Flexible Screen Radial Flow Adsorption Vessel Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Radial flow adsorption vessels face increased costs, pressure drop, reduced adsorbent utilization, and maintenance challenges due to the use of rigid porous walls, which lead to non-uniform adsorbent layers and decreased separation efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The use of flexible screens affixed to cylindrical porous walls via separate standoff elements provides structural support, allowing for uniform adsorbent layer depths and easy maintenance, while compensating for dimensional deviations in the walls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If rigid porous walls made from perforated metal plates are used in radial flow adsorption vessels, then structural strength and shape stability are improved, but manufacturing cost increases, pressure drop increases, and adsorbent utilization decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces rigid perforated metal plates with flexible porous walls made from sintered metal or plastic mesh. These flexible porous walls achieve the necessary structural strength while reducing manufacturing costs and eliminating the shadowing effect associated with rigid plates. The flexibility allows the walls to conform to cylindrical shapes without requiring welding, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Stability of the object's composition

If rigid porous walls made from perforated metal plates are used in radial flow adsorption vessels, then shape stability is improved, but pressure drop increases and adsorbent utilization decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshape stabilityVSAvoidpressure drop

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible porous walls made from sintered metal or plastic mesh provide sufficient shape stability to maintain the structural integrity of the adsorption vessel while their flexible nature reduces flow resistance. This eliminates the high pressure drop associated with rigid perforated plates, thereby improving adsorbent utilization by allowing more uniform fluid distribution through the adsorbent bed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Strength

If rigid porous walls are used, then structural support is provided, but maintenance difficulty increases due to difficulty in removing and replacing components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidmaintenance difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the adsorption vessel into modular segments separated by flexible porous walls. These walls can be independently removed and replaced without requiring the disassembly of the entire vessel structure. The segmentation principle allows for easy maintenance and repair of individual components while maintaining overall structural support through the modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Strength

If welded construction methods are used to form cylindrical porous walls, then structural integrity is improved, but manufacturing precision decreases due to weld distortion and out-of-round conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoiddimensional accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible porous walls are formed into cylindrical shapes without requiring welding operations. The flexibility of the material allows it to be conformally shaped and assembled into cylinders, eliminating weld distortion and out-of-round conditions. This results in superior dimensional accuracy and manufacturing precision while maintaining structural integrity through the flexible nature of the material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 the uniformity of adsorbent layers, prevents early contaminant breakthrough, and simplifies maintenance by allowing for easy removal and replacement of components, thereby improving the efficiency and reliability of the adsorption process.

Implementation Method 1

one or more fluid permeable screens which are rigidly connected to the at least one cylindrical porous wall by a multitude of separate standoff elements

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 2

at least one cylindrical porous wall disposed co-axially inside the shell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPorosity: Porosity

Implementation Method 3

fluid permeable screens...so that the screen has a cylindrical shape co-axial to the shell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical Containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS10994238B2Radial flow adsorption vessel comprising flexible screen

Publication Date: 2021.05.04 AIR PROD & CHEM INC

AI summary

The present invention pertains to a radial flow adsorption vessel comprising a cylindrical outer shell and at least one cylindrical porous wall disposed co-axially inside the shell, wherein inside the shell one or more fluid permeable screens are rigidly connected to the at least one cylindrical porous wall, by a multitude of separate standoff elements so that the screen has a cylindrical shape co-axial to the shell, and to an adsorption process using the radial flow adsorption vessel.