Rotating Packed Bed Reactor with Concentric Fluid Pathways
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotating packed bed reactors face challenges in efficiently managing fluid flow through tightly packed assemblies, particularly in maintaining efficient mass transfer among gas-liquid-solid phases during carbonation processes, and require a more compact and reliable design to handle high rotational speeds.
Innovation Solution
A rotating packed bed reactor design featuring multiple rotating packed beds on a common shaft with separate and independent fluid pathways, annular gas transfer between stages, and a structured packing spacer system to secure and compress packing material, minimizing shearing forces and channeling, and allowing for compact operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple rotating packed beds are placed on a common shaft, then productivity is improved through parallel processing, but device complexity increases due to multiple fluid pathways and staging requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nested concentric fluid pathways within the common shaft, where an inner pathway and an outer pathway are arranged one inside the other. The inner pathway serves the first rotating packed bed while the outer pathway serves the second rotating packed bed. This nesting approach allows multiple independent fluid pathways to coexist within a compact shaft structure, enabling parallel processing in multiple stages without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the fluid delivery system into separate, independent pathways for each rotating packed bed. Each pathway can be independently controlled and optimized, allowing parallel operation of multiple beds. This segmentation enables the system to handle multiple streams simultaneously while maintaining independent control over each stage's fluid dynamics.
2Volume of stationary object
If the reactor is designed for compact operation with reduced size, then volume of stationary object is reduced, but fluid flow efficiency may deteriorate due to constrained pathways
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional single-stage radial flow design to a multi-stage axial flow configuration with concentric pathways. By utilizing the axial dimension and arranging pathways in concentric circles, the design achieves compact radial footprint while maintaining efficient fluid flow through extended axial pathways. This dimensional approach allows the reactor to be compact in plan view while preserving adequate flow paths for high productivity.
3Reliability
If packing material is secured and compressed to prevent movement at high rotational speeds, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase due to compression control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical state and mechanical properties of the packing material through controlled compression. By applying specific compressive forces to densify the packing, the system enhances the packing's mechanical stability and resistance to centrifugal forces at high rotational speeds. This parameter change transforms the packing from a loosely arranged structure to a densely packed, stable configuration that maintains reliability under operational stresses.
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 enhances fluid flow efficiency, reduces reactor size, secures packing to prevent movement at high rotational speeds, and ensures reliable operation by maintaining liquid flow through intended paths, thereby improving mass transfer and operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
Rotating packed bed reactors are typically used to enhance the mass transfer among the gas-liquid-solid phases in a carbonation process
Implementation Method 2
rotating the first and second rotating packed beds by rotating the central shaft to radially introduce each of the first and second liquid flows to a corresponding one of the first and second rotating packed beds from the rotating central shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A rotating packed bed reactor and method of use. The rotating packed bed reactor includes a hollow central shaft having two separate concentric liquid pathways therein. The rotating packed bed reactor includes at least two rotating packed beds configured to rotate with the central shaft, and each connected to a different one of the two separate concentric liquid pathways. The central shaft has a first section connected to a first rotating packed bed and a second section connected to a second rotating packed bed, and the second section includes an annular opening to continue a central pathway of the two separate concentric liquid pathways.