Gas-Liquid Separation Device with Curved Bends for H-Oil Reactors

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas-liquid separation devices in H-Oil™ processes face challenges in efficiently separating gas and liquid in the upper reactor zone, leading to turbulence and foaming issues that can cause cavitation in pumps and reduce reactor efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A gas-liquid separation device with vertically installed separation elements featuring a succession of at least two bends and a liquid-guiding device is introduced. The device is designed to minimize turbulence and foaming by guiding the liquid gently towards the outlet, ensuring effective separation and reducing gas entrainment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional gas-liquid separation devices are used in the upper reactor zone, then gas and liquid can be separated, but turbulence and foaming occur at the gas-liquid interface causing cavitation in pumps and reducing reactor efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereactor efficiencyVSAvoidturbulence and foaming

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The separation device is divided into multiple sequential zones: an initial separation zone with a first bend, followed by a liquid-guiding zone with a second bend, and finally an outlet zone. This segmentation allows different functions to be performed in distinct sections, reducing turbulence by gradually directing liquid flow away from the gas-liquid interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs curved bends instead of sharp angles to redirect liquid flow. The first bend redirects liquid horizontally, and the second bend curves it downward, creating smooth transitions that minimize turbulence and foaming at the gas-liquid interface while maintaining effective separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Productivity

If liquid is rapidly redirected at sharp angles to improve separation, then gas-liquid separation efficiency increases, but turbulence and foaming are generated causing cavitation in pumps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidcavitation risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs curved bends instead of sharp angles to redirect liquid flow. The first bend redirects liquid horizontally, and the second bend curves it downward, creating smooth transitions that minimize turbulence and foaming at the gas-liquid interface while maintaining effective separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid-guiding device acts as an intermediary structure between the initial separation zone and the pump inlet. It provides a controlled path for liquid flow, mediating the transition and preventing direct, turbulent impact on the gas-liquid interface, thereby reducing cavitation risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If a simple single-bend design is used, then device complexity is reduced, but gas-liquid separation effectiveness and turbulence control are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation device structureVSAvoidseparation effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The separation device is divided into multiple sequential zones: an initial separation zone with a first bend, followed by a liquid-guiding zone with a second bend, and finally an outlet zone. This segmentation allows different functions to be performed in distinct sections, reducing turbulence by gradually directing liquid flow away from the gas-liquid interface.

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

The proposed solution effectively reduces turbulence and foaming at the gas-liquid interface, minimizing the risk of cavitation and enhancing the efficiency of gas-liquid separation in H-Oil™ processes, thereby improving reactor performance and extending pump lifespan.

Implementation Method 1

The liquid-guiding device is open over its entire length, from its inlet section to its outlet section in the direction of circulation of the fluid in this device for distributing the fluid, and the outlet section of the liquid-guiding device being positioned vertically below the inlet section of the liquid-guiding device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

a succession of at least two bends, a first bend situated in the plane (zy) defined by the substantially vertical z-axis, and a y-axis belonging to the plane (xy) perpendicular to the z-axis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal separation: Centrifugal Separation

Data Source

PatentUS20250041765A1Gas-liquid separation device with a zone for guiding the liquid at the outlet end, in particular for a three-phase fluidised bed reactor

Publication Date: 2025.02.06 IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES

AI summary

The invention relates to a gas-liquid separation device, notably for being installed in the recycle zone of three-phase fluidized reactors. The gas-liquid separation device comprises several separation elements each having an inlet pipe (70) and a succession of at least two bends (71, 72), a first bend (71) situated in the plane (zy), the axis of the first bend (71) forming an angle of orientation α with respect to the vertical z-axis of between 45° and 315°, and a second bend (72) forming a second angle of orientation p with the first bend (71) of between 1° and 135°. The two first successive bends (71, 72) are separated by a distance D1 of between D/2 and 4D, D being the diameter of the inlet pipe (70). Each separation element comprises a liquid-guiding device (73) positioned at the outlet end of the last bend (72), and with an open section.