Gas Separation Vessel Packing for Small Oxygen Bubble Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas separation technologies in electrolysis systems, such as PEM electrolysis, are inefficient in separating small oxygen bubbles from water, leading to performance degradation and reduced service life due to their prolonged residence time, which increases the size and cost of the gas separation vessel.
Innovation Solution
The use of gas separation assisting means, such as structured packing or mesh with high specific surface area, to agglomerate and coalesce small oxygen bubbles within the gas separation vessel, facilitating faster separation and reducing residence time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional gas separation methods are used without gas separation assisting means, then the gas separation vessel can be simpler in structure, but the separation efficiency is insufficient and small oxygen bubbles cannot be effectively separated from water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces gas separation assisting means (such as packing materials or coalescing devices) as an intermediary component within the gas separation vessel. These assisting means facilitate the coalescence of small oxygen bubbles into larger bubbles that can be more easily separated from water, thereby improving separation efficiency without requiring fundamental changes to the vessel structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs porous packing materials or coalescing elements within the gas separation vessel. These porous structures provide large surface area for bubble attachment and coalescence, enabling efficient separation of small oxygen bubbles from water while maintaining a relatively simple vessel design
2Manufacturing precision
If the gas separation vessel is enlarged to improve separation of small oxygen bubbles, then separation efficiency increases, but the vessel size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By incorporating porous packing materials with high surface area to volume ratio, the patent achieves efficient bubble coalescence within a compact vessel volume. The porous structure provides numerous attachment sites for small bubbles to coalesce without requiring a large vessel size
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the third dimension by filling the vessel with three-dimensional packing structures or coalescing elements. This allows efficient separation to occur within the volumetric space rather than requiring increased horizontal or vertical dimensions of the vessel
3Manufacturing precision
If the residence time of water in the gas separation vessel is increased to improve bubble separation, then separation efficiency improves, but the vessel size and processing throughput are negatively affected
Solution Approach 1:
The porous packing materials provide extensive surface area within a short flow path, enabling rapid bubble coalescence and separation. This reduces the residence time required for effective separation while maintaining high separation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces reliance on prolonged gravitational settling (mechanical process) with enhanced bubble coalescence mechanisms provided by the packing materials. This substitution accelerates the separation process, reducing the time water must remain in the vessel
4Productivity
If small oxygen bubbles remain in the recycled water, then the system can operate continuously, but performance degradation and reduced service life occur
Solution Approach 1:
The gas separation assisting means acts as an intermediary that captures and coalesces small oxygen bubbles before they can be carried over with the recycled water. This ensures continuous operation while preventing the performance degradation and reliability issues caused by bubble carryover
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
Enhances the separation efficiency of oxygen from water, reducing the vessel size and cost while maintaining the quality of recycled water for reuse in electrolysis systems.
Implementation Method 1
gas separation assisting means, such as structured packing or mesh with high specific surface area, to agglomerate and coalesce small oxygen bubbles
Implementation Method 2
gas separation assisting means... to agglomerate and coalesce small oxygen bubbles within the gas separation vessel
Implementation Method 3
oxygen (gas) bubbles in the water (liquid, or the fluid comprising water and oxygen) require a certain amount of time... to rise to the water surface due to the difference in density
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a gas separation vessel (220) for separating gas from liquid of a continuous liquid phase fluid comprising gas, the gas separation vessel comprising an inlet (242), a gas outlet (242) and a fluid outlet (254), wherein the gas separation vessel) is configured to receive a stream of fluid (c) via the inlet (242) of the gas separation vessel (220), wherein the gas separation vessel comprises a gas separation assisting means (260) located inside the gas separation vessel (220), wherein the gas separation vessel is configured to guide fluid (b) received via the inlet of the gas separation vessel, from an inlet zone (240), through the gas separation assisting means, to an outlet zone (250), wherein the gas separation vessel (220) is configured to guide gas (g), separated from the liquid by means of the gas separation assisting means, through a gas outlet (252) of the gas separation vessel, and wherein the gas separation vessel is configured to guide remaining fluid (b), through the fluid outlet (254) of the gas separation vessel.