Multi-pass Tray Valve Mix for Turndown Flow Balance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multi-pass contact trays in mass transfer columns face challenges in maintaining balanced vapor flow during turndown conditions due to imbalances in pressure drop across tray deck segments as movable valves close, leading to inefficiencies and weeping issues.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves a multi-pass contact tray design with a combination of fixed and movable valves, where the proportion of fixed to movable valves is adjusted to balance vapor flow by selecting the total area or number of valve openings to maintain vapor flow balance during low vapor rates, ensuring that the movable valves can close and redirect vapor flow effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If movable valves are used to redirect vapor flow during turndown, then adaptability to varying vapor rates is improved, but vapor flow balance across deck segments deteriorates due to pressure drop imbalances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to varying vapor ratesVSAvoidvapor flow balance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by distributing different types of valves (fixed and movable) across different deck segments in specific proportions. Each deck segment has a tailored composition of fixed and movable valves based on its local pressure drop characteristics, allowing localized adaptation while maintaining overall vapor flow balance across the tray deck during turndown operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If movable valves close during turndown to redirect vapor flow, then operation at lower vapor rates is improved, but weeping issues worsen due to pressure drop imbalances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation at lower vapor ratesVSAvoidweeping

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of valve composition by incorporating a specific proportion of fixed valves alongside movable valves. This parameter adjustment ensures that when movable valves close during turndown, the fixed valves maintain adequate vapor flow paths, preventing pressure drop imbalances that would otherwise cause liquid weeping while still enabling operation at reduced vapor rates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 achieves balanced vapor flow across deck segments during turndown, reducing weeping and maintaining efficient operation without significant increases in cost or pressure drop, as demonstrated by testing with a mixture of FLEXIPRO™ and Type A movable valves.

Implementation Method 1

imbalances in pressure drop across tray deck segments as movable valves close, leading to inefficiencies and weeping issues

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure drop: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 2

Mass transfer columns are configured to contact at least two fluid streams in order to provide product streams of specific composition and/or temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMass transfer: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS11420135B2Multi-pass contact tray for a mass transfer column and method involving same

Publication Date: 2022.08.23 KOCH GLITSCH INC

AI summary

A multi-pass contact tray for use in a mass transfer column has a mixture of fixed valves to movable valves, with the numbers of the respective valves being selected to balance the volumetric flow of vapor through deck segments when the vapor is ascending at volumetric flow rates insufficient to maintain the movable valves in an open position.