cooling air from below and thrust it through roof-shaped heat exchanger 10 elements. The heated cooling air flows upwards. There has to be an adequate free space below the fan, so that the fans are placed on a carrying support structure, for example 20 m high. In this case one deals with a steel construction comprising supports and coupling rods connecting the supports. The coupling rods are necessary because the supports are relatively slim and without 15 transverse support would have a non-permissible buckling length. The coupling rods also serve the purpose of transferring the horizontal forces caused by wind and earthquake to the base. It has been demonstrated, that the coupling rods can be brought into vibration 20 caused by the wind, in fact already at relatively low wind speeds of 4-5 m/sec. The coupling rods of such structures are over 10 m long and are manufactured from pipes or I-beams. The width of a fan section corresponds approximately to the length of the 25 coupling rods, which are, for example, 11-13 m long. The loads to be absorbed by the supports at the corners of such a fan section are correspondingly great, so that in the case of a condensation system with 5x7 square fan sections 6 x 8 rows of supports, i.e. altogether 48 supports have to be provided. Each of these supports is joined with the adjacent one support via coupling rods. The material 30 usage for such supporting framework is considerable. The assembly costs are also very high. Commencing from this, the object of the invention is to reveal a condensation system with the features of the generic part of patent claim 1, that allows a 2 reduction of material usage and assembly cost with regard to the supporting framework. This objective is achieved with a condensation system having the features of 5 patent claim 1. Advantageous developments of the concept of the invention are subject of the sub-claims. 10 In the case of the condensation system according to the invention a supporting framework of a completely new kind is used, wherein the vertical supports are positioned outside of the corners of the fan sections. This is possible due to the fact that at least one support has a column extending vertically to the fan sections and has head struts which join above the column, obliquely extending relative to 15 the fan section and the column and extend to the corners of a fan section. Consequently, the loads introduced from the corners into the supporting framework are not directly vertically and downwards diverted, but firstly into the obliquely extending head struts, which in turn are resting on the column forming the lower height section of each support. Each column accepts the load of at 20 least two corners of a fan section. In this manner it is possible to considerably reduce the number of columns. In an arrangement of 2x 3 fan sections, for example, until now 3 x 4 =1 2 supports were needed. In case of only one support in the centre of each fan section and 25 four head struts, that extend to the four corners of a fan section, in this case altogether only six supports and consequently only six bases are required. By reducing the number of supports a reduction of the hitherto necessary horizontally extending coupling rods can follow. The reduction of the material requirement brings about also a reduction of the assembly costs. At the same 30 time a greater free space is available below the fan section, what can contribute to the improvement of the entry of the air into the fan. For a load absorption to be as uniform as possible, it is advisable to provide the column in the centre of a fan section, i.e. there, where the diagonals between two 3 opposite situated corners of a fan section intersect. In this configuration the four head struts of a column are of the same length. It is, however, basically also possible to move the columns to some extent closer to one another. In the case of a 2x 2 arrangement of the fan sections it is, for example, conceivable that the 5 four columns are positioned out of the centre of the respective fan section, while the distance of the columns from one another can be either reduced or increased if the support is required closer to the centre or closer to the edge. In the case of the above described configuration the columns are at a distance 10 from the lateral struts that connect the corners of a fan section with one another and the longitudinal edges of a fan section. It is, however, also conceivable that a single column is provided below a lateral strut of a fan section, in fact in that case when the column has only two head struts which extend to the ends of the lateral strut, below which the column is provided. In this case the support has a 15 somewhat Y-shaped form. When being considered on its own, such a Y-shaped support is a pendulum support and therefore could be employed only in conjunction with further supports so that to provide the required rigidity for the supporting framework. Preferably such Y-shaped supports are used only when further supports have four head struts. 20 As a preference, at least one corner of a fan section is supported by four head struts. This means, that this corner is the centre of a fan section arrangement of a 2 x 2 fan section, wherein each fan section is supported by a support, whereby the column is provided in the central area of a fan section and each column has four 25 head struts that extend to the four corners of the respective fan section. Due to the fact, that the common corner of the four fan sections is supported by four head struts, therefore all head struts are indirectly connected with one another, the supporting framework obtains the required rigidity. In particular in the case of large condensation systems, like for example with 5x 7 fan sections, at least the 30 four fan sections in the corners have to be supported in the above described manner, i.e. provided with four supports, each of them having four head struts.

4 To reduce the buckling length of the head struts they can be connected with one another by coupling struts. The coupling struts in the region of the head struts are considerably shorter than the coupling rods between two adjacent columns. 5 To enable to absorb horizontal loads, in particular wind loads, the adjacent columns are connected with one another by transverse struts. The transverse struts can preferably extend diagonally between two adjacent columns. On this occasion it is basically possible that the transverse struts extend from the lower end of the columns, i.e. from the region of the base, up to the commencement of 10 the head struts, without impairing access to the condensation system below the fan sections. The reason for this is, that only adjacent columns are connected with one another by the transverse struts, while under adjacent columns typically columns of a four-block arrangement are understood, by which four fan sections of a 2 x 2 formation are supported. 15 The invention is explained in detail in the following based on the drawings of the embodiments illustrated. They show in: Fig.1 - a perspective view on a supporting construction of a condensation system, 20 Fig.2 - top view on the fan sections of the condensation system of Fig.1, Fig.3 - the supporting construction of Fig.2, viewed in the direction of arrow Ill, 25 Fig.4 - the supporting construction of Fig.2, viewed in the direction of arrow IV, Fig.5 - a perspective illustration of a support with a fan section, and Figs.6a-f - differently configured fan section arrangements with theoretically 30 feasible variations of support frameworks. Figs.1 and 2 show a perspective view as well as a top view of an arrangement of 5x 7 rectangular fan sections 1 that form a platform to accommodate fans, not illustrated in detail. Above this platform roof-shaped heat exchangers, serving the 5 purpose of cooling the turbine or process steams, are placed in a plurality of rows next to one another, corresponding to the width of the fan sections. To improve the clarity the illustration of the heat exchanger elements is omitted. 5 It can be recognised that the fan sections 1 are supported by a supporting framework 2 that has a plurality of supports 3, each of them resting on bases 4. From Figs.3-5 it will be clear, that the supports 3 are not formed by a vertically upwards extending straight pylons or posts, but have a lower and upper height section, while the configurations of the height sections are different. The lower 10 height section is a column 5 extending vertically to the fan sections 1, the column extending approx. over 50% of the overall length of the support 3. To the top end of the column 5 four head struts 6 are joined, that extend to the corners 7 of a fan section 1. Therefore the head struts 6 extend obliquely or at an angle to the column 5 and also obliquely or at an angle to the fan section 1. Due to the oblique 15 position of the head struts 6, the column 5 is at a distance from the main supports 8 of the platform which connect the corners 7 of a fan section 1 with one another. It can be seen from Fig.2 that each column 5 is in the centre of a fan section 1. Consequently, relative their longitudinal axis, that runs through the column 5, the supports 3 have a rotationally symmetrical or double symmetrical construction, 20 since the fan section has a rectangular design. The head struts 6 are stiffened by the horizontally extending coupling struts 9, which extend in the horizontal direction, i.e. parallel to the fan section 1, approximately in the centre between two adjacent head struts 6. By virtue of this 25 the buckling length of the head struts is reduced with the result that the head struts can be made slimmer. From Figs.3 and 4 it can be seen, that not only the head struts 6 are additionally connected with one another, but also adjacent columns 5, between which 30 diagonally extending transverse struts 10 are provided. The transverse struts 10 extend from the lower end of a column 5 to the upper end of the adjacent column 5, so that a cross-shaped stiffening is the result.

6 It can be seen from Fig.2, that not each fan section 1 has a support 3 provided below it. The fan section arrangement illustrated is so large, that it is sufficient to provide each four fan sections 1 situated on the corners with a central support 3. At the same time the corner 7 of the abutting fan sections, enclosed by the 5 supports 3, is supported by four head struts 6. By virtue of this, in the corner regions of the platform a particularly solid and rigid supporting construction is produced. Thus in the inner regions of the condensation system, i.e. in the region of the fan sections that are at a distance from the corners, considerable savings can be made. It can be recognised, that in the inner regions altogether only four 10 supports 3 are provided. Between these supports 3, arranged in pairs, fan sections 1 are disposed which do not have their own support 3. Since, however, the fan sections 1 are all connected with one another, an indirect support exists via the adjacent fan sections 1. Therefore when designing the support construction care has to be taken that at least one head strut 6 of a support 3 is 15 to be provided on each corner 7 of the fan section. As to under which of the adjacent fan sections 1 the supporting column 5 is provided, is irrelevant. From Figs.3 and 4 one can recognise that the free space below the fan sections is considerably greater that in the case of comparable arrangements, wherein 20 under each corner 7 of the fan section 1 a vertical support extends down to the ground. Instead of 6 x 8

=

48 conventional supports in the case of the fan section illustrated in the form of an example, only 20 supports are used. The number of bases 4 is correspondingly small. 25 Fig.6 shows six embodiments chosen as examples of fan section arrangements. Basically the fan sections 1 are provided in two rows to ensure an adequate stability of the supporting construction. Therefore the smallest unit of a fan section arrangement comprises 2 x 2 fan sections (Fig.6a). This arrangement can be extended in any manner. The basic principle, that at least four adjacent fan 30 sections 1 have to be supported by central supports 3, is applied for all embodiments. Based on this requirement in Fig.6b a support is provided for all fan sections 1, although theoretically the two central supports 3 could be omitted.

7 In contrast to this, based on the above described design rule, in Fig.6c it is possible for the first time to omit the supports in the third row of the fan sections 1 and to transfer the loads originating from them to the supports 3 of the adjacent fan sections 1. The same is valid for the embodiments of Figs.6d and 6f. 5 The embodiment of Fig.6e has a peculiar feature. In the case of this version in the region of the central four fan sections 1 a support 11 is provided, that is provided not at a distance from the main support 8, but below the main support 8 of a fan section 1. Consequently, the support 11 has only two head struts 6 which 10 extend up to the ends 7 of the main support 8 and the corners 7 of the fan sections 1. Therefore this support 11 have a Y-shaped pendulum support. However, pendulum movements of this supporting construction are out of the question, as two additional four-block arrangements of supports 3 are provided.

8 List of reference numerals 1 Fan section 2 Supporting framework 3 Support 4 Base 5 Column 6 Head strut 7 Corner 8 Main support 9 Coupling strut 10 Transverse strut 11 Support

Claims (10)

1. A condensation system, with heat exchanger element positioned above the fans, wherein the fans are held in frame-like fan sections (1) that are 5 supported by a supporting framework (2) comprising a plurality of supports (3, 11), characterised in that at least one support (3, 11) has a column (5) extending vertically to the fan sections (1) and has head struts (6) which join above the column (5), obliquely extending relative to the fan section (1) and the column (5) and extend to the corners (7) of a fan section (1). 10

2. A condensation system according to claim 1, characterised in that the column (5) is at a distance from the main supports (8) that connect the corners (7) of a fan section (1) with one another. 15

3. A condensation system according to claim 2, characterised in that the column (5) is provided in the centre of a fan section (1).

4. A condensation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the column (5) has four head struts (6), that extend to the four corners (7) 20 of a fan section (1).

5. A condensation system according to claim 1, characterised in that the column (5) is provided below a main support (8) of a fan section (1). 25

6. A condensation system according to claim 4, characterised in that the column (5) has two head struts (6) which extend to the ends (7) of the lateral strut (8).

7. A condensation system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that at least one corner (7) of a fan section (1) is supported by four head struts 30 (6).

8. A condensation system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the adjacent head struts (6) of a support (3, 11) are connected with one another by coupling struts (9). 10

9. A condensation system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that adjacent columns (5) are connected with one another by transverse struts (10). 5

10. A condensation system according to claim 9, characterised in that the transverse struts (10) extend diagonally between two columns (5).