Segmented Stator Plate Exhaust Slots for Rotary PSA
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotary bed pressure swing adsorption (PSA) processes face challenges in managing blowdown and purge exhaust gas streams, leading to reverse flow issues due to the combination of high flow rates and limited exhaust slot volumes, which can inhibit gas flow and reduce process efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The exhaust slot in the stator plate is partially or fully split into separate sections for handling blowdown and purge exhaust gas streams, with a flow restriction to limit gas flow between them, allowing for independent discharge and preventing reverse flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If blowdown and purge exhaust gas streams are combined into a single exhaust slot, then the device complexity is reduced, but reverse flow occurs and process efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust slot is segmented into separate sections: a first exhaust slot for receiving blowdown exhaust gas streams and a second exhaust slot for receiving purge exhaust gas streams. This segmentation prevents reverse flow between the two streams while maintaining manageable device complexity through structured division of the exhaust handling system.
2Volume of stationary object
If exhaust slot volume is limited, then the device size is reduced, but gas flow is inhibited and backpressure increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the exhaust system into separate slots for blowdown and purge streams, each slot can be optimized for its specific flow requirements. The blowdown exhaust slot can be sized to handle high flow rates without excessive backpressure, while the purge exhaust slot can be smaller since it handles lower flow rates, thus reducing overall device volume while managing backpressure effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
Different exhaust slot configurations are provided for different gas streams based on their local requirements. The blowdown exhaust slot is designed to handle high pressure and high flow rate conditions, while the purge exhaust slot is designed for lower pressure and flow rate conditions, optimizing the local quality of each exhaust handling section.
3Reliability
If blowdown and purge streams are handled separately, then reverse flow is prevented and process efficiency is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust system is segmented into distinct slots for blowdown and purge streams, providing reliable reverse flow prevention through physical separation. The complexity is managed by integrating these slots into the existing stator plate structure and using a systematic approach to gas stream routing through the rotor assembly.
4Ease of manufacture
If single exhaust slot is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but flow restriction causes backpressure and reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust slot is divided into multiple segmented slots that can be manufactured using standard fabrication techniques. The segmentation is achieved through straightforward modifications to the stator plate design, such as adding partitions or creating separate opening regions, which maintain ease of manufacture while significantly improving gas flow capacity and reducing backpressure.
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 solution effectively prevents reverse flow, maintains process efficiency, and reduces backpressure, while also stiffening the stator plate to minimize deformation and maintain a flat sealing surface, thus enhancing overall PSA performance.
Implementation Method 1
pressure swing adsorption (PSA) separation processes
Implementation Method 2
the rotor assembly being rotated relative to the first and second stator assemblies in order to change the operating modes of the beds
Implementation Method 3
said sections being separated by a flow restriction that limits gas flow between the sections
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a stator plate for a rotary bed PSA apparatus that has an exhaust slot that has first and second sections for receiving blowdown and purge exhaust gas streams, the sections being separated by a flow restriction that restricts but does not full prevent gas flow between the sections, or that has separate exhaust slots for separately receiving the blowdown and purge exhaust gas streams. Also disclosed is pressure swing adsorption (PSA) apparatus including such a stator plate, and a rotary bed PSA process using such an apparatus.