Venturi Flow Distributor for Uniform Gas-Liquid Reactor Wetting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid distribution devices in downflow catalytic reactors suffer from poor gas-liquid mixing, non-uniform distribution, and limited tolerance for distributor tray levelness, leading to inefficient catalyst utilization and suboptimal reaction conditions.
Innovation Solution
A flow distribution device with a cylindrical structure and venturi effect, featuring a gas conduit and lateral liquid openings, which uses pressure differential to drive liquid flow and ensures uniform mixing and spray distribution onto the catalyst bed, even in the presence of tray levelness deviations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a standard chimney distributor is used, then the structure is simple, but gas-liquid mixing is poor and distribution uniformity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The distributor is divided into multiple functional sections: a mixing section with radial vanes for gas-liquid mixing, a distribution section with radial openings for uniform flow distribution, and a vertical section for flow direction control. Each section performs a specific function to achieve overall improved distribution uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
Radial mixing vanes are introduced as an intermediary element between the gas inlet and liquid inlet to facilitate intensive mixing of the two phases before they enter the distribution section, thereby improving distribution uniformity without requiring complex external mixing devices.
2Ease of operation
If the distributor tray is not perfectly level, then installation is easier, but flow distribution becomes non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical section of the distributor with its gradual taper design creates a flow path that compensates for minor variations in tray levelness, maintaining relatively uniform flow distribution across all radial openings even when the tray is not perfectly horizontal.
Solution Approach 2:
The gradual taper angle of the vertical section is optimized to balance between compensating for tray levelness deviations and maintaining efficient flow distribution, allowing the device to tolerate certain installation variations while preserving performance.
3Manufacturing precision
If a simple cylindrical structure is used, then manufacturing is easier, but spray pattern uniformity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Different sections of the distributor have different geometric characteristics optimized for their specific functions: the mixing section has radial vanes for intensive mixing, the vertical section has a gradual taper for flow direction control, and the distribution section has uniformly spaced radial openings for even spray pattern. Each local geometry is tailored to achieve its specific quality objective.
4Productivity
If the distributor is placed closer to the catalyst bed, then catalyst wetting efficiency improves, but mixing time is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing function and distribution function are merged into a single integrated device. The mixing section with radial vanes performs intensive gas-liquid mixing, and the distribution section immediately downstream delivers the mixed flow to the catalyst bed, eliminating the need for separate mixing chambers and reducing the distance to the catalyst bed.
Solution Approach 2:
Intensive mixing is performed in advance in the mixing section before the flow reaches the distribution section and catalyst bed. This preliminary mixing action ensures that gas and liquid are thoroughly combined before contact with the catalyst, maximizing wetting efficiency even at short distances.
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
Enhances gas-liquid mixing, improves spray pattern uniformity, and increases tolerance for tray levelness, resulting in more efficient catalyst wetting and reaction performance.
Implementation Method 1
A flow distribution device with a cylindrical structure and venturi effect, featuring a gas conduit and lateral liquid openings, which uses pressure differential to drive liquid flow
Implementation Method 2
which uses pressure differential to drive liquid flow and ensures uniform mixing and spray distribution onto the catalyst bed
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention is a fluid distribution device for coupling with a fluid distribution conduit or chimney for improving the distribution of downwardly flowing poly-phase mixture including at least one gas phase and at least one liquid phase, above at least one catalyst bed of granular solid catalytic material. The fluid distribution device for receiving the liquid and gas phases has one or more openings in the top and/or upper portion of its height through which a gas phase can enter and has a gas conduit that opens to a mixing cavity within the device. The fluid distribution device further comprises one or more lateral openings for liquid ingress. The lateral opening or openings allow the liquid to enter a liquid conduit that opens to the internal mixing cavity. The mixing cavity allows intimate contact between the liquid and gas phases. Therefore the flow distribution device of the invention provides improved tolerance for tray out of levelness.