Fluidized Bed Contactor for Gas Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas-liquid contactors face limitations in maximizing mass and heat transfer efficiency due to constraints on pressure drop, surface area, and solids tolerance, particularly in applications involving high viscosity solvents or phase change behaviors, which require larger and more costly equipment.
Innovation Solution
A process utilizing a vessel with fluidizable packing, where a gas stream containing a targeted species is introduced at the bottom and an absorbent stream at the top, creating a fluidized bed that enhances turbulence and surface area for mass transfer, allowing for the absorption of the gas species and formation of a precipitate, while controlling flow rates to maintain efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional packed columns are used to increase contacting area, then mass transfer efficiency is improved, but pressure drop increases and equipment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the operating parameters by using a fluidized bed system where gas flows upward through liquid to create bubbles, transitioning from the conventional downward liquid flow regime. This parameter change allows achieving high mass transfer efficiency through bubble formation and rupture while maintaining lower pressure drops compared to packed columns operating at high liquid flows.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamic behavior by fluidizing the bed, where the liquid and gas phases are in continuous motion with bubbles forming, rising, and bursting. This dynamic operation creates renewed contact surfaces continuously, improving mass transfer efficiency without requiring the static high surface area of packed columns that would cause high pressure drops.
2Productivity
If packed columns operate at higher liquid flows to increase surface area contact, then mass transfer is improved, but the system becomes more sensitive to solids formation and requires cleaner fluids
Solution Approach 1:
The fluidized bed system operates with continuous motion of bubbles and liquid, creating a dynamic environment that prevents solids deposition and clogging. The constant agitation and flow patterns allow the system to handle fluids with solids formation without the sensitivity issues of conventional packed columns, maintaining high mass transfer rates even with less clean fluids.
3Productivity
If conventional contactors are used for high viscosity solvents or phase change materials, then equipment size must be increased, but this increases capital cost and reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the flow regime parameters by using upward gas flow through liquid to create bubbles, which enhances mixing and mass transfer even for high viscosity solvents. The bubble formation and rupture mechanism provides intense local mixing that overcomes the poor flow characteristics of viscous fluids, achieving high absorption efficiency in a compact volume without requiring oversized equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention exploits phase transition by forming gas bubbles that rise through the liquid phase and burst at the surface, creating continuous renewal of contact interfaces. This bubble-phase transition mechanism provides intense mass transfer that is particularly effective for high viscosity solvents and phase change materials, achieving high efficiency in compact equipment volumes.
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 increases mass and energy transfer rates, reduces pressure differential, and enables effective handling of solids, resulting in a more efficient and cost-effective contactor design that can handle a broader range of solvents, including those with higher viscosities or phase change behaviors.
Implementation Method 1
conveying the gas stream upwardly through the bed so as to fluidize the packing and form a fluidized bed within the vessel
Implementation Method 2
the absorbent stream absorbs the targeted gas species from the gas stream
Implementation Method 3
The process is based on mass transfer through a gas-liquid boundary layer
Implementation Method 4
creating a turbulent flow regime in the fluidized bed
Implementation Method 5
forms a precipitate that reduces the partial pressure of the targeted gas species in the absorbent stream
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a process and contactor vessel in which gas and liquid contact occurs to facilitate mass transfer therebetween. In one embodiment, the process includes a fluidised bed including mobile inert primary objects and secondary particles that facilitate turbulent mixing and enhanced gas/liquid surface area in the contactor.