Incremental Solid-Block Contacting for Low-Pressure Countercurrent Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in achieving efficient counter-current solid-fluid contact patterns in regenerative heat exchangers and adsorption/desorption columns, leading to high fluid phase pressure drops and nonoperative volumes, which reduce efficiency and require excessive solid storage medium.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs two channels with multiple solid blocks that are pushed incrementally in a counter-current pattern to facilitate heat or mass transfer, minimizing pressure drops and nonoperative volumes, and allowing incremental renewal of storage medium, using a mechanism of plungers to move solid blocks between channels for continuous counter-current operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If rotary valve or turntable designs are used to achieve counter-current solid-fluid contact, then counter-current flow pattern is achieved, but mechanical complexity and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus divides the solid bed into multiple discrete sections or chambers arranged in series. Each section can be independently controlled by valves to alternate between hot and cold fluid flow, achieving counter-current operation without requiring complex rotary mechanisms. This segmentation simplifies the mechanical design while maintaining the counter-current flow pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic valve control to switch fluid flow directions between different solid bed sections over time. By dynamically alternating which sections receive hot versus cold fluid, the apparatus achieves counter-current operation through temporal dynamics rather than mechanical rotation, reducing device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If multiple vessels and complex piping are used for counter-current operation, then counter-current contact is achieved, but fluid phase pressure drops increase
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus combines multiple solid bed sections into a single integrated vessel rather than using separate vessels connected by complex piping. The sections are arranged in series within one vessel, allowing fluid to flow through each section sequentially with minimal pressure loss, while still achieving counter-current contact through valve-controlled flow direction switching.
3Ease of operation
If multiple vessels and piping are used for counter-current operation, then counter-current contact is achieved, but nonoperative volumes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus consolidates multiple solid bed sections into a single continuous vessel, eliminating the piping connections and associated nonoperative volumes that would exist between separate vessels. This merging reduces the total nonoperative volume while maintaining the counter-current operation capability through internal valve control.
4Reliability
If conventional designs are used, then solid storage medium is sufficient for operation, but apparatus size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus segments the solid bed into multiple sections that can be independently regenerated. This allows a smaller total volume of solid storage medium to be used, as sections can be regenerated sequentially rather than requiring a large single bed. The segmentation enables compact design while maintaining operational reliability through systematic regeneration cycles.
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 approach achieves efficient counter-current contact patterns with reduced solid storage requirements, minimizing fluid pressure drops and nonoperative volumes, and enhancing operational efficiency by using less storage medium, while maintaining thermal or mass transfer effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
The solid blocks are pushed incrementally through the two channels in a counter-current pattern to facilitate heat or mass transfer
Implementation Method 2
This technology can be used in regenerative heat exchangers, ion exchange and adsorption/desorption columns
Data Source
AI summary
A counter-current apparatus uses solid blocks to carry mass or heat storage medium to opposite sides of mass and heat transfer operations. The blocks are pushed incrementally through two channels. The energy of sensible heat or mass of selected species from a first fluid stream transfers into the solid blocks in a first channel and is stored in the solid storage medium within. Those solid blocks loaded with energy or specific mass from the first channel are pushed to a second channel in which the energy or specific mass stored within is released to a second fluid stream. The solid blocks in the second channel are pushed back into the first channel, continuing the heat transfer or mass transfer cycle. Counter-current flows of the fluid phase and the solid phase are achieved in both channels, for a combined adsorption and desorption cycle, or a combined heating and cooling cycle.