FR2740054A1 - Device for distributing, mixing, injecting and/or extracting fluids - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for distributing, mixing, injecting and/or extracting a number of fluids where there is a principal fluid A and at least one first secondary fluid B1 and a second secondary fluid B2. The device contains means to collect the principal fluid A which are connected to at least one mixing chamber, at least one primary injection and/or extraction circuit for the first secondary fluid B1 and a second injection and/or extraction circuit for the second secondary fluid B2. These circuits connect to the mixing chamber through one or more openings allowing the (B1 and B2) fluids to pass into or out of the chamber. The mixing chamber has at least one inlet for the principal fluid and at least one outlet. The device also contains means of redistributing the fluid from the mixing chamber. The injection and/or extraction circuits are distinct and placed near the mixing chamber at at least one of the chamber walls with a direction parallel to the axis of the device. Column allowing the separation of a fluid containing several separable components, comprising at least a first and second bed of solid granules separated by at least one of the above devices.

Description

 The present invention relates to a device, abbreviated as DME, for mixing, distributing, withdrawing and / or injecting several fluids, for example at least one main fluid and one or more secondary fluids.

 In many applications or processes, it is often necessary to make homogeneous mixtures of several fluids.

 For example, but not exclusively in the field of chromatography, for fluids in the gaseous, liquid or even supercritical state, it is necessary to remix the fluids, or else to effect a mixture as homogeneous as possible from a main fluid and one or more secondary fluids.

For example, in the field of application in a simulated moving bed, most often operated in simulated counter-current, and which in most cases combines columns having large diameters or sections, and numerous separation stages, there is proves necessary to have a
DME between each separation stage to ensure on the one hand the collection of the main fluid in the most uniform way possible, and on the other hand the distribution and / or the withdrawal of one or more secondary fluids, as well as the redistribution of the mixture formed inside the DME.

 The DME is also used to remix the main fluid circulating in the granular solid beds when no other secondary fluid is added or subtracted from this column.

 Different distribution systems or devices are described in the prior art and also used at the industrial stage for fine chemistry, the laboratory or large industry.

 For example, the distributors of the company AMICON, those described in patents US-A3,948,775, US-A-3,214,247 and US-A-3,723,072, as well as those of the applicant, for example the device described in request WP-95/03867. However, none of these documents explicitly teaches to use a specific arrangement of the mixing chambers and of the injection chambers and / or withdrawal, as well as a geometry and / or a disposition of the orifices making these chambers communicate with each other, and / or with the outside, in order to mix as optimally as possible, for example inside a confined space.

 The present invention makes it possible to optimize the mixing of several fluids or to remix a circulating fluid, circulating from one point to another.

 Advantageously, the device according to the present invention is used in a chromatography column using several secondary fluids and where the main fluid circulates through beds of granular solids.

The present invention relates to a device making it possible to distribute, mix, inject and / or withdraw several fluids, at least one of the fluids being a main fluid A1, and at least a first secondary fluid B1 and a second secondary fluid B2, the device comprising, for example:
means for collecting said main fluid A1, said means for collecting being in relation
with at least one mixing chamber, via one or more orifices
introduction (Op) of the fluid located on a first wall of said mixing chamber,
said mixing chamber being provided on a second wall, for example arranged at
opposite the first wall of one or more outlet openings (Om),
at least a first circuit (C1, 11) for injecting and / or withdrawing a first fluid
secondary B1, and
at least a second circuit (C2, 12) for introducing and / or withdrawing a second fluid
secondary B2,
said injection and / or withdrawal circuits (11, 12) each having respectively
first wall and a second wall common to said mixing chamber (M) and being in
communication with the mixing chamber using one or more openings (01.02)
arranged on each of said common wall.

 It is characterized in that the orientation of the axis of the openings (01, 02) located on the first (respectively the second common wall) is chosen so that the fluid passing through reaches a solid part of the wall of the mixed.

 The fluid thus injected will hit a solid wall of the chamber, before mixing with the main fluid or a part of this main fluid circulating in the mixing chamber.

 The injection and / or withdrawal chambers are for example arranged on either side of the mixing chamber.

 Advantageously, in the case of injection and / or withdrawal circuits which must remain distinct and separate from one another, the passage of fluids of different natures which require cleaning operations or purging of the circuits is thus avoided before circulating the fluids one after the other in common circuits, so on the one hand to evacuate the remains of a first fluid in a circuit before the passage of a second fluid and avoid any problem of pollution between fluids.

 According to one embodiment, the dimensions of the mixing chamber are chosen to optimize the mixing. We choose, for example, preferably a chamber having a width between 10 and 100 mm and preferably between 20 and 60 mm and more preferably between 30 and 50 mm.

 The device or DME can comprise means of collection and / or redistribution situated respectively upstream and downstream of the DME, comprising for example a collection space and / or a redistribution space.

 Another way of proceeding consists in having a means such as a jet breaker at the level of the collection space and / or at the level of the redistribution space.

 The collection and redistribution means respectively comprise a collection space and a redistribution space and at least one jet breaker device is arranged at at least one of these spaces.

 The redistribution means comprises, for example, a redistribution space and at least one of the walls common to said injection and / or withdrawal circuits and to said mixing chamber may have a length which extends over at least part of the redistribution space, said passage opening (s) being arranged, for example, on the part of the wall situated at the level of the redistribution space.

 The collecting means comprises, for example, a collecting space and at least one of the walls of the mixing chamber extends into the collecting space, the extending part being provided with one or more orifices allowing the passage of the fluid. from the mixing chamber to the collection space and vice versa.

 According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the DME comprises for example at least four injection and / or withdrawal circuits arranged relative to said mixing and / or withdrawal chamber so as to have at least one common wall and orifices for communication with said chamber. The axes of the fluid passage orifices are arranged, for example, on the common wall and oriented so that the fluid will strike a solid part of another wall of said mixing and / or drawing-off chamber, said other wall being a wall not common to said mixing and / or drawing-off chamber.

 In order to promote mixing, turbulence promoting means are for example placed inside said mixing and / or drawing-off chamber.

 According to one embodiment of the DME, the collection and / or redistribution means have for example a shape adapted to minimize the differences in travel time between the flow lines of a fluid flowing downstream of said mixing chamber and / or withdrawal and / or lines of a fluid from said mixing chamber.

 The present invention also relates to a column for separating a body from a fluid comprising at least two distinct or differentiable constituents comprising at least a first bed and a second bed of granular solids separated by a device having at least one of the characteristics previously stated .

The EMR according to the invention has the following advantages in particular:
the arrangement of the orifices as well as their orientation contribute to optimizing the mixture of
fluids in the chamber, the fluid after hitting a wall mixes intimately in the
fluid circulating in the mixing chamber,
the independence of the injection circuits avoids rinsing operations to eliminate
the remainders of a first fluid withdrawn before the passage of a second fluid,
this independence also avoids the pollution of circuits due to the different nature of
fluids involved in the process.

Other characteristics and advantages of the method according to the invention will appear on reading the description given below, by way of illustration and in no way limitative, with reference to the appended drawings in which:
Figure 1 schematically shows a device according to the invention arranged for example
between two beds of granular solids,
Figure 2 shows another alternative embodiment where the mixing chamber is provided with
several series of orifices for introducing a fluid circulating downstream,
Figure 3 shows schematically an alternative embodiment of the device according to the invention combining
mechanical means, such as jet breakers,
Figures 4 and 5 show schematically two alternative embodiments of the mixing chamber,
two walls extend at least over part of a redistribution space arranged in
downstream of the device,
FIG. 1 describes an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention arranged between a first of granular solids or upper bed 1 and a second bed of granular solids 2.

The device or in short DME comprises for example the following elements:
collection means arranged upstream of the DME, comprising a collection grid 3 and a
collection space 4, the grid extending for example substantially over the entire section
DME and the collection grid 3 being in contact with the first bed 1 of granular solids,
means for redistributing a fluid from the DME located downstream of this DME and comprising,
for example a redistribution space 5, and a redistribution grid 6 arranged by
example in contact with the second bed of granular solids and extending substantially over the
entire section,
between the means of collection and redistribution are arranged:
a mixing chamber M and for example, on either side of this mixing chamber
M, at least two injection and / or withdrawal circuits each comprising a chamber
injection and / or withdrawal respectively 11, 12, each being connected to a conduit
injection and / or withdrawal C1, C2.

 The arrangement of these chambers with respect to each other is such that the mixing chamber M has, with the first injection and / or withdrawal chamber II a common wall 9 comprising for example the parts (9a, 9b, 9c , 9d, and 9e) and with the second injection and / or withdrawal chamber 12, a common wall 8 composed for example of five parts (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d and 8e).

 The mixing chamber M has an upper wall 7 and a lower wall 10 which delimit respectively with the collection grid 3 and the redistribution grid 6 and with the outer walls of the column respectively the collection space 4 and the space of redistribution 5. The upper wall 7 of the chamber M is provided with one or more orifices Op allowing the main fluid flowing downstream of the DME to pass through for example the bed of main granular solids and its lower wall 10 comprises one or more orifices Om allowing the outlet of the mixture or of the remixing of the fluid produced inside this chamber M.

 The upper wall 7 and the lower wall 10 of the mixing chamber M are situated, for example, respectively in the extension of the upper walls 12, 13 and the lower walls 14, 15 of the injection and / or withdrawal chambers 11, 12.

 The walls common to each of the injection and / or withdrawal chambers 11, 12 and to the mixing chamber 7 are provided with one or more orifices Oi, (the index i corresponding for example to the number of the secondary fluid (, allowing the fluids, for example the main fluid and / or the various secondary fluids B1, B2 to pass between an injection and / or withdrawal chamber and the mixing chamber.

 Thus, for example, the part 9c of the common wall 9 comprises an orifice or a series of orifices 01 whose axis is oriented in such a way that a first secondary fluid B1, for example, coming from the injection chamber and / or withdrawal It, strikes the solid wall 8a of the wall 8 common to the two chambers, this wall being located, for example, opposite, substantially in the orientation axis of the orifice.

 The wall 8 has, in an identical manner, for example disposed on the part 8c of this wall 8, one or more orifices 02 whose axis is oriented so that the second secondary fluid coming from the second injection and / or withdrawal chamber strike the solid wall 9e of the common wall 9.

 The fluid having struck the wall then disperses in the main fluid or in the fluid circulating in the mixing chamber, this making it possible to optimize its mixing.

 The shape of each of the walls common to the injection and / or withdrawal chambers and to the mixing chamber is chosen so as to define a particular path for the fluid or the mixture circulating in the chamber, promoting its mixing all along his journey.

 Thus, the main fluid injected through the opening Op circulates in a first zone Z1 of the chamber delimited by the substantially parallel walls 8a, 9a and the wall 9b extending the wall 9a by making an angle close to 90 "C and thus narrowing the passage of the main fluid in order to channel it between the two substantially parallel walls 9c, 8a. The first main fluid B1, introduced by the conduit C1 passes into the first injection and / or withdrawal chamber II and then is injected towards the chamber mixing, for example through the orifices 01 arranged on the part 9c of the wall 9. The orientation of the orifice (s) 01 allows injection of this first secondary fluid B1 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow of the main fluid , and also so that it goes to strike a solid part of the wall 8, located opposite the wall 9. After having struck the solid wall the fluid injected by the orifice, d is dispersed in the fluid circulating in the chamber, its dispersion can generate turbulence phenomena within the chamber making it possible to optimize its mixing. The shape of the mixing chamber delimited by the walls 9d, 9e, 9f and 8b, & 8d, 8f is advantageously chosen to improve the mixture thus produced.

 The injection of a second secondary fluid inside the chamber is for example carried out in sequence with the injection of the first fluid but according to a substantially identical principle.

 Thus, the main fluid circulating along a path similar to that mentioned above, the second secondary fluid is introduced into the second injection and / or withdrawal chamber 12 by the conduit C2 before being introduced by, for example by one or several orifices 02 arranged on the part 8c of the wall 8. This second fluid will strike the solid part 9e of the wall 9, before dispersing within the fluid circulating in the chamber.

 The mixture A2 resulting from the main fluid and at least one of the secondary fluids is from the mixing chamber through the orifice Om, before being distributed through the redistribution space 5 and the distribution grid 6 or redistribution in the second bed of granular solids placed downstream of the DME.

 The parts 9i and 8i, common to the chambers are connected to each other and extend, to form with the lower and upper walls of the mixing chamber, a mixing space having a shape optimized for mixing several fluids or remixing a fluid.

 The orientation of the axes of injection and / or withdrawal of the fluid in the mixing chamber or from this chamber is such that it advantageously makes it possible to avoid the passage of secondary fluids through orifices communicating with chambers which are not dedicated to them, thus avoiding any problem of pollution of the injection and / or withdrawal circuits (chamber and associated conduit) originating from the use of secondary fluids having different natures, unlike the case where a injection and / or withdrawal circuit common to the various fluids.

 The inlet openings Op of the mixing chamber M are, for example, series of holes or slots, preferably, regularly spaced to achieve as uniform collection as possible of the main fluid A1 towards the mixing chamber M.

 The size and geometry of these orifices are chosen so that the fluid at the inlet of the mixing chamber has a favorable speed to create turbulence inside and at the same time to generate a pressure drop allowing the turbulence to be confined inside the mixing chamber.

 Thus, the spacing between the inlet ports Op of the fluid A1 is, for example, between 30 and 150 mm and preferably between 50 and 100 mm. The speed of the fluid through the orifices obtained with such a spacing varies for example between 1 and 5 m / s, preferably between 2 and 3 m / s. The pressure drop thus generated at the outlet of the orifices is between 10 and 100 g / cm2 and preferably between 30 and 60 g / cm2.

 The outlet channels Om of a fluid from the mixing chamber are for example formed by a series of holes or slots, preferably, regularly spaced so as to redistribute the fluid coming from the mixing chamber as uniformly as possible to redistribution space 5. This fluid results from the mixture of at least one main fluid with at least one secondary fluid.

 The size of the holes or of the slots Op is chosen, for example to generate a certain pressure drop making it possible to confine the turbulence of the mixture inside the mixing chamber M, for example a pressure drop of between 10 and 100 g / cm2 and preferably between 30 and 60 g / cm2. This pressure drop value corresponds in particular to a spacing of the holes or slots from 30 to 150 mm and preferably from 50 to 100 mm and to a speed value for the fluid leaving the mixing chamber of between 1 and 5 m / s, preferably between 2 and 3 m / s.

 In this way, the collection and good distribution of the fluid coming from the mixing chamber and passing through the redistribution space 5 and then through the grid 6 are optimized, when the latter is present.

 The inlet and outlet ports Op and outlet Om located at the level of the mixing chamber M are preferably arranged alternately or alternatively in staggered rows to promote the transverse dispersion of the main fluid A1 and the secondary fluids B1, B2 mixed together. These orifices are preferably arranged as uniformly as possible with, for example, the same pitch or spacing between them.

 Likewise, the arrangement of these orifices is chosen to avoid the effects of a nozzle or a venturi in the chamber resulting from the high speed circulation of the fluid in the mixing chamber.

 The orifices 01, 02 for introducing or withdrawing the secondary fluids B1, B2 are, for example formed by a series of holes, preferably, regularly spaced to inject and / or withdraw these secondary fluids as uniformly as possible towards and / or of the mixing chamber M. These orifices are, for example, dimensioned so that the linear speed of the fluid injected at the inlet of the mixing chamber is sufficiently large to favor the creation of turbulence in the mixing chamber and to obtain a significant pressure drop.

 The speed of the fluid through the passage orifices 01, 02 is, for example, between 1 and 15 m / s, preferably between 5 and 10 m / s. The spacing between the holes is chosen, for example between 30 and 150 mm and preferably between 50 and 100 mm. The corresponding pressure drop varies between 100 and 2000 g / cm2 and preferably between 200 and 1000 g / cm2.

 The orifices or series of orifices 01, 02 for injection and / or withdrawal are for example preferably arranged relative to the inlet orifices Op so that the fluid injected by one of these orifices mixes with the main fluid circulating in the mixing chamber, then redistributes in two through the outlet ports Om arranged for example alternately or alternately staggered with respect to the ports Op, 01 and 02.

 The geometry and dimensions of the injection and / or withdrawal chambers are chosen to ensure a flow of substantially identical fluids through all the outlet orifices. For example, the ratio of the developed length of said chambers to the average or equivalent width being less than 30 and preferably less than 20, and preferably less than 10.

 In addition, these dimensions are adapted to allow the secondary fluid to crash into a solid part of a wall to promote dispersion within a fluid circulating in the chamber, and its mixture with the fluid.

 According to another embodiment described in FIG. 2, the upper wall of the chamber is provided, for example with two series of orifices Op, Op ′ distributed for example along substantially the entire length of the mixing chamber and having characteristics substantially identical to those described above.

 In this exemplary embodiment, the mixing chamber M is substantially symmetrical with respect to the axis of the DME and formed for example by the parts 8a, 9a each of these parts being extended by the walls 8b, 9b so as to narrow the width of the first zone Z1 of the mixing chamber M and define a second zone Z2 having the shape of a channel delimited by the walls 8c, 9c situated in the extension and making an angle, for example, close to 90 "C with the previous walls 8b 9b The zone Z2 is itself extended by a zone Z3 delimited by the walls 8d, 9d extended by the walls 8e, 9e.

 All of these three mixing zones Z1, Z2 and Z3 form a space whose dimensions and shape are chosen to optimize the mixing of several fluids or the remixing of a fluid.

 The walls 8c and 9c are provided with one or more series of orifices 01, 02 leaving the passage between the mixing chamber and the injection and / or withdrawal chambers.

The orifices for passage of the various fluids, of the main fluid, of the secondary fluids, and of the mixture of several secondary fluids with the main fluid or else of the fluid remixed inside the chamber when no other secondary fluid is injected into the
DME, have characteristics substantially identical to the characteristics given in relation to FIG. 1.

 At least one of the zones Z1, Z2 and Z3 can be equipped with turbulence promoting means.

 Figure 3 shows schematically an alternative embodiment of the device according to the invention equipped with means such as a jet breaker 20 disposed at the redistribution space, preferably, for example in front of the outlet port (s) Om. The shape and size of the nozzle will be adapted to the number and distribution of the outlet ports Om distributed on the bottom wall of the mixing chamber M.

 Such an arrangement makes it possible to prevent the fluid from directly striking the bed of granular solids disposed downstream of the DME.

 In addition, the radial distribution of the fluid from the mixing chamber in the redistribution space 5 is improved.

 Without departing from the scope of the invention, the jet breaker or any means having an identical function is arranged, for example at the level of the collection space substantially in the axis of the orifice (s) for introducing the fluid, preferably in face of the introduction orifice, which in particular has the effect of distributing the distribution of the fluid coming from the collection grid within the collection space. This avoids the pronounced turbulence phenomena in the vicinity of the first bed of granular solids and promotes the collection of the main fluid.

 Another alternative embodiment of the device making it possible to obtain a similar effect is shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 4 and 5.

 In FIG. 4, the common walls 8, 9 to the mixing chamber 7 and to the injection and withdrawal chambers 11, 12, extend at least over part of their height in the redistribution space.

 The orifices or series of orifices Oml and Om2 are in this embodiment positioned on each of the extensions of the walls 8 and 9, on either side, for example.

 In this way the fluid or mixture from the mixing chamber is distributed in two flows before being distributed in the redistribution space, which allows a better distribution of this fluid before it passes through the redistribution grid. and its introduction into the bed located downstream of the DME.

 In FIG. 5, the part of the common walls extending inside the redistribution space is inclined relative to the axis of the DME.

 Without departing from the scope of the invention, it is understood that the extension of the common walls of the mixing chamber can be carried out inside the collection space.

 These walls then include introduction orifices having characteristics substantially identical to those described for the Oml and Om2 orifices. Likewise the shape of these walls as well as their position relative to the axis of the DME for example, meet criteria which are substantially identical to the criteria described in FIG. 5, for example.

 Advantageously, in all the embodiments of the device according to the invention described above, the collection and / or redistribution spaces have shapes adapted to homogenize the propagation times of the lines of fluid flowing from an introduction level. in one of the granular solid beds whatever the positioning of the path of these fluid lines or particles with respect to the walls of the column and / or its axis and whatever the flow of the fluid.

 For example, the travel times of the lines of fluids flowing downstream from the DME in the bed of granular solids counted from its introduction level to its point of entry into the mixing chamber are homogenized.

 The same is true when considering the travel times of the lines coming from the mixing chamber to a point of introduction downstream of the DME, for example in the second bed of granular solids.

 The height of the collection space and / or that of the redistribution space is for example substantially constant over the entire width of the space considered.

 According to another embodiment, making it possible to minimize the dead volumes and the journey times, the height h of the redistribution space and / or that of the collection space decreases starting from the center of the DME and going towards its edges.

Claims (10)

 1 - Device making it possible to distribute, mix, inject and / or withdraw several fluids, at least one of the fluids being a main fluid A1, and at least a first secondary fluid B1 and a second secondary fluid B2, said device comprising :  - collecting means (3, 4) of said main fluid A1, said collecting means being in relation to at least one mixing chamber (M), via one or more introduction orifices (Op) located on a first wall (7) of said mixing chamber,  - said mixing chamber (M) being provided on a second wall with one or more outlet openings (Om),  .- at least one first circuit (C1, 11) for injecting and / or withdrawing a first secondary fluid B1, and  at least one second circuit (C2, 12) for introducing and / or withdrawing a second secondary fluid B2,  - said injection and / or withdrawal circuits (11, 12) each having a first wall (9) and a second wall (8) common to said mixing chamber (M) and being in communication with the mixing chamber ( M) using one or more openings (01.02) arranged on each of said common wall (8, 9)  characterized in that the orientation of the axis of said openings (01, 02) located on the first (respectively the second common wall) is chosen so that the fluid passing through reaches a solid part of the wall of said mixing chamber .  2 - Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the axis of said openings located on the first (respectively the second common wall) is oriented towards a solid part of said second common wall of said mixing chamber (respectively of the first common wall ).  3 - Device according to one of claims 1 and 2 characterized in that said mixing and / or withdrawal chamber has a width taken between two opposite walls of between 10 and 100 mm and preferably between 20 and 60 mm and again preferably between 30 and 50 mm.  4 - Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises means of collection and / or redistribution located respectively upstream and downstream of the DME.  5 - Device according to ia claim 4, characterized in that said collection and redistribution means respectively comprise a collection space and a redistribution space and in that at least one jet-breaker device is disposed at minus one of these spaces.  6 - Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said redistribution means comprises a redistribution space and in that at least one of said walls common to said injection and / or withdrawal circuits and to said mixing and / or drawing-off chamber extends over at least part of the redistribution space and / or of the collection space, the said passage opening (s) being arranged on the part of the wall situated at the level of the redistribution space and / or collection space.  7 - Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises at least four injection and / or withdrawal circuits arranged relative to said mixing and / or withdrawal chamber so as to have at at least one common wall and communication orifices with said chamber, the axes of said orifices arranged on the common wall being oriented so that the fluid will strike a solid part of another wall of said mixing and / or drawing-off chamber, said another wall being a wall not common to said mixing and / or drawing-off chamber.  8 - Device according to one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that it comprises turbulence promoting means located inside said mixing and / or withdrawal chamber.  9 - Device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that said collection and / or redistribution means have a shape adapted to minimize the differences in travel time between the flow lines of a fluid flowing downstream of said chamber mixing and / or drawing off and / or the lines of a fluid from said mixing chamber.  10 - Column comprising at least a first and a second bed of granular solids separated by a device according to one of claims 1 to 9, said column making it possible to separate a body, from a fluid comprising at least two differentiable constituents.