Modular processing system, in particular air separating system with a plurality of system components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing modular air separation plants face challenges in accommodating a large number of components within standard containers, leading to difficulties in accessibility for maintenance and heat dissipation under varying climatic conditions, especially when bulky components need repositioning for operation.
Innovation Solution
The modular air separation plant is housed in two standard containers, with the first container having insulated compartments for high-temperature components and a control room, and the second container featuring a pivotable compartment for the air separation column, along with adjustable feet and ventilation/heating/cooling systems to operate across a wide temperature range, allowing flexible positioning and efficient heat management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If plant components are accommodated in standard containers, then assembly time is reduced and factory testing is enabled, but accessibility for maintenance and heat dissipation become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into multiple compartments to house different plant components separately. This segmentation allows each component to be accessed independently through dedicated access points, maintaining ease of maintenance while achieving compact containerized assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces vertical dimension by incorporating overhead cranes and mezzanines within the container structure. This multi-level arrangement allows maintenance personnel to access components from different heights and angles, solving the accessibility problem without increasing container footprint
2Adaptability or versatility
If plant components are housed in containers, then the system becomes mobile and easily deployable, but heat dissipation and noise control become challenging
Solution Approach 1:
Noise-generating components such as compressors are extracted from the main container and placed in separate soundproofed containers positioned at a distance. This extraction removes the harmful noise factor from the operator environment while maintaining system mobility
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functional units are nested within the container structure, with insulation and heat dissipation systems integrated into the walls and ceilings. The container itself becomes a nested thermal management system that protects components while dissipating heat efficiently
3Volume of moving object
If bulky components like air separation columns are placed in containers, then the system becomes compact and transportable, but the components require repositioning for operation
Solution Approach 1:
The container design incorporates movable floors, sliding walls, and telescopic mechanisms that allow bulky components to be repositioned dynamically. These mechanical systems enable components to shift position within the container or extend outward for operation, maintaining compact storage while facilitating operational accessibility
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 configuration enables a compact, user-friendly, and maintenance-friendly system that can operate under diverse climatic conditions without external rehousing, with improved thermal and acoustic insulation, and reduced noise, facilitating efficient assembly and operation.
Implementation Method 1
at least one turbine refrigeration system for the production of cold by adiabatic expansion
Implementation Method 2
at least one heat exchanger for cooling the compressed feed air and for heating the compressed product gases
Implementation Method 3
at least one distillation column for nitrogen-oxygen separation
Implementation Method 4
Liquid oxygen is taken from the nitrogen-oxygen separation still column system
Implementation Method 5
vaporized in the main heat exchanger and heated to approximately ambient temperature
Data Source
Figure 1a~1e
Figure 2a~2e
Figure 3a~3e
AI summary
The invention relates to a modular processing system, in particular an air separating system with a plurality of system components and at least one operating unit. The system components are accommodated in containers with standard measurements in a preassembled manner so as to be ready for operation, are transported in the container, and are functionally connected and can be operated in the container composite in situ according to the respective process to be carried out. According to the invention, all of the system components can be found in two standard containers, which can also be air-freighted. A first container contains compartments, which are separated and which are insulated from one another, for the selected system components, and additionally the compartments can be accessed via doors or flaps for the purpose of maintaining the respective system components. A second container has at least one stationary compartment and at least one compartment which can be moved, in particular pivoted. In a complementary manner, terminals and connection elements which can be coupled to the containers are provided for transporting media and for conducting control and operation signals between the containers.