Supercritical Oil Extraction Kettle with Reversible Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing supercritical oil extraction methods suffer from low production efficiency due to inefficient extraction processes and methods.

Innovation Solution

A high-efficiency supercritical oil extraction method involving specific steps and configurations, including the use of carbon dioxide as an extractant, where the extractant flows through the extraction kettle from top to bottom, then flipped 180 degrees, and finally from bottom to top, with controlled temperature and pressure ranges, and multiple extraction cycles to ensure effective extraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the extractant flows through the extraction kettle from bottom to top in traditional supercritical extraction, then the extraction process is simple, but the production efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidextraction process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The extraction process is divided into multiple stages with different flow directions. The extractant flows from bottom to top in the first stage, then the kettle is flipped 180 degrees and the extractant flows from top to bottom in the second stage. This segmentation of the extraction process into distinct phases with different flow patterns improves production efficiency while maintaining manageable process complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The extraction kettle is dynamically flipped 180 degrees between extraction stages to change the flow direction of the extractant. This dynamic adjustment of the extraction system allows the process to adapt to different extraction needs, improving overall productivity by utilizing both upward and downward flow patterns

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If multiple extraction cycles are implemented, then the extraction efficiency is improved, but the extraction time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextraction efficiencyVSAvoidextraction time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple extraction cycles are implemented continuously without interrupting the overall process flow. The extractant is recirculated through the extraction kettle multiple times, with each cycle building upon the previous one to progressively extract more oil. This continuous multi-cycle approach improves extraction efficiency while minimizing idle time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The extraction process employs periodic cycles of extractant flow through the kettle, with each cycle consisting of a complete flow-through and collection phase. The periodic repetition of these cycles ensures thorough extraction while maintaining a rhythm that optimizes the balance between extraction efficiency and time consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Speed

If the extractant flow rate is increased, then the extraction speed is improved, but the extraction completeness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextraction speedVSAvoidextraction completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The extractant flow rate is dynamically adjusted during different stages of the extraction process. In the initial stages, a higher flow rate is used to quickly extract the majority of the oil, and in later stages, the flow rate is optimized to ensure complete extraction. This dynamic flow rate adjustment maintains both extraction speed and completeness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The extraction process is segmented into multiple cycles with varying flow rates. Early cycles use higher flow rates for rapid extraction, while subsequent cycles use optimized flow rates to ensure complete extraction. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both high speed and high completeness by tailoring flow conditions to each extraction phase

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 method significantly improves extraction efficiency, reduces extraction time, and minimizes the use of extractant, resulting in efficient and cost-effective oil extraction.

Implementation Method 1

The supercritical fluid extraction and separation process utilizes the relationship between its solubility and density, that is, utilizes the effect of pressure and temperature on the solubility of the supercritical fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSupercritical fluid extraction: Supercritical Fluid Extraction

Implementation Method 2

The supercritical fluid has good dissolution and mass transfer characteristics, and can quickly reach the mass transfer balance with the extract

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 3

its diffusion coefficient is much larger than that of ordinary liquid, which is conducive to mass transfer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMass transfer: Diffusion

Implementation Method 4

the extractant flows through the extraction kettle from top to bottom, then flipped 180 degrees, and finally from bottom to top

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS10829715B2High-efficiency supercritical oil extraction method
Publication Date: 2020.11.10 SHENZHEN HAIPENG SUPERCRITICAL TECH CO LTD

AI summary

A high-efficiency supercritical oil extraction method is provided. According to the method, in an early extraction stage, extraction is performed using an extractant along an extraction kettle from top to bottom; in a middle extraction stage, the extraction kettle is longitudinally flipped by 180 degrees, extraction is still performed using an extractant along the extraction kettle from top to bottom; in a later extraction stage, extraction is performed using a conventional extractant along the extraction kettle from bottom to top. Thus, the pressure effect and the critical extraction effect of the critical extractant are simultaneously exerted, thereby greatly improving the extraction efficiency of supercritical oil extraction, shortening the extraction time, and reducing the dosage of extractant, so as to achieve high-efficiency and low-cost oil extraction.