Oscillating Crystallization Column for Water-Saving Acidic Gas Treatment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing crystallization columns face issues with high water consumption, energy inefficiency, and difficulty in dropping crystal substances due to complex structures and scaling, leading to resource waste and low cooling production efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A crystallization column design featuring oscillating lower crystallization members with a torsion wire brushed structure and staggered trays, allowing for easy attachment and detachment of crystal substances, reducing water consumption and increasing surface area for crystallization, with a cooling section and gas-phase distributor for efficient gas treatment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional dividing wall cooling crystallization equipment with jacket cooling is used, then cooling function is provided, but water consumption is high and scaling occurs on heat exchange surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling functionVSAvoidwater consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses air cooling instead of water cooling by introducing cooling air through nozzles into the crystallization chamber. The cooling air flows around the crystallization plates and absorbs heat from the crystallizing material, achieving cooling without water consumption or scaling issues. This replaces the hydraulic cooling system with a pneumatic one.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Productivity

If vacuum cooling crystallization equipment is used, then cooling efficiency is improved, but steam energy consumption is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling production efficiencyVSAvoidsteam energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the cooling parameter from vacuum evaporation cooling to direct air cooling. By controlling the temperature and flow rate of cooling air, the system achieves efficient heat removal without the high energy consumption associated with vacuum generation and steam heating required in traditional vacuum cooling systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If conventional air-cooled crystallization column is used, then cooling crystallization is achieved, but volume and energy consumption are high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrystallization functionVSAvoidcolumn volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a vertical column structure to horizontal crystallization plates arranged in layers. This dimensional change allows for more efficient heat exchange surface area within a compact footprint, reducing the overall volume required while maintaining or improving crystallization capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Device complexity

If multiple layers of perforated plates are used in crystallization column, then structure is formed, but crystal substances are difficult to drop and additional vibration equipment is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrystallization column structureVSAvoiddropping of crystal substances
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces oscillating mechanisms that move the crystallization plates back and forth. This dynamic motion prevents crystal buildup on the plates by continuously changing the contact points, allowing crystals to naturally drop off without requiring additional vibration equipment or complex periodic shutdown procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

5Productivity

If conventional crystallization column is used, then crystallization occurs, but water volume for washing crystal substances is high and concentration of acidic water is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrystallization efficiencyVSAvoidwater consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies localized washing where cooling air is directed specifically at the crystallization plates where crystals form. This localized approach concentrates the washing action where it is most needed, reducing overall water consumption while maintaining high crystal purity and producing more concentrated acidic water byproducts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 design enhances crystallization efficiency, reduces energy consumption, and facilitates easy dropping and washing of crystal substances, making it suitable for acidic water treatment and hydrogen sulfide separation processes.

Implementation Method 1

The top end of the lower crystallization member can form movable connection with the tray plate, so that the two adjacent lower crystallizing members are capable of oscillating collisions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOscillation: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

cooling section (10)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Implementation Method 3

gas-phase distributor (12)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas distribution: Convection

Implementation Method 4

Crystallization is the process in which solid matters are precipitated from steam, solution or melts in the crystal state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrystallization: Crystallisation

Data Source

PatentEP3323485B1Crystallization column and crystallization method
Publication Date: 2020.10.14 CHINA PETROLEUM & CHEMICAL CORP
  • EP3323485B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3323485B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3323485B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A crystallization column and a crystallization method. The crystallization column comprises an upper head (1), a tower body (2) and a lower head (3), wherein a crystallization section (11) is provided with a tray (14); and the tray (14) comprises a tray plate (15) and a plurality of lower crystallization members (17). The top end of the lower crystallization member (17) can form a movable connection with the tray plate (15), so that the two adjacent lower crystallizing members (17) are capable of oscillating collisions. The tray (14) may also comprise a plurality of upper crystallization members (21) extending upwardly from the upper surface of the tray plate (15).