Low Surface Energy Static Internals for Liquid-Liquid Contactor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agitated liquid-liquid contactors face inefficiencies due to droplets sticking to internal components, leading to reduced mass transfer and increased complexity and cost, as they require calming sections and complex agitation systems to prevent droplet coalescence and wetting issues.
Innovation Solution
An agitated liquid-liquid contactor design with static internals having low surface energy (<40 mN/m) made of non-wetting materials like plastics, eliminating calming sections and using only active zones to prevent droplet wetting and coalescence, enhancing interfacial area and separation performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metallic internals are used in the contactor, then structural strength and durability are improved, but droplets stick to the internals causing reduced mass transfer and increased hold up
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the surface energy parameter of the internals from high (metallic) to low (plastic coating or fluorinated material), transforming the wetting characteristics to prevent droplet adhesion while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite construction by coating metallic internals with plastic materials or fluorinated substances, combining the structural strength of metal with the non-wetting properties of the coating layer
2Reliability
If calming sections are added to prevent droplet coalescence, then separation performance is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the calming sections entirely from the contactor design, relying instead on the non-wetting internals to prevent droplet coalescence and maintain dispersion throughout the contactor length
Solution Approach 2:
The non-wetting internals automatically prevent droplet adhesion and promote continuous dispersion without requiring additional calming sections or complex control mechanisms
3Productivity
If agitation intensity is increased to improve droplet dispersion, then interfacial area is improved, but droplet coalescence on internals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the surface energy parameter of the internals to low values, preventing droplet coalescence even under high agitation conditions by eliminating the wetting mechanism that causes adhesion
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 improves mass transfer efficiency, reduces operational complexity, and minimizes costs by preventing droplet coalescence and wetting, allowing for finer droplet dispersion and higher throughput without the need for calming sections.
Implementation Method 1
the surface energy of the static internal is less than 40 mN/m, preferably less than 30 mN/m, more preferably less than 20 mN/m
Implementation Method 2
static internals having low surface energy (<40 mN/m) made of non-wetting materials like plastics, eliminating calming sections
Implementation Method 3
Through agitator systems, the droplets of a first liquid are formed and remain dispersed in a second liquid for longer periods of time
Implementation Method 4
Sufficient interfacial area for liquid-liquid contact is necessary for the primary function of heat and/ or mass transfer
Data Source
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AI summary
A static internal (1) embodied so as to be suitable for improving a contact, heat transfer or mass transfer between the liquids in an agitated liquid-liquid contactor (3) lacking calming sections and having an metallic agitated internal (2). The surface energy of the static internal (1) is < 40, preferably < 30, more preferably < 25, most preferably < 20 mN/m.