Dynamic Froth Absorber Using Pulsing Screens

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional absorbers have limitations such as static, fixed surface areas, short fluid contact times, high material costs, susceptibility to fouling, and inefficiencies due to channeling and maldistribution of fluids, which restrict their absorption efficiency and scalability.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a dynamic, froth-based absorber system that induces and maintains 'solvent pulsing' through rapidly changing solvent surfaces, utilizing specially shaped screens to fragment solvent into micro-droplets and bubbles, and employing co-current flow to maximize contact time and concentration gradients, while preventing clogging and reducing material usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If conventional static packing is used to provide surface area for absorption, then a fixed surface area is achieved, but the surface area cannot be dynamically increased to enhance mass transfer efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface area for mass transferVSAvoidfixed surface area

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static packing surface into a dynamic froth interface by introducing gas sparging that continuously renews the liquid surface. The froth layer creates a moving, regenerating interface between gas and liquid phases, replacing the fixed packing surface with a dynamic mass transfer zone that continuously renews active surface area through bubble formation and froth collapse.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes gas sparging that creates bubble formation and collapse cycles within the liquid froth layer. These phase transitions (gas dissolving into liquid, bubble formation, and froth collapse) continuously regenerate the liquid surface, creating fresh mass transfer interface areas that replace the static packing surface and enhance overall mass transfer efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

2Quantity of substance

If counter-flow arrangement is used to maximize concentration gradient, then absorption driving force is improved, but the contact time between gas and liquid surfaces is minimized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconcentration gradientVSAvoidfluid contact time

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces periodic gas sparging that creates cyclic bubble formation and froth collapse patterns. This periodic action allows the system to maintain counter-flow concentration gradients while periodically renewing the liquid surface, thereby extending effective contact time through multiple renewal cycles rather than a single pass, resolving the time-loss limitation of conventional counter-flow designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If large surface area packing is used to facilitate absorption, then mass transfer capacity is increased, but the packing becomes susceptible to fouling and requires significant height

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabsorption capacityVSAvoidfouling susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces static packing with a dynamic froth system where gas sparging continuously renews the liquid surface and prevents fouling accumulation. The constant motion and collapse-reformation cycles of the froth layer prevent dirt and impurities from adhering to surfaces, eliminating the fouling susceptibility inherent in static packing while maintaining high absorption capacity through continuous surface regeneration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 significantly enhances absorption efficiency by creating a constantly renewed, large surface area for mass transfer, prevents clogging, and allows for larger, more efficient absorber designs with reduced material costs, overcoming the limitations of conventional absorbers.

Implementation Method 1

solvent bubbles and droplets are intentionally caused to burst and are formed and shattered, at a rapid rate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension: Surface Tension

Implementation Method 2

The present invention also differs significantly from the prior art in that it maximizes the time period of contact between gas and solvent by using a concurrent (or co-current) flow as opposed to a counter flow technique

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

the applicants have identified and utilized in the most preferred embodiment the hydrodynamic phenomenon described below as 'solvent pulsing'

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrodynamic phenomenon:

Data Source

PatentUS9545598B2Absorber

Publication Date: 2017.01.17 IND CLIMATE SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

An absorber is provided which uses a liquid solvent formed into a myriad of bubbles and micro-droplets. The solvent froth is a solvent for a selected component in an incoming gas stream. A plurality of spaced apart mesh assemblies is placed in one or more absorber tubes or in a reaction vessel. Using screens having cross-sections that are substantially rectangular wave in design together with proper operating parameters, the phenomenon of solvent pulsing is induced and maintained, maximizing efficiency of the absorber.