Capillary Gas Splitter for Adsorption Testing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for testing adsorption properties of particulate solid adsorbents on a small scale face challenges in precise control of low gas flows and reliability due to the complexity and potential failure of mass flow controllers, especially when testing multiple adsorption beds simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus with capillary channels and a feed splitter assembly that splits gas streams into multiple parallel feeds, using switching valves to distribute gas with and without adsorbate to multiple adsorption beds, ensuring consistent pressure drop and reducing the need for multiple mass flow controllers, while allowing for easy adaptation to different adsorption materials and conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If mass flow controllers are used to control gas flow for multiple adsorption beds, then gas flow control is achieved, but device complexity increases and reliability decreases due to moving parts and potential breakdown

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas flow control precisionVSAvoidsystem reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes mass flow controllers from the system entirely, extracting the problematic moving parts while maintaining gas flow control capability through alternative means (capillary channels and pressure differential control), thereby improving reliability while preserving measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical mass flow control system with a pneumatic system using capillary channels and pressure differential control, eliminating moving parts and improving both reliability and precision through more stable physical principles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If mass flow controllers are used for low gas flows in small-scale adsorption testing, then gas flow control is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelow gas flow control precisionVSAvoidnumber of mass flow controllers

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal gas distribution system where a single capillary channel assembly serves multiple adsorption beds simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate mass flow controllers for each bed and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses identical capillary channel assemblies that can be replicated and distributed to multiple beds, simplifying the system through standardization and eliminating the need for multiple calibrated mass flow controllers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Productivity

If flow dividers or splitters are used to serve multiple adsorption beds with one feed stream, then gas distribution is achieved, but flow control reliability decreases due to potential flow imbalance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparallel testing capabilityVSAvoidflow distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies identical capillary channel configurations to all feed streams, ensuring that each bed receives uniform flow distribution through localized geometric control rather than relying on complex flow dividers, thereby maintaining precision while enabling parallel testing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables efficient and reliable parallel testing of adsorption properties across multiple small-scale adsorption beds with precise control of gas flow, reducing the risk of technical failure and allowing for reliable comparison of various adsorption materials and conditions.

Implementation Method 1

the capillary channels being capable of creating a gas pressure drop of between 1 and 100 bar for the split feed streams

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure drop: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 2

adsorption of low concentrations of the various stated compounds (hereafter: adsorbate) to solids like activated carbon

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS20240399285A1Process and equipment for conducting research on adsorption of compounds to solids

Publication Date: 2024.12.05 AVANTIUM TECH

AI summary

Apparatus for conducting research on adsorption properties of particulate solid adsorption materials for an adsorbate in at least two parallel adsorption beds, and method of using such. The apparatus contains multiple parallel beds of adsorbent, of a comparatively small volume between 0.1 to 10 ml, which are connected to two feeds via a splitter for each feed and capillaries downstream of the splitter and upstream of the adsorption bed. The invention further relates to a method using such apparatus.