HIDiC Heat Exchange Duty Adjustment via Liquid Control Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for adjusting the duty of internal heat exchange in heat integrated distillation columns (HIDiC) are inflexible, leading to impaired energy saving performance due to the need for increased compressor power to compensate for pressure losses caused by control valves.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves totally condensing a portion of the compressor outlet vapor and using a liquid control valve to adjust the flow rate into the heat exchange structure, compensating for pressure losses using a liquid head or pump pressurization, without requiring control valves on vapor-flowing lines, allowing for flexible adjustment of heat exchange duty while maintaining high energy saving performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If control valves are installed on vapor-flowing lines to adjust heat exchange duty, then the heat exchange duty can be adjusted, but the compressor power increases due to pressure losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the phase parameter of the control valve from vapor-phase to liquid-phase. By condensing the vapor to liquid in the heat exchange structure and placing the control valve in the liquid line, the system achieves heat exchange duty adjustment without the high pressure losses associated with vapor-phase control valves, thus reducing compressor power requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a liquid intermediary (condensed liquid from the vapor) as the medium for control valve operation. The control valve operates on the liquid phase rather than directly on the vapor phase, serving as an intermediary that enables flow control without the detrimental pressure losses of vapor-phase valve operation
2Ease of operation
If control valves are installed on both lines to enable flexible flow distribution, then the flow distribution flexibility is improved, but the pressure loss increases requiring higher compressor power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the phase parameter of the control valve from vapor to liquid. By operating the control valve in the liquid phase after condensation, the system achieves flow distribution flexibility without the high pressure losses characteristic of vapor-phase valve operation, thereby reducing the energy penalty
3Adaptability or versatility
If a bypass line is added to enable heat exchange duty adjustment, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heat exchange structure with the bypass line functionality. The heat exchange structure serves dual purposes: it performs the primary heat exchange function and simultaneously acts as the bypass line for adjusting heat exchange duty, thereby reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchange structure is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the main heat exchange component and as the bypass line for flow control. This universal design eliminates the need for separate bypass piping, reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability
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
Enables flexible adjustment of internal heat exchange duty without compromising the energy saving performance of the HIDiC, as the pressure losses are managed through liquid head or pump pressurization, reducing the need for compressor power and maintaining efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
heat is transferred from the compressor outlet vapor to this stage of the lower pressure column
Implementation Method 2
An overhead vapor (line L2) of the lower pressure column is fed to compressor 4, and is pressurized, and simultaneously, increased in temperature
Implementation Method 3
providing a liquid control valve downstream of the heat exchange structure on the first line, without providing a control valve on a vapor-flowing part of the first and second lines, and adjusting a flow rate of said portion of the compressor outlet vapor flowing into the heat exchange structure by using the liquid control valve
Implementation Method 4
compensating for a pressure loss needed for the liquid control valve by using a liquid head of a condensate obtained through said condensing, and/or by using pressurization of the condensate by a pump
Implementation Method 5
i) totally condensing said portion of the compressor outlet vapor fed to the heat exchange structure in the heat exchange structure
Data Source
AI summary
The duty of internal heat exchange can be flexibly adjusted without impairing energy saving performance of a HIDiC. A method of adjusting the duty of heat exchange in a heat exchange structure of a HIDiC includes totally condensing a portion of the vapor fed to a heat exchange structure in a heat exchange structure; and providing a liquid control valve downstream of the heat exchange structure on the first line, without providing a control valve on a vapor-flowing part of first and second lines of the HIDiC, and adjusting a flow rate of a portion of the compressor outlet vapor flowing into the heat exchange structure by using the control valve, while compensating for a pressure loss needed for the control valve by using a liquid head of a condensate, and/or by using pressurization by a pump.