Injection Nozzle Design for Fluidized Bed Erosion Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Gas distribution devices in fluidized bed processes, such as those used in the FCC process, face significant erosive wear issues due to the high velocity and pressure of gas and solid particles, leading to frequent repairs and maintenance challenges.

Innovation Solution

The design of injection nozzles with multiple fluid pathways parallel, perpendicular, or transverse to the nozzle axis, which creates a stable and uniform gas velocity profile, reducing the risk of erosion by minimizing high-velocity jets and negative axial velocities, thereby extending the lifespan of the nozzles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If gas is injected at high velocity to prevent solids backflow into the nozzle, then solids backflow is prevented, but erosion of the injection nozzle increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of solids backflowVSAvoiderosion of injection nozzle
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the velocity profile parameters by creating a stable, uniform distribution that eliminates negative axial velocities and excessive jet velocities. This is achieved through multiple fluid pathways with specific geometric configurations that transform the gas flow characteristics, maintaining sufficient velocity to prevent solids backflow while avoiding the excessive velocities that cause erosion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different flow characteristics to different regions of the nozzle by creating multiple fluid pathways with varying orientations (parallel, perpendicular, transverse to the nozzle axis). Each pathway is designed to deliver gas at appropriate local velocities, ensuring uniform distribution while preventing both solids backflow and excessive erosion at any single location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If uniform gas distribution is achieved through pressure drop across injection nozzles, then gas distribution uniformity is improved, but the complexity of the distribution system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniformity of gas distributionVSAvoidcomplexity of distribution system
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the gas distribution function into multiple fluid pathways within the nozzle structure itself. By dividing the gas flow into multiple streams that travel through different orientations (parallel, perpendicular, transverse pathways), the system achieves uniform distribution across the bed cross-section while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple and integrated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 proposed nozzle design results in reduced erosion, decreased catalyst attrition, and improved gas distribution, leading to longer maintenance intervals and increased operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The fluid inlet may include multiple fluid pathways parallel, perpendicular, or transverse to the nozzle axis... creates a stable and uniform gas velocity profile... minimizing high-velocity jets and negative axial velocities

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Data Source

PatentEP2424653B1Devices for injection of gaseous streams into a bed of fluidized solids
Publication Date: 2018.06.06 LUMMUS TECHNOLOGY INC
  • EP2424653B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2424653B1 patent drawingFigure 1C~1H
  • EP2424653B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~5B

AI summary

Injection nozzles for use in a gas distribution device are disclosed. In one aspect, the injection nozzle may include: a tube having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; wherein the inlet comprises a plurality of flow restriction orifices. In another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to an injection nozzle for use in a gas distribution device, the injection nozzle including: a tube having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; wherein the fluid inlet comprises an annular orifice surrounding a flow restriction device. Injection nozzles according to embodiments disclosed herein may be disposed in a gas distribution manifold used in a vessel, for example, for conducting polymerization reactions, spent catalyst regeneration, and coal gasification, among others.