Cylindrical Vane Inlet for Uniform Feed Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vane inlet devices are inefficient due to their rectangular cross-section design, leading to uneven distribution of the feed stream, higher pressure drop, and complex assembly processes, making them cumbersome and difficult to retrofit into existing vessels.
Innovation Solution
A cylindrically-shaped vane inlet apparatus with progressively smaller apertures and evenly spaced vanes, supported by flanges and stabilization rods, allowing for uniform distribution of the feed stream and simplified installation through a cylindrical inlet opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If rectangular cross-section chambers with vertically-oriented vanes are used, then the device can redirect flow from the chamber, but the feed stream is unevenly contacted along the length of the device and corners receive little to none of the feed stream
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by transitioning from rectangular cross-section chambers to cylindrical cross-section chambers. The cylindrical shape ensures that the circular feed stream contacts all vanes uniformly along the length of the device, eliminating dead zones in corners and improving distribution uniformity while maintaining separation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetry in the vane aperture sizes, with successive vanes having progressively smaller apertures. This asymmetric design compensates for the varying flow distribution along the device length, ensuring that each vane receives and redirects an appropriate portion of the feed stream for optimal separation efficiency.
2Productivity
If large cross section devices are used to handle high velocity feed streams, then the device can process the feed stream, but it blocks off a substantial portion of the tank area causing higher pressure drop and locally higher turbulence
Solution Approach 1:
The cylindrical cross-section design reduces flow separation and turbulence compared to rectangular chambers. The curved surfaces guide the feed stream more smoothly, reducing local turbulence and pressure drop while maintaining the device's ability to handle high velocity feed streams effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The device segments the feed stream processing across multiple vanes with progressively smaller apertures. This segmentation allows the device to handle high velocity streams efficiently while distributing the flow management across multiple stages, reducing the harmful effects of pressure drop and turbulence.
3Ease of operation
If vertically-oriented vanes with substantial vertical leading edges are used, then the device can redirect flow, but the vanes nearer to the inlet slice off smaller portions of the feed stream than distal vanes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by designing successive vanes with progressively smaller apertures. This asymmetric configuration ensures that proximal vanes with larger apertures can handle the higher flow volume near the inlet, while distal vanes with smaller apertures appropriately manage the reduced flow, achieving uniform flow distribution across all vanes.
4Reliability
If complex assembly systems with many components and small parts are used, then the vanes can be secured within the device, but the device becomes cumbersome to manufacture and assemble requiring workers to enter process vessels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple components into integrated structures. The cylindrical chamber design allows vanes to be directly mounted to the chamber wall without requiring separate support structures, bolts, and washers. This merging of functions simplifies manufacturing and assembly while maintaining reliable vane securing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the complex assembly system of multiple small parts and replaces it with a simplified design where vanes are directly attached to the cylindrical chamber. This extraction eliminates the need for workers to enter process vessels for assembly while maintaining the reliability of vane securing.
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 achieves more efficient separation of feed stream components with reduced pressure drop and turbulence, and is easier to manufacture, assemble, and install, reducing the need for complex assembly and minimizing risks during installation.
Implementation Method 1
As the feed stream enters the tank and is redirected by the vanes, the liquid tends to separate into droplets that settle into the tank while the gas rises above the liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A vane inlet apparatus is provided for separating components of a feed stream. The apparatus includes a body having an axis, a proximal end, and a distal end. The body includes an inlet and a plurality of vanes disposed along the axis. Each vane includes an aperture such that the apertures in successive vanes decrease in size toward the distal end of the apparatus. The vanes may be flat or curved. The sizes, shaped, and orientation of the vanes along the apparatus may be determined according to the designed specifications of a particular project. The apparatus as well as the vanes and apertures are preferably cylindrically shaped to match the incoming feed stream cross-section. A method of constructing the vane inlet apparatus is also provided.