Distributor Tray Chimney Dispersive Material Gas Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas/liquid contactor columns, particularly in large-diameter columns, face challenges in achieving homogeneous gas distribution due to non-uniform flow rates, especially at the edges, which affects the efficiency of gas treatment, CO2 capture, and distillation processes.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a dispersive material within the gas passage chimneys of the distributor tray to ensure uniform gas distribution, with the material being randomly or structuredly arranged to promote homogenization of the gas stream, thereby improving the distribution homogeneity across the column.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If standard distributor trays with chimneys are used in large-diameter columns, then the column structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the gas distribution becomes non-uniform especially at the edges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dispersive material (porous or non-porous) arranged within the chimneys of the distributor tray. This material disperses the gas flow as it passes through the chimneys, creating more uniform gas distribution across the column cross-section, particularly at the edges where non-uniformity is most pronounced. The dispersive material acts as a flow distributor that breaks up concentrated gas streams into more evenly distributed flow patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of the gas flow path by introducing the dispersive material, which changes the flow regime and distribution characteristics. By altering the physical state and arrangement of the gas as it moves through the chimneys, the system achieves more uniform distribution without fundamentally changing the overall distributor tray structure.
2Productivity
If gas flow rate is increased to improve processing capacity, then productivity increases, but gas distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dispersive material within the chimneys continues to function effectively at higher gas flow rates, maintaining distribution uniformity even as overall gas throughput increases. The material's structure allows it to handle varying flow rates while consistently producing uniform gas distribution across the column cross-section.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispersive material provides additional flow distribution action beyond what the basic chimney structure offers. This extra dispersion capability ensures that even when gas flow rates are increased beyond normal operating conditions, the distribution uniformity is maintained through the enhanced dispersing effect.
3Productivity
If chimney diameter is increased to allow higher gas flow, then gas treatment capacity improves, but edge gas distribution becomes more non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
The dispersive material compensates for the increased chimney diameter by providing additional flow distribution. Even with larger chimneys that allow higher gas capacities, the dispersive material breaks up the flow patterns that would otherwise lead to edge non-uniformity, maintaining consistent distribution across the entire column cross-section.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispersive material is strategically placed within the chimneys to address the specific problem of edge non-uniformity. By localizing the dispersion action at critical locations where non-uniformity develops, the system maintains overall distribution quality even with increased gas flow capacity through larger chimneys.
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 solution ensures more uniform gas velocities and improved phase contact between gas and liquid, enhancing the efficiency of gas treatment, CO2 capture, and distillation processes, even in large-diameter columns, by reducing pressure drops and preventing liquid accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
a material which disperses the gas is arranged within at least one of the chimneys for passage of the gas
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is a tray 2 for a column for heat and/or matter exchange between a gas and a liquid, comprising at least one chimney 4 projecting from the upper part of tray 2 for exclusive passage of the gas through the tray, at least one means 5 enabling passage of the liquid through tray 2 and the inside of at least one of the chimneys providing exclusive gas passage being provided with a material dispersive towards said gas.The invention also relates to an exchange column comprising such a distributor tray and to the use of such a column.