Element for construction of a mass- and/or heat-exchange device, assembly of two elements and exchange method using an assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air separation and mass/heat exchange devices require complex assembly processes, significant human effort, and are difficult to modify or expand, especially when operating at cryogenic temperatures, due to the need for precise enclosure and insulation, which complicates the use of heterogeneous packages and crane operations.
Innovation Solution
The use of modular elements with standardized dimensions and connections allows for quick assembly and modification of mass and/or heat exchange devices, enabling easy replacement of faulty components and expansion or reduction of capacity, with fluid transfer pipes and insulation integrated into the design for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If heterogeneous packages containing complete pieces of equipment are used, then the device can be assembled from functional units, but the assembly process requires significant human effort and skilled labor
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into homogeneous modular elements of identical dimensions, each containing specific functional components. This segmentation allows standardized assembly procedures and reduces the need for skilled labor compared to assembling heterogeneous packages.
Solution Approach 2:
All modular elements are designed with identical standardized dimensions and connection interfaces, making them universally compatible. This universality simplifies the assembly process by eliminating the need for custom fitting and skilled craftsmanship required for heterogeneous packages.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cryogenic distillation columns are assembled in pieces and enclosed with insulation, then the equipment can be modularized, but the assembly requires crane operations and complex enclosure construction
Solution Approach 1:
The insulation layer is integrated directly into the modular element structure, combining the enclosure and insulation functions into a single prefabricated unit. This eliminates the need for separate enclosure construction and complex assembly operations on site.
Solution Approach 2:
Insulation and enclosure structures are pre-assembled as integral parts of each modular element before shipment. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex on-site enclosure construction and reduces assembly complexity during installation.
3Ease of operation
If modular elements with standardized dimensions are used, then assembly is simplified and can be performed by unskilled labor, but the design flexibility for different configurations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides configuration flexibility through vertical stacking arrangements of standardized modular elements. By utilizing the vertical dimension, the design achieves adaptability for different capacities and layouts while maintaining standardized horizontal dimensions for ease of assembly.
4Reliability
If complete pieces of equipment are used in heterogeneous packages, then each package is self-contained, but modification and expansion require replacing entire equipment pieces
Solution Approach 1:
Equipment is segmented into modular elements that can be independently replaced. This allows faulty components to be substituted by swapping individual modular elements rather than replacing entire equipment pieces, simplifying maintenance and expansion operations.
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
Facilitates rapid and efficient assembly and modification of air separation and mass/heat exchange devices using modular elements, reducing human intervention and enabling unskilled labor, while maintaining operational efficiency and adaptability, especially in cryogenic conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The element comprises a body of material allowing the exchange of mass and/or heat
Implementation Method 2
The box comprises a layer of insulating material surrounding the chamber
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 1c
AI summary
A stackable modular element (10) comprises a parallelepipedal caisson (2), the caisson comprising at least one layer of thermal insulation (3) of thickness less than one-third of the width of the caisson, the layer of insulation covering at least the lateral and frontal faces of the caisson and surrounding at least one chamber (4) having a parallelepipedal volume within the caisson, the chamber containing at least one body of material that permits the exchange of mass and/or of heat, the body being parallelepipedal in shape and filling at least part of the chamber, the chamber having an opening on the upper face and/or an opening on the lower face to allow fluid to be transferred to the body from outside the element and/or from the body to outside the element.