Honeycomb Column Flow Aligning Portion for Gas-Liquid Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
The upflow of gas-liquid two-phase in honeycomb packed columns is unstable, leading to back-mixing and non-uniform flow distribution, which affects reaction efficiency and selectivity due to the presence of bypass flow through clearances between the reaction column and catalyst containers.
Innovation Solution
A column contact apparatus with multiple stages of honeycomb structural bodies and a flow-aligning portion with holes to prevent back-flow, along with flow control means to manage pressure loss and guide gas bubbles, stabilizes the flow and reduces bypass flow, ensuring uniform gas-liquid contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gas-liquid two-phase upflow is used in honeycomb packed columns, then mass transfer efficiency is improved due to Taylor flow formation, but flow stability deteriorates leading to back-mixing and non-uniform distribution
Solution Approach 1:
A flow-aligning portion is introduced as an intermediary component between the column container and catalyst containers. This flow-aligning portion includes flow control means with multiple holes that regulate gas bubble passage and liquid flow, stabilizing the two-phase upflow while maintaining Taylor flow characteristics for efficient mass transfer
Solution Approach 2:
The flow control means changes physical parameters of the flow system by controlling bubble size, flow velocity, and pressure distribution through its hole structure. This regulates the gas-liquid two-phase flow to maintain stability while preserving the mass transfer benefits of Taylor flow
2Ease of operation
If clearances are provided between reaction column and catalyst containers, then catalyst replacement ease is improved, but bypass flow increases reducing reaction efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The flow-aligning portion acts as a mediator between the column container and catalyst containers, spanning across the clearances. It prevents bypass flow through the clearances while maintaining catalyst accessibility for replacement operations
Solution Approach 2:
The flow control means is extracted as a separate functional component from both the column container and catalyst containers. This independent component manages the clearance issue without interfering with catalyst replacement operations
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 solution stabilizes the flow state, narrows the residence time distribution of the liquid, and enhances the contact efficiency between gas and liquid, improving reaction efficiency and catalyst utilization.
Implementation Method 1
a flow-aligning portion as back-flow prevention means is provided in the space portion
Implementation Method 2
Taylor flow in which gas bubbles and liquid slug alternately flow
Implementation Method 3
mass transfer between the gas and the solid wall is fast
Implementation Method 4
flow control means that can control a pressure loss (PL1) of the gas and the liquid passing through the clearance
Implementation Method 5
an upward co-current type or upflow type method in which the gas-liquid is flowed from the bottom to the top
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is a column contact apparatus for contacting gas with liquid in an upflow in a column container, containing two or more stages of honeycomb structural bodies in the column container in a vertical direction, a space portion formed between the respective stages of the honeycomb structural bodies and a flow-aligning portion as back-flow prevention means provided in the space portion between the respective stages such that the flow-aligning portion is not brought into contact with the honeycomb structural bodies, the flow-aligning portion including a plurality of holes with hole diameters of 0.5 mm to 8 mm.