Withdrawal System for Particulate Matter

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional withdrawal systems for particulate matter from high-temperature industrial processes, such as fluid catalytic cracking (FCC), are costly and require extensive equipment, often necessitating the use of intermediary receiving vessels to measure and control catalyst flow accurately.

Innovation Solution

A withdrawal system that eliminates the intermediary receiving vessel by using a material storage silo with a vent line, temperature sensors, and a controller to monitor and control the flow of particulate matter directly from the high-temperature unit, reducing costs and footprint, and employing finned conduit piping for efficient heat transfer and filtering to prevent catalyst fines release.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If an intermediary receiving vessel is used to measure and control catalyst flow, then measurement precision and flow control are improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatalyst flow measurementVSAvoidsystem equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the measurement function from a separate receiving vessel and integrates it directly into the material storage silo. The vent line with vent valve is incorporated into the silo structure itself, eliminating the need for an intermediary receiving vessel while maintaining measurement capability through temperature sensors and flow correlation algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple functions into the material storage silo: storage, measurement, and control. The vent line, temperature sensors, and controller are integrated into the silo structure, merging what were previously separate components (receiving vessel, measurement device, control system) into a single unified system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If an intermediary receiving vessel is used for catalyst withdrawal, then flow control accuracy is improved, but installation space and footprint increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatalyst flow controlVSAvoidsystem footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the flow control function with the storage function by integrating the vent line and control system into the material storage silo. This eliminates the need for a separate receiving vessel, maintaining operational control while reducing the overall system footprint and installation space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If conventional withdrawal systems with extensive equipment are used, then measurement accuracy is improved, but operational cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticulate matter withdrawal measurementVSAvoidoperational cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential measurement function from expensive conventional equipment and implements it using simpler, more cost-effective components. Temperature sensors and a controller integrated into the silo replace costly intermediary vessels and extensive measurement equipment, achieving accurate measurement at lower operational cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses relatively simple and inexpensive components (temperature sensors, vent valve, controller) instead of expensive conventional measurement equipment. These simpler components achieve the required measurement accuracy at a fraction of the cost of traditional systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

This system allows for accurate measurement and control of particulate matter withdrawal without additional expensive equipment, reducing operational costs and installation space requirements while maintaining efficient heat transfer and emissions control.

Implementation Method 1

one or more temperature sensors to measure temperature of the particulate matter in the material transfer line

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature measurement:

Implementation Method 2

employing finned conduit piping for efficient heat transfer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Convection

Implementation Method 3

a material storage silo that comprises a vent line containing a first vent valve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure control: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS11833498B2Withdrawal system

Publication Date: 2023.12.05 JOHNSON MATTHEY PROCESS TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

A withdrawal system for withdrawing particulate matter from a high-temperature unit of a high-temperature industrial process is disclosed. The withdrawal system comprises a material storage silo that comprises a vent line containing a first vent valve, one or more temperature sensors to measure temperature of the particulate matter in the material transfer line, and a controller that receives output measurements from the one or more temperature sensors to monitor and control flow of the particulate matter. The system does not contain a receiving vessel located in the material transfer line between the high-temperature unit and the material storage silo.