Multi-Stage Fiber Bundle Mass Transfer Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fluid-fluid contacting operations with immiscible fluids face challenges in achieving adequate contact area and mass transfer efficiently, often requiring large physical footprints and experiencing phase separation issues, which increase costs and operational complexities.
Innovation Solution
A multi-stage fluid-fluid mass transfer device with multiple contacting zones and fiber bundles in each zone, allowing non-dispersive phase contact between fluids, reducing the physical footprint and enhancing mass transfer efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fiber bundles are made larger or longer to increase mass transfer surface area, then mass transfer efficiency is improved, but pressure drop increases and phase separation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The single large fiber bundle is segmented into multiple smaller fiber bundles arranged in parallel. This segmentation maintains the total surface area for mass transfer while reducing the pressure drop that would occur in a single large bundle. The parallel arrangement allows multiple flow paths, reducing resistance while preserving contact efficiency.
2Productivity
If fiber bundles are made larger or longer to increase mass transfer surface area, then mass transfer efficiency is improved, but phase separation occurs where denser fluids migrate to the center and lighter fluids migrate to the outside
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the system into multiple smaller fiber bundles, the radial distance for phase separation is reduced in each bundle. This limits the extent to which denser fluids can migrate to the center and lighter fluids to the outside, maintaining more uniform phase distribution across the cross-section while still achieving adequate mass transfer surface area.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single large-dimensional bundle to multiple smaller bundles arranged in a spatial array. This dimensional reorganization distributes the phases more evenly across the cross-sectional area, preventing the radial migration pattern that causes phase separation in large single bundles.
3Device complexity
If single-stage contacting is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adequate contact area and mass transfer cannot be achieved without large physical footprint
Solution Approach 1:
The contacting device is segmented into multiple contact stages with each stage containing fiber bundles. This segmentation allows the system to achieve adequate mass transfer contact area within a more compact physical footprint compared to a single-stage design, as each stage contributes to the overall mass transfer while occupying less individual space.
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
The multi-stage design increases contact surface area, reduces pressure drop, and decreases material and operational costs, while maintaining effective mass transfer and phase separation, thereby improving the economic viability of fluid-fluid contacting processes.
Implementation Method 1
mass transfer between the fluids
Implementation Method 2
a first fluids to flow along individual fibers of the fiber bundles and a second fluids to flow between the individual fibers
Implementation Method 3
Mass transfer between phases may be a function of surface area
Implementation Method 4
phase separation whereby the relatively heavier, or denser, fluids may begin to migrate to the center of the fiber-bundle while the relatively lighter, or less dense, fluid may begin to migrate to the outside
Data Source
AI summary
A method may include: introducing a fluid comprising a first immiscible phase and a second immiscible phase into a contacting vessel comprising multiple contact stages: flowing the fluid through a first fiber bundle disposed in the contacting vessel; separating at least a portion of the first immiscible phase from the second immiscible phase; and flowing the separated portion of the first immiscible phase through a second fiber bundle disposed in the contacting vessel.