Removable Filtration Baskets for Catalytic Reactor Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Catalytic beds in chemical reactors operating in descending co-current gas and liquid mode face premature clogging due to impurities in the feed, leading to increased pressure drop, reduced contact times, and reactor downtime, with existing filtration systems being cumbersome to install and dismantle.
Innovation Solution
A filtration and distribution device featuring a solid distributor plate with vertical risers and removable baskets that support a filtration medium, allowing for easy assembly and dismantling, with the baskets being directly supported by the risers and facilitating precise adjustment of filtration medium height, enabling filtration and distribution of gas and liquid phases upstream of the catalytic bed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filtration system is disposed upstream of the catalytic bed to prevent clogging, then the reliability of the catalytic bed is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the filtration function and distribution function into a single integrated device. The distributor plate serves both to distribute gas-liquid mixture and to support the filtration medium, eliminating the need for separate filtration and distribution systems while maintaining both functions effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The distributor plate is designed with dual functionality: it acts as a support structure for the filtration medium and simultaneously serves as a distribution system with risers that deliver the gas-liquid mixture to the catalytic bed. This multi-functional design reduces overall system complexity while ensuring reliable operation
2Ease of operation
If a filtration plate with risers is used, then the distribution function is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates due to plugging risks near holes
Solution Approach 1:
The filtration medium is segmented into removable baskets that can be independently installed and removed. Each basket contains filtration material and can be handled separately, avoiding the need to manufacture complex integrated structures with holes that are prone to plugging during manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The filtration medium is extracted from the distributor plate structure and placed in separate removable baskets. This separation allows the distributor plate to be manufactured without complex hole patterns that cause plugging issues, while the filtration function is maintained through the removable baskets that can be easily installed and removed
3Ease of repair
If removable baskets with filtration medium are used, then the ease of repair is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The filtration medium is nested within removable baskets that are placed on the distributor plate. The baskets contain the filtration material and can be easily removed and replaced without disturbing the distributor plate or other components, simplifying maintenance while maintaining a compact overall structure
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 device reduces reactor downtime and minimizes risks during dismantling by simplifying installation and dismantling processes, maintaining flow homogeneity, and preventing clogging through effective filtration and distribution of the gas and liquid phases, ensuring continuous operation and reducing pressure drop issues.
Implementation Method 1
a filtration and distribution device... comprising a solid plate on which substantially vertical risers which are open at their upper and lower ends are fixed, said risers being provided with openings over at least a fraction of their height; a plurality of removable baskets capable of containing and retaining at least one filtration medium
Implementation Method 2
each basket being provided with at least one basket support means cooperating with a riser of the plate in order to support the removable basket, the vertical walls and/or the bottom being permeable to gas and to liquid
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns a device for filtration and distribution of a gaseous phase and a liquid phase, which can be disposed upstream of a fixed catalytic bed of a reactor operating with a descending co-current of gas and liquid, comprising:a solid plate on which substantially vertical risers are fixed, said risers are open at their upper and lower ends and have openings over at least a fraction of their height;a plurality of removable baskets capable of retaining at least one filtration medium, each removable basket being defined by an ellipsoidal vertical wall or by at least three vertical lateral walls and a bottom, the vertical walls and/or the bottom being permeable to a gas and to liquid.Each basket is provided support means cooperating with a riser of the plate in order to support the basket.