Sulfur Trap Float Lever Mechanism for Gas Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sulfur recovery units face challenges in effectively separating molten sulfur from associated gases in industrial processes, leading to inefficiencies and potential discharge of tail gases with the molten sulfur.
Innovation Solution
A sulfur trap system comprising a vertically-oriented cylinder with a float and lever mechanism that controls the engagement and disengagement of a nozzle insert with the outlet, allowing for precise separation of liquid sulfur based on the liquid level, ensuring that tail gases are not discharged with the molten sulfur.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sulfur traps with concentric vertical pipes are used, then molten sulfur can be separated from gas stream, but tail gases may still be discharged with the molten sulfur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic float-and-lever mechanism that automatically adjusts the nozzle insert position based on liquid sulfur level. The float rises with liquid sulfur, pivots the lever, and moves the nozzle insert to close the outlet, preventing tail gas discharge. This dynamic control ensures reliable separation while eliminating the harmful effect of tail gas discharge.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a float and lever mechanism with nozzle insert is used, then tail gas discharge is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The float-and-lever mechanism is self-regulating and requires no external control systems. The float automatically responds to liquid sulfur level changes, pivots the lever, and actuates the nozzle insert closure through pure mechanical action. This self-service approach prevents tail gas discharge while minimizing device complexity by eliminating the need for external actuators, sensors, or control electronics.
3Productivity
If the outlet is always open for continuous discharge, then liquid sulfur can flow continuously, but gases will be discharged with the sulfur
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet is dynamically opened and closed based on liquid sulfur level. When liquid sulfur reaches the float, the float rises, pivots the lever, and closes the nozzle insert to prevent gas discharge. When liquid level drops, the float descends, opens the outlet, and allows continuous discharge. This dynamic control maintains productivity while preventing harmful gas discharge.
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 system ensures continuous and efficient separation of liquid sulfur from gas mixtures, maintaining the sulfur in a liquid phase and preventing the discharge of associated gases, thereby improving the separation process and reducing operational complexities.
Implementation Method 1
a float positioned in the chamber
Implementation Method 2
a lever, a nozzle insert attached to the distal end of the lever, and a lever fulcrum positioned intermediate the lever float end and the lever nozzle insert end
Data Source
AI summary
A sulfur trap provides separation of elemental molten sulfur from a process stream comprising a mixture of sulfur and associated tail-gases. The sulfur trap comprises a vertically-oriented cylindrical wall having a chamber for receiving the process stream, a float positioned in the chamber, the float attached to a float end of a lever, a nozzle insert attached to the distal end of the lever, and a lever fulcrum positioned intermediate the lever float end and the lever nozzle insert end. The float, lever, nozzle insert and outlet are constructed to allow the float position to control nozzle insert engagement of the outlet, particularly to close the outlet when the float is elevated by molten sulfur and to disengage from the outlet to allow discharge flow of liquid sulfur at a determined level of sulfur within the chamber. Embodiments of a method of separating liquid sulfur from gases are also provided.