Method and system of controlling a temperature within a melt tray assembly of a distillation tower
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional distillation processes face challenges in maintaining steady-state temperature conditions within the melt tray assembly of a distillation tower, leading to inefficient separation of contaminants from hydrocarbons, particularly carbon dioxide from methane, due to temperature differentials and rapid changes in heat duty requirements.
Innovation Solution
A dual-phase heat transfer fluid is used in the melt tray heat exchanging device, with a control system that adjusts the temperature by increasing, decreasing, or maintaining the melt tray fluid temperature within an expected range to stabilize the process and manage changing heat duty requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional single-phase heat transfer fluid is used in the melt tray heat exchanging device, then the system structure is simple, but temperature differentials increase and heat transfer efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies phase transition by using a dual-phase heat transfer fluid (liquid and vapor phases) in the melt tray heat exchanging device. The phase change between liquid and vapor provides more efficient heat transfer compared to single-phase fluids, reducing temperature differentials while maintaining acceptable system complexity.
2Ease of operation
If temperature control is not actively managed in the melt tray assembly, then the system operation is simple, but separation performance decreases and contaminant removal efficiency drops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the temperature of the melt tray fluid and comparing it to an expected temperature range. Based on this feedback, the control system adjusts the flow rate of the dual-phase heat transfer fluid to maintain optimal separation performance and contaminant removal efficiency.
3Device complexity
If the melt tray fluid temperature is allowed to fluctuate freely, then the control system is simple, but solid formation occurs and process stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback control system monitors melt tray fluid temperature and adjusts the dual-phase heat transfer fluid flow rate to prevent temperature fluctuations that would cause solid formation, thereby maintaining process stability and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the melt tray fluid within a controlled range to prevent solid formation. By actively adjusting the temperature parameter through the dual-phase heat transfer fluid system, the maintainability of the distillation process is improved.
4Productivity
If higher heat duty is applied to the melt tray assembly, then solids are melted more effectively, but energy consumption increases and temperature differentials worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The dual-phase heat transfer fluid utilizes phase change (liquid-vapor transition) to transfer heat more efficiently to the melt tray assembly. This allows effective solids melting with lower overall energy consumption compared to conventional single-phase heat transfer systems.
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 approach enhances heat transfer efficiency, reduces temperature differentials, and maintains stable operation, improving the separation of contaminants and the purity of recovered hydrocarbons while minimizing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
providing a phase changing fluid, to the melt tray heat exchanging device, that is configured to be a dual-phase heat transfer fluid
Implementation Method 2
providing a phase changing fluid, to the melt tray heat exchanging device, that is configured to be a dual-phase heat transfer fluid
Implementation Method 3
the melt tray heat exchanging device within the melt tray fluid
Implementation Method 4
The melt tray assembly provides adequate heat transfer to melt the solids and facilitate liquid slurry draw-off
Implementation Method 5
determining a melt tray fluid temperature of the melt tray fluid; determining if the melt tray fluid temperature is within an expected melt tray fluid temperature range
Implementation Method 6
A dual-phase heat transfer fluid is used in the melt tray heat exchanging device, with a control system that adjusts the temperature by increasing, decreasing, or maintaining the melt tray fluid temperature within an expected range
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system of controlling a temperature within a melt tray assembly of a distillation tower. The method may include determining a melt tray fluid composition of a melt tray fluid, determining a melt tray fluid temperature of the melt tray fluid, determining if the melt tray fluid temperature is within an expected melt tray fluid temperature range for the melt tray fluid composition, decreasing the melt tray fluid temperature if the melt tray fluid temperature is greater than an expected melt tray fluid temperature range upper limit, increasing the melt tray fluid temperature if the melt tray fluid temperature is less than an expected melt tray fluid temperature range lower limit, and maintaining the melt tray fluid temperature if the melt tray fluid temperature is within the expected melt tray fluid temperature range.