Liquid Distributor for Rotating Packed Bed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rotating packed beds face inefficiencies in mass transfer between gases and liquids, leading to suboptimal performance and equipment size due to incomplete utilization of packing rings and potential clogging from shared gas and liquid orifices.
Innovation Solution
A liquid distributor design with separate orifices for gas and liquid flow, dispersing liquid as fine droplets and removing gas through distinct outlets, ensuring all packing rings are utilized for effective counter-current contact, preventing clogging and maximizing mass transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If separate gas and liquid orifices are used in the liquid distributor, then mass transfer efficiency is improved and clogging is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid distributor is segmented into separate gas outlets and liquid outlets, with each serving its specific function. The gas distributor portion contains gas outlets while the liquid distributor portion contains liquid outlets, preventing clogging by separating flow paths and improving mass transfer efficiency through dedicated exit points for each phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributor body acts as an intermediary structure that receives both gas and liquid inputs and separates them into distinct outlet pathways. This intermediary structure facilitates efficient gas-liquid contact in the packing while preventing direct mixing at the outlet level, thereby avoiding clogging issues.
2Productivity
If all packing rings are utilized for gas-liquid contact, then mass transfer efficiency is improved, but the risk of clogging from shared orifices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet system is segmented into separate gas and liquid distribution networks. Gas outlets are positioned and configured independently from liquid outlets, allowing all packing rings to be actively used for mass transfer while each phase has its own dedicated exit paths, eliminating clogging risks from shared orifices.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the distributor are assigned different functions: the gas distributor portion handles gas flow with appropriate outlet configurations, while the liquid distributor portion handles liquid flow with separate outlet configurations. This local differentiation ensures optimal performance for each phase while preventing cross-contamination and clogging.
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
This design enhances mass transfer efficiency, allowing for smaller equipment while maintaining performance, and prevents orifice clogging by separating gas and liquid flow paths, thereby optimizing the use of packing rings for superior gas-liquid contact.
Implementation Method 1
The liquid inlet is in communication with an outlet that delivers a spray of fine droplets
Implementation Method 2
The high gravity field is the result of a centrifugal force field generated by rotation of packed beds in the RPB or Higee reactors
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a method for contacting a gas with a liquid in a rotating packed bed. The method comprises providing a rotating packed bed comprising two sets of rotatable packing rings disposed within a chamber and defining an interior region. The rotating packed bed also comprises at least one liquid distributor with an inlet for accepting a liquid, the inlet in communication with an exit port for infusing the liquid into the interior region. The liquid distributor also comprises at least one gas outlet for accepting gas which has passed through the packed bed and for removing the gas from the interior region. The two sets of rotatable packing rings are caused to rotate. Liquid is infused into the interior region by way of the liquid inlet, and gas is injected through at least one gas inlet into the interior region, with the liquid and gas passing through each of the packing rings in countercurrent flow. Liquid is removed from the interior region through a liquid outlet, and gas is removed through the gas outlet in the liquid distributor.