Method and device for separating hydrocarbons and contaminants with a spray assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional distillation methods face difficulties in separating hydrocarbons from contaminants like carbon dioxide at cryogenic temperatures, leading to solidification issues that can cause solids to adhere to the controlled freeze zone wall, disrupting the separation process.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize a spray nozzle assembly with outer and inner nozzles to inject a freezing zone liquid stream at an angle, minimizing impingement on the controlled freeze zone wall, allowing for effective separation of hydrocarbons and contaminants while preventing solid adherence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional distillation methods are used to separate hydrocarbons from contaminants at cryogenic temperatures, then separation efficiency is improved, but solidification of contaminants occurs causing solids to adhere to the controlled freeze zone wall
Solution Approach 1:
The spray nozzles are oriented at an angle relative to the controlled freeze zone wall, projecting the liquid stream away from the wall surface. This angular orientation in a different spatial dimension prevents the liquid stream from impinging on the wall, thereby preventing solid contaminant adherence while maintaining effective separation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the liquid stream is sprayed directly at the controlled freeze zone wall, then solids are prevented from adhering to the wall, but separation efficiency is reduced due to disrupted operation
Solution Approach 1:
The spray nozzles are positioned and oriented specifically within the controlled freeze zone section, with different nozzles (outer and inner) having different orientations. The outer nozzles are angled away from the wall while inner nozzles may be oriented differently, creating localized spray patterns that prevent wall adherence in critical areas while maintaining overall separation efficiency.
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 enables efficient separation of hydrocarbons from contaminants, preventing solid buildup on the controlled freeze zone wall and ensuring proper operation of the distillation tower, even at cryogenic conditions.
Implementation Method 1
spraying the freezing zone liquid stream through the spray nozzle assembly into the controlled freeze zone section
Implementation Method 2
The separation of CO2 from methane by distillation involves temperature and pressure conditions that result in solidification of CO2
Implementation Method 3
The required temperatures are cold temperatures typically referred to as cryogenic temperatures
Implementation Method 4
maintaining a controlled freeze zone section in the distillation tower, receiving a freezing zone liquid stream in a spray nozzle assembly in the controlled freeze zone section
Data Source
AI summary
A method for separating a feed stream in a distillation tower comprising maintaining a controlled freeze zone (CFZ) section in the distillation tower, receiving a freezing zone liquid stream in a spray nozzle assembly in the CFZ section, wherein the spray nozzle assembly comprises a plurality of outer spray nozzles on an outer periphery of the spray nozzle assembly and at least one inner spray nozzle interior to the outer spray nozzles, wherein each outer spray nozzle is configured to spray the freezing zone liquid stream along a central spray axis, and wherein the central spray axis of at least one of the outer spray nozzles is not parallel to a CFZ wall, and spraying the freezing zone liquid stream through the spray nozzle assembly into the CFZ section to keep a temperature and pressure at which the solid and the hydrocarbon-enriched vapor stream form.