Extractor Countercurrent Solvent Pumping for Uniform Bed Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solvent extraction processes in extractors face inefficiencies due to non-uniform bed geometry, leading to variations in solvent flow and extraction time across different locations within the material bed.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a countercurrent solvent pumping system within the extractor, which includes a housing with a conveyor assembly and multiple recycle stages, ensures thorough solvent communication through the material bed by pumping solvent upward through the conveyor assembly as it moves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If solvent is poured over a bed of material in conventional extractors, then the material is transported from inlet to outlet, but the bed geometry is non-uniform causing variations in solvent flow and extraction efficiency across different locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional solvent flow direction by pumping solvent upward through the conveyor assembly from bottom to top, counter to the material flow direction. This countercurrent flow pattern ensures that solvent enters the bed at the outlet end and moves toward the inlet end, providing more uniform distribution across the bed geometry and improving extraction efficiency throughout the entire material bed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a hydraulic pump system to force solvent upward through the conveyor assembly and material bed. This hydraulic approach enables controlled, high-velocity solvent flow that penetrates the non-uniform bed structure more effectively than gravity-driven flow, ensuring thorough solvent communication across all locations of the material bed.
2Productivity
If solvent flow rate is increased to improve extraction speed, then extraction time is reduced, but solvent distribution uniformity across the bed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By reversing the solvent flow direction to move upward through the conveyor assembly, the system achieves both high flow rates and uniform distribution. The countercurrent flow pattern allows solvent to penetrate the bed from the outlet end, ensuring that even high-velocity flow distributes uniformly across the entire bed cross-section rather than channeling through preferential paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces multiple solvent injection points along the conveyor assembly at different locations within the extraction chamber. This localized injection strategy ensures that solvent is introduced at multiple positions simultaneously, creating uniform distribution across the bed while maintaining high overall flow rates for rapid extraction.
3Ease of operation
If conventional downward solvent flow is used, then the system is simpler to operate, but extraction time is longer due to less thorough solvent communication through the material bed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a hydraulic pump system to force solvent upward through the conveyor assembly, creating high-velocity flow that thoroughly penetrates the material bed. This hydraulic approach accelerates solvent-mat erial contact and mass transfer, significantly reducing extraction time compared to conventional gravity-driven downward flow, while the pump system remains relatively simple to operate.
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 approach enhances extraction efficiency by ensuring uniform solvent distribution and accelerated extraction processes, thereby improving the economic efficiency of extractor operations.
Implementation Method 1
a pump (702) positioned within the housing and configured to move the solvent upward through the conveyor assembly
Implementation Method 2
The solvent dissolves and separates, or extracts oil in the flakes
Data Source
AI summary
An extractor with a housing, conveyor assembly, and a plurality of recycle stages which are configured to direct a flow of solvent or miscella upwardly through a material bed.