Structured Packing Fins for Mass Transfer Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid contacting equipment, such as columns with structured and bulk packings, face limitations in maximizing gas-liquid contact efficiency and capacity, with structured packings underutilizing effective area and bulk packings having discontinuous physical supports leading to inefficient mass transfer.
Innovation Solution
A structured packing design featuring triangular-shaped undulations with fins that create surface discontinuities, allowing for a significantly greater effective area than geometric area, and optimizing channel orientations to enhance fluid flow and contact efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If structured packing with continuous surface is used, then geometric area is large, but effective area for mass transfer is underutilized
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous surface of the structured packing is segmented into discrete elements (ribs, protrusions, or fins) that create discontinuities. This segmentation causes the liquid film to break up into droplets or rivulets, increasing the effective surface area for mass transfer while maintaining the ordered geometric structure of the packing.
Solution Approach 2:
Specific localized features (ribs, protrusions, or fins) are introduced at strategic positions on the packing surface to create liquid detachment points. These localized modifications change the flow characteristics in specific areas, promoting liquid breakup and enhancing mass transfer without altering the entire packing structure.
2Productivity
If bulk packing with discontinuous support is used, then effective area exceeds geometric area, but physical support is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The discontinuous liquid support elements (ribs, protrusions, or fins) are nested within the continuous geometric structure of the structured packing. This nested arrangement allows the liquid phase to be supported and manipulated by discrete elements while the overall continuous structure provides mechanical stability and structural integrity.
3Ease of operation
If packing with liquid film flow is used, then liquid flows along surface, but wetting is incomplete reducing contact area
Solution Approach 1:
The packing design transitions the liquid flow from a static continuous film to a dynamic fragmented flow pattern. The liquid dynamically breaks up into droplets or rivulets as it flows over the discontinuous elements, creating varying contact areas and enhancing mass transfer through increased liquid-gas interfacial area.
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
The new packing design increases gas and liquid flow capacity, reduces column size and operating costs, and maximizes the contact area per unit volume, improving mass transfer efficiency and reducing investment and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
Within the column, the fluids can flow in co-current or counter-current flow. Typically, the column allows for intimate contact between an ascending gaseous phase and a descending liquid phase.
Implementation Method 2
the liquid phase must detach and fragment into droplets, creating additional exchange surface area
Implementation Method 3
Contacting columns are designed to bring fluids into contact in order to transfer mass or heat between them. This type of fluid contacting equipment is widely used for distillation, rectification, absorption, heat exchange, extraction, chemical reactions, and other processes.
Implementation Method 4
each plate being inscribed between two parallel planes separated by a distance of between 5 and 50 mm
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4A
Figure 4B~5
AI summary
The invention describes a structured packing for a fluid exchange column, said structure defining an exchange surface for at least one descending liquid phase intended to be brought into intimate contact with at least one ascending gaseous phase. The packing is made up of a stack of corrugated plates, each plate being fitted into a space lying between two parallel planes L1 and L2 separated by a distance of between 5 and 50 mm, the corrugations being distributed on either side of a mid-plane P separating said space into two equal fractions, said corrugations forming a succession of channels that run along a direction D, the channels having fins fitted into the space lying between the two parallel planes, each of said fins being made up of a strip B cut from one of said channels into at least two notches C1 and C2, the width of the strip between the two notches being between 1 and 15 mm, the strip having two ends E1 and E2 fastened to the channel, and the strip B being dished so as to create an orifice forming a surface discontinuity of the channel at the two notches C1 and C2. The invention also describes a method of manufacturing a structured packing.