CA1063927A - Feed system for packed bed - Google Patents
Feed system for packed bedInfo
- Publication number
- CA1063927A CA1063927A CA214,223A CA214223A CA1063927A CA 1063927 A CA1063927 A CA 1063927A CA 214223 A CA214223 A CA 214223A CA 1063927 A CA1063927 A CA 1063927A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- gas
- distributing means
- liquid
- plenum chamber
- packing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 77
- 238000012856 packing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 64
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 14
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 7
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 229910052572 stoneware Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000003054 catalyst Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000011236 particulate material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
- B01J8/00—Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particles; Apparatus for such processes
- B01J8/02—Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particles; Apparatus for such processes with stationary particles, e.g. in fixed beds
- B01J8/04—Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particles; Apparatus for such processes with stationary particles, e.g. in fixed beds the fluid passing successively through two or more beds
- B01J8/0492—Feeding reactive fluids
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
- B01D53/14—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by absorption
- B01D53/18—Absorbing units; Liquid distributors therefor
- B01D53/185—Liquid distributors
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
- B01J8/00—Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particles; Apparatus for such processes
- B01J8/02—Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particles; Apparatus for such processes with stationary particles, e.g. in fixed beds
- B01J8/0278—Feeding reactive fluids
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
- B01J8/00—Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particles; Apparatus for such processes
- B01J8/02—Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particles; Apparatus for such processes with stationary particles, e.g. in fixed beds
- B01J8/04—Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particles; Apparatus for such processes with stationary particles, e.g. in fixed beds the fluid passing successively through two or more beds
- B01J8/0446—Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particles; Apparatus for such processes with stationary particles, e.g. in fixed beds the fluid passing successively through two or more beds the flow within the beds being predominantly vertical
- B01J8/0449—Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particles; Apparatus for such processes with stationary particles, e.g. in fixed beds the fluid passing successively through two or more beds the flow within the beds being predominantly vertical in two or more cylindrical beds
- B01J8/0453—Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particles; Apparatus for such processes with stationary particles, e.g. in fixed beds the fluid passing successively through two or more beds the flow within the beds being predominantly vertical in two or more cylindrical beds the beds being superimposed one above the other
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
- Physical Or Chemical Processes And Apparatus (AREA)
- Devices And Processes Conducted In The Presence Of Fluids And Solid Particles (AREA)
- Vaporization, Distillation, Condensation, Sublimation, And Cold Traps (AREA)
- Feeding, Discharge, Calcimining, Fusing, And Gas-Generation Devices (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Gas and/or liquid feed system for a packed bed in which the component parts are supported within and by the bed packing, whereby the system is structurally independent of the vessel wall.
Gas and/or liquid feed system for a packed bed in which the component parts are supported within and by the bed packing, whereby the system is structurally independent of the vessel wall.
Description
10639'~7 FEED SYSTEM FOR PACKED BFD
This invention relates to packed beds, and more particularly, to a new and improved packed bed contacting apparatus including new and improved means for introducing either a gas and/
or liquid into a packed bed.
Packed bed systems are process vessels in which one or more fluids ~low through a bed of solid particulate material, such as balls, Raschig rings, saddles,catalyst partlcles, etc.
Flow through packed beds may be one of any of several modes such as gas-liquid, gas, liquid, and liquid-liquid. In all of these systems, the gas and/or liquid is generally introduced into the bed through a suitable distributor such as weir boxes, chimney/
sieve plates, etc. which are supported on a horizontal plane with-in the vessel, resulting in independent support structures which are not only costly but also frequently result in superfluous vessel height. In systems which require unusual physical and/or chemical properties for the materials of construction, such as, in high temperature and/or corrosive environments, such devices together with their support structures are not only costly, but are difficult to design and implement. In most cases, this independent support structure incorporates structural devices such as beams or trusses, and in cases where metal is not practical, the use of stoneware arches or domes. As vessel diameters increase, the cost of the internal structure increases disproportionately. Accordingly, there is a need for new and improved means for introducing a gas and/or liquid into a packed bed.
10~39Z7 In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a contact~ng apparatus having a packed bed and a plurality of separate liquid distributors distributed throughout the packing of the packed bed, with the distributors being supported within and solely by the packed bed whereby there is no need for separate support structure structurally connected to the vessel walls.
More particularly, there is provided a plurality of liquid distributors which are dispersed within and supported by the packed bed, with one of the distributors being a main distributor and preferably being centrally located within the packed bed. The remaining distributors are distributed throughout the bed on a horizontal plane below the main distributor, and the main distributor is interconnected with each of the remaining distributors, whereby liquid feed can be introduced into the main distributor, and distributed therefrom both directly into the bed and into each of the branch distributors. The liquid feed introduced into the branch distributors is then distributed into the packed bed. The distributors employed for separately ~ 20 introducing the liquid into the packed bed may be any one of - those typically employed in the art, including perforated dis-tributors and weir boxes. By placing a plurality of distributors below the plane of the main distributor the liquid feed can flow, by gravity, from the main distributor into the remaining distributors.
In accordance with the present invention, the individual distributors of the overall liquid distributing system carry small loads on small spans, and the total load of the 1063~Z;7 distributor system iY carried by the packed bed. In this manner, the liquid distributing system is independent of the bed diameter or height. The distributor components can be fabricated of any material which meets the requirements for the process to be effected in the bed, such as, chemical inertness, physical strength and the like. The materials may be metal, stoneware, polymers, etc.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a contacting apparatus including a packed bed, a gas plenum chamber within the packing of the bed, and a plurality of gas distributing means supported by and within the packing of the bed for distributing gas from the plenum chamber into the packing of the bed. In this manner, as in the case of the liquid distributing means of the present invention, -the gas distributing means for introducing gas into a packed bed is independent of the vessel wall, and is supported by and within the packing of the bed. As in the case of the liquid distributing system of the present invention, the components of the gas distributing system may be formed of materials suitable for the requirements of the process, and such materials may include metals, stoneware, polymers, etc.
The invention will be further described with respect to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a sectional view of a portion of an embodiment of the present invention for introducing a liquid into a packed bed;
Figure 2 is a top plane view of the embodiment of ~igure l;
Figure 3 is a partial sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention for introducing a gas into a packed bed;
i ~.0639:~7 Figure 4 is a top plane view of the embodiment of Figure 3; and Figure 5 is a simplified schematic representation of a packed bed incorporating the gas feed embodiment of Pigure 3 and the liquid feed embodiment of Figure 1.
; Referring now to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings which illustrate an embodiment of the liquid distributor of the present invention, a vessel 10 is provided with suitable packing, schematically illustrated as 12. The upper portion of the vessel lO is provided with a liquid feed inlet 13 for introducing liquid feed into the vessel 10 for distribution thereof into the packing through the liquid distributing apparatus of the present invention. .
The liquid distributing apparatus of the present invention, generally indicated as 14, is comprised, in its ma;or parts, of a main distributor box 15, positioned in the packing . in a plane below the plane on which the liquid feed inlet 13 is ; located; and a plurality of branch distributor boxes 16, positioned on a plane below the plane of the main distributor box 15. As particularly shown, the main distributor box 15 is centrally positioned in the vessel 10 and the plurality of branch distributor boxes 16 are circularly arranged about the main distributor box 15, but it is to be understood that other arrangements may also be employed. The main distributor box 15 and the plurality of branch distributor boxes 16 are positioned within and are supported by the packing and, accordingly, there is no need for separate - and independent support structure for the boxes 15 and 16. The main distributor box 15, and each of the branch distributing boxes 16, are provided with means for distributing liquid from the boxes into the bed. As particularly shown, such means is in the form .
of a plurality of perforations or orifices 17 in the bottoms ~0~39~7 of box 15, and a plurality of perforatlons or orlfices 18 in the bottom of boxes 16, but it is to be understood, that other means, such as, notched weirs, etc. may be employed instead of perforations.
The upper portion of main box 15 is preferably provided with a notched weir 19 to accommodate for overflow or liquid surge, and the branch distributor boxes 16 are also preferably provided with notched weirs 21 for the same purpose.
A main spillway 22 is positioned within and supported by the packing 12 between the liquid inlet 13 and the main dis-tributor 15 for receiving liquid introduced through the inlet 13and transporting same to the main distributor box 15. The main spillway 22 is supported on a packing level above the packing level which supports the main distributor box 15, and as particu-larly shown, is provided with a downwardly inclined interior surface 23 on which the liquid is transported from the main spillway inlet 24, positioned ad;acent to the liquid feed inlet 13, to the main spillway outlet 25, positioned above and in fluid flow communication with main distributor box 15. The main spillway 22 is also provided with suitable vent orifices 26 and drain orifices 27.
A main liquid deflector 31 is positioned within and supported by the packing 12, at a packing level above the packing level supporting main spillway 22, directly opposite liquid inlet 13, to insure that the liquid introduced through the feed inlet 13 is directed into the main spillway 22.
A plurality of branch spillways 32 (one for each branch distributor box 16) are positioned within and supported by the packing 12, between each branch distributor box 16 and the main distributor box 15, for receiving liquid from the =a-n dlstribut~r box and transportlng same to the branch ', '.
~0~3927 distributor boxes. The branch spillways 32 are supported on a packing level below the packing level which æupports the main distributor box lS, and above the packing level which supports the branch distributor boxes 16. The inlet portion 33 of the branch spillways 32 are positioned below and around the outer perimeter of the orifices 17 of the main distributor box 15 whereby one portion of the liquid introduced into the main distributor box 15 is distributed through the outer portion of the orifices 17 to the branch spillways 32, and a further portion of the liquid is distributed through the central portion of the orifices 17 into the bed packing. As particularly shown, the branch spillways 32 are provided with a downwardly inclined inter-ior surface 34 on which liquid is transported to the outlet portion 35 of the spillways 32 for introduction into the branch distributor boxes 16. The branch spillways 32 are also provided with suitable drain orifices, generally indicated as 36.
In operation, liquid feed introduced through inlet 13 is passed through main spillway 22 to the main distributor box 16. The liquid introduced into the main distributor box 16 is distributed, through orifices 17, to the bed packing and the branch spillways 32. The liquid introduced into branch spillways 32 is passed to the branch distributor boxes 16 and distributed, through orifices 18, to the bed packing. As particularly shown, the liquid distributing system 14 is comprised of eight branch distributor boxes and one main distributor box, with about 50% of the liquid introduced into the main distributor box 15 belng distributed to the branch spillways for distribution to the packing through the branch distributor boxes 16, and about 50% of the liquid being introduced into the center of the packing through the main distributor box 15. It is to be understood, however, that other arrangements are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention.
As should be apparent from the hereinabove description, the liquid distributing system is structurally independent of the vessel wall in that the system is supported in and by the bed packing. The number of branches, dimension of components, etc.
is a function of bed si7e, packing characteristics, maximum and minimum flow quantities, properties of the liquid, etc. and the design of such components is well within the scope of those skilled in the art from the teachings herein. Similarly, the packing may shift within normal expectations causing some tilting of the components of the distributing system and such tilting may be compensated for by selection of the slope of the spillways and liquid head over perforations or weirs. ~-The invention will now be further described with respect to Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings which illustrate a ~ -preferred embodiment of a distributor of the present invention for distributing a gas to a packed bed.
Referring now to Figure 3 and 4, a vessel 100 is -~
provided with suitable process packing 101 and a gas feed inlet 102 for introducing gas into the gas distributor of the present invention, generally indicated as 103, positioned within and supported by the process packing 101. -The gas distributor 103 is comprised of a gas plenum chamber 104, within the interior of the process packing, and a plurality of pillars 105, in the form of hollow pipe sections, which includes means as hereinafter described for distributing , . . .
~063927 gas into the process packing above plenum chamber 104.
As particularly shown, a plurality of the pillars 105 are supported within and by the process packing in a con-tiguous relationship to define an outer perimetric wall 114 of the plenum chamber 104. A further portion of the pillars 105 are centrally positioned within and supported by the process packing to provide means for distributing gas into the central portion of the process packing above plenum chamber 104. As particularly shown, the centrally positioned pillars 105 are positioned in a contiguous relationship to define an inner perimetric wall 115 of the plenum chamber 104, with the voids between the central pillars being filled with a packing 116 preferential for a liquid. Similarly, the voids between the outer pillars 105 and the wall of vessel 100 are filled with a packing 117 preferential for a gas.
The plenum chamber 104 is open at its bottoms whereby the process packing defines the floor of the plenum chamber and is closed at its top by a roof, defined by a plurality of roof slabs 106, supported between the pillars 105. Accordingly, gas introduced into plenum chamber 104, through gas inlet 102, can not directly flow from the plenum chamber 104 into the process packing above plenum chamber 104.
The interior of the pillars 105 include means for passing and distributing gas into the processing packing, above the plenum chamber 104, in the form of risers 107, concentrically positioned within and spaced from the walls of the pillars 105.
It is to be understood that other means, such as packing preferential to a gas can be used for effecting such distribution.
It is to be understood that the risers 107 function to distribute gas which flows out of the bottom of plenum chamber 104 into the packing above the plenum chamber. In the case, where the gas distributor is employed as an intermediate gas feed, the gas passing through the packing below the plenum chamber is also distributed through risers 107 into the packing above the plenum chamber. The interior of the pillars 105 further include means for distributing liquid from the packing above the plenum chamber into the packing below the plenum chamber, in the form of packing 108 preferential for liquid, positioned between the risers 107 and the walls of the pillars 105.
In operation, gas feed is introduced into plenum chamber 104 through gas inlet 102 and flows out of the open bottoms thereof. The gas feed then flows through the risers 107 and packing preferential for a gas 117 along with any gas from the packing below the plenum chamber, into the process packing above the plenum chamber. The liquid from the packing above the plenum chamber flows through the packing 108, preferential for - -liquid into the packing below the plenum chamber.
As should be apparent from the hereinabove des-cription, the gas distributor of the present invention is comprised of a gas plenum chamber within the packing, and means for dis-tributing the gas from the gas plenum chamber into the packing above the plenum chamber which is supported within and by the ,. process packing, whereby the gas distributor is structurally independent of the vessel wall. The design of the various components to achieve the required capaclty and gas paths is within the s~ope of those skilled in the art from the teachings herein ~0~39Z7 Referring to Figure 5 of the drawings, there ls shown a packed bed containing a liquid feed distributor according to the present invention designated as 201, and gas feed distribu-tors, according to the present invention, designated as 202 for introducing gas feed at both an intermediate and lower portion of the packed bed. The vapor is withdrawn from the packed bed through vapor outlet 203 and the liquid is withdrawn from the bed through liquid outlet 204.
The present invention is particularly advantageous in that liquid and/or gas can be introduced into a packed bed contacting apparatus through distributors which are structurally independent of the vessel wall. This results in a savings with respect to structural cost and vessel height. In addition, the components may be constructed of materials suitable for the conditions and/or materials employed in the bed. The present invention achieves such results, in part, by departing from the previously accepted principle that distributing parts must be in a single horizontal plane and by structurally supporting the various component parts within and by the packed bed.
This invention relates to packed beds, and more particularly, to a new and improved packed bed contacting apparatus including new and improved means for introducing either a gas and/
or liquid into a packed bed.
Packed bed systems are process vessels in which one or more fluids ~low through a bed of solid particulate material, such as balls, Raschig rings, saddles,catalyst partlcles, etc.
Flow through packed beds may be one of any of several modes such as gas-liquid, gas, liquid, and liquid-liquid. In all of these systems, the gas and/or liquid is generally introduced into the bed through a suitable distributor such as weir boxes, chimney/
sieve plates, etc. which are supported on a horizontal plane with-in the vessel, resulting in independent support structures which are not only costly but also frequently result in superfluous vessel height. In systems which require unusual physical and/or chemical properties for the materials of construction, such as, in high temperature and/or corrosive environments, such devices together with their support structures are not only costly, but are difficult to design and implement. In most cases, this independent support structure incorporates structural devices such as beams or trusses, and in cases where metal is not practical, the use of stoneware arches or domes. As vessel diameters increase, the cost of the internal structure increases disproportionately. Accordingly, there is a need for new and improved means for introducing a gas and/or liquid into a packed bed.
10~39Z7 In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a contact~ng apparatus having a packed bed and a plurality of separate liquid distributors distributed throughout the packing of the packed bed, with the distributors being supported within and solely by the packed bed whereby there is no need for separate support structure structurally connected to the vessel walls.
More particularly, there is provided a plurality of liquid distributors which are dispersed within and supported by the packed bed, with one of the distributors being a main distributor and preferably being centrally located within the packed bed. The remaining distributors are distributed throughout the bed on a horizontal plane below the main distributor, and the main distributor is interconnected with each of the remaining distributors, whereby liquid feed can be introduced into the main distributor, and distributed therefrom both directly into the bed and into each of the branch distributors. The liquid feed introduced into the branch distributors is then distributed into the packed bed. The distributors employed for separately ~ 20 introducing the liquid into the packed bed may be any one of - those typically employed in the art, including perforated dis-tributors and weir boxes. By placing a plurality of distributors below the plane of the main distributor the liquid feed can flow, by gravity, from the main distributor into the remaining distributors.
In accordance with the present invention, the individual distributors of the overall liquid distributing system carry small loads on small spans, and the total load of the 1063~Z;7 distributor system iY carried by the packed bed. In this manner, the liquid distributing system is independent of the bed diameter or height. The distributor components can be fabricated of any material which meets the requirements for the process to be effected in the bed, such as, chemical inertness, physical strength and the like. The materials may be metal, stoneware, polymers, etc.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a contacting apparatus including a packed bed, a gas plenum chamber within the packing of the bed, and a plurality of gas distributing means supported by and within the packing of the bed for distributing gas from the plenum chamber into the packing of the bed. In this manner, as in the case of the liquid distributing means of the present invention, -the gas distributing means for introducing gas into a packed bed is independent of the vessel wall, and is supported by and within the packing of the bed. As in the case of the liquid distributing system of the present invention, the components of the gas distributing system may be formed of materials suitable for the requirements of the process, and such materials may include metals, stoneware, polymers, etc.
The invention will be further described with respect to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a sectional view of a portion of an embodiment of the present invention for introducing a liquid into a packed bed;
Figure 2 is a top plane view of the embodiment of ~igure l;
Figure 3 is a partial sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention for introducing a gas into a packed bed;
i ~.0639:~7 Figure 4 is a top plane view of the embodiment of Figure 3; and Figure 5 is a simplified schematic representation of a packed bed incorporating the gas feed embodiment of Pigure 3 and the liquid feed embodiment of Figure 1.
; Referring now to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings which illustrate an embodiment of the liquid distributor of the present invention, a vessel 10 is provided with suitable packing, schematically illustrated as 12. The upper portion of the vessel lO is provided with a liquid feed inlet 13 for introducing liquid feed into the vessel 10 for distribution thereof into the packing through the liquid distributing apparatus of the present invention. .
The liquid distributing apparatus of the present invention, generally indicated as 14, is comprised, in its ma;or parts, of a main distributor box 15, positioned in the packing . in a plane below the plane on which the liquid feed inlet 13 is ; located; and a plurality of branch distributor boxes 16, positioned on a plane below the plane of the main distributor box 15. As particularly shown, the main distributor box 15 is centrally positioned in the vessel 10 and the plurality of branch distributor boxes 16 are circularly arranged about the main distributor box 15, but it is to be understood that other arrangements may also be employed. The main distributor box 15 and the plurality of branch distributor boxes 16 are positioned within and are supported by the packing and, accordingly, there is no need for separate - and independent support structure for the boxes 15 and 16. The main distributor box 15, and each of the branch distributing boxes 16, are provided with means for distributing liquid from the boxes into the bed. As particularly shown, such means is in the form .
of a plurality of perforations or orifices 17 in the bottoms ~0~39~7 of box 15, and a plurality of perforatlons or orlfices 18 in the bottom of boxes 16, but it is to be understood, that other means, such as, notched weirs, etc. may be employed instead of perforations.
The upper portion of main box 15 is preferably provided with a notched weir 19 to accommodate for overflow or liquid surge, and the branch distributor boxes 16 are also preferably provided with notched weirs 21 for the same purpose.
A main spillway 22 is positioned within and supported by the packing 12 between the liquid inlet 13 and the main dis-tributor 15 for receiving liquid introduced through the inlet 13and transporting same to the main distributor box 15. The main spillway 22 is supported on a packing level above the packing level which supports the main distributor box 15, and as particu-larly shown, is provided with a downwardly inclined interior surface 23 on which the liquid is transported from the main spillway inlet 24, positioned ad;acent to the liquid feed inlet 13, to the main spillway outlet 25, positioned above and in fluid flow communication with main distributor box 15. The main spillway 22 is also provided with suitable vent orifices 26 and drain orifices 27.
A main liquid deflector 31 is positioned within and supported by the packing 12, at a packing level above the packing level supporting main spillway 22, directly opposite liquid inlet 13, to insure that the liquid introduced through the feed inlet 13 is directed into the main spillway 22.
A plurality of branch spillways 32 (one for each branch distributor box 16) are positioned within and supported by the packing 12, between each branch distributor box 16 and the main distributor box 15, for receiving liquid from the =a-n dlstribut~r box and transportlng same to the branch ', '.
~0~3927 distributor boxes. The branch spillways 32 are supported on a packing level below the packing level which æupports the main distributor box lS, and above the packing level which supports the branch distributor boxes 16. The inlet portion 33 of the branch spillways 32 are positioned below and around the outer perimeter of the orifices 17 of the main distributor box 15 whereby one portion of the liquid introduced into the main distributor box 15 is distributed through the outer portion of the orifices 17 to the branch spillways 32, and a further portion of the liquid is distributed through the central portion of the orifices 17 into the bed packing. As particularly shown, the branch spillways 32 are provided with a downwardly inclined inter-ior surface 34 on which liquid is transported to the outlet portion 35 of the spillways 32 for introduction into the branch distributor boxes 16. The branch spillways 32 are also provided with suitable drain orifices, generally indicated as 36.
In operation, liquid feed introduced through inlet 13 is passed through main spillway 22 to the main distributor box 16. The liquid introduced into the main distributor box 16 is distributed, through orifices 17, to the bed packing and the branch spillways 32. The liquid introduced into branch spillways 32 is passed to the branch distributor boxes 16 and distributed, through orifices 18, to the bed packing. As particularly shown, the liquid distributing system 14 is comprised of eight branch distributor boxes and one main distributor box, with about 50% of the liquid introduced into the main distributor box 15 belng distributed to the branch spillways for distribution to the packing through the branch distributor boxes 16, and about 50% of the liquid being introduced into the center of the packing through the main distributor box 15. It is to be understood, however, that other arrangements are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention.
As should be apparent from the hereinabove description, the liquid distributing system is structurally independent of the vessel wall in that the system is supported in and by the bed packing. The number of branches, dimension of components, etc.
is a function of bed si7e, packing characteristics, maximum and minimum flow quantities, properties of the liquid, etc. and the design of such components is well within the scope of those skilled in the art from the teachings herein. Similarly, the packing may shift within normal expectations causing some tilting of the components of the distributing system and such tilting may be compensated for by selection of the slope of the spillways and liquid head over perforations or weirs. ~-The invention will now be further described with respect to Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings which illustrate a ~ -preferred embodiment of a distributor of the present invention for distributing a gas to a packed bed.
Referring now to Figure 3 and 4, a vessel 100 is -~
provided with suitable process packing 101 and a gas feed inlet 102 for introducing gas into the gas distributor of the present invention, generally indicated as 103, positioned within and supported by the process packing 101. -The gas distributor 103 is comprised of a gas plenum chamber 104, within the interior of the process packing, and a plurality of pillars 105, in the form of hollow pipe sections, which includes means as hereinafter described for distributing , . . .
~063927 gas into the process packing above plenum chamber 104.
As particularly shown, a plurality of the pillars 105 are supported within and by the process packing in a con-tiguous relationship to define an outer perimetric wall 114 of the plenum chamber 104. A further portion of the pillars 105 are centrally positioned within and supported by the process packing to provide means for distributing gas into the central portion of the process packing above plenum chamber 104. As particularly shown, the centrally positioned pillars 105 are positioned in a contiguous relationship to define an inner perimetric wall 115 of the plenum chamber 104, with the voids between the central pillars being filled with a packing 116 preferential for a liquid. Similarly, the voids between the outer pillars 105 and the wall of vessel 100 are filled with a packing 117 preferential for a gas.
The plenum chamber 104 is open at its bottoms whereby the process packing defines the floor of the plenum chamber and is closed at its top by a roof, defined by a plurality of roof slabs 106, supported between the pillars 105. Accordingly, gas introduced into plenum chamber 104, through gas inlet 102, can not directly flow from the plenum chamber 104 into the process packing above plenum chamber 104.
The interior of the pillars 105 include means for passing and distributing gas into the processing packing, above the plenum chamber 104, in the form of risers 107, concentrically positioned within and spaced from the walls of the pillars 105.
It is to be understood that other means, such as packing preferential to a gas can be used for effecting such distribution.
It is to be understood that the risers 107 function to distribute gas which flows out of the bottom of plenum chamber 104 into the packing above the plenum chamber. In the case, where the gas distributor is employed as an intermediate gas feed, the gas passing through the packing below the plenum chamber is also distributed through risers 107 into the packing above the plenum chamber. The interior of the pillars 105 further include means for distributing liquid from the packing above the plenum chamber into the packing below the plenum chamber, in the form of packing 108 preferential for liquid, positioned between the risers 107 and the walls of the pillars 105.
In operation, gas feed is introduced into plenum chamber 104 through gas inlet 102 and flows out of the open bottoms thereof. The gas feed then flows through the risers 107 and packing preferential for a gas 117 along with any gas from the packing below the plenum chamber, into the process packing above the plenum chamber. The liquid from the packing above the plenum chamber flows through the packing 108, preferential for - -liquid into the packing below the plenum chamber.
As should be apparent from the hereinabove des-cription, the gas distributor of the present invention is comprised of a gas plenum chamber within the packing, and means for dis-tributing the gas from the gas plenum chamber into the packing above the plenum chamber which is supported within and by the ,. process packing, whereby the gas distributor is structurally independent of the vessel wall. The design of the various components to achieve the required capaclty and gas paths is within the s~ope of those skilled in the art from the teachings herein ~0~39Z7 Referring to Figure 5 of the drawings, there ls shown a packed bed containing a liquid feed distributor according to the present invention designated as 201, and gas feed distribu-tors, according to the present invention, designated as 202 for introducing gas feed at both an intermediate and lower portion of the packed bed. The vapor is withdrawn from the packed bed through vapor outlet 203 and the liquid is withdrawn from the bed through liquid outlet 204.
The present invention is particularly advantageous in that liquid and/or gas can be introduced into a packed bed contacting apparatus through distributors which are structurally independent of the vessel wall. This results in a savings with respect to structural cost and vessel height. In addition, the components may be constructed of materials suitable for the conditions and/or materials employed in the bed. The present invention achieves such results, in part, by departing from the previously accepted principle that distributing parts must be in a single horizontal plane and by structurally supporting the various component parts within and by the packed bed.
Claims (6)
1. A contacting apparatus comprising a vessel; a packed bed within the vessel; a plurality of separate liquid distributing means dispersed throughout the packing of said packed bed, such plurality of dispersed distributing means being positioned entirely within and supported solely by said packed bed; and means for introducing liquid feed into each of said liquid distributing means whereby liquid feed is distributed into said packed bed.
2. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein said plurality of liquid distributing means is comprised of a main liquid distributing means and auxiliary liquid distributing means, and said means for introducing liquid feed into each of said liquid distributing means, comprises a main liquid conduit for introducing liquid into the main liquid distributing means, and auxiliary conduit means positioned entirely within and supported solely by said packed bed interconnecting said main liquid distributing means with each of the auxiliary liquid distributing means for passing liquid from said main liquid distributing means to said auxiliary liquid distributing means.
3. The apparatus of Claim 2 wherein said main liquid conduit is supported within and by the packed bed on a plane above the plane on which said main liquid distributing means is supported, said auxiliary conduit means being supported within and by the bed on a plane below the main distributing means and said auxiliary distributing means being supported within and by the bed on a plane below the auxiliary conduit means.
4. The apparatus of Claim 2 or 3 wherein the main liquid distributing means is centrally positioned within the bed and the auxiliary distributing means are positioned radially outwardly from the main distributing means.
5. The apparatus of Claim 1, 2 or 3 further comprising means defining a gas plenum chamber within the packed bed below said plurality of liquid distributing means; gas feed inlet means for introducing gas into the plenum chamber;
and a plurality of gas distributing means positioned entirely within and supported solely by the packed bed for distributing gas from the plenum chamber into packing above said plenum chamber.
and a plurality of gas distributing means positioned entirely within and supported solely by the packed bed for distributing gas from the plenum chamber into packing above said plenum chamber.
6. The apparatus of Claims 1, 2 or 3 and further comprising:
a gas plenum chamber within the packed bed comprised of a wall formed of a plurality of separate and individual wall members positioned entirely within and supported solely by the packed bed, a roof positioned over said wall members to prevent gas from flowing from the plenum chamber directly to packing above the plenum chamber, packing of said packed bed defining a floor for said plenum chamber; a gas inlet for introducing gas into the plenum chamber; and a plurality of gas distributing means positioned entirely within and supported by the packed bed, said gas distributing means having inlets in communication with packing below said plenum chamber and outlets in communication with packing above said plenum chamber whereby gas flows from the gas inlet into said plenum chamber then through packing below the plenum chamber and then through the plurality of gas distributing means into packing above said plenum chamber.
a gas plenum chamber within the packed bed comprised of a wall formed of a plurality of separate and individual wall members positioned entirely within and supported solely by the packed bed, a roof positioned over said wall members to prevent gas from flowing from the plenum chamber directly to packing above the plenum chamber, packing of said packed bed defining a floor for said plenum chamber; a gas inlet for introducing gas into the plenum chamber; and a plurality of gas distributing means positioned entirely within and supported by the packed bed, said gas distributing means having inlets in communication with packing below said plenum chamber and outlets in communication with packing above said plenum chamber whereby gas flows from the gas inlet into said plenum chamber then through packing below the plenum chamber and then through the plurality of gas distributing means into packing above said plenum chamber.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA300,501A CA1065245A (en) | 1973-11-21 | 1978-04-05 | Feed system for packed bed |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US41781373A | 1973-11-21 | 1973-11-21 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1063927A true CA1063927A (en) | 1979-10-09 |
Family
ID=23655490
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA214,223A Expired CA1063927A (en) | 1973-11-21 | 1974-11-20 | Feed system for packed bed |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS5089270A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1063927A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2454726A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2251361B1 (en) |
| GB (2) | GB1485495A (en) |
| NL (1) | NL7415131A (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE3842637A1 (en) * | 1988-12-18 | 1990-07-05 | Rauschert Gmbh & Co Kg Paul | DEVICE FOR COLLECTING AND DISTRIBUTING LIQUID IN A SUBSTANCE OR HEAT EXCHANGER |
| FR2771018B1 (en) * | 1997-11-17 | 2000-02-04 | Air Liquide | LIQUID DISPENSER FOR OSCILLATING DISTILLATION COLUMN, AND CORRESPONDING DISTILLATION COLUMN |
| FR2771019B1 (en) * | 1997-11-17 | 2000-02-04 | Air Liquide | LIQUID DISPENSER FOR DISTILLATION COLUMN, AND DISTILLATION COLUMN THEREOF |
| CN103920302B (en) * | 2014-05-06 | 2015-10-28 | 徐德荣 | The automatic equivalent distributor of boundling rectifying phegma |
-
1974
- 1974-11-19 DE DE19742454726 patent/DE2454726A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1974-11-20 GB GB5032874A patent/GB1485495A/en not_active Expired
- 1974-11-20 CA CA214,223A patent/CA1063927A/en not_active Expired
- 1974-11-20 GB GB451477A patent/GB1485496A/en not_active Expired
- 1974-11-20 NL NL7415131A patent/NL7415131A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1974-11-21 JP JP13505274A patent/JPS5089270A/ja active Pending
- 1974-11-21 FR FR7438353A patent/FR2251361B1/fr not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPS5089270A (en) | 1975-07-17 |
| DE2454726A1 (en) | 1975-06-26 |
| FR2251361B1 (en) | 1981-08-07 |
| GB1485495A (en) | 1977-09-14 |
| NL7415131A (en) | 1975-05-23 |
| FR2251361A1 (en) | 1975-06-13 |
| GB1485496A (en) | 1977-09-14 |
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