Stator-Rotor Vortex Chamber for Mass Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for intensive interfacial momentum, mass, and energy exchange between phases in reactive and non-reactive processes, such as gravitational fluidized beds and centrifugal reactors, face limitations including restricted slip velocities, non-uniformities, high energy consumption, and particle entrainment, which hinder efficient mass and energy transfer.
Innovation Solution
A device and method featuring a rotating distributor that allows tangential injection of a carrier fluid into a chamber, enabling high centrifugal accelerations and efficient mass and energy transfer by converting kinetic energy into rotational energy, reducing particle entrainment, and maintaining a compact, uniform bed without external electrical work.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If gravitational fluidized beds are used for gas-solid processes, then the system is simple to operate, but the slip velocity is restricted and cannot exceed the terminal velocity of particles
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the gravitational field parameter to a centrifugal field by rotating the chamber, which fundamentally alters the force balance and enables slip velocities to exceed terminal velocity. The centrifugal acceleration (a = ω²r) replaces gravitational acceleration, allowing much higher relative velocities between gas and solid phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static gravitational field to a dynamic rotating centrifugal field. The chamber rotates at controlled speeds to generate centrifugal forces, making the system dynamically adjustable to achieve different slip velocities and contact times as needed for various processes.
2Productivity
If centrifugal fields are used to increase slip velocity, then interfacial mass and energy exchange is enhanced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier gas itself provides the energy to rotate the chamber through tangential injection. The gas flow generates torque on the chamber walls or internal structures, causing rotation without requiring external motors or electrical power. This self-service mechanism converts the kinetic energy of the gas flow directly into rotational kinetic energy of the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pneumatic principles by injecting carrier gas tangentially to drive the rotation. The gas flow patterns and pressure distributions are harnessed to create the centrifugal field, replacing mechanical or electrical drive systems with a purely pneumatic actuation mechanism.
3Stability of the object's composition
If gravitational fluidized beds are used, then the system structure is simple, but non-uniformities like channeling, slugging, and bubbles occur
Solution Approach 1:
Changing from gravitational to centrifugal field fundamentally alters the flow regime and eliminates gravity-driven instabilities. The centrifugal force acts radially outward uniformly, creating a more stable and homogeneous distribution of solids and gas phases without the channeling and slugging typical of gravitational fluidized beds.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating chamber creates a curved flow path and radial force distribution that promotes uniform mixing and prevents the formation of channels and slugs. The centrifugal field naturally distributes phases more evenly throughout the reaction zone, improving flow uniformity.
4Productivity
If high gas-solid slip velocity is achieved in gravitational fields, then interfacial transfer is enhanced, but particle entrainment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transition to centrifugal field changes the force balance on particles. The centrifugal force acts radially outward, providing a confining effect that prevents particles from being entrained in the upward gas flow. Particles experience both centrifugal force pushing them outward and drag force from gas, creating a stable equilibrium that maintains high slip velocity without excessive entrainment.
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
Achieves significantly higher slip velocities and efficient interfacial exchange with reduced energy consumption and particle entrainment, maintaining mechanical integrity and controlling non-uniformities, thus enhancing process efficiency and operational stability.
Implementation Method 1
The interfacial mass and energy exchange may be strongly influenced by the relative velocity, or slip velocity, between the phases. When the phases are brought into contact under the mere influence of the earth gravitational field the slip velocity will be restricted to a narrow range. After exceeding a predetermined slip velocity, the contact between the phases cannot be sustained due to lack of balance among the forces acting upon the system. It is known in the art that the slip velocity can be increased by replacing the gravitational field by a centrifugal field
Implementation Method 2
enabling high centrifugal accelerations and efficient mass and energy transfer by converting kinetic energy into rotational energy
Implementation Method 3
processes that require intensive interfacial momentum, mass and/or energy exchange between the carrier fluid and the target medium
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
Present invention relates to a device for bringing a target medium into contact with a carrier fluid. The device comprises a chamber comprising a circumferential wall, a bottom wall and a top wall forming an enclosure for containing the target medium while contacting the carrier fluid, the chamber being substantially rotationally symmetric with respect to an axis of symmetry and adapted for remaining mechanically static in operation of the device. The device comprises a fluid inlet for injecting the carrier fluid into the chamber in a substantially tangential direction with respect to an inner surface of the circumferential wall, and an outlet. The device comprises a fluid distributor in the chamber for enabling the injected carrier fluid to pass through the distributor in a substantially inward radial direction, the distributor being substantially rotationally symmetric and adapted for rotating around the axis when driven by a transfer of momentum between the injected carrier fluid and the distributor.