FCC Injection Device Baffles for Pressure Drop Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydrocarbon charge injection devices face challenges with heavy loads, requiring significant pressure increases and increased atomization gas flow, leading to increased costs and potential negative impacts on reaction yield and equipment manufacturing.

Innovation Solution

An injection device with a hollow tubular body and internal baffles that extend only partially around the periphery, reducing pressure drop and maintaining efficient atomization without increasing atomization gas flow or pump power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a dispersion ring is placed inside the cylindrical body to redirect peripheral axial flow to the inside, then droplet mixture is facilitated, but the internal diameter reduction generates significant pressure loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedroplet mixtureVSAvoidpressure loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The single dispersion ring is segmented into multiple baffle elements (at least three baffles) distributed around the interior periphery of the contact chamber. This segmentation provides equivalent mixing functionality while distributing the flow resistance across multiple smaller obstacles rather than one large ring, thereby reducing overall pressure loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The baffles are positioned to extend only partially radially from the interior periphery toward the central axis, rather than forming a complete ring. This local quality approach provides mixing action where needed near the periphery while leaving the central flow path open, reducing pressure loss while maintaining droplet mixture stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If the flow of atomization gas is increased to atomize heavy loads, then atomization is improved, but treatment cost increases and reaction yield may be negatively impacted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveatomization efficiencyVSAvoidatomization gas flow
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The injection device uses the kinetic energy of the incoming liquid hydrocarbon load itself to drive the atomization process. The liquid jet impacts the centrally positioned target, generating droplets that are then divided by the peripheral baffles. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for additional atomization gas flow, maintaining productivity while avoiding the harmful effects of excessive gas injection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Stress or pressure

If pump power is increased to achieve desired pressure at injector output for heavy loads, then injection pressure is sufficient, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinjection pressureVSAvoidpump power
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The device changes the operational parameters by using the existing liquid load pressure to drive atomization through target impact rather than requiring additional pressurization. The baffle configuration optimizes the flow path to maintain sufficient injection pressure for heavy loads while minimizing the power required by feeding pumps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If large amounts of water vapor are injected for atomization, then atomization is enhanced, but effluent separation units must be oversized increasing manufacturing cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveatomization enhancementVSAvoideffluent separation unit size
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the liquid hydrocarbon load itself as the atomization medium through target impact, eliminating the need for additional water vapor injection. This self-service approach enhances atomization productivity while avoiding the need for oversized effluent separation units to handle excess water vapor condensation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 solution effectively atomizes heavy loads with reduced pressure drop and energy consumption, minimizing unwanted reactions and manufacturing costs while maintaining efficient fluid mixing.

Implementation Method 1

impact injection devices in which the load is introduced radially into the body and impacts a target located in the center of the body, generating the formation of droplets

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact force: Impact Force

Implementation Method 2

A circulating atomization gas axially makes it possible to cause these droplets by dividing them further towards the exit of the body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas flow division: Fluid Spray

Implementation Method 3

redirects a portion of the peripheral axial flow of gas and droplets to the inside of the body, which facilitates their mixture when moving up to the exit of the device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow redirection: Flow Separation

Implementation Method 4

This atomization makes it possible to maximize the liquid contact surface (liquid hydrocarbon load) -Solide (catalyst), which promotes heat transfer and thus the vaporization of these hydrocarbons

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 5

which promotes heat transfer and thus the vaporization of these hydrocarbons which then react in the gaseous phase

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3600646B1Fcc unit charge injection device with limited pressure drop
Publication Date: 2021.07.14 TOTAL RAFFINAGE CHIM
  • EP3600646B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3600646B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2f
  • EP3600646B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6

AI summary

The invention relates to an injection device (10) configured to atomize a liquid into droplets using a gas, comprising a hollow tubular body (12) of longitudinal direction (X). An internal wall (13) defines a first zone referred to as a contact zone (Z1) and a second zone (Z2). The body has: - at least a first and a second inlet opening (14; 16) opening into said first zone (Z1), so as to respectively inject a liquid and an atomizing gas, – at least one outlet orifice (18) situated downstream of the first and second zones, for removing the atomized liquid from the body. The internal wall (13) of the body is provided, between the zones (Z1) (Z2), with at least one chicane (20i) configured so that, in each plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the body containing said chicane, this chicane extends over just part of the periphery of the internal wall (13).