Mass Transfer Column With Integrated Passageway Phase Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mass transfer column designs require multiple equipment units for consecutive distillation, absorption, and extraction steps, leading to high investment costs, space requirements, and inefficiencies due to condensation issues and entrained liquids, which are not well-suited for temperature variations and heterogeneous phases.
Innovation Solution
A single mass exchange column with a vertical elongated container and a longitudinal dividing wall, featuring a passageway for phase separation and contact means that allow for the separation and feeding of streams across temperature differences and phases, reducing the need for additional equipment and minimizing losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single mass transfer column is used for consecutive distillation steps, then investment costs and installation area are reduced, but condensation occurs in the passageway when temperature differences exceed 10°C, reducing separation efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The column is divided into multiple chambers (first chamber, second chamber, etc.) separated by partition walls, with each chamber dedicated to a specific distillation step. This segmentation allows independent temperature control in each chamber, preventing condensation in passageways while maintaining a compact single-column structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A passageway is provided within the partition wall to convey overhead vapour between chambers. The passageway is equipped with trace heating means and insulation layer to prevent condensation during vapour transport, serving as an intermediary solution that enables single-column operation without the condensation problems that would otherwise require multiple separate columns.
2Device complexity
If the overhead vapour is conveyed through a passageway without heating, then the structure is simple, but condensation occurs when temperature difference between chambers exceeds 10°C, requiring larger number of trays or packing height
Solution Approach 1:
The passageway is equipped with trace heating means (heating element) and insulation layer to actively control the temperature of the vapour during transport. This parameter change (adding heat) prevents condensation even when chamber temperature differences exceed 10°C, maintaining separation efficiency without requiring additional trays or packing height.
3Reliability
If multiple separate equipment units are used for each separation step, then separation efficiency is maintained, but installation costs and required area increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple distillation chambers are merged into a single integrated column structure, sharing common support, base, and external insulation. The partition walls with integrated passageways enable vapour transport between chambers without external piping, combining the benefits of multiple separate units (independent operation, temperature control) with the advantages of a single unit (reduced footprint, lower installation costs).
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 enables efficient consecutive distillation, absorption, and extraction operations with reduced installation costs, leakage risks, and heat loss, maintaining separation efficiency across varying temperatures and phases without significant loss of valuable components.
Implementation Method 1
the portion of the inner surface of the passageway that is arranged most proximate to the chamber or to the column side where the second distillation step is carried out, reaches a temperature lower than the dew point of the overhead vapour. Therefore, a portion of the overhead vapour coming from the first chamber condensates along the passageway.
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~9
Figure 10~11
AI summary
A mass exchange column (60) for exchanging mass between a first gaseous or liquid stream (24) and a second liquid stream (25), comprising a vertical elongated container (11) divided in at least two longitudinal exchange chambers (75,76) by a preferably vertical dividing wall (85), and a longitudinal passageway (86), arranged in a proximity (15) of the dividing wall (85), preferably at least partially arranged within the dividing wall (85), for conveying the first stream (24) between an outlet port (12) of the first chamber (75) and the inlet port (13) of the second chamber (76), wherein (86) a phase separation means is provided (40) along the passageway, which is adapted to receive the first stream (24) and to separate it into a main liquid or gaseous portion (27) as the first stream (24) and a secondary portion (27') that contains a liquid phase formed by condensation of one part of said stream (24) within said passageway (86), or due to an entrainment by said first stream (24) during the contact with said second stream (25) liquid. In a particular exemplary embodiment, the dividing wall (85) comprises two parallel walls (21,22) and a hollow space (86') defined by the two parallel walls (21,22), and the passageway (86) comprises a portion of this hollow space (86') that is limited by the two parallel walls (21,22). This way, it is not necessary to provide ducts to allow the passage of a stream (24) that has to be consecutively treated in the two chambers (75,76), which reduces installation time and costs of the column (60), and limits possible leakage points. Furthermore, it is possible to feed the liquid portion and/or the gas portion of the first stream (24) separately into the second chamber (76), into convenient sections of the second chamber (76), in order to limit the extension of such contact means as trays or packings that are required for the separation which takes place within the second chamber (76).