Distribution Tray Filtration Device for Co-Current Downflow Reactors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reactors with fixed catalytic beds face issues with blockages due to heavy liquid loads containing impurities, leading to reduced interstitial volume and pressure losses, which complicates maintenance and requires frequent replacement of filtration systems.
Innovation Solution
Integrating a filtration device directly onto the distribution plate, which is permeable to fluids while retaining particles, simplifies installation and maintenance by eliminating the need for additional fixing systems and allows for continued fluid flow even when the filtration device becomes clogged.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate filtration system is installed upstream of the reactor, then impurities are retained, but the device complexity and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filtration device is merged with the distribution plate by integrating the filtration function directly into the plate structure. The distribution plate is perforated with orifices that serve dual purposes: distributing fluid and supporting filtration elements. This combination eliminates the need for separate filtration systems and their associated mounting structures, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining impurity retention capability.
2Reliability
If a bulky filtration tray is installed inside the reactor, then impurities are collected, but the replacement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filtration function is segmented into individual filtration elements that can be independently accessed and replaced. Each filtration element is positioned at a specific orifice location on the distribution plate, allowing for targeted replacement of only the clogged element rather than the entire filtration system. This segmentation significantly reduces replacement complexity and maintenance time.
3Ease of operation
If multiple plate elements are used in the distribution tray, then fluid distribution is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution plate is designed with multi-functionality by integrating both fluid distribution and filtration functions into a single component. The plate elements are perforated with orifices that serve dual purposes: distributing fluid across the catalytic bed and supporting filtration elements. This universal design improves fluid distribution while avoiding the complexity of separate filtration components and their mounting systems.
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
This solution reduces the bulk and complexity of filtration systems, simplifies logistics, and ensures continuous fluid circulation by providing alternative paths for fluid flow, thereby reducing downtime and maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
at least one filtration element permeable to the fluid while retaining any particles carried by the fluid
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The invention relates to a particle filtration device (20) for a reactor (10), said reactor defining a fluid inlet (17), receiving a granular bed (11) and being provided with a distribution tray (12) comprising a plate member (13) between said fluid inlet and said granular bed, said plate member defining openings (19) for the fluid to flow towards the granular bed, the distribution tray being sized and arranged inside the reactor such that the fluids injected via said fluid inlet are forced to pass through said openings of the tray in order to reach said granular bed, the filtration device comprising at least one filter element (21) that is permeable to the fluid while retaining any particles entrained by the fluid, wherein the filtration device is arranged to be installed on the distribution tray, so that said at least one filtering member is on a possible flow path (F) of the fluid towards or from a corresponding clearance of at least one opening of the plate member.