Mass Transfer Tray with Concentric Flow Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mass transfer columns face limitations in thermodynamic behavior and production efficiency due to suboptimal design of trays, which affects the contact between liquid and gas phases and energy exchange processes.
Innovation Solution
A tray design for mass transfer columns featuring concentric partial circular paths for the liquid phase and temperature control fluid, allowing countercurrent flow to enhance energy exchange and manufacturing cost-effectiveness, with the temperature control fluid flowing opposite to the liquid phase in at least one partial path for improved heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional tray designs are used with simple liquid flow paths, then manufacturing is easier and less complex, but energy exchange between liquid and gas phases is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by designing the liquid flow path as a partial circular path instead of a straight line. The guide means includes a first guide barrier and second guide barrier that form a curved trajectory, allowing the liquid to follow a circular arc from inlet to outlet. This curved path increases the residence time and contact area between liquid and gas phases, thereby improving energy exchange efficiency while maintaining reasonable structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional straight flow path to a two-dimensional curved flow path by introducing radial and angular components. The liquid flows along a partial circular path defined by radius R and angle α, utilizing the radial dimension to create a more complex three-dimensional flow pattern that enhances heat and mass transfer between phases
2Productivity
If trays are designed with optimized thermodynamic behavior, then mass transfer efficiency improves, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tray is segmented into functional zones using guide barriers that divide the flow path into distinct sections. The first guide barrier and second guide barrier create separate flow regions that can be independently optimized. This segmentation allows for improved mass transfer efficiency by creating controlled flow patterns while using simple baffle structures that are easy to manufacture from standard materials
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes specific geometric parameters including the radius R of the partial circular path, the angle α subtended by the arc, and the positions of the guide barriers. By carefully selecting these parameters, the design achieves enhanced thermodynamic behavior through increased residence time and improved flow distribution, while keeping the actual manufacturing complexity low by using straightforward geometric definitions
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 energy exchange between the liquid and temperature control fluid, enhancing the mass transfer process while reducing material demands and production costs by using larger bending radii for the pipes, leading to more efficient and cost-effective operation.
Implementation Method 1
an outlet for the temperature control fluid; and second guide means for guiding the temperature control fluid for heat exchange with the liquid phase
Implementation Method 2
the temperature control fluid flows along the second path in at least one of the at least two partial paths in a direction opposite to the flow direction of the liquid phase
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a tray (10) for a mass-transfer column (1) which is designed to enable contact between a liquid phase and a gas phase. The tray (10) comprises: a tray inlet (131, 132) via which the tray is supplied with the liquid phase; a tray outlet (141, 142) via which the liquid phase flows out of the tray (10); first guide means (11) for guiding the liquid phase, the first guide means (11) forming a first flow path (21, 22) along which the liquid phase flows from the tray inlet (131, 132) to the tray outlet (141, 142), the first flow path (21, 22) being designed to enable contact between the liquid phase and a gas phase; an inlet (15) for a temperature-control fluid; an outlet (16) for the temperature-control fluid; and second guide means (12) for guiding the temperature-control fluid for a heat exchange with the liquid phase, the second guide means (12) forming a second flow path (31, 32) which overlaps the first flow path and which runs from the inlet (15) to the outlet (16). The first guide means (11) for guiding the liquid phase form the first flow path (21, 22) comprising at least two path sections (211, 212, 213, 221, 222, 223) arranged concentrically with one another and each forming a circular path segment. The temperature-control fluid flows along the second flow path (31, 32) in at least one of the at least two path sections (211, 212, 213, 221, 222, 223) in a direction counter to the flow direction of the liquid phase.