Cryogenic Hydrocyclone Vortex Separation for Carrier Gas Vapor Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydrocyclone technologies are not effective for gas/vapor separation due to the lack of a cyclone vortex that causes separation in gases by mass, limiting their application in cryogenic gas-vapor separation processes such as removing pollutants like carbon dioxide from carrier gases.
Innovation Solution
A hydrocyclone design with a tangential feed inlet, vortex finder, and apex nozzle outlet, equipped with nozzles for injecting cryogenic liquids to create a tangential flow and cyclone vortex, allowing for the separation of vapors from carrier gases through dissolution, condensation, or desublimation, with nozzle materials that inhibit gas adsorption and solid deposition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional hydrocyclone is used for gas-vapor separation, then the device structure is simple and mature, but it cannot produce a cyclone vortex that causes separation in gases by mass
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the system by introducing cryogenic temperatures and using liquid instead of gas as the working fluid. This parameter change enables the formation of a cyclone vortex that can effectively separate vapors from carrier gases by mass, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and separation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of the carrier gas (condensation, desublimation) within the hydrocyclone at cryogenic temperatures. This phase transition mechanism enables effective vapor separation that cannot be achieved with conventional gas-phase hydrocyclones, while maintaining the simplicity of the hydrocyclone structure.
2Productivity
If cryogenic temperatures are used for vapor separation, then vapor capture efficiency improves, but deposition and desublimation on surfaces occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the mechanical energy of the cyclone vortex flow to prevent deposition and desublimation on surfaces. The continuous motion and turbulence generated by the vortex keep vapor molecules in suspension and prevent them from settling on cold surfaces, thus eliminating the harmful deposition effect while maintaining high vapor capture efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs the hydraulic principles of liquid flow and the pneumatic principles of gas-vapor mixture behavior within the hydrocyclone. The liquid-phase cryogenic medium creates a vortex flow that effectively captures vapors through mass separation while the flow dynamics prevent unwanted deposition on surfaces.
3Reliability
If gas injection nozzles are added to create cyclone vortex, then vapor separation capability is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the hydrocyclone device multi-functional by enabling it to perform both liquid circulation and gas-vapor separation functions. The same hydrocyclone structure that circulates the cryogenic liquid also serves as the vapor separation device, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall device complexity despite the added vapor separation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the liquid circulation system and vapor separation system into a single integrated hydrocyclone device. By combining these functions into one device, the patent achieves effective vapor separation without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same structural elements serve multiple purposes.
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
Effectively removes vapors like carbon dioxide from carrier gases by enhancing the cyclone vortex flow, preventing deposition and desublimation, and improving vapor capture and retention, thereby enabling efficient gas-vapor separation in cryogenic processes.
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 hydrocyclone is provided comprising a vessel having a generally cylindrical shape with a generally circular cross-section; a tangential feed inlet for a cryogenic liquid... such that injected fluids form a tangential flow and a cyclone vortex
Implementation Method 5
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
Data Source
AI summary
A method for separating a vapor from a carrier gas is disclosed. A hydrocyclone is provided with one or more nozzles on the wall of the hydrocyclone. A cryogenic liquid is provided to the tangential feed inlet at a velocity that induces a tangential flow and a cyclone vortex in the hydrocyclone. The carrier gas is injected into the hydrocyclone through the one or more nozzles. 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 the vortex finder while the vapor-enriched cryogenic liquid is drawn through the apex nozzle outlet. In this manner, the vapor is removed from the carrier gas.