Co-current Vapor-Liquid Contacting Modules with Rotating Stages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vapor-liquid contacting devices face challenges with maldistribution of fluid, leading to reduced capacity and efficiency, and high pressure drops due to the use of perforated decks in fractional distillation columns.
Innovation Solution
A co-current vapor-liquid contacting apparatus with non-parallel stages, featuring rotating contacting modules with liquid distributors and demisters, allows for efficient fluid redistribution and reduced pressure drop by enabling vapor and liquid to flow in multiple directions, thereby eliminating maldistribution and optimizing column space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional cross flow or counter current contacting devices are used, then vapor-liquid separation can be performed, but maldistribution of fluid occurs leading to reduced capacity and efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements rotating contacting modules that can dynamically change orientation between stages. The modules are rotatable about vertical axes and can be positioned at different angular orientations (e.g., 0°, 45°, 90°, 135°) relative to adjacent stages. This dynamic reorientation allows liquid and vapor to be redistributed in multiple directions, eliminating maldistribution problems inherent in fixed parallel arrangements while maintaining high separation capacity.
2Reliability
If perforated decks are used in fractional distillation columns, then vapor-liquid contacting can be achieved, but pressure drops increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the perforated deck component entirely from the system. Instead of using perforated decks to achieve vapor-liquid contacting, the invention employs open contacting modules with liquid distributors that spray liquid into the vapor stream and demisters for phase separation. This extraction of the harmful perforated deck element eliminates the associated pressure drop while maintaining effective vapor-liquid contacting through alternative mechanisms.
3Device complexity
If parallel arrangement of contacting modules is used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but maldistribution of liquid or vapor propagates from one stage to the next
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetric angular offsets between adjacent contacting modules in vertical stages. Rather than aligning modules parallel to each other, each module is rotated by a specific angle (such as 45° or 90°) relative to the stage below it. This asymmetric arrangement disrupts the propagation of maldistribution patterns while maintaining relatively simple modular construction, effectively breaking up flow channels that would otherwise carry distribution errors from one stage to the next.
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 high capacity and efficiency by redistributing fluids effectively and reducing pressure drops, enhancing the separation process in fractional distillation columns.
Implementation Method 1
Ascending vapor enters the contacting volume and entrains liquid that is discharged from the liquid distributor
Implementation Method 2
The demister, also known as a vapor-liquid separator, partitions the vapor and liquid such that the vapor and liquid can separately flow upward and downward respectively after being contacted
Implementation Method 3
A co-current vapor-liquid contacting apparatus with non-parallel stages, featuring rotating contacting modules with liquid distributors and demisters, allows for efficient fluid redistribution and reduced pressure drop by enabling vapor and liquid to flow in multiple directions
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is a high capacity and high efficiency co-current vapor-liquid contacting apparatus for use in distillation columns and other vapor-liquid contacting processes. The apparatus is characterized by an arrangement of modules in horizontal stages rather than tray-like construction. The modules define a co-current contacting volume and in an exemplary configuration the modules include a liquid distributor, a demister, a receiving pan and a duct. The modules of one stage are rotated to be non-parallel with respect to the modules of an inferior stage, a superior stage, or both. Variations relate to the design of the individual elements such as the demister, liquid distributor, ducts, and contacting volumes, and the overall arrangement of the apparatus.