Venturi Quench Tower Lining Durability via Zone Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional quench systems experience increased wear and reduced durability due to alternating exposure to hot/dry and wet/cold conditions, leading to non-uniform wetting and corrosion in the Venturi portion, which affects the separation of dry/hot and wet/cold regions.

Innovation Solution

A quench system design with a Venturi portion having an increased inside diameter above the gas inlet, a flared annular channel, and specific lining materials to ensure uniform wetting and separation between regions, using a conically flared annular channel and different brick qualities for resistance to hot and cold conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the Venturi portion is wetted with sulfuric acid to protect against corrosion, then the lining durability is improved, but the separation between dry/hot and wet/cold regions is compromised leading to alternating exposure conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelining durabilityVSAvoidexposure condition stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The quench tower is divided into distinct functional zones: a gas inlet region exposed to hot/dry conditions, and a Venturi portion exposed to wet/cold sulfuric acid conditions. The annular channel acts as a separator that prevents hot gas from reaching the Venturi portion, ensuring stable and distinct exposure conditions in each zone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The annular channel serves as an intermediary structure that carries sulfuric acid from the lateral nozzles to the Venturi portion wall. This intermediary mechanism ensures uniform wetting of the Venturi portion without allowing hot gas to penetrate into this zone, thereby maintaining stable exposure conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If additional acid is sprayed against the wall to ensure clear separation between regions, then the separation is improved, but non-uniform wetting occurs leading to undefined exposure zones

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexposure condition stabilityVSAvoidwetting uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of relying on direct spraying that may cause non-uniform distribution, the system uses an annular channel that provides continuous overflow of sulfuric acid along the entire circumference of the Venturi portion. This excessive action ensures complete and uniform coverage of the wall surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes hydraulic flow through the annular channel to distribute sulfuric acid uniformly. The liquid flows over the overflow wall and creates a consistent liquid film on the Venturi portion wall through gravitational and hydraulic forces, ensuring uniform wetting throughout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Manufacturing precision

If the annular channel is used to flow acid over the overflow wall, then uniform wetting is achieved, but deposits and turbulences cause non-uniform overflow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewetting uniformityVSAvoidoverflow consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The annular channel is designed with a flared cross-section that expands in the flow direction. This preliminary geometric configuration prevents deposits and turbulence by maintaining smooth flow conditions before the acid reaches the overflow wall, ensuring consistent overflow and uniform wetting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The flared annular channel features a curved, expanding cross-section that promotes smooth liquid flow and prevents turbulence. The curved geometry helps maintain uniform flow distribution and prevents deposit formation, ensuring reliable and consistent overflow characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 solution achieves a uniform liquid film on the Venturi wall, prolonging the service life of the lining by clearly separating dry/hot and wet/cold zones, reducing corrosion and extending maintenance intervals.

Implementation Method 1

the acid-containing liquid flows over the overflow wall into the Venturi portion and wets the peripheral wall of the Venturi portion in a uniform manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity-driven flow: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

the hot gases, such as sulphur dioxide, are passed through a packed column... the gases are cooled to such an extent that they are suitable for the succeeding equipment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP1979071B1Quench system for metallurgical gases
Publication Date: 2010.09.22 OUTOTEC OYJ
  • EP1979071B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP1979071B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP1979071B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A quench system for cooling and/or cleaning metallurgical gases which are guided cocurrently with an acid-containing liquid, in particular sulfuric acid, includes a gas inlet (51) through which the gases are supplied from the top, an annular channel (55) extending about the inner circumference of an upper Venturi portion (52), over whose inner overflow wall (57) the acid-containing liquid flows over into the upper Venturi portion (52), and lateral nozzles (58) provided below the annular channel (55), through which additional acid-containing liquid is introduced. To obtain a clear separation between wall portions of the Venturi portion exposed to dry/hot or wet/cold conditions, the inside diameter (D1 ) of the upper Venturi portion (52) is greater than the inside diameter (D2) of the gas inlet (51), in accordance with the present invention.