Radial Flow Reactor With Concentric Tubes for Low Pressure Drop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Continuous processing devices are often inefficient and not compact, posing space and cost challenges in chemical, biological, and environmental applications.
Innovation Solution
A radial flow processing device with concentric tubes and a connected processing disk, featuring a compact, motionless design with optimized flow geometry and no moving parts, allowing for efficient fluid distribution and reaction across a catalytic or biologically active surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If continuous processing devices are used to achieve high production levels, then productivity is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs nested concentric tubes where the inner tube is positioned within the outer tube, creating a compact radial flow path. This nesting arrangement allows continuous processing functionality while minimizing the overall device footprint and structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from conventional linear flow paths to a radial flow dimension, where fluid flows perpendicular to the tube axis through the disk. This dimensional change enables more efficient space utilization and reduces the length of the processing device while maintaining continuous operation capability.
2Productivity
If continuous processing devices are used to achieve high production levels, then productivity is improved, but the device occupies more space
Solution Approach 1:
The nested concentric tube configuration allows the inner processing tube to be housed within the outer protective tube, significantly reducing the overall volume occupied by the device while maintaining continuous processing capability for high production levels.
Solution Approach 2:
By implementing radial flow perpendicular to the tube axis, the device achieves efficient processing in a compact cylindrical volume, reducing the length and overall footprint compared to conventional linear flow devices while maintaining high productivity.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional processing devices are used, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into distinct functional components (inner tube, outer tube, disk with openings) that can be manufactured separately using conventional techniques and then assembled. This segmentation maintains ease of manufacture while the integrated radial flow design achieves superior processing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the flow parameter from linear to radial direction, fundamentally improving mass transfer and reaction efficiency. Despite this parameter change, the device structure remains simple enough to be manufactured using conventional fabrication and assembly techniques.
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 device achieves high efficiency and compactness with low pressure drop, enabling uniform fluid flow and optimized process parameters, suitable for various chemical, biological, and environmental applications.
Implementation Method 1
the top wall or bottom wall include a nonplanar surface, which in one example includes a Fresnel lens
Implementation Method 2
at least one mirror is connected with an upper end of the body
Data Source
AI summary
A radial flow processing device includes a body with an inner chamber, a pair of inner and outer concentric tubes extending into the body, and a processing disk containing a central opening through which the inner tube extends, the disk being connected with the inner tube. The body has a top wall, a bottom wall, and at least one side wall which define the inner chamber. The bottom wall, top wall, or both, contain at least one opening through which at least one tube extends. A diameter of the inner tube is less than a diameter of the outer tube such that there is a space between both tubes, and a diameter of the disk is less than a width of the body.