Toroidal Inlet Manifold Filter Vessel Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional filter vessel designs face challenges in maximizing filter capacity within a given diameter due to protruding inlet pipes, leading to increased vessel size and costs, and complex piping arrangements that compromise accessibility and safety, especially in space-constrained environments like offshore platforms.
Innovation Solution
A filter vessel design featuring a toroidal-shaped inlet manifold with radially-arrayed inlet channels that distribute fluid uniformly across the circumference, allowing for a compact footprint, increased filter capacity, and improved accessibility without sacrificing filter element space or requiring additional height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If an inlet pipe protrudes through the tube sheet to allow in-line nozzles at the same elevation, then the piping arrangement is simplified, but the filter element capacity is reduced due to space occupation
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet pipe is extracted from the conventional position through the tube sheet and relocated to the vessel closure. This removes the space-occupying obstruction from the filter element area, allowing maximum filter element capacity while maintaining simplified in-line nozzle arrangement at the same elevation.
Solution Approach 2:
The inlet connection is moved from a radial position (through the tube sheet) to an axial position (at the vessel closure end). This dimensional relocation allows the inlet pipe to connect without interfering with the filter element arrangement, resolving the space conflict while maintaining piping simplicity.
2Quantity of substance
If the inlet nozzle is elevated relative to the outlet nozzle to avoid protruding through the tube sheet, then filter element space is maximized, but the piping complexity and footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet nozzle is extracted from the elevated position on the vessel shell and relocated to the vessel closure end. This allows both inlet and outlet nozzles to be at the same elevation with in-line arrangement, simplifying piping while maintaining maximum filter element capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of elevating the inlet nozzle above the outlet nozzle, the inlet connection is inverted to the opposite end of the vessel (at the closure). This inverts the conventional approach and achieves the same space-saving goal while eliminating the need for complex elevated piping arrangements.
3Quantity of substance
If the filter elements are placed well below the vessel closure to accommodate elevated nozzles, then filter element space is optimized, but accessibility and safety are compromised requiring confined space entry
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet connection is extracted from the side shell position and relocated to the vessel closure end. This allows filter elements to be positioned with their tops near the closure, enabling easy accessibility from grade level without requiring confined space entry or access platforms.
Solution Approach 2:
The inlet connection is preliminarily positioned at the vessel closure before final filter element installation. This preliminary arrangement ensures that filter elements can be easily accessed and replaced from ground level, improving operational safety and ease of maintenance.
4Quantity of substance
If a larger vessel diameter is used to accommodate the inlet pipe and maintain filter capacity, then filter element capacity is maintained, but material costs and fabrication costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet pipe connection is extracted from the vessel shell and relocated to the vessel closure. This allows the use of a smaller vessel diameter while maintaining the same filter element capacity, directly reducing material costs and fabrication expenses.
Solution Approach 2:
The vessel diameter parameter is reduced by relocating the inlet connection to the closure. This parameter change maintains filter element capacity through optimized space utilization while reducing the overall vessel size, leading to lower material and fabrication costs.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention provide a filter vessel including a housing with an inlet and an outlet, a toroidal-shaped inlet manifold, and a plurality of inlet channels. The toroidal-shaped inlet manifold is in fluid communication with the inlet and is positioned along a circumference of the housing, and the plurality of inlet channels are in fluid communication with the toroidal-shaped inlet manifold.