Interleaved Deflector Grid Assembly for Countercurrent Fluid Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The construction of existing countercurrent contacting devices, such as those used in fluidized beds, is labor-intensive due to the need for numerous welds to secure intersecting grids of blade-like elements, which complicates the assembly process and reduces efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A contacting device subassembly is formed by interleaved grids of deflector blades with uncut portions that create integral connections, eliminating the need for welding, and incorporating apertures and directional tabs to facilitate fluid mixing, allowing for quicker and more cost-effective assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional countercurrent contacting devices are used, then mass transfer between phases can occur, but channeling and Maldistribution problems reduce efficiency and create operational issues
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the contacting chamber into multiple segments with alternating flow directions. Even-numbered chambers receive gas from the bottom and liquid from the top, while odd-numbered chambers receive gas from the top and liquid from the bottom. This segmentation prevents channeling by distributing flow across multiple pathways and eliminates Maldistribution through balanced countercurrent flow patterns in each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a spatial arrangement where gas and liquid flows alternate directions across adjacent chambers rather than moving in parallel. This dimensional reorganization of flow paths creates a three-dimensional countercurrent pattern that enhances mass transfer while preventing the formation of preferential flow channels that occur in conventional single-direction devices.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional devices are used, then construction is simpler, but operational problems such as channeling and Maldistribution occur
Solution Approach 1:
The device is constructed as a series of discrete, identical chambers that can be manufactured using standard techniques. Each chamber is a self-contained unit with standardized gas and liquid distributors, making fabrication straightforward while the segmented arrangement solves operational flow distribution problems.
Solution Approach 2:
By arranging chambers in alternating flow patterns across adjacent spaces, the design achieves uniform flow distribution without requiring complex internal structures within individual chambers. The dimensional alternation of flow directions between neighboring chambers provides operational uniformity while maintaining simple chamber construction.
3Device complexity
If gas and liquid flow in the same direction through contacting devices, then construction is simpler, but countercurrent mass transfer efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The contacting device segments the flow paths so that adjacent chambers operate in opposite flow directions. This segmentation enables countercurrent mass transfer in each chamber while the overall device maintains a regular, repeating pattern that avoids excessive complexity in the complete system arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention achieves countercurrent flow by utilizing the spatial dimension of adjacent chambers rather than requiring complex internal flow reversal mechanisms within a single chamber. Gas and liquid flows alternate directions across the dimensional space of neighboring chambers, providing efficient countercurrent mass transfer with minimal added complexity.
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 provides a high-strength, efficiently assembled contacting device that enhances fluid mixing and reduces assembly time and costs by eliminating the need for welding, thus improving the construction process.
Implementation Method 1
mass transfer between the phases
Implementation Method 2
mass transfer between the phases
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The contacting device 10 for countercurrent contacting of fluid streams and having a first pair of intersecting grids 14 of spaced- apart and parallel deflector blades 20 and a second pair of intersecting grids 16 of spaced-apart and parallel deflector bladeslS. The deflector blades in each one of the grids are interleaved with the deflector blades in the paired intersecting grid and may have uncut side portions that join them together along a transverse strip 38 where the deflector blades cross each other or adjacent opposed ends of the deflector blades and cut side portions that extend from the uncut side portions to the ends of the deflector blades. At least some of the deflector blades have directional tabs and associated openings to allow portions of the fluid streams to pass through the deflector blades to facilitate mixing of the fluid streams.