Gas-Solid Separator with Guide Blades and Variable Diameter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional gas-solid separators lack efficiency in separating gas and solid particles, particularly in high-speed moving bed reactors where short contact time is crucial for catalytic reactions.

Innovation Solution

A gas-solid separator design featuring an inner cylinder with axially extending long holes and an outer cylinder with a gas vent port, where guide blades on the inner cylinder surfaces invert the gas flow upward, enhancing separation efficiency by preventing gas from rising with solid particles, and a diameter ratio between the outer cylinder sections optimized for efficient separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional gas-solid separator design is used, then device structure is simple, but separation efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The separator is divided into an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder with distinct functions. The inner cylinder contains long holes for gas-solid mixture discharge, while the outer cylinder provides a collection space. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall separation efficiency while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a radial dimension to the flow path by having the gas-solid mixture discharge radially outward through long holes in the inner cylinder. The gas flow direction is changed from axial to radial, creating a two-dimensional flow pattern that enhances separation. The gas vent port in the upper part of the outer cylinder provides a third dimensional escape route for gas, further improving separation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Manufacturing precision

If gas flow is inverted upward to improve separation, then separation efficiency increases, but gas may rise with solid particles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidgas carrying solid particles
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The outer cylinder has different local qualities at different heights. The lower part has a larger inner diameter to allow gas flow inversion and separation, while the upper part has a smaller inner diameter with a gas vent port to prevent gas from carrying particles upward. This local differentiation of structural properties allows the system to achieve both flow inversion and particle-gas separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of allowing gas to flow upward directly, the invention inverts the gas flow direction by creating a larger diameter section in the lower outer cylinder. This inversion causes the gas to change direction from downward to upward flow, while the guide blades and diameter change ensure that solid particles continue moving downward due to inertia, achieving separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Loss of time

If contact time is reduced for catalytic reaction, then product selectivity improves, but separation time becomes critical

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact timeVSAvoidseparation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The separator enables continuous operation by providing uninterrupted gas and solid particle discharge paths. The long holes in the inner cylinder allow continuous gas-solid mixture discharge, while the outer cylinder with its gas vent port provides continuous gas separation. This continuous action ensures that separation occurs as quickly as possible without interrupting the catalytic reaction process, maintaining short contact time while achieving efficient separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

Significantly improves the separation efficiency of gas and solid particles, ensuring effective separation even at short reaction times, with optimal performance maintained within specific diameter and guide blade length ratios.

Implementation Method 1

The direction of the gas including the rest of the solid particles is inverted to an upward direction due to the gas vent port provided in an upper part of the outer cylinder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas flow inversion:

Implementation Method 2

the solid particles accompanied with the gas are separated from the gas due to their inertia or deadweight and descend mainly along an inner wall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInertia: Inertia

Implementation Method 3

the solid particles accompanied with the gas are separated from the gas due to their inertia or deadweight and descend mainly along an inner wall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 4

in the section of the outer cylinder that surrounds the plurality of long holes of the inner cylinder, the inner diameter D1 of a lower part of the outer cylinder is larger than the inner diameter D2 of an upper part of the outer cylinder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP2044996B1Gas-solid separator
Publication Date: 2018.06.27 JAPAN COOPERATION CENT
  • EP2044996B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2044996B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2044996B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A gas-solid separator has: an inner cylinder 10 having a closed lower end 11 and an opened upper end 1, and extending in a vertical direction; and an outer cylinder 2 that coaxially covers the inner cylinder 10 from the outside and has a gas vent port 6 formed on the upper end side and communicating with an exterior, wherein a plurality of axially extending long holes 4 are formed on a side surface on the lower end 11 side of the inner cylinder 10 in a circumferential direction, one of long side edge parts of each of the long holes 4 is provided with a guide blade 5 that protrudes outward and is inclined circumferentially so as to cover the long hole 4, and in a section of the outer cylinder 2 that surrounds the plurality of long holes 4 of the inner cylinder 10, an inner diameter D1 of a lower part is larger than an inner diameter D2 of an upper part.