Quenching Vessel Divergent Conical Part Ash Deposition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing quenching vessels face issues with ash deposits on the vessel walls due to the interaction of ash and water, leading to fouling and operational challenges during the cooling of synthesis gas.

Innovation Solution

A vertically oriented quenching vessel with a divergent conical part having outwardly inclined walls and downwardly directed nozzles for injecting a quench medium, which minimizes the deposition of ash and water mixture by ensuring complete evaporation before contact with the vessel walls, utilizing a membrane wall design and appropriate nozzle configurations for efficient atomization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If water is injected into the downwardly flowing synthesis gas for quenching, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but ash deposits form on the vessel walls due to the interaction of ash and water

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidash deposition
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The divergent conical part acts as an intermediary structure that guides the interaction between water spray and hot gas. The conical geometry creates a controlled environment where water evaporates before contacting the vessel walls, preventing ash-water mixture from depositing on surfaces while maintaining effective cooling of the synthesis gas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical parameters of the water injection system by using a divergent conical part with specific geometry (outwardly inclined walls) and downwardly directed nozzles. This configuration transforms the water injection from a direct wall-contacting spray into a controlled evaporation zone, changing the temperature, pressure, and flow dynamics to prevent deposition while maintaining cooling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If water is injected into the synthesis gas for quenching, then the temperature reduction is achieved, but fouling occurs on the internal surfaces of the quenching vessel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature reductionVSAvoidfouling
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The divergent conical part with downwardly directed nozzles performs a preliminary action by ensuring water evaporates completely before the ash-water mixture can contact the vessel walls. This preliminary evaporation step prevents the fouling problem from occurring in the first place, allowing continuous operation without cleaning interruptions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If a simple quenching vessel design is used, then the structural complexity is reduced, but ash and water mixture causes serious fouling on internal surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural complexityVSAvoidfouling
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a divergent conical part with curved outwardly inclined walls into the quenching vessel. This curved geometry is relatively simple to manufacture compared to complex heat exchanger arrangements, yet it effectively guides the water spray and gas flow to prevent fouling, achieving a balance between structural simplicity and fouling prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 solution effectively prevents fouling by ensuring the quench medium fully evaporates before contacting the vessel walls, allowing for continuous and prolonged operation while maintaining the cooling efficiency of synthesis gas, reducing the risk of ash deposition and enhancing the separation of non-gaseous components like ash from the gas stream.

Implementation Method 1

an arrangement of more than one nozzles for atomisation and spraying liquid in a downward direction into the pathway for the gas flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAtomization:

Implementation Method 2

the liquid quenching medium will be able to fully evaporate before contacting the inner wall of the quenching vessel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

The synthesis gas is further reduced in temperature by injecting a mist of water into the flow of synthesis gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporative cooling: Evaporative Cooler

Implementation Method 4

a pathway for a gas flow directed downwardly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2197988B1Quenching vessel
Publication Date: 2016.10.26 SHELL INTERNATIONALE RESEARCH MAATSCHAPPIJ BV
  • EP2197988B1 patent drawingFigure 1~1b
  • EP2197988B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2197988B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Quenching vessel (1) being, in use, vertically elongated and provided with an inlet for gas (2) at its upper end, an outlet for cooled gas (3) at its lower end defining a pathway for a gas flow directed downwardly, the vessel being provided at its upper end with a first internal tubular wall part (5) which wall part has an opening fluidly connected to the inlet for gas and wherein tubular wall part is connected at its lower end with a divergent conical part (8) having walls which are inclined outwardly in the direction of the pathway for gas, wherein an arrangement of more than one nozzles (9) for atotnisation and spraying a liquid quench medium in a downward direction into the pathway for the gas flow are present in the space enclosed by the divergent conical part.