Gas-Liquid Contact Column Layout for Floating Platform Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing units for establishing contact between a liquid and a gas on floating platforms, such as those used in offshore hydrocarbon exploitation, are sensitive to movements, leading to irregular liquid distribution and reduced effectiveness due to the need for tall vertical tubes to maintain uniformity, resulting in bulkier and heavier equipment that is difficult to manage in tight environments.
Innovation Solution
A unit with alternating series of contact sections and connecting ducts that allow separate liquid circulation, using structured or random packing, and pressurized distributors with connecting ducts that minimize space and maintain uniformity, reducing the height requirements and enabling effective operation on floating platforms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traditional liquid distributors with open chutes are used, then the structure is simple, but the liquid distribution becomes irregular due to platform movements
Solution Approach 1:
The distributor is segmented into multiple independent closed chutes instead of a single open chute. Each chute operates independently with its own liquid level control, allowing the system to maintain uniform distribution across the entire cross-section even when the platform moves and changes the overall liquid level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses short vertical tubes (replacing tall tubes) that are sufficient to maintain liquid level above distribution holes during platform movement. This reduces the height requirement while maintaining functionality, effectively using a shorter, more compact version of the traditional tall tube approach.
2Manufacturing precision
If tall vertical tubes are used to maintain uniform liquid distribution, then distribution uniformity is improved, but the equipment becomes bulkier and heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single tall vertical tube design to multiple short vertical tubes arranged across the distributor cross-section. This dimensional redistribution allows each tube to be shorter while collectively maintaining distribution uniformity across the entire area, reducing overall equipment height and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the distributor into multiple independent chutes with individual vertical tubes, the system achieves uniform distribution without requiring each tube to be extremely tall. The segmented approach distributes the liquid level maintenance function across multiple points rather than relying on a single tall tube.
3Device complexity
If traditional open chutes are used, then the structure is simple, but liquid level varies with platform movement causing irregular distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The closed chute design with controlled liquid levels adapts dynamically to platform movement. When the platform tilts or moves, the liquid level in each closed chute remains stable relative to its distribution holes, ensuring consistent flow patterns regardless of the overall platform orientation changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses short vertical tubes (replacing tall tubes) that are sufficient to maintain liquid level above distribution holes during platform movement. This reduces the height requirement while maintaining functionality, effectively using a shorter, more compact version of the traditional tall tube approach.
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple separate liquid circulation systems are used for alternating contact sections, then liquid distribution uniformity is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The column is segmented into alternating contact sections (first series and second series) with separate liquid circulation paths. This segmentation allows independent optimization of liquid distribution in each series, maintaining uniformity even when the platform moves, as each series can be independently controlled and balanced.
Solution Approach 2:
While the circulation systems are separate, the gas flow path merges through both series of contact sections. This allows the system to benefit from separate liquid circulation control (maintaining uniformity) while using a single integrated gas processing path, reducing overall complexity compared to completely separate systems.
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 solution allows for efficient gas-liquid contact while reducing equipment size and weight, maintaining uniform liquid distribution and reducing the need for frequent liquid redistribution, thus overcoming the limitations of traditional systems and providing a more balanced and manageable setup for floating platforms.
Implementation Method 1
The complex shape ensures good contact between the liquid and the vapor
Implementation Method 2
Each of these holes is across from a secondary chute that it feeds with liquid. The secondary chutes, the bottoms of which are in turn pierced with distribution holes, ensure uniform spraying of the cross-section of the column
Implementation Method 3
the liquid level established inside is also subject to the movements of the FPSO. As a result, depending on the incline, the distribution holes are covered by a higher or lower liquid level
Data Source
AI summary
A unit for establishing contact between a liquid and a gas includes: a chamber having a vertical axis; a first series of contact sections disposed along the length of the vertical axis of the chamber; a second series of contact sections disposed along the length of the vertical axis of the chamber, alternated with the contact sections of the first series; and a liquid circulation system designed to circulate a liquid in the contact sections of the first series and in the contact sections of the second series in a separate manner.