Air-Sparged Hydrocyclone for Cryogenic Vapor-Gas Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cryogenic technologies lack effective methods for separating vapors, such as carbon dioxide, from carrier gases, as hydrocyclones are not utilized in gas/vapor separations due to the inability of the cyclone vortex to cause separation by mass in gases.
Innovation Solution
An air-sparged hydrocyclone design is employed, featuring a cylindrical vessel with a tangential feed inlet for a cryogenic liquid, a vortex finder outlet, and a conically tapered lower section with an apex nozzle outlet, utilizing a porous sparger and outer gas plenum to induce a cyclone vortex, allowing for the separation of vapors from carrier gases through tangential flow and cyclone vortex interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional hydrocyclone is used for separation, then solids can be separated from liquids or gases, but it cannot effectively separate vapors from carrier gases because the cyclone vortex does not cause separation in gases by mass
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the system by introducing a cryogenic liquid phase at temperatures below the dew point of the vapor. This parameter change enables vapor condensation and desublimation processes that do not occur in conventional gas-phase hydrocyclones, thereby achieving effective vapor-carrier gas separation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a cryogenic liquid as an intermediary substance that facilitates vapor removal. The liquid acts as a medium that absorbs, condenses, or desublimates the vapor from the carrier gas through direct contact in the cyclone, enabling separation that would not occur between gas phases alone
2Adaptability or versatility
If air-sparged hydrocyclones are used for solid-liquid separation, then entrained solids can be removed from carrier liquids, but they cannot be applied to gas-vapor separations or cryogenics
Solution Approach 1:
The invention adapts the air-sparged hydrocyclone design to perform multiple functions: it maintains the original solid-liquid separation capability while adding vapor-carrier gas separation functionality through the cryogenic liquid injection. This multi-functionality allows a single device design to serve diverse separation applications
3Productivity
If cryogenic liquid is injected at high velocity to induce cyclone vortex, then tangential flow and separation are achieved, but device complexity increases due to specialized inlet design
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a tangential inlet design where the cryogenic liquid is injected at an angle relative to the vertical axis, creating a curved flow path that induces cyclone vortex. This curved injection geometry naturally generates the required rotational flow pattern without requiring complex mechanical components
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 method effectively removes vapors by dissolving, condensing, or desublimating them into a cryogenic liquid, producing a vapor-depleted carrier gas and a vapor-enriched cryogenic liquid, enabling efficient separation of pollutants like carbon dioxide from flue gases and other cryogenic vapors.
Implementation Method 1
The vapor dissolves, condenses, desublimates, or a combination thereof, forming a vapor-depleted carrier gas and a vapor-enriched cryogenic liquid
Implementation Method 2
The vapor dissolves, condenses, desublimates, or a combination thereof, forming a vapor-depleted carrier gas and a vapor-enriched cryogenic liquid
Implementation Method 3
The vapor dissolves, condenses, desublimates, or a combination thereof, forming a vapor-depleted carrier gas and a vapor-enriched cryogenic liquid
Implementation Method 4
a tangential feed inlet for a cryogenic liquid, attached to a cylindrical wall of the vessel on an upper end of the vessel such that injected fluids form a tangential flow and a cyclone vortex
Implementation Method 5
The cryogenic liquid is provided to the tangential feed inlet at a velocity that induces the tangential flow and the cyclone vortex in the air-sparged hydrocyclone
Data Source
AI summary
A method for separating a vapor from a carrier gas is disclosed. An air-sparged hydrocyclone is provided with a porous sparger covered by an outer gas plenum. A cryogenic liquid is provided to the tangential feed inlet at a velocity that induces a tangential flow and a cyclone vortex in the cyclone. The carrier gas is injected into the air-sparged hydrocyclone through the porous sparger. The vapor dissolves, condenses, desublimates, or a combination thereof, forming a vapor-depleted carrier gas and a vapor-enriched cryogenic liquid. The vapor-depleted gas is drawn through a vortex finder while the vapor-enriched cryogenic liquid is drawn through an apex nozzle outlet. In this manner, the vapor is removed from the carrier gas.