Structured Packing Sloping Elements Hydrocarbon Stripping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for stripping gaseous hydrocarbons from particulate material in processes like fluid catalytic cracking are not highly efficient, as they rely on traditional structured packing that may not maximize contact between the catalyst and stripping medium, leading to incomplete removal of hydrocarbons.
Innovation Solution
The use of a structured packing with sloping elements and reinforcing rods in a countercurrent contacting flow configuration within a stripping section of a vessel, where particles containing hydrocarbons are advanced down sloping elements towards reinforcing rods, enhancing contact with rising stripping vapor to remove hydrocarbons effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional structured packing is used for stripping, then the apparatus structure is simple, but the contact between catalyst and stripping medium is insufficient leading to low stripping efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The structured packing is segmented into multiple sloping elements arranged in series, each creating discrete contact zones between catalyst and stripping vapor. This segmentation increases the number of interaction points without requiring a completely complex overall structure, thereby improving stripping efficiency while maintaining reasonable structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces sloping elements at various angles to create three-dimensional contact paths for the catalyst particles. This dimensional approach increases the effective contact surface area and residence time between catalyst and stripping medium, enhancing stripping efficiency without simply adding more vertical packing layers
2Duration of action of moving object
If vertically spaced baffles are used to cascade catalyst, then residence time and contact between catalyst and stripping medium increase, but the apparatus structure becomes more complex with reinforcing rods and baffle assemblies
Solution Approach 1:
The sloping elements are designed to create dynamic catalyst flow patterns where particles naturally cascade and redistribute along the inclined surfaces. This dynamic approach extends residence time through gravitational flow and repeated contact zones without requiring rigid baffle structures to force catalyst movement, thereby reducing structural complexity while maintaining extended contact time
3Productivity
If structured packing with baffles is employed to increase contact, then hydrocarbon removal improves, but the apparatus requires more reinforcing rods and complex baffle positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The sloping elements are designed to combine multiple functions into single structural components: they provide catalyst support, create flow distribution, establish contact zones, and eliminate the need for separate reinforcing rods and baffle assemblies. This merging of functions achieves effective hydrocarbon removal while significantly reducing the number of discrete parts and structural 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 significantly improves the efficiency of hydrocarbon stripping by increasing contact between the catalyst and stripping vapor, resulting in higher removal rates of adsorbed and entrained hydrocarbons.
Implementation Method 1
structured packing configured for passage of a stripping vapor and particles that contain hydrocarbons in countercurrent contacting flow to remove at least a portion of the hydrocarbons with the stripping vapor
Implementation Method 2
remove the hydrocarbon vapors that are adsorbed on and/or entrained with the catalyst
Implementation Method 3
remove the hydrocarbon vapors that are adsorbed on and/or entrained with the catalyst
Implementation Method 4
particles containing hydrocarbons are advanced down sloping elements towards reinforcing rods
Data Source
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AI summary
Apparatuses and processes are provided for stripping gaseous hydrocarbons from particulate material. One process comprises the step of contacting particles containing hydrocarbons with a stripping vapor in countercurrent flow to remove at least a portion of the hydrocarbons with the stripping vapor to form stripped particles. Contacting the particles includes advancing the particles down a sloping element of a structured packing toward a reinforcing rod that is disposed along a lower channel portion of the sloping element. The particles are advanced over the reinforcing rod. The particles are contacted with the stripping vapor that is rising up adjacent to the lower channel portion.