Vapour-Liquid Mixer and Cooling Jacket for VLE Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE) data measurement apparatuses face challenges in establishing equilibrium conditions quickly, are prone to flashing due to high boiling point differences, and lack effective mixing functions, leading to concentration gradients and prolonged measurement times.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a vapor-liquid mixer before the boiling chamber and a cooling jacket on the liquid return line to prevent flashing and ensure proper mixing, allowing for faster attainment of equilibrium and accurate VLE data measurement across a wide range of volatilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional VLE measurement apparatus is used without mixing function, then the structure is simple, but concentration gradients occur and equilibrium is established slowly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mixing function with the existing VLE measurement apparatus by integrating a mixing chamber and magnetic stirrer into the liquid circulation system. The liquid from the equilibrium chamber is directed to the mixing chamber where it is thoroughly mixed before being returned to the boiling chamber, ensuring homogeneous composition without requiring a completely separate mixing system.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid circulation system serves multiple functions: it transports liquid from the equilibrium chamber back to the boiling chamber, provides mixing through the magnetic stirrer in the mixing chamber, and ensures homogeneous distribution of components. This multi-functional design improves productivity without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Reliability
If high boiling point difference components are mixed without cooling, then mixing is simple, but flashing occurs leading to measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary cooling to the liquid return line before the liquid enters the mixing chamber and boiling chamber. By pre-cooling the liquid through a jacketed line with circulating coolant, the temperature is reduced in advance to prevent flashing when the liquid contacts the vapor phase or enters the boiling chamber, ensuring reliable measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling jacket acts as an intermediary between the hot liquid from the equilibrium chamber and the mixing chamber/boiling chamber. The coolant circulating through the jacketed line mediates the temperature difference, gradually cooling the liquid to prevent thermal shock and flashing upon mixing or re-entry into the boiling chamber.
3Loss of time
If rapid equilibrium is established through intensive mixing, then measurement time is reduced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial mixing by directing only a portion of the liquid flow through the mixing chamber with magnetic stirrer, while the rest circulates through the equilibrium chamber. This partial mixing approach is sufficient to eliminate concentration gradients and establish equilibrium rapidly without requiring intensive mixing of the entire liquid volume, thus reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic stirrer in the mixing chamber operates continuously to maintain homogeneous mixing of the liquid stream, ensuring that concentration gradients are continuously eliminated as liquid flows through the system. This continuous partial mixing action rapidly establishes equilibrium without requiring high-energy intermittent mixing cycles.
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 apparatus enables quicker and more accurate VLE data measurement by minimizing flashing and concentration gradients, reducing measurement time, and maintaining equilibrium across components with varying boiling points, from vacuum to atmospheric pressure.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling jacket to the liquid return line from liquid sampling point to vapour-liquid mixing chamber to avoid flashing
Implementation Method 2
The vapour flows through the insulated tubing to a condenser (L) where it condenses into a condensate trap
Implementation Method 3
heating said components through the external heater (I) to obtain vapor-liquid mixture
Implementation Method 4
The packing consists of 3 mm stainless steel mesh cylinders. A vacuum jacket (D) eliminates any heat transfer from a superheated mixture to the packed equilibrium chamber.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus for Vapour Liquid Equilibrium (VLE) data measurement of a mixture to establish a quick equilibrium and to avoid flashing is disclosed herein. With the known apparatus, the underlining problems are heat loss or improper mixing, flashing inside the apparatus High boiling point difference, and prolong time to establish equilibrium conditions. In order to overcome stated problems, the apparatus is provided with a vapour-liquid mixer (K) for proper mixing of equilibrium liquid from the equilibrium chamber and vapor condensate from the condenser (L) before recycling back to the boiling chamber (F) to avoid any temperature and composition gradient and for fast attainment of equilibrium. Additionally, a cooling jacket (P) is provided to a mixing chamber (K) and a connecting tube between an equilibrium chamber and the mixing chamber (K) to avoid flashing for the accurate measurement of VLE data.