Diffuser Assembly Porous Inlet Redistributes Supercritical Solvent Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Supercritical fluid extraction in extraction vessels often experiences channeling of the extracting solvent, leading to uneven flow distribution and reduced extraction yield due to the solvent choosing the path of least resistance through the packed matrix.
Innovation Solution
A diffuser assembly with a housing, inlet, and outlet structures having porosity, and seals to prevent bypassing, redistributes the flow of the extracting solvent, ensuring a more even distribution and preventing channeling by incorporating static and dynamic seals that secure the diffuser assembly within the extraction vessel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the extracting solvent is passed through the packed matrix without a diffuser assembly, then the extraction process is simple, but channeling occurs and flow distribution becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
A diffuser assembly is introduced as an intermediary component between the inlet and the packed matrix. The diffuser assembly includes a housing with inlet and outlet structures that redistribute the extracting solvent flow before it enters the packed matrix, preventing channeling and improving flow distribution uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser assembly incorporates porous inlet and outlet structures that facilitate the redistribution of extracting solvent flow. These porous structures allow the solvent to be distributed more uniformly across the packed matrix cross-section, preventing channeling while maintaining extraction efficiency.
2Productivity
If seals are added to prevent solvent bypassing the diffuser assembly, then flow distribution improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser assembly incorporates seals (such as O-rings or gaskets) that create flexible sealing interfaces between the diffuser housing and the extraction vessel wall, and between the inlet/outlet structures and the housing. These seals prevent the extracting solvent from bypassing the diffuser assembly while allowing for thermal expansion and assembly tolerances.
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 diffuser assembly increases the extraction yield by ensuring a more even flow distribution of the solvent through the packed matrix, reducing channeling and enhancing the contact between the solvent and the matrix, thereby increasing the amount of material extracted.
Implementation Method 1
The inlet structure and the outlet structure each have a porosity configured for passage of the extracting solvent therethrough
Implementation Method 2
The one or more seals are fixed seals (meaning the seal securely connects the diffuser to a body of the extraction vessel in a fixed position)
Implementation Method 3
The one or more seals are moveable or dynamic (meaning the seals allow the diffuser assembly to securely contact the body of the extraction vessel and block a passage way of the extracting solvent, but do not fix the diffuser assembly to a singular position)
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary embodiments are directed to a diffuser assembly configured to be disposed in an extraction path of an extracting solvent in an extraction vessel. The diffuser assembly includes a housing configured to be disposed within the extraction vessel, the housing including an inner surface and an outer surface. The diffuser assembly includes an inlet structure disposed within the housing. The diffuser assembly includes an outlet structure disposed within the housing and spaced from the inlet structure to form a mixing chamber between the inlet structure and the outlet structure. The inlet structure and the outlet structure each have a porosity configured for passage of the extracting solvent therethrough. Passage of the extracting solvent through the inlet structure, the mixing chamber, and the outlet structure redistributes flow of the extracting solvent along the extraction path.