Gas-Solid Contacting Device with Cylindrical Partitions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Toroidal bed reactors have limitations in utilizing available volume, achieving uniform residence time, and extending processing time, leading to inefficiencies in heat and mass transfer and potential untreated or over-treated particles due to centrifugal forces and CSTR behavior.
Innovation Solution
A gas-solid contacting device with a processing chamber featuring a plenum, gas distribution plate with swirl openings, and cylindrical partitions that create a spiraling contact path, allowing for extended residence time and uniform treatment by preventing short-cuts and optimizing gas flow distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If a toroidal bed reactor uses a conventional configuration with gas flow charged through angled blades, then the device achieves heat and mass transfer characteristics, but the reactor volume is not efficiently utilized and only the outer 20% of the diameter is effectively used
Solution Approach 1:
The reactor cross-section is segmented into multiple annular contact path sections (inner, intermediate, outer) separated by partitions. This segmentation allows gas flow to be distributed across the entire cross-section rather than concentrating only in the outer zone, thereby improving volume utilization while maintaining processing efficiency through structured flow paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a conventional single-zone toroidal flow to a multi-level annular contact path system with vertical partitions creating distinct radial zones. This dimensional restructuring enables simultaneous utilization of inner and outer reactor zones, converting the underutilized inner volume into productive contact space.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a toroidal bed reactor operates with a closed toroid flow pattern, then uniform mixing is achieved, but residence time distribution becomes wide causing some particles to exit untreated or over-treated
Solution Approach 1:
The contact path is segmented into multiple annular sections with partitions that create sequential flow stages. Particles progress through defined paths from inner to outer sections, reducing random circulation and narrowing residence time distribution while maintaining adequate mixing through controlled flow transitions at partition openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas flow is pre-swirled through angled openings in the gas distribution plate before entering the contact zones, establishing a controlled rotational flow pattern from the outset. This preliminary action ensures uniform particle suspension and flow distribution across all annular sections, preventing channeling and promoting consistent residence times.
3Productivity
If a toroidal bed reactor deflects spiral flow radially inward, then material circulation is enhanced, but centrifugal forces cause undesired accumulations and instability
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the reactor are given different flow characteristics through the partitioned annular sections. Each section has optimized gas flow angles and opening configurations tailored to its radial position, allowing controlled circulation enhancement in inner sections while maintaining stability in outer sections, preventing harmful accumulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic flow control through adjustable partition openings and gas distribution that adapts flow patterns to operating conditions. The partitions create movable flow boundaries that can accommodate varying circulation requirements while preventing instability through structured flow transitions.
4Speed
If a toroidal bed reactor has a small residence time, then processing speed is high, but multiple reactors in series are required for longer processing times
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple processing functions are merged into a single reactor by creating sequential annular contact sections that provide extended residence time within one vessel. The partitions and multi-level contact paths enable long processing times to be achieved in one reactor rather than requiring multiple reactors in series, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extends the contact path length by utilizing the radial dimension through multiple annular sections instead of relying solely on axial stacking of reactors. This dimensional expansion allows particles to traverse a longer path within a single reactor volume, achieving extended residence time without increasing the number of reactor units.
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 device enhances the utilization of reactor volume, ensures uniform residence time, and prolongs processing time, reducing the need for multiple reactors and improving the consistency of particle treatment by maintaining favorable mass and energy transfer characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
jets of processing fluid pass into the annular treatment zone through the plurality of processing fluid inlets to establish a spiral flow of particulate material in the annular processing zone
Implementation Method 2
a toroidal bed reactor for processing a particulate material... in which a material to be treated is embedded and centrifugally retained within a compact, turbulent, toroidally circulating bed of particles
Implementation Method 3
jets of processing fluid pass into the annular treatment zone through the plurality of processing fluid inlets... causing a circulating toroidal movement of the particulate material
Implementation Method 4
Means for deflecting a portion of the spiral flow of particulate material in the annular processing zone radially inwards from the spiral flow are arranged in the processing chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A device (10) for processing a flow of particulate material by contact with a gas flow comprises a housing (12) defining a processing chamber (18). This chamber (18) comprises a gas distribution plate (30) having openings(32). The gas distribution plate (30) separates a lower gas plenum (18) from a solid-gas contact zone (22). The contact zone (22) has at least one cylindrical partition (34) upstanding from the gas distribution plate (30) dividing an inner section (36) from an adjacent annular outer section (38; 40). The at least one partition (34) is provided with a transfer opening (50) for the particulate material. The housing (12) is also provided with an inlet (44) for supplying particulate material to the inner section (36) and an outlet (42) for discharging processed particulate material from the annular outer section (40).