Flat-Jet Liquid Distributor for Process Columns
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid distributors in process-technology columns are prone to clogging with dirty liquids, have limited operational range, and cause excessive pressure drops and irregular gas distribution, with full-cone nozzles leading to drop entrainment by rising gas flows.
Innovation Solution
The use of flat-jet nozzles that produce a flat jet impinging on a drain element, minimizing cross-sectional area occupation, reducing pressure drop, and orienting nozzles to direct jets downwardly to minimize entrainment, with adjustable parameters for optimal liquid distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If full-cone nozzles are used to spray liquid over the entire column cross-section, then liquid distribution coverage is improved, but drop entrainment by rising gas flow increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from full-cone nozzles producing radially symmetric spray patterns to flat-jet nozzles producing planar spray patterns. This dimensional change in spray geometry allows the liquid to be distributed across the column cross-section while reducing the vertical dispersion that causes drop entrainment by rising gas flows.
Solution Approach 2:
The flat-jet nozzle creates an asymmetric spray pattern where the liquid is distributed in a flattened, directional jet rather than a symmetric cone. This asymmetric geometry concentrates the liquid distribution in a controlled manner that covers the column cross-section while minimizing upward droplet carryover.
2Productivity
If channel distributors with small bore diameters are used to limit volume flow, then liquid delivery control is improved, but clogging by polluted liquids increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the liquid delivery system from small bore diameters to flat-jet nozzle configurations. This parameter change maintains volume flow control capability while increasing resistance to clogging by polluted liquids, as the flat-jet geometry is less susceptible to blockage by particulate matter.
3Area of stationary object
If distributor trays are used to distribute liquid, then liquid distribution is improved, but free cross-section reduction and pressure drop increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the liquid distribution function from traditional distributor trays that occupy significant column cross-section area. By using flat-jet nozzles mounted on a minimal-support structure, the liquid distribution capability is retained while removing the tray structure that causes free cross-section reduction and associated pressure drops.
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 design enhances operational range, reduces pressure drop, minimizes drop entrainment, and ensures uniform liquid distribution across the column cross-section, maintaining efficiency even with dirty liquids.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic nozzle in which the liquid under pressure is pressed through a small opening and is accelerated outwardly at high speed
Implementation Method 2
the flat jet produced by them impinges on a drain element which is arranged on the liquid distributor and on which the liquid of the flat jet can drain away
Data Source
AI summary
A process-technology column including a novel liquid distributor which is to be as insensitive as possible to dirt or solids carried in the liquid and which can be operated over a load range as great as possible without the possibility of the delivered liquid being excessively easily entrained by the gas flow which rises in the column is provided. The liquid distributor includes a liquid feed for conducting a liquid and at least 2 nozzles connected thereto for producing a respective liquid jet. The nozzles are flat-jet nozzles for producing a respective flat jet. The flat-jet nozzles are so oriented that the flat jet produced by them impinges on a drain element which is arranged at the liquid distributor and at which the liquid of the flat jet can drain away.