Oligomer Reactor Inlet Segmentation for Weeping Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The weeping phenomenon in bubble column reactors, where liquid reaction medium falls into the gaseous area and blocks the gaseous reactant inlet, leads to reduced mixing efficiency and potential shutdown of the process, necessitating measures to ensure stable operation without stopping the process.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a reactor with a first gaseous reactant inlet at the lower portion and additional inlets on the inner walls, along with injection nozzles and flow rate control devices, allowing gaseous reactant supply through secondary inlets when the primary inlet is blocked, ensuring continuous operation by maintaining turbulence and mixing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single gaseous reactant inlet is positioned at the center of the lower portion of the reactor, then mixing efficiency is optimized under normal conditions, but the system becomes vulnerable to complete shutdown when weeping blocks the inlet
Solution Approach 1:
The single gaseous reactant inlet is divided into multiple separate inlets (first, second, and third inlets) positioned at different locations within the reactor. This segmentation ensures that if one inlet becomes blocked due to weeping, the other inlets remain functional and can continue to supply gaseous reactant, thereby maintaining process continuity without requiring a complete shutdown
Solution Approach 2:
Different gaseous reactant inlets are positioned at different locations (center of lower portion, inner wall at upper portion of gaseous area, opposite inner wall) with different functional characteristics. The first inlet serves as the primary inlet for normal operation, while the second and third inlets serve as backup inlets specifically positioned to remain accessible even when the primary inlet is blocked by weeping liquid
2Productivity
If the gaseous reactant inlet is positioned at the center of the lower portion for efficient mixing, then turbulence and mixing are maximized, but the inlet becomes susceptible to blocking by weeping liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The gaseous reactant inlet system is segmented into multiple independent inlets positioned at different locations. The first inlet at the center of the lower portion maintains optimal mixing efficiency under normal conditions, while the second and third inlets positioned on opposite inner walls provide alternative access paths that remain open during weeping events
Solution Approach 2:
The inlet positions are distributed across different spatial dimensions and locations within the reactor - the first inlet is centrally positioned for optimal mixing, while the second and third inlets are positioned on opposite inner walls at the upper portion of the gaseous area, creating a three-dimensional distribution that ensures at least one inlet remains accessible regardless of liquid level fluctuations or weeping patterns
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 minimizes process instability and ensures stable operation by maintaining turbulence and mixing efficiency, even when the weeping phenomenon occurs, preventing process shutdown.
Implementation Method 1
turbulence is generated by a force of the dispersed gas, such that the liquid reaction medium and the gaseous reactant are naturally mixed with each other
Implementation Method 2
a bubble column reactor for performing the oligomerization reaction (a trimerization reaction or a tetramerization reaction) of ethylene by bringing gaseous ethylene used as a reactant into contact with a reaction area including a liquid reaction medium containing a catalyst
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for preparing an oligomer, and more particularly, to an apparatus for preparing an oligomer including: a reactor including a gaseous area having a first gaseous reactant inlet provided at a lower portion thereof, and a reaction area in which a reaction medium reacts with the gaseous reactant above the gaseous area; a second gaseous reactant inlet provided on an inner wall of the reactor in the gaseous area and a third gaseous reactant inlet provided on an inner wall of the reactor facing the second gaseous reactant inlet; and a first injection nozzle connected to the second gaseous reactant inlet and a second injection nozzle connected to the third gaseous reactant inlet.