Nested Downcomer Distributor for Catalytic Reactor Gas Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Down flow catalytic reactors face inefficiencies in gas-liquid mixing and distribution due to clogging issues at high liquid levels, which impede the proper flow of gas through the reactor, leading to reduced distribution and dispersion efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an inside downcomer with a first flow space and an outside downcomer with a second flow space, along with caps featuring slots that allow fluid to flow into these spaces, ensuring efficient gas and liquid distribution regardless of liquid levels on the dispersion tray.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single downcomer structure is used, then the device complexity is low, but the distribution efficiency deteriorates at high liquid levels due to clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The distributor is divided into multiple independent downcomers (inside downcomer and outside downcomer) with separate flow paths. Each downcomer has its own cap and flow space, allowing them to operate independently. This segmentation prevents clogging from affecting the entire system and maintains distribution efficiency at high liquid levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The inside downcomer is positioned within the outside downcomer, creating a nested configuration. The inside downcomer has its own cap and flow space, while the outside downcomer surrounds it and has separate access. This nested design allows both downcomers to function simultaneously without interfering with each other, resolving the contradiction between maintaining simple structure and improving distribution efficiency.
2Quantity of substance
If the liquid level on the dispersion tray increases, then the liquid-gas mixing capability is improved, but the gas flow through the downcomer is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The gas flow path is segmented into multiple independent channels through the inside and outside downcomers. Each downcomer has its own cap with slots and separate flow space, creating redundant pathways. When liquid level rises and blocks one path, gas can still flow through the other downcomer, maintaining gas flow continuity while allowing adequate liquid-gas mixing.
3Productivity
If a dual downcomer structure with separate flow spaces is used, then the distribution efficiency is maintained at high liquid levels, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inside downcomer is nested within the outside downcomer, sharing the same vertical space but maintaining separate flow paths. Both downcomers have their own caps with slots and independent flow spaces. This nested arrangement allows the system to maintain distribution efficiency at high liquid levels while minimizing the increase in device complexity by utilizing the same spatial envelope.
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 enhances mixing and distribution efficiency in down flow catalytic reactors by allowing gas and liquid to flow effectively through the reactor, even at varying liquid levels, thereby improving overall reactor performance.
Implementation Method 1
a down flow catalytic reactor involves a gas-liquid mixing process. In such a process, a liquid phase is mixed with a gas or vapor phase
Implementation Method 2
the dispersion tray (20) has a plurality of holes through which the liquid phase can pass
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a distributor and a down flow catalytic reactor comprising same, and according to one aspect of the present invention, provides a distributor comprising: an inside downcomer which has a first flow space; an outside downcomer which is disposed so as to surround at least some area of the inside downcomer, and has a second flow space partitioned from the first flow space of the inside downcomer; an outside cap which has a plurality of first slots and is mounted on the inside downcomer so as to enable a fluid that has passed through the first slots to flow to the first flow space; and an inside cap which has a plurality of second slots and is mounted on the outside downcomer so as to enable a fluid that has passed through the second slots to flow to the second flow space.