Rotating Gutter Evaporator Liquid Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional falling film evaporators face inefficiencies in solvent recovery and concentration due to single-path liquid flow, high maintenance costs from roller or wiper wear, and the need for continuous liquid supply to prevent heat-related damage during shutdown.
Innovation Solution
An evaporator design featuring a rotating shaft with gutter-shaped members that distribute the liquid over a heat source, allowing multiple paths for liquid flow and eliminating the need for rollers or wipers, with a condenser system that prevents heat-related issues during shutdown.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If rollers or wipers are used to renew the liquid surface on the heat transfer surface, then evaporation efficiency is improved, but maintenance costs increase due to wear and replacement requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the rollers or wipers from the system by using the agitated liquid itself to flow down the heat transfer surface, thereby removing the source of wear and maintenance requirements while maintaining evaporation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid being processed serves its own function of renewing the liquid surface on the heat transfer surface through the agitation and flow mechanism, eliminating the need for external mechanical components that would require maintenance
2Device complexity
If liquid flows down only once through a single path, then the structure is simple, but solvent recovery efficiency is insufficient when large amounts of volatile components are present
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the liquid flow path into multiple paths by creating a distributed flow pattern across the heat transfer surface through agitation, allowing the liquid to be processed in parallel streams that enhance overall evaporation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamic agitation to create varying flow patterns and multiple liquid paths, transforming the static single-path flow into a dynamic multi-path system that improves contact with the heat transfer surface
3Ease of operation
If the evaporator is stopped without continuous liquid supply, then operational flexibility is improved, but heat-related damage occurs to internal components
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful heat effect from the internal components by using a thermally isolated agitation mechanism, allowing the evaporator to be stopped without liquid supply while preventing heat-related damage to internal parts
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a thermal isolation mechanism as an intermediary between the heat transfer surface and the internal agitation components, protecting internal parts from heat damage while allowing flexible operation
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
Enhances solvent recovery efficiency, reduces maintenance needs, and allows for safe and efficient shutdown without heat-related damage, improving overall evaporation performance and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
an outer circumference of the agitation vessel is covered by a jacket 812 that can be heated by steam, for example. Here, when the jacket 812 is heated, the heat is transferred from the outer circumference to the inner wall of the agitation vessel 810 and causes a volatile component contained in the raw material liquid 934 flowing down the inner wall while forming a wet surface to evaporate
Implementation Method 2
a first condenser provided on an outer circumference of the agitation vessel and configured to cool an inner wall of the agitation vessel
Implementation Method 3
The evaporated volatile component is fed to the condenser 930 (Fig. 13) provided outside the evaporator 800 through a vapor outlet 860. The volatile component is cooled in the condenser 930, then returns to the liquid state, and is finally collected as a condensate
Data Source
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AI summary
An evaporator of the present invention includes an agitation vessel having a volatile component outlet and a concentrate outlet and configured to receive a raw material liquid, a heat source provided inside the agitation vessel, a liquid distributing portion provided within the agitation vessel and configured to cause the raw material liquid to flow down the heat source, and a first condenser provided on an outer circumference of the agitation vessel and configured to cool an inner wall of the agitation vessel. The evaporator of the present invention is useful in, for example, the concentration of various liquid chemicals and chemical products and the removal of volatile impurities from these chemicals and chemical products.