Rotary Fluid Distributor for Counter-Current Solid-Fluid Columns
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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, especially when dealing with large and heavy components, and are not optimized for continuous countercurrent operations in processes like regenerative heat exchange and ion exchange.
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 by rotating the rotor to establish upward and downward flows through columns packed with solid material, enabling efficient counter-current solid-fluid mass transfer or heat transfer operations without the need for a turntable.
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 apparatus divides the system into stationary columns containing solid material and a rotating rotor with fluid distribution pipes. This segmentation allows the heavy solid-containing columns to remain stationary while only the lighter rotor rotates, eliminating the mechanical difficulties of rotating heavy chambers while maintaining counter-current contact capability
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of rotating the chambers containing solid material (as in prior art), this invention inverts the approach by keeping columns stationary and rotating the fluid distribution rotor. This reversal of roles solves the mechanical weight problem while achieving the same counter-current contact function
2Ease of operation
If rotary valve designs are used for fluid distribution, then fluid direction control is achieved, but the system becomes mechanically complex and cumbersome for large fluid flows
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the fluid distribution function from a complex rotary valve mechanism and implements it through a simplified rotating rotor with externally mounted pipes. This removes unnecessary mechanical complexity while preserving the ability to control fluid direction to multiple columns
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating rotor serves multiple functions: it distributes fluid to multiple columns, collects effluent from multiple columns, and enables switching between different operational modes (adsorption, desorption, regeneration). This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanical components, simplifying the overall system
3Device complexity
If crossflow contact patterns are used instead of true counter-current flow, then apparatus complexity is reduced, but mass transfer efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic rotation of the rotor to switch between different operational modes. During adsorption, fresh fluid contacts the column; during desorption, the rotor rotates to connect columns in reverse sequence. This dynamic switching enables true counter-current contact patterns that maximize mass transfer efficiency without requiring complex static flow path designs
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 apparatus achieves efficient counter-current contact patterns, optimizing solid-fluid operations by rotating the rotor to switch between adsorption and desorption modes, enhancing product purity and regeneration stream efficiency, and allowing for continuous countercurrent flow in both series and individual column lengths.
Implementation Method 1
continuous countercurrent operation for such a multitude of processes
Implementation Method 2
switch between adsorption and desorption modes
Implementation Method 3
switch between adsorption and desorption modes
Implementation Method 4
continuous countercurrent operation for such a multitude of processes including regenerative heat exchangers
Implementation Method 5
ion exchange columns
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.