External Downcomer Tube Arrangement for Radiant Syngas Cooler
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radiant syngas coolers with tubes disposed within an inner annular space do not effectively participate in heat transfer and increase construction costs due to the larger diameter required.
Innovation Solution
The radiant syngas cooler design positions downcomer tubes circumferentially around the outer shell, allowing for a reduced inner diameter, easier relocation, and simplified piping, with external tubes made of lower-cost materials and internal components made of high-nickel alloys for efficient heat exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tubes are disposed within the inner annular space of the radiant syngas cooler, then the cooling function is provided, but the tubes do not effectively participate in heat transfer and construction costs increase due to larger diameter required
Solution Approach 1:
The downcomer tubes are extracted from the inner annular space and repositioned to extend externally from the outer shell of the radiant syngas cooler. This extraction allows the tubes to be positioned where they can effectively participate in heat transfer while reducing the required inner diameter of the cooler, thereby lowering construction costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The downcomer tubes transition from a two-dimensional arrangement within the annular space to a three-dimensional configuration that extends externally from the cooler. This dimensional change enables the tubes to access both the syngas flow path and the cooling medium supply, improving heat transfer efficiency without increasing the cooler's footprint.
2Reliability
If tubes are disposed within the inner annular space, then the cooling function is provided, but the diameter of the cooler increases adding to construction costs
Solution Approach 1:
The downcomer tubes are extracted from the inner annular space and repositioned to extend externally from the outer shell. This extraction eliminates the need for the tubes to occupy space within the annular region, allowing for a reduced inner diameter of the cooler while maintaining the cooling function.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of positioning the downcomer tubes inside the cooler to provide cooling, the invention inverts the arrangement by positioning them externally. The tubes extend from the outer shell into the annular space, reversing the conventional approach and achieving both cooling functionality and compact dimensions.
3Ease of manufacture
If external downcomer tubes are used, then lower-cost materials can be used for external components, but the piping complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different material qualities to different parts of the system: external downcomer tubes use lower-cost materials suitable for external conditions, while internal components that contact syngas use high-nickel alloys for high-temperature resistance. This local differentiation optimizes both cost and performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The piping system is segmented into external and internal portions with distinct material specifications and functional requirements. The external downcomer tubes are separated from the internal heat exchange components, allowing independent material selection and simplifying the overall system design despite the extended configuration.
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 configuration enhances heat transfer efficiency, reduces construction costs, and allows for the use of lower-cost materials for external components while maintaining high-temperature resistance for internal components, improving operational stability and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
The heat exchange tube enables heat exchange between the syngas and the cooling medium to cool the syngas
Implementation Method 2
The hot syngas transfers heat to a cooling fluid flowing through the plurality of platen tubes
Implementation Method 3
The downcomer tube includes a downflow portion positioned outside of the annular space of the radiant syngas cooler. The downflow portion is fluidly coupled to a header, and the header fluidly couples the downcomer tube to the heat exchange tube
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a radiant syngas cooler which receives and cools syngas generated in a gasifier. The radiant syngas cooler includes an outer shell of the radiant syngas cooler defining an annular space of the radiant syngas cooler and a heat exchange tube of the radiant syngas cooler positioned within the annular space and configured to flow a cooling medium. The heat exchange tube is configured to enable heat exchange between the syngas and the cooling medium to cool the syngas. The radiant syngas cooler includes a downcomer tube of the radiant syngas cooler which supplies the cooling medium to the heat exchange tube, where the downcomer tube includes a downflow portion positioned outside of the annular space of the radiant syngas cooler. The downflow portion is fluidly coupled to a header, and the header fluidly couples the downcomer tube to the heat exchange tube.