Structured Packing Drainage Gaps for 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 rod sections creates drainage gaps, allowing particles to move side to side and increasing contact with rising stripping vapor, enhancing the removal of hydrocarbons in a countercurrent flow.
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 discrete elements including sloping elements, vertical elements, and reinforcing rod sections. These segmented components create a complex internal structure with drainage gaps that enhance catalyst-vapor contact while maintaining modular construction
Solution Approach 2:
The packing elements are arranged to create three-dimensional flow paths with drainage gaps between reinforcing rod sections. This dimensional arrangement forces the catalyst to move side-to-side and through multiple contact zones, increasing residence time and contact area with the stripping vapor beyond simple linear flow
2Duration of action of moving object
If structured packing with baffles is used to cascade catalyst, then residence time increases, but the complexity of the packing structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sloping elements are configured to dynamically cascade the catalyst particles as they move downward through the packing. This dynamic movement creates side-to-side motion and multiple contact opportunities with the rising vapor, extending residence time without requiring excessively complex static structures
Solution Approach 2:
The packing is divided into repeating units of sloping elements, vertical elements, and reinforcing rod sections. This segmentation allows the complex cascading function to be achieved through repeated simple geometric patterns rather than a single complex structure
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 residence time and contact between particles and vapor, resulting in more effective removal 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
drainage gap is formed between the pair of reinforcing rod sections for passage of the particles
Data Source
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 lower section of the sloping element. The particles are passed through a drainage gap formed between a pair of reinforcing rod sections that are disposed adjacent to the lower section of the sloping element. The particles are contacted with the stripping vapor that is rising up adjacent to the drainage gap.