Modular Cold Box Design for Cryogenic Distillation Column Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large air separation plants face challenges in transportation and installation due to the size of distillation columns, which limits prefabrication and increases on-site construction requirements, leading to longer installation times and higher costs.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for designing a cold box module that can be shipped in one or two pieces, with support saddles and a jacking system to facilitate easy assembly and installation, including pre-installed platforms and utilities to reduce on-site work and minimize field costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If large distillation columns are constructed in fabrication shops and transported to installation sites, then prefabrication is achieved and on-site construction is minimized, but transportation constraints limit the size of columns that can be shipped
Solution Approach 1:
The distillation column system is divided into multiple transportable modules, each containing a portion of the column and associated equipment. These modules can be shipped separately and assembled at the installation site, overcoming transportation size limitations while maintaining prefabrication benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
Smaller column sections and equipment are nested within larger structural modules during fabrication, allowing compact packaging for transportation. At the installation site, these nested components are deployed and assembled into the complete large-scale distillation system.
2Ease of operation
If prefabricated packages are transported from factory to installation site in horizontal arrangement, then transportation is facilitated, but installation time increases due to on-site assembly requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Critical assembly operations, including column section positioning, support saddle installation, and equipment mounting, are performed at the factory while the package is in horizontal arrangement. This preliminary action reduces the complexity and time required for final assembly at the installation site.
Solution Approach 2:
The horizontal transport arrangement serves as an intermediary state that enables factory assembly operations. Transition mechanisms are provided to convert the horizontal package to vertical installation position, facilitating both transportation and reducing on-site assembly time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If more on-site construction actions are undertaken for larger plants, then transportation constraints are addressed, but installation costs and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The modular design creates universal building blocks that can be configured for different plant sizes by varying the number and arrangement of modules. This multi-functionality allows the same fabrication and transportation approach to serve both medium and large-scale plants, maintaining installation efficiency across different scales.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for distillation at cryogenic temperatures can include a cold box module comprising framing and having an upper module section and a lower module section, wherein the upper module comprises a roof; an upper column section disposed within the upper module section; a lower column section disposed within the lower module section; a plurality of support saddles attached to the upper and lower module sections that are configured to provide structural support for the upper and lower column sections when the upper and lower column sections are in a horizontal position during transportation; and means for limiting longitudinal movement of the lower column section when the lower module section is in a horizontal position during transport, wherein the means for limiting longitudinal movement are connected to the lower column section and the lower module section.