Rotary Counter-Current Column Layout Without Heavy Turntables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotary fluid distribution systems face mechanical difficulties and inefficiencies in achieving true counter-current solid-fluid contact patterns, particularly when dealing with large and heavy components, and often rely on cumbersome turntables or crossflow patterns.
Innovation Solution
A rotary fluid distribution apparatus comprising a rotor with external and internal pipes and a stator with aligned external pipes, allowing for counter-current flow through multiple columns packed with solid material, where the rotor's rotation simulates solid motion for efficient counter-current operations without a turntable, enabling both upward and downward fluid flows and purge functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a turntable with chambers is used to achieve counter-current solid-fluid contact, then counter-current operation is achieved, but mechanical difficulties occur when chambers become large and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the solid-fluid contact process into multiple stationary columns rather than using a single rotating chamber. Each column operates independently with its own fluid distribution, allowing the solid phase to remain stationary and eliminating the mechanical burden of rotating heavy chambers while maintaining counter-current operation through coordinated fluid flow control
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of rotating the solid-containing chambers to achieve counter-current contact, the invention inverts the approach by keeping solids stationary and rotating the fluid distribution system. This allows the same counter-current effect to be achieved without the mechanical difficulties of rotating heavy solid-containing structures
2Ease of operation
If rotary valves are used to direct fluid streams for solid-fluid contacting, then fluid distribution is achieved, but the system becomes mechanically complex and cumbersome for large fluid flows
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid distribution system is segmented into multiple independent nozzles positioned around the column periphery rather than using a single complex rotary valve mechanism. Each nozzle can be independently controlled to distribute fluid to different sections of the column, simplifying the mechanical structure while maintaining flexible fluid distribution capability for large flows
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex mechanical rotary valve systems with a simpler nozzle-based fluid distribution system. The rotation mechanism is minimized to simply position the nozzles, while fluid direction and distribution are achieved through nozzle orientation and fluid flow control rather than complex valve mechanisms
3Productivity
If crossflow patterns are used in rotary fluid distribution, then fluid-solid contact is achieved, but true counter-current flow patterns cannot be realized
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic control of fluid flow rates and directions through multiple nozzles to achieve true counter-current patterns. By independently controlling the timing and rate of fluid introduction at different nozzle positions, the system dynamically creates conditions where fluid flows in the opposite direction to solid movement (or simulated solid movement), achieving genuine counter-current contact rather than static crossflow 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 design facilitates efficient counter-current solid-fluid mass transfer and heat transfer operations, optimizing fluid distribution by allowing continuous counter-current flow, improving mechanical simplicity and operational efficiency, and enhancing product purity and regeneration stream effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
continuous countercurrent operation for such a multitude of processes
Implementation Method 2
continuous operations of mass transfer from one phase to another
Implementation Method 3
continuous countercurrent regenerative heat exchange
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary counter-current solid/fluid contact apparatus is developed to enhance the efficiency of adsorption, ion exchange and regenerative heat exchange. The counter-current apparatus uses a rotor to direct fluids to multiple stationary columns. By the action of the rotor, counter-current flows of a fluid phase and a solid phase can be achieved for a combined adsorption and desorption cycle, or a combined heating and cooling cycle. The apparatus allows not only countercurrent solid-fluid flows based on columns in series, but also countercurrent solid-fluid flows in the length of each individual column. A method is also disclosed.