Cyclone Nozzle Dispersion Medium Replacement for Acid Crystals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for replacing the dispersion medium in slurries containing terephthalic or isophthalic acid crystals are inefficient, leading to non-uniform dispersion and clogging issues, which hinder the production of high-purity acids due to impurities remaining in the crystals and increased production costs.

Innovation Solution

A cyclone-shaped nozzle is used to tangentially feed the starting slurry, allowing it to move circularly and discharge uniformly into a second dispersion medium, preventing clogging and ensuring stable operation by utilizing centrifugal force for efficient dispersion medium replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a conventional dispersion medium replacement method is used, then the process is simple, but the dispersion is non-uniform and clogging occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniformity of dispersionVSAvoidcomplexity of replacement apparatus

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a cyclone-shaped nozzle with curved surfaces to generate centrifugal force. The circular cross-section and spiral flow path create uniform dispersion of crystals while preventing clogging through the cyclonic motion pattern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes fluid dynamics principles by feeding slurry tangentially into the cyclone nozzle, creating a vortex flow that generates centrifugal force. This hydraulic approach achieves uniform dispersion without mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Manufacturing precision

If the starting slurry is fed directly into the replacement tank, then the apparatus is simple, but the crystals are not uniformly dispersed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniform dispersion of crystalsVSAvoidsimplicity of feeding process

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cyclone-shaped nozzle with its curved geometry converts the tangential feed into a rotational flow pattern, ensuring uniform distribution of crystals throughout the dispersion medium without requiring complex feeding mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The cyclonic motion created by the nozzle generates a dynamic flow pattern that continuously moves crystals through the dispersion medium, achieving uniform dispersion through the motion rather than static mixing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

3Reliability

If the cyclone-shaped nozzle is used, then uniform dispersion is achieved, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of operationVSAvoidstructure of nozzle system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cyclone nozzle's curved geometry is a single integrated component that achieves multiple functions: generating centrifugal force, creating uniform dispersion patterns, and preventing clogging through the cyclonic flow path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The cyclone-shaped nozzle serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it acts as a feed device, a mixing device, a dispersion device, and a clogging-prevention mechanism, reducing the need for separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 method achieves uniform dispersion of terephthalic or isophthalic acid crystals in the horizontal direction, preventing impurities from being incorporated into the crystals and reducing production costs by maintaining apparatus efficiency over time.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

The starting slurry which moves circularly is discharged from the opening, thereby dispersing the starting slurry in the second dispersion medium.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal separation: Centrifugal Separation

Data Source

PatentUS9144750B2Method of replacing dispersion medium and apparatus therefor

Publication Date: 2015.09.29 MITSUBISHI GAS CHEM CO INC

AI summary

A method of replacing a first dispersion medium, in a starting slurry composed of the first dispersion medium and either terephthalic acid crystals or isophthalic acid crystals, with a second dispersion medium, and apparatus therefore. The starting slurry is tangentially fed to a vertically extending cylindrical portion of a cyclone-shaped nozzle disposed at an upper portion of a replacement tank of a dispersion medium replacement apparatus, from a tangential direction of the cylindrical portion, and moves circularly along an inner wall of the cylindrical portion. The slurry circularly moving is then discharged from an opening which is disposed at a vertically lower end of the cylindrical portion and dispersed in a second dispersion medium which is fed from a lower portion of the replacement tank.