Spinning Cone Column Stage Spacing for Gas Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
In conventional Spinning Cone Columns (SCCs), the narrow distance between upper stages hinders smooth gas flow and leads to liquid flooding during gas liquid contact separation processes, as gas flow at the upper part of the column is not efficient due to identical or narrower distances compared to lower stages.
Innovation Solution
The SCC design features a wider distance between upper stages than lower stages, allowing improved mobility of materials to be removed by arranging spinning cones with a constant gradient and a fixed cone pathway, facilitating the movement of reactants and products through a housing with a rotation axis, and includes a driving part for rotating the cones, heater, and temperature control for efficient polymerization and etherification processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the distance between upper stages is identical to or narrower than the distance between lower stages, then the structural complexity is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but gas flow becomes unsmooth and liquid flooding occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by making the distance between upper stages wider than the distance between lower stages. This asymmetric configuration optimizes gas flow patterns in the upper section where gas accumulation occurs, preventing liquid flooding while maintaining structural feasibility through the systematic gradient design of spinning cone positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by varying the spacing between stages based on local flow requirements. The upper stages have wider spacing to facilitate gas discharge, while lower stages maintain tighter spacing for efficient liquid distribution. This localized optimization ensures reliable gas-liquid contact throughout the column without uniform structural complexity.
2Reliability
If the distance between upper stages is increased to improve gas discharge, then gas flow smoothness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics through the gradient configuration of spinning cone positions, where the distance between stages varies systematically from lower to upper sections. This dynamic spacing arrangement adapts to the changing gas-liquid flow characteristics at different heights, optimizing gas discharge efficiency while maintaining a structured, manageable device configuration rather than arbitrary complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by systematically varying the spacing parameter between stages. The distance between upper stages is increased relative to lower stages, creating an optimized gradient that enhances gas discharge efficiency. This controlled parameter variation provides a systematic design approach that manages device complexity through defined geometric progressions rather than ad hoc modifications.
3Duration of action of moving object
If spinning cones are arranged with constant gradient, then residence time of raw material is improved, but gas flow mobility is hindered in upper sections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the column into distinct zones with different spacing characteristics. Lower sections maintain tighter spacing for adequate residence time and liquid distribution, while upper sections feature wider spacing to facilitate gas discharge. This segmented approach allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the conflict between residence time requirements and gas flow mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by transitioning from a uniform constant gradient to a variable gradient configuration. The spacing between spinning cones changes systematically along the column height, creating a dynamic structure that adapts to different operational requirements at different levels. This dynamic design maintains adequate residence time in lower sections while enabling smooth gas flow in upper sections.
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 design enhances the mobility of materials to be removed, preventing liquid flooding and improving operational efficiency by ensuring smooth gas discharge and efficient removal of unreacted monomers, particularly in polymerization and etherification processes.
Implementation Method 1
at least two spinning cones (40) that are installed so as to have a constant gradient from the upper part to the lower part to the rotation axis (30), move reactants supplied through the reactant supply part (20), and rotate around the rotation axis (30)
Implementation Method 2
the spinning cone may be equipped with a heater and a temperature control means inside
Implementation Method 3
a heater and a temperature control means for progressing a reaction on the outer wall or inner wall of the housing
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to a SCC with improved mobility of material to be removed due to a wider distance between the upper stages than a distance between the lower stages. The present invention provides a SCC (Spinning Cone Column) comprising a housing having a rotation axis; a supply part of at least one reactant formed inside of the housing; at least two spinning cones that are installed so as to have a constant gradient from the upper part to the lower part to the rotation axis, move reactants supplied through the reactant supply part, and rotate around the rotation axis; a fixed cone that is fixed and formed on the inner side of the housing, and provides a pathway for sequentially moving reactant from a spinning cone at the upper part to a spinning cone at the lower part; a product collection part for collecting reactants moved through the spinning cone and the fixed cone; and a driving part for rotating the spinning cone, wherein at least one distance between the upper stages is wider than a distance between the lower stages, when one pair of the spinning cone and the fixed cone is referred to as a stage. The SCC according to the present invention may improve mobility of material to be removed because at least one distance between the upper stages is wider than a distance between the lower stages.