CN106827801B - Heat energy recovery air supply device of printing machine and circulating air supply system thereof - Google Patents

Heat energy recovery air supply device of printing machine and circulating air supply system thereof Download PDF

Info

Publication number
CN106827801B
CN106827801B CN201710217171.3A CN201710217171A CN106827801B CN 106827801 B CN106827801 B CN 106827801B CN 201710217171 A CN201710217171 A CN 201710217171A CN 106827801 B CN106827801 B CN 106827801B
Authority
CN
China
Prior art keywords
air supply
pipeline
heat energy
energy recovery
supply device
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
CN201710217171.3A
Other languages
Chinese (zh)
Other versions
CN106827801A (en
Inventor
吴卫江
张志飞
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Jiangyin Huitong Packaging Machinery Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Jiangyin Huitong Packaging Machinery Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Jiangyin Huitong Packaging Machinery Co Ltd filed Critical Jiangyin Huitong Packaging Machinery Co Ltd
Priority to CN201710217171.3A priority Critical patent/CN106827801B/en
Publication of CN106827801A publication Critical patent/CN106827801A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CN106827801B publication Critical patent/CN106827801B/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41FPRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
    • B41F23/00Devices for treating the surfaces of sheets, webs, or other articles in connection with printing
    • B41F23/04Devices for treating the surfaces of sheets, webs, or other articles in connection with printing by heat drying, by cooling, by applying powders
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F26DRYING
    • F26BDRYING SOLID MATERIALS OR OBJECTS BY REMOVING LIQUID THEREFROM
    • F26B21/00Arrangements or duct systems, e.g. in combination with pallet boxes, for supplying and controlling air or gases for drying solid materials or objects
    • F26B21/001Drying-air generating units, e.g. movable, independent of drying enclosure
    • YGENERAL 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
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02PCLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P70/00Climate change mitigation technologies in the production process for final industrial or consumer products
    • Y02P70/10Greenhouse gas [GHG] capture, material saving, heat recovery or other energy efficient measures, e.g. motor control, characterised by manufacturing processes, e.g. for rolling metal or metal working

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Supply, Installation And Extraction Of Printed Sheets Or Plates (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a heat energy recovery air supply device of a printing machine and a circulating air supply system thereof, which are formed by connecting a plurality of heat energy recovery air supply devices, wherein an air supply port (3) and a first interface (6) of each heat energy recovery air supply device are respectively connected with an air inlet (21) and an air return port (22) of a baking oven of a printing unit of a corresponding color group, and an air return port (9) of each heat energy recovery air supply device is connected with a second interface (14) of the next heat energy recovery air supply device; the second interface (14) of the first heat energy recovery air supply device is connected with the air purification device; the air return opening (9) of the last heat energy recovery air supply device is communicated with the surrounding environment. The invention has the advantages of simple and compact structure, low manufacturing cost, simple operation, cyclic recycling of heat energy, energy utilization rate improvement, energy consumption reduction, energy conservation, environmental protection and production cost reduction.

Description

Heat energy recovery air supply device of printing machine and circulating air supply system thereof
Technical Field
The invention relates to a printer, in particular to a heat energy recovery air supply device of the printer and a circulating air supply system thereof.
Background
The printer is composed of a plurality of printing units of color groups, each printing unit of the color group is provided with an oven for quickly drying the ink on the surface of the printed material, and fresh air is supplied by an air supply device when the concentration of the solvent in the oven is higher than a standard value. At present, an air supply device for a printing machine mainly comprises a solvent probe, an air inlet machine, a valve switch, a heating box, a regulator and the like, and has the advantages that the temperature of air entering an oven is mainly and effectively controlled, the operation of the machine is ensured, but when the concentration of the solvent is higher than a calibration value, fresh air is directly sucked into the air inlet machine by the air supply device, heated by the heating box, enters the air inlet machine, and then is sent into the oven of the printing machine by the air inlet machine, so that the workload heat of the heating box is greatly increased, the energy consumption is high, and the production cost is increased.
Disclosure of Invention
The applicant has studied and improved the above problems, and provides a heat energy recovery air supply device and a circulating air supply system thereof for a printing machine, which have the advantages of simple and compact structure, low manufacturing cost, simple operation, recycling of heat energy, improving the energy utilization rate, reducing the energy consumption, saving energy, protecting environment and reducing the production cost.
In order to solve the technical problems, the invention adopts the following technical scheme:
the heat energy recovery air supply device of the printing machine comprises a heat exchanger, a heating box, an air inlet machine and an exhaust fan, wherein an air supply port connected with an air inlet of an oven is connected with the heating box through a first pipeline, the air inlet machine is arranged in the first pipeline, and a solvent probe is arranged in the first pipeline close to the air supply port; the heating box is connected with the heat exchanger through a second pipeline; the return air inlet is connected with the three-way joint through a fifth pipeline; the third pipeline is connected with the heating box and the three-way joint, and the upper regulating valve is arranged in the third pipeline; a fourth pipeline is connected with the heat exchanger and the three-way joint, and a lower regulating valve is arranged in the fourth pipeline; the regulator is connected with the upper regulating valve and the lower regulating valve; the fresh air inlet is connected with the heat exchanger through a sixth pipeline, and the switch valve is arranged in the sixth pipeline; the exhaust outlet is connected with the heat exchanger through a seventh pipeline, and the exhaust fan is arranged in the seventh pipeline; a first interface for connecting oven return air inlet passes through eighth pipeline connection second interface.
Further:
the heating box is an electric heating box, a steam heating box or a natural gas heating box.
The heat energy recovery circulation air supply system of the printing machine is formed by connecting a plurality of heat energy recovery air supply devices, wherein an air supply port and a first interface of each heat energy recovery air supply device are respectively connected with an air inlet and an air return port of an oven of a printing unit of a corresponding color group, and an air return port of each heat energy recovery air supply device is connected with a second interface of the next heat energy recovery air supply device; the second interface of the first heat energy recovery air supply device is connected with the air purification device; and the return air inlet of the last heat energy recovery air supply device is communicated with the surrounding environment.
The invention has the technical effects that:
the heat energy recovery air supply device and the circulating air supply system thereof of the printing machine disclosed by the invention have the advantages of simple and compact structure, low manufacturing cost, simplicity in operation, capability of recycling heat energy, capability of improving the energy utilization rate, energy consumption reduction, energy conservation, environmental friendliness and production cost reduction.
Drawings
Fig. 1 is a schematic structural view of a heat energy recovery air supply device of a printing machine.
Fig. 2 is a schematic structural view of a heat energy recovery circulation air supply system of a printing machine.
Fig. 3 is a schematic three-dimensional structure of an embodiment of a heat energy recovery air supply device of a printing machine.
Fig. 4 is a schematic three-dimensional structure of another view of the embodiment of fig. 3.
Detailed Description
The following describes the embodiments of the present invention in further detail with reference to the drawings.
As shown in fig. 1, a heat energy recovery air supply device 100 of a printing machine comprises a heat exchanger 8, a heating box 12, an air inlet machine 2 and an exhaust fan 11, wherein an air supply port 3 connected with an air inlet of an oven is connected with the heating box 12 through a first pipeline a, the air inlet machine 2 is arranged in the first pipeline a, and a solvent probe 1 is arranged in the first pipeline a close to the air supply port 3; the heating box 12 is connected with the heat exchanger 8 through a second pipeline B, and the heating box 12 is an electric heating box, a steam heating box or a natural gas heating box; the air return opening 9 is connected with a three-way joint 16 through a fifth pipeline E; the third pipeline C is connected with the heating box 12 and the three-way joint 16, and the upper regulating valve 4 is arranged in the third pipeline C; the fourth pipeline D is connected with the heat exchanger 8 and the three-way joint 16, and the lower regulating valve 5 is arranged in the fourth pipeline D; the regulator 13 is connected with the upper regulating valve 4 and the lower regulating valve 5, and the regulator 13 is used for cooperating the actions of the upper regulating valve 4 and the lower regulating valve 5; the fresh air inlet 10 is connected with the heat exchanger 8 through a sixth pipeline F, and the switch valve 7 is arranged in the sixth pipeline F; the exhaust outlet 15 is connected with the heat exchanger 8 through a seventh pipeline G, and the exhaust fan 11 is arranged in the seventh pipeline G; the first interface 6 for connecting the oven return air inlet is connected to the second interface 14 via an eighth conduit H.
As shown in fig. 2, the heat energy recovery circulation air supply system of the printing machine is formed by connecting a plurality of heat energy recovery air supply devices 100, the number of the heat energy recovery air supply devices 100 is determined according to the number of printing color groups of the printing machine, and the ovens of the printing units of each color group are respectively connected with one heat energy recovery air supply device 100. The first heat energy recovery air supply device 101 is connected with the oven 201 of the printing unit of the first color group of the printing machine, the air supply port 3 of the first heat energy recovery air supply device 101 is connected with the air inlet 21 of the oven 201 of the printing unit of the first color group of the printing machine, and the first interface 6 of the first heat energy recovery air supply device 101 is connected with the air return port 22 of the oven 201 of the printing unit of the first color group of the printing machine. The second heat energy recovery air supply device 102 is connected with the oven 202 of the printing unit of the second color group of the printing machine, the air supply port 3 of the second heat energy recovery air supply device 102 is connected with the air inlet 21 of the oven 202 of the printing unit of the second color group of the printing machine, and the first interface 6 of the second heat energy recovery air supply device 102 is connected with the air return port 22 of the oven 202 of the printing unit of the second color group of the printing machine. By analogy, the nth heat energy recovery air supply 10N is connected to oven 20N of the printing unit of the nth color group of the printing press, … …. The return air inlet 9 of the first heat energy recovery air supply device 101 is connected with the second interface 14 of the second heat energy recovery air supply device 102; the return air inlet 9 of the second heat energy recovery air supply device 102 is connected with the second interface 14 of the third heat energy recovery air supply device 103, and the like, and the return air inlet 9 of each heat energy recovery air supply device is connected with the second interface 14 of the next heat energy recovery air supply device until the Nth heat energy recovery air supply device 10N; the second interface 14 of the first heat energy recovery air supply device 101 is connected with an air purification device, the air discharged from the air return opening 22 of the oven 201 of the printing unit of the first color group is purified by the air purification device and then discharged, and the air return opening 9 of the last heat energy recovery air supply device is communicated with the surrounding environment.
As shown in fig. 1 and 2, when the solvent probe 1 of the first heat recovery air supply device 101 detects that the concentration of the solvent in the first pipeline a is lower than a calibration value during normal start-up, the regulator 13 acts to open the upper regulating door 4, close the lower regulating door 5, start the air inlet machine 2, extract the return air of the oven 202 of the printing unit of the second color group, heat the return air through the return air inlet 9, the fifth pipeline E and the third pipeline C of the first heat recovery air supply device 101, heat the return air through the heating box 12, enter the air inlet machine 2 through the first pipeline a, and then send the return air into the air inlet 21 of the oven 201 of the printing unit of the first color group from the air supply port 3 of the first heat recovery air supply device 101 through the air inlet machine 2.
When the solvent probe 1 of the first heat energy recovery air supply device 101 detects that the concentration of the solvent in the first pipeline A is higher than a standard value, the regulator 13 of the first heat energy recovery air supply device 101 acts, the upper regulating door 4 is closed, the lower regulating door 5 is opened, the exhaust fan 11 is started, the high concentration solvent air quantity in the oven 202 of the printing unit of the second color group is extracted, and the high concentration solvent air quantity enters the heat exchanger 8 through the fifth pipeline E and the fourth pipeline D; simultaneously, the switch valve 7 and the air inlet machine 2 are opened, external fresh air is extracted by the air inlet machine 2, the fresh air enters the heat exchanger 8 through the sixth pipeline F, heat is transferred to the fresh air by the high-concentration solvent air quantity in the heat exchanger 8, the temperature of the fresh air is increased, after the temperature of the fresh air is increased, the fresh air enters the heating box 12 through the second pipeline B and is heated to a proper temperature, then enters the first pipeline A and the air inlet machine 2, and finally, the air inlet machine 2 is used for recovering heat energy from the air supply port 3 of the air supply device 101 to be sent into the air inlet 21 of the oven 201 of the printing unit of the first color group (the switch valve 7 and the air exhaust machine 11 are in a closed state when the machine is started normally); the high concentration solvent air quantity is discharged by the exhaust fan 11 through the seventh pipeline G and the exhaust outlet 15 after heat is transferred by the heat exchanger 8, and the exhaust outlet 15 can be connected with an air purifying device and is discharged after being purified by the air purifying device.
When the solvent probe 1 of the second heat energy recovery air supply device 102 detects that the concentration of the solvent in the first pipeline A is lower than the calibration value, the regulator 13 acts to open the upper regulating door 4, close the lower regulating door 5, start the air inlet machine 2, extract the return air of the oven 203 of the printing unit of the third color group, the return air enters the air inlet machine 2 through the first pipeline A after being heated by the heating box 12 through the return air inlet 9, the fifth pipeline E and the third pipeline C of the second heat energy recovery air supply device 102, and then is sent into the air inlet 21 of the oven 202 of the printing unit of the second color group from the air supply port 3 of the second heat energy recovery air supply device 102 by the air inlet machine 2.
When the solvent probe 1 of the second heat energy recovery air supply device 102 detects that the concentration of the solvent in the first pipeline A is higher than a standard value, the regulator 13 of the second heat energy recovery air supply device 102 acts to close the upper regulating door 4, open the lower regulating door 5, start the exhaust fan 11, extract the high concentration solvent air volume in the oven 203 of the printing unit of the third color group, and the high concentration solvent air volume enters the heat exchanger 8 through the fifth pipeline E and the fourth pipeline D; simultaneously, the switch valve 7 and the air inlet machine 2 are opened, external fresh air is extracted by the air inlet machine 2, the fresh air enters the heat exchanger 8 through the sixth pipeline F, heat is transferred to the fresh air in the heat exchanger 8 by the high-concentration solvent air quantity, the temperature of the fresh air is increased, after the temperature of the fresh air is increased, the fresh air enters the heating box 12 through the second pipeline B and is heated to a proper temperature, then enters the first pipeline A and the air inlet machine 2, and finally, the air inlet machine 2 is used for recycling the air from the air supply port 3 of the second heat energy and supplying device 102 to the air inlet 21 of the oven 202 of the printing unit of the second color group; the high concentration solvent air quantity is discharged by the exhaust fan 11 through the seventh pipeline G and the exhaust outlet 15 after heat is transferred by the heat exchanger 8, and the exhaust outlet 15 can be connected with an air purifying device and is discharged after being purified by the air purifying device.
By analogy, the operation of the third and nth heat energy recovery and supply devices 103 and … … and 10N is the same as that described above. Because the return air inlet 9 of the last heat energy recovery air supply device is communicated with the surrounding environment, the last heat energy recovery air supply device directly extracts external fresh air, and supplies air to the oven 20N of the printing unit of the last color group after being heated by the heating box 12.
According to the comparison of the concentration in the air pipe measured by the solvent probe and the calibration value, the invention utilizes the characteristic of high air volume and temperature of the high concentration solvent, adopts the heat exchange principle, transfers heat to fresh air in the heat exchanger, transfers heat to the fresh air by the high concentration solvent, heats the fresh air, and heats the fresh air by the heating box, thus greatly reducing the working heat of the heating box, shortening the production time, reducing the investment of production cost, improving the energy utilization rate, reducing the energy consumption, and having the advantages of energy conservation, environmental protection and high heat energy utilization efficiency.
As shown in fig. 3 and 4, all the components constituting the heat energy recovery air supply device of the present invention are integrated in one box, and the air supply port 3, the first interface 6, the air return port 9, the fresh air inlet 10, the second interface 14 and the air outlet 15 are arranged on each side plate and top plate of the box, so that the heat energy recovery air supply device has the advantages of simple and attractive appearance, small occupied space, convenient and quick transportation and installation, and convenience for installation and use of users.

Claims (3)

1. The utility model provides a heat recovery air supply unit of printing machine which characterized in that: the device comprises a heat exchanger (8), a heating box (12), an air inlet machine (2) and an exhaust fan (11), wherein an air supply port (3) connected with an air inlet of an oven is connected with the heating box (12) through a first pipeline (A), the air inlet machine (2) is arranged in the first pipeline (A), and a solvent probe (1) is arranged in the first pipeline (A) close to the air supply port (3); the heating box (12) is connected with the heat exchanger (8) through a second pipeline (B); the air return opening (9) is connected with the three-way joint (16) through a fifth pipeline (E); a third pipeline (C) is connected with the heating box (12) and the three-way joint (16), and an upper regulating valve (4) is arranged in the third pipeline (C); a fourth pipeline (D) is connected with the heat exchanger (8) and the three-way joint (16), and a lower regulating valve (5) is arranged in the fourth pipeline (D); the regulator (13) is connected with the upper regulating valve (4) and the lower regulating valve (5); the fresh air inlet (10) is connected with the heat exchanger (8) through a sixth pipeline (F), and the switch valve (7) is arranged in the sixth pipeline (F); the exhaust outlet (15) is connected with the heat exchanger (8) through a seventh pipeline (G), and the exhaust fan (11) is arranged in the seventh pipeline (G); a first interface (6) for connecting the oven return air inlet is connected with a second interface (14) through an eighth pipeline (H).
2. The thermal energy recovery air supply device of a printing press according to claim 1, wherein: the heating box (12) is an electric heating box, a steam heating box or a natural gas heating box.
3. The utility model provides a heat recovery circulation air supply system of printing machine which characterized in that: the device is formed by connecting a plurality of heat energy recovery air supply devices according to claim 1, wherein an air supply port (3) and a first interface (6) of each heat energy recovery air supply device are respectively connected with an air inlet (21) and an air return port (22) of a baking oven of a printing unit of a corresponding color group, and an air return port (9) of each heat energy recovery air supply device is connected with a second interface (14) of the next heat energy recovery air supply device; the second interface (14) of the first heat energy recovery air supply device is connected with the air purification device; the air return opening (9) of the last heat energy recovery air supply device is communicated with the surrounding environment.
CN201710217171.3A 2017-04-05 2017-04-05 Heat energy recovery air supply device of printing machine and circulating air supply system thereof Active CN106827801B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN201710217171.3A CN106827801B (en) 2017-04-05 2017-04-05 Heat energy recovery air supply device of printing machine and circulating air supply system thereof

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN201710217171.3A CN106827801B (en) 2017-04-05 2017-04-05 Heat energy recovery air supply device of printing machine and circulating air supply system thereof

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
CN106827801A CN106827801A (en) 2017-06-13
CN106827801B true CN106827801B (en) 2023-06-23

Family

ID=59142217

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CN201710217171.3A Active CN106827801B (en) 2017-04-05 2017-04-05 Heat energy recovery air supply device of printing machine and circulating air supply system thereof

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CN (1) CN106827801B (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107487075A (en) * 2017-10-18 2017-12-19 渭南三立印刷机械有限公司 A kind of intaglio press constant temperature air feed case

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN201289275Y (en) * 2008-10-24 2009-08-12 汕头市远东轻化装备有限公司 Drying device of coating compound machine
EP2332726A1 (en) * 2009-12-08 2011-06-15 Kazuhiko Maeda Waste heat recovery system
CN102489437B (en) * 2011-12-02 2013-12-18 长兴(广州)光电材料有限公司 Energy-saving device and method for drying box of coating compound machine
CN203792858U (en) * 2014-03-13 2014-08-27 浙江美格机械股份有限公司 Steam/conducting oil drying type efficient and energy-saving web gravure press
CN204278772U (en) * 2014-12-02 2015-04-22 石家庄天龙环保科技有限公司 A kind of plastic printer circulating heater
CN104960336B (en) * 2015-06-24 2017-05-31 黑龙江盛大科技有限公司 Film printing temperature air quantity definite value numerical control and energy saving drying device
CN204774056U (en) * 2015-07-21 2015-11-18 中山市朗科包装有限公司 Printing machine waste heat recovery device
CN204894763U (en) * 2015-07-27 2015-12-23 广东芬尼克兹节能设备有限公司 Refrigerating system of printing stoving heat pump
CN105444536B (en) * 2015-12-18 2018-06-15 广东环葆嘉节能科技有限公司 A kind of tandem drying system
CN206633598U (en) * 2017-04-05 2017-11-14 江阴市汇通印刷包装机械有限公司 The energy recovery air supply device and its circulation air feed system of printing machine

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN106827801A (en) 2017-06-13

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CN102519067A (en) Heating energy saving device with additional back pressure generator for extraction condensing unit and heating energy saving method
CN202768089U (en) Steam exhaust recycling system of steam feed pump
CN107859538A (en) It is a kind of to be used for the solidifying co-generation unit and its operation method for taking out back of the body heat supply
CN105214921A (en) A kind of automobile coating drying chamber high-temperature flue gas utilizes system and utilizes technique
CN106765481A (en) A kind of conduction oil central heating system and energy-saving heating method
CN106827801B (en) Heat energy recovery air supply device of printing machine and circulating air supply system thereof
CN203792859U (en) Electric-blowing-drying-type high-efficiency and energy-saving web gravure printing machine
CN205979857U (en) Steam power plant uses waste heat recovery device
CN209763716U (en) Energy-saving drying system
CN203157349U (en) Steam and electricity used heating device of gravure printing machine
CN209459461U (en) Coating machine oven waste-heat recovery device
CN204544678U (en) A kind of hot air circulation equipment
CN203792860U (en) Natural gas direct-fired drying type efficient and energy-saving web gravure press
CN203381336U (en) Printing industry heat pump drying system
CN104947397A (en) Energy-saving industrial clothes dryer capable of recovering waste heat through waste gas circulation
CN205146633U (en) Automobile coating drying chamber high temperature flue gas utilizes system
CN109139150A (en) A kind of exhaust steam in steam turbine recycling system and method
CN206633598U (en) The energy recovery air supply device and its circulation air feed system of printing machine
CN201129905Y (en) Hot pipe waste heat recovery type dryer
CN205191618U (en) Waste heat utilization system of boiler blow -off
CN205535742U (en) System is utilized to coal -fired power plant energy high efficiency
CN203792858U (en) Steam/conducting oil drying type efficient and energy-saving web gravure press
CN210337223U (en) Heating device of gravure printing machine
CN204020224U (en) A kind of high efficiency printing drying system
CN207327855U (en) A kind of intaglio press constant temperature supplies bellows

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PB01 Publication
PB01 Publication
SE01 Entry into force of request for substantive examination
SE01 Entry into force of request for substantive examination
GR01 Patent grant
GR01 Patent grant