Rapid Cycle Adsorbent Bed Anti-Telescoping Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rapid cycle adsorbent beds face challenges in maintaining structural strength, thermal compliance, minimizing dead volume, and preventing telescoping under cyclic pressure and thermal loads while ensuring efficient gas separation in gas mixtures.
Innovation Solution
The adsorbent bed assembly incorporates a central support structure with anti-telescoping devices and compressible insulation layers, utilizing low-coefficient of thermal expansion materials and thermally compliant pads to manage stress and maintain pre-load on adsorbent modules, reducing heat loss and dead volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the adsorbent bed assembly uses a rigid support structure to withstand cyclic pressure loads, then structural strength is improved, but thermal compliance deteriorates due to inability to accommodate thermal expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure uses different materials with different properties in different locations. The central support structure uses a rigid material (stainless steel or Invar) to withstand pressure loads, while the anti-telescoping devices use a compliant material (elastomer or rubber) to accommodate thermal expansion. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between structural strength and thermal compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-telescoping devices are constructed as composite structures combining rigid components (metal spokes) with compliant materials (elastomer coatings or rubber elements). This composite construction allows the device to maintain structural integrity under pressure while providing thermal compliance through the elastomeric portion.
2Loss of energy
If the adsorbent bed assembly uses thick insulation layers to reduce heat loss, then thermal insulation is improved, but dead volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insulation system uses thin-film insulation materials that provide effective thermal insulation with minimal thickness. The compressible insulation layer is positioned tightly against the adsorbent modules, and the vapor barrier film provides an additional thin insulating layer, collectively reducing heat loss without significantly increasing dead volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulation effectiveness is enhanced by changing the density and compression parameters of the insulation material. The compressible insulation layer is compressed to high density between the adsorbent modules, improving its insulating properties per unit thickness and reducing the required insulation thickness for a given thermal performance.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the adsorbent modules are tightly constrained to prevent telescoping, then structural stability is improved, but thermal compliance deteriorates due to restricted thermal expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-telescoping devices apply constraints locally at specific points along the adsorbent modules rather than continuously along the entire length. The elastomeric portions of these devices provide point-contact constraints that prevent telescoping while allowing the modules to expand and contract thermally between constraint points.
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-telescoping devices are designed with dynamic characteristics, using elastomeric materials that can deform elastically in response to thermal expansion forces. The devices maintain their constraint function while dynamically adapting to thermal conditions, allowing controlled movement rather than rigid fixation.
4Productivity
If the adsorbent bed assembly uses numerous small structured channels to maximize surface area, then gas separation efficiency is improved, but pressure loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adsorbent material is structured as porous foam or monolithic structures with controlled pore sizes and distributions. These porous materials provide extremely high internal surface area for gas adsorption while maintaining open pore pathways that minimize pressure drop across the bed. The porosity allows gas to flow through the structure with minimal resistance despite the complex internal geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The structured adsorbent channels are designed with expansion joints or compliant connections that allow for thermal expansion of the adsorbent material during temperature swing cycles. This prevents channel closure or blockage due to thermal contraction, maintaining open flow paths and consistent pressure characteristics throughout the operational cycle.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enhances the structural rigidity and thermal compliance of the adsorbent bed, effectively handling cyclic loads and ensuring efficient gas separation with reduced heat loss and dead volume, thereby improving the overall performance of rapid cycle swing adsorption processes.
Implementation Method 1
selectively adsorbing the first component on the adsorbent material
Implementation Method 2
compressible insulation layers...reducing heat loss
Implementation Method 3
low-coefficient of thermal expansion materials to manage stress
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides for an adsorbent bed assembly for separation of gaseous mixtures. The assembly includes a body defining an interior cavity. The body includes an outer shell, and first and second ends engaged with the outer shell that include inputs/outputs. A central support structure is positioned within the interior cavity and is engaged with the body or forms a portion thereof. Anti-telescoping devices are positioned about the central support structure, at least one of which is affixed to the central support structure. Each anti-telescoping device includes a plurality of spokes extending within the interior cavity from or proximate the central support structure towards the outer shell.