Sintered Disc Gas Flow Absorber for PSA Diffusion Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas flow absorbers using Pressure Swing Adsorption (P.S.A.) systems face challenges in preventing fluidization of the inner bed and optimizing fluid diffusion, particularly due to the limitations of diffuser materials and mesh sizes, which affect the efficiency of gas mixture processing.
Innovation Solution
The use of a sintered disc body made of brass or stainless steel in the absorber vessel, with adjustable porosity and a locking mechanism, allows for precise control of gas flow and easy replacement of the disc to maintain efficiency, combined with a lightweight aluminum cylinder for continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If thin metal perforated plates or mesh layers are used as diffusers, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the manufacturing precision and control over fluid diffusion is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies sintered metal materials to create a diffuser with precisely controlled porosity. The sintering process allows for accurate control of pore size and distribution, achieving the desired manufacturing precision for fluid diffusion control while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process through powder metallurgy techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the diffuser material by using sintered metals with specific pore sizes, distributions, and porosity values. This allows precise control over fluid diffusion characteristics, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and ease of manufacture by optimizing material parameters rather than complicating the manufacturing process.
2Productivity
If the absorber vessel diameter is increased to allow gas expansion, then the gas flow rate through absorption material decreases, but the device volume and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by placing a sintered metal diffuser with specific porosity at the inlet region of the absorber vessel. This localized structure optimizes gas distribution and expansion characteristics precisely where needed, improving gas flow processing efficiency without requiring an increase in overall vessel volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The sintered metal diffuser with controlled porosity creates an optimized flow distribution pattern that enhances gas expansion and contact with absorption material. This allows the system to achieve higher productivity within a compact vessel volume by improving the efficiency of gas absorption in the existing space.
3Manufacturing precision
If mesh size is reduced to improve diffusion control, then the manufacturing precision increases, but the device complexity and difficulty of manufacture increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses sintered metal materials that inherently provide controlled pore structures with precise dimensions. The sintering process creates a uniform porous network that achieves high diffusion control precision without requiring complex multi-layer mesh structures, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision.
4Reliability
If conventional diffusers are used, then the device structure is simple, but clogging occurs and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sintered metal diffuser provides a three-dimensional porous structure with interconnected pores that resist clogging more effectively than conventional two-dimensional mesh or perforated plates. The porous structure allows for better distribution of gas flow and reduced particle accumulation, improving reliability without significantly increasing device complexity.
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 configuration enhances the accuracy of fluid processing, prevents clogging, and allows for adaptable operation, improving the overall efficiency and reliability of the gas flow absorber by accurately fitting the disc to the characteristics of the conveyed fluids.
Implementation Method 1
the material forming the disc body comprises sintered brass, or sintered stainless steel
Implementation Method 2
allowing the absorber inlet fluid, such as air or other gas mixtures, to expand in the absorber
Implementation Method 3
owing to the provision of the disc 11 made of a sintered material, it is possible to define with a very great accuracy the porosity of the disc 11, thereby fitting it to the characteristics of the conveyed fluids
Implementation Method 4
Absorbers operating based on the Pressure Swing Adsorption (P.S.A.) system
Implementation Method 5
Absorbers operating based on the Pressure Swing Adsorption (P.S.A.) system are already known in the prior art
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A gas flow absorber comprises an absorption vessel (1), having a vessel wall (2) defining a cylinder including an absorption material (4), the cylinder having a cylinder wall bearing, at the bottom thereof, in a circumferential slot (5) formed on a support plate (6) including a channel (7) therethrough a gas mixture flow (9) is conveyed, the channel having a channel hole (8) passing through an enlarged portion (9) of the support plate, the enlarged portion being coupled to a flat chamber (10) substantially extending through the overall extension of the vessel bottom, the chamber being covered by a disc-like body (11) made of a sintered material.