Gas-Liquid Distributor Tray with Rotational Mixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing distributor trays struggle with efficient gas-liquid mixing, particularly when the gas-to-liquid volume ratio is low, leading to inefficient reaction progress in catalytic beds, as the liquid cannot pass through the chimneys effectively, causing disruptions in flow and mixing.

Innovation Solution

A distributor plate with perforated orifices supporting hollow chimneys, featuring openings around each chimney that induce a rotational movement of the gas-liquid mixture, ensuring effective mixing by directing the gas towards the liquid at the periphery, using deflecting elements and strategically arranged openings to optimize the mixture under each chimney.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the number of chimneys is increased to handle high liquid flow, then the liquid passage capacity is improved, but the mixing between liquid and gas becomes inefficient and the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid passage capacityVSAvoidmixing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The distributor plate is divided into multiple zones, each with a chimney surrounded by openings arranged in a circumscribed circle. This segmentation allows each chimney-opening combination to function as an independent mixing unit, improving overall mixing efficiency while handling high liquid flows without requiring excessive numbers of chimneys.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The openings are strategically positioned at the periphery of each chimney within a circumscribed circle, creating localized mixing zones around each chimney. This local quality approach ensures effective gas-liquid mixing at each chimney location, maintaining high mixing efficiency even when multiple chimneys are used to handle high liquid volumes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If openings are arranged to induce rotational movement for improved mixing, then the gas-liquid mixing efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas-liquid mixing efficiencyVSAvoidopening arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The openings are arranged asymmetrically at the periphery of each chimney within a circumscribed circle, rather than being uniformly distributed. This asymmetric arrangement creates rotational movement of the gas-liquid mixture as it passes through, improving mixing efficiency without requiring complex mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The openings are positioned within a circumscribed circle around each chimney, creating a circular pattern that induces rotational flow. This curved, circular arrangement naturally promotes swirling motion and enhanced mixing of gas and liquid phases without adding mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Quantity of substance

If the section of lights is greater than the section of the chimney, then the liquid passage capacity is improved, but the gas flow regularity is disrupted and liquid accumulation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid passage capacityVSAvoidgas flow regularity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The openings are positioned at the periphery of each chimney rather than being uniformly distributed, creating localized liquid passage paths around each chimney. This local quality approach allows liquid to pass through openings strategically positioned to avoid blocking gas flow through the chimney, maintaining gas flow regularity while ensuring adequate liquid passage capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid passage is segmented into multiple openings distributed around the periphery of each chimney, rather than using a single large opening. This segmentation allows liquid to pass through multiple smaller paths that do not interfere with the central gas flow through the chimney, maintaining both liquid passage capacity and gas flow regularity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 design enhances the homogeneous distribution of gas and liquid, improving the mixing efficiency even at low gas-to-liquid ratios, ensuring optimal reaction progress in catalytic beds by preventing liquid accumulation and maintaining regular flow.

Implementation Method 1

the openings and the deflector element associated with each of the chimneys being arranged so as to induce a rotational movement in the gas-liquid mixture under each chimney

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotational movement: Vortex Ring

Data Source

PatentEP2739383B1Tray for dispensing a gas and a liquid, reactor provided with such a tray, and use of said tray
Publication Date: 2020.12.30 TOTAL MARKETING SERVICES SA
  • EP2739383B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2739383B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~4
  • EP2739383B1 patent drawingFigure 5a~5c

AI summary

The invention relates to a tray (1) for distributing a gas and a liquid circulating concurrently, including a plate (10) perforated with openings (12) and supporting hollow stacks (20) extending perpendicularly to said plate (10), each opening (12) of the plate having a stack (20) mounted thereon, said stack having the same cross-section as said opening (12), characterised in that the plate (10) is provided with a plurality of openings (30) arranged at the periphery of each stack (20) inside a circumscribed circle, the centre of which coincides with the centre of the stack (20), the radius of which is no larger than 1/3 of the shortest distance separating two adjacent stacks (20), and in that a single deflecting element (40) is arranged under each stack (20), the openings (30) and the deflecting element (40) combined associated with each of the stacks (20) being arranged so as to induce a rotary movement in the gas/liquid mixture below each stack.