Tray Column Bearing Ring Cutouts for Fouling Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Tray columns with large diameters face mechanical stability issues due to high stress from liquids, leading to unwanted chemical or physical changes such as polymerization and fouling at fine apertures and joints, which are critical starting points for these reactions.

Innovation Solution

Preventing three-way joints between the column wall, bearing ring, and supports by using cutouts in the bearing ring with a width of over 1 mm, ensuring liquid flow without compromising support functionality, and optionally providing orifices for liquid drainage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If three-way joints between column wall, bearing ring and support are formed, then mechanical stability is improved, but fouling and polymerization increase due to fine apertures and capillary gaps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidfouling and polymerization

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the problematic three-way joints between column wall, bearing ring, and support by providing cutouts in the bearing ring. This removes the capillary gaps and fine apertures that cause liquid accumulation and subsequent fouling/polymerization, while maintaining mechanical stability through alternative support configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing ring is segmented with cutouts that prevent the formation of continuous three-way joints. By dividing the bearing ring structure, the invention eliminates the capillary action pathways that lead to liquid accumulation and chemical reactions, while still providing adequate support for the column trays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If bearing ring is welded to column wall and supports, then liquid-tight bond is achieved, but three-way joints create capillary gaps causing polymerization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid-tight bondVSAvoidpolymerization at joints

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the three-way joint configuration that creates capillary gaps, even when welding is used. By providing cutouts in the bearing ring, the design eliminates the specific geometric configuration that causes liquid accumulation and polymerization, while maintaining liquid-tight bonding through alternative joint configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Strength

If supports are arranged on underside of column trays, then mechanical support is provided, but three-way joints with bearing ring create fouling starting points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport functionVSAvoidfouling at joints

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the three-way joint configuration between supports, bearing ring, and column wall by providing cutouts in the bearing ring. This removes the fouling-prone areas while preserving the support function through alternative structural arrangements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS7347413B2Tray column and method for mass transfer in a tray column

Publication Date: 2008.03.25 BASF SE

AI summary

A tray column is proposed which includescolumn trays,two or more supports which are arranged on the underside of the column trays and support them anda bearing ring for the column trays on the inner wall of the tray column,wherein three-way joints of inner column wall, bearing ring and support are prevented by cutouts in the bearing ring.