Column and process for the thermal treatment of a fluid, having a return line
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Solution Overview
Problem
In thermal separation processes, particularly in separation columns handling (meth)acrylic monomers, undesirable polymerization occurs, leading to the formation of polymers that can close passage openings and pose a risk of explosion, due to long residence times of fluids in 'dead zones' within the mass transfer trays.
Innovation Solution
A column with a circulation device featuring a drain opening and a return opening above the collecting surface, which generates liquid circulation to prevent the formation of dead zones, reducing residence time and preventing polymerization by ensuring continuous fluid movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mass transfer trays are used in thermal separation columns, then heat and mass exchange efficiency is improved, but dead zones form leading to polymerization and safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a circulation device with movable components that actively move liquid across the mass transfer tray surface. The device includes a circulation line with inlet and outlet openings that create dynamic liquid flow patterns, preventing stagnant dead zones where polymerization would occur. This dynamic approach maintains the benefits of mass transfer trays while eliminating the safety risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation device operates continuously to maintain liquid movement across the entire mass transfer tray surface. The circulation line creates continuous flow paths that prevent any area of the tray from becoming stagnant. This continuous action ensures that heat and mass exchange efficiency is maintained while simultaneously preventing polymerization by eliminating dead zones.
2Productivity
If fluid residence time on mass transfer tray is increased, then separation efficiency is improved, but polymerization risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation device creates dynamic liquid movement that prevents prolonged residence in any single location. By continuously circulating liquid across the tray surface through the circulation line, the system maintains adequate contact time for separation while preventing the extended stagnation required for polymerization to occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation device establishes a feedback loop where liquid is continuously moved across the tray and returned to the circulation system. This feedback mechanism ensures that residence time is optimized for separation efficiency while automatically preventing the conditions necessary for polymerization by maintaining constant motion.
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 circulation device effectively prevents polymer formation and reduces the risk of explosion by ensuring no dead zones are formed on the mass transfer tray, maintaining efficient operation and safety.
Implementation Method 1
generates liquid circulation to prevent the formation of dead zones, reducing residence time and preventing polymerization by ensuring continuous fluid movement
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a column (1) for the thermal treatment of a fluid, comprising: a cylindrical, vertically oriented column body (2) forming a column hollow chamber (3); and a material exchange base (4) arranged in the column hollow chamber (3), forming a collecting surface (5). The column (1) according to the invention is characterised by a circulation device (9) comprising: at least one outlet opening (10) formed in the column body (2) above the collecting surface (5); a circulation line (11) in fluid connection with the outlet opening (10); and at least one recirculation opening (14; 14-1 to 14-3) which is in fluid connection with the circulation line (11), and which is formed in the column body (2) above the collection surface (5). The invention also relates to a thermal separation method, wherein a column (1) of this type is used. With this separation method, a gas rises in the column and a liquid falls in the column, wherein the gas and/or the liquid contains in particular (meth)acrylmonomers.