Gas-Liquid Distribution Tray with Restriction Orifices
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Solution Overview
Problem
In co-current gas-liquid upflow reactors, uniform gas distribution across the reactor cross-section is disrupted by rising gas bubbles, which negatively impacts the stability of the gas-liquid interface and tray performance.
Innovation Solution
A gas-liquid distribution tray with a tubular housing, cylindrical riser, and distribution plate featuring multiple chimneys with specific horizontal openings, where the gas space is above the liquid space, ensuring a stable interface and improved gas distribution through restriction orifices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If gas is distributed through restriction orifices on distributors located across the distribution tray, then gas distribution uniformity is improved, but gas bubbles traveling upwards disrupt the gas-liquid interface, worsening tray performance
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution tray is segmented into multiple independent distributors arranged across the tray surface. Each distributor acts as an independent unit with its own restriction orifices, allowing localized gas distribution control while maintaining overall system uniformity. This segmentation enables precise gas flow management without creating large-scale bubble disruptions that affect the gas-liquid interface stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the distribution tray are optimized with localized restriction orifices on each distributor. The orifices are strategically positioned and sized to provide uniform gas distribution in each local area, preventing excessive gas flow that would create disruptive bubbles. This local optimization ensures gas distribution uniformity while maintaining gas-liquid interface stability across the entire tray.
2Productivity
If gas bubbles travel upwards through the reactor, then gas distribution is achieved, but the rising bubbles disrupt the gas-liquid interface, worsening tray performance
Solution Approach 1:
Gas is pre-distributed uniformly across the distribution tray through multiple restriction orifices before entering the reactor column. This preliminary distribution action ensures that gas flows evenly across the entire cross-section, preventing the formation of large disruptive bubbles. The gas-liquid interface is stabilized in advance by controlling gas flow patterns, allowing bubbles to rise gently without disrupting the interface stability.
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 ensures uniform gas distribution across the reactor cross-section, maintaining a stable gas-liquid interface and enhancing gas distribution to a packed bed, as validated by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations.
Implementation Method 1
distribute gas uniformly across the reactor cross section through restriction orifices on distributors located across the distribution tray
Implementation Method 2
the gas space is located above the liquid space
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an apparatus for gas-liquid distribution. More specifically, the present invention relates to a gas-liquid distribution device that may be used in an ionic liquid co-current gas and liquid up-flow reactor designed to distribute gas uniformly across the reactor cross section through restriction orifices on distributors located across the distribution tray.