Internal-Weir Immiscible Fluid Contactor With Dual Flow Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional contactors for immiscible fluids, whether using co-current or countercurrent flow, suffer from inefficiencies in contact time and quality, necessitating additional processes and resources to enhance chemical reactions.
Innovation Solution
A contactor design incorporating an internal weir that divides the chamber into sections, allowing simultaneous countercurrent and co-current contact of fluids, with distinct outlet ports for each flow direction, enhancing contact efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional co-current or countercurrent contactors are used, then the contact between immiscible fluids can be achieved, but the contact time and quality are insufficient for effective treatment or chemical reaction
Solution Approach 1:
The contactor is divided into multiple chambers (first chamber, second chamber, third chamber) separated by weirs, allowing different flow patterns (co-current and countercurrent) to occur simultaneously in different sections. This segmentation enables extended contact time and improved contact quality without requiring a single large chamber.
2Reliability
If additional catalysts, pressure changes, thermal energy, or larger contact chambers are added to overcome contact inefficiencies, then chemical reaction effectiveness improves, but process complexity and expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The contactor is divided into multiple chambers (first chamber, second chamber, third chamber) separated by weirs, allowing different flow patterns (co-current and countercurrent) to occur simultaneously in different sections. This segmentation enables extended contact time and improved contact quality without requiring a single large chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between co-current and countercurrent flow patterns in different chambers based on the specific treatment requirements. The first and third chambers operate in co-current mode while the second chamber operates in countercurrent mode, providing flexible adaptation to different process needs without requiring multiple separate units.
3Reliability
If the chamber size is increased to improve contact quality, then treatment effectiveness improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The contactor is divided into multiple chambers (first chamber, second chamber, third chamber) separated by weirs, allowing different flow patterns (co-current and countercurrent) to occur simultaneously in different sections. This segmentation enables extended contact time and improved contact quality without requiring a single large chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The contactor merges co-current and countercurrent flow systems into a single integrated device. Multiple flow patterns are combined in series, allowing the system to achieve the contact quality of larger chambers while maintaining a compact footprint through efficient space utilization.
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 design achieves improved contact efficiency by allowing simultaneous co-current and countercurrent flow, reducing the need for additional catalysts and process enhancements.
Implementation Method 1
two fluids of differing densities, such as a gas and a liquid, are placed in a vessel, rather than mix, the fluids would stratify based on density
Implementation Method 2
The less dense fluid, which is often a gas, enters from a point of lower elevation than the relatively denser fluid which is often a liquid. The gas, for example, bubbles through the liquid
Implementation Method 3
In a co-current contactor two fluids enter a chamber and flow in the same direction as the fluids are contacted and ultimately exit the chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-directional contactor apparatus configured to utilize co-current and counter current flow to contact a first fluid and a second fluid, wherein the second fluid is more dense than the first fluid. The contactor comprises a chamber partially divided by a vertically extending weir, a first inlet port permitting the first fluid to enter the chamber, a second inlet port positioned above the first inlet port and permitting the second fluid to enter the chamber. Countercurrent and co-current contact of the first and second liquids occurs on one side of the weir. The weir separates the co-current contacted second fluid stream from the countercurrent contacted second fluid stream and allows the separated streams to be released from the chamber. The co-current and countercurrent contacted first fluid is released from an upper portion of the tank.