Rounded Distribution Plate Openings to Prevent Fluid Deposits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid distribution devices in chemical apparatuses often experience deposit formation due to dissolved or suspended substances, leading to slowed fluid velocities and recirculation flows at geometric discontinuities, which can cause clogging and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A distribution device with a plate having a large number of openings, where the openings are rounded or chamfered on the side through which the fluid passes, reducing geometric discontinuities and promoting uniform fluid distribution, thereby minimizing deposit formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional distributor plates with sharp-edged openings are used, then the device structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but deposits form at geometric discontinuities causing clogging and reduced reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to deposit formationVSAvoidopening geometry complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by rounding the edges of the openings in the distributor plate. Instead of sharp-edged circular openings, the openings have a rounded contour with a radius of curvature of 0.5-2 mm at the inlet side. This curvature eliminates the geometric discontinuity that causes flow separation and recirculation zones, thereby preventing deposit formation while maintaining the overall simplicity of the plate structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Productivity

If distributor plates with many openings are used to achieve uniform fluid distribution, then productivity improves, but the likelihood of deposit formation at each opening increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid distribution efficiencyVSAvoidresistance to clogging
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By rounding the edges of each opening, the patent eliminates the sharp corners that create recirculation zones and flow separation. This allows the plate to maintain a high number of openings for efficient fluid distribution while each individual opening remains resistant to deposit formation and clogging

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of manufacture

If sharp-edged openings are used in the distributor plate, then manufacturing precision requirements are lower and ease of manufacture improves, but fluid flow uniformity deteriorates due to recirculation zones

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveopening fabrication simplicityVSAvoidfluid flow uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The rounded opening geometry can be manufactured using standard machining processes such as drilling followed by rounding, or using specialized forming tools. While slightly more complex than sharp-edged holes, the manufacturing process remains straightforward and can be integrated into conventional production methods, achieving both ease of manufacture and improved fluid flow uniformity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP2163300B1Use of a distribution plate for splitting fluid flows
Publication Date: 2021.12.22 COVESTRO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2163300B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2163300B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2163300B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Fluid stream separation involves introducing fluid stream into distribution device. The distribution device utilizes a plate (2) with two or multiple openings (3), where the openings are rounded off or chamfered on one side of the plate. The fluid component currents are flown through the openings.