Fluidized Bed Heat Exchanger with Triangular Tube Bundle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluidized bed heat exchangers for catalyst regeneration in catalytic cracking processes face challenges in compactness and risk of pin movement due to fluidization, with inefficiencies in thermal exchange and mechanical protection.

Innovation Solution

A fluidized bed solids exchanger with a steam generation bundle immersed in a fluidized bed, featuring a triangular pattern of bayonet and parallel tubes, protected by a high-density anti-abrasion jacket, allowing for controlled heat exchange and reduced turbulence, thus enhancing compactness and thermal efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a fluidized bed heat exchanger is used for catalyst regeneration, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but the risk of pin movement and mechanical protection issues increase due to fluidization turbulence

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat exchange efficiencyVSAvoidpin movement risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible mesh cage structure surrounding the pins (heat exchange tubes) in the fluidized bed heat exchanger. This mesh cage acts as a protective shell that constrains the pins against movement caused by fluidization turbulence, while allowing the flexible structure to accommodate the dynamic fluidized bed environment without restricting heat exchange effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Productivity

If the number of tubes in the exchange bundle is increased to improve thermal efficiency, then compactness is improved, but the mechanical protection and abrasion resistance become more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal efficiencyVSAvoidabrasion

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible mesh cage encloses multiple tubes in a compact bundle configuration, providing mechanical protection against abrasion from fluidized catalyst particles. The mesh structure allows dense tube packing for high thermal efficiency while protecting all tubes uniformly from mechanical damage and wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The heat exchange bundle combines multiple materials with complementary properties: tubes made of heat-resistant alloy for thermal efficiency, surrounded by a flexible mesh cage material that provides mechanical protection and abrasion resistance, creating a composite structure that addresses both thermal and mechanical requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 exchanger achieves improved compactness and thermal efficiency by optimizing the spatial distribution of tubes and providing mechanical protection, leading to better heat control and reduced abrasion, enhancing the regeneration process.

Implementation Method 1

A fluidized bed solids exchanger with a steam generation bundle immersed in a fluidized bed, featuring a triangular pattern of bayonet and parallel tubes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

A fluidized bed solids exchanger with a steam generation bundle immersed in a fluidized bed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluidization: Fluidisation

Implementation Method 3

an assembly of longitudinal tubes grouped into fours, a central bayonet type tube divided at its lower end into three tubes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentUS10377955B2Device for cooling heat transfer solid for precisely controlling the temperature, said device optionally being associated with an endothermic or exothermic process

Publication Date: 2019.08.13 AXENS SA

AI summary

The present invention describes a device for controlling cooling of a heat transfer solid supplying or withdrawing heat to or from a unit carrying out globally endothermic or exothermic reactions respectively. The exchange bundle of said device is in a triangular pattern.