Angled Riser Guide Supports for Thermal Expansion in Fluidized Reactors
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fluidized reaction processes, such as Fluidized Catalytic Cracking (FCC), the long risers experience significant thermal expansion and contraction, requiring flexible lateral support to prevent mechanical stress and vibration, which existing technologies fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A novel riser guide and support apparatus featuring angled guide supports with hinges and a circumferentially continuous riser guide that allows for vertical and horizontal thermal expansion and contraction, using tubular sections and flexible hinges to accommodate expansion while minimizing mechanical wear and friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a fixed riser support system is used, then lateral stability is improved, but thermal expansion accommodation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible guide supports with hinge joints that allow the riser to expand and contract thermally while maintaining lateral guidance. The hinge mechanism provides flexibility to accommodate dimensional changes without compromising structural integrity or lateral stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide support system transitions from a static fixed support to a dynamic system with movable hinge joints. This dynamic configuration enables the supports to adapt to thermal expansion and contraction cycles, allowing lateral movement while maintaining guidance function.
2Manufacturing precision
If rigid guide supports are used, then lateral guidance precision is improved, but mechanical stress and vibration deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge-connected guide supports provide a flexible yet precise guidance system. The hinge joints allow controlled movement that reduces mechanical stress and vibration while maintaining adequate lateral guidance precision through the geometric constraints of the support arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible hinge mechanism acts as a cushioning element that absorbs and dampens mechanical stresses and vibrations before they can propagate through the riser structure, protecting the system from harmful dynamic loads.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple support points are added, then lateral stability is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guide support system is segmented into multiple identical modular units, each comprising a support structure with hinge joints. This segmentation allows the system to achieve enhanced lateral stability through distributed support points while maintaining manageable complexity through standardization and repetition of the same basic module.
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
The apparatus effectively stabilizes the riser during thermal expansion and contraction, reducing mechanical stress and vibration, and ensuring reliable operation in high-temperature environments by allowing controlled sliding and bending of the riser guide.
Implementation Method 1
the apparatus guides the riser during significant thermal expansions, both horizontal and vertical, during operation of the fluidized reaction process
Implementation Method 2
Minimizing friction and mechanical wear
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus used in a fluidized reaction process comprising a vessel; a riser housed within the vessel; and a plurality of angled guide supports, wherein each guide support comprises an tubular section having a first end and a second end; a first hinge wherein a first end of the first hinge is connected to the first end of the tubular section, a second hinge wherein a first end of the second hinge is connected to the second end of the tubular section, wherein a second end of the first hinge is connected to an inside surface of the vessel and a second end of the second hinge is connected to the riser guide is provided.