GB714831A - Means for controlling the passage of adsorption media, catalysts and like materials from an upper chamber or zone to one below it or to a discharge device - Google Patents

Abstract

<PICT:0714831/III/1> Apparatus for controlling the continuous or intermittent passage of adsorption media, catalysts, or like solid granular material, downwards from one zone to a lower zone or discharge device, comprises baffle plates and roof-like guiding plates of inverted-V or conical shape arranged above the baffle plates and adapted to guide the flowing material on to the baffle plates via apertures in the lower parts of the guide plates, of the walls of the upper zone, or of vertical walls disposed between the guide plates, apertures being provided in or between the baffles. As shown in Fig. 1, granular material is directed by guide plates 16 through apertures 15 on to baffles 17; the guide plates 16 may be louvred, as shown at the right-hand side of this figure, and a gaseous contacting medium is introduced into the spaces under the guide plates and flows through the louvres in countercurrent to the solid material. Fig. 2 shows a modification in which the material flows through apertures in vertical walls 23 and then through staggered apertures in baffle plates 21. In Figs. 5 and 11 (not shown) pipes lead downwardly to a lower zone from the apertures in the baffle plates; this construction is advantageous when the cross-sections of the two zones differ or when the two zones operate at different pressures; gas may be introduced into the space surrounding the pipes and this space may contain a heat transfer material. In Fig. 6 solid material flows through apertures 105 in a cylinder 103 on to baffles 106 and then through a smaller number of apertures 109 on to baffle plate 110 and thence to a single outlet pipe 108; gas is introduced at <PICT:0714831/III/2> <PICT:0714831/III/3> 127. In Fig. 9 (not shown) the material flows through apertures in the wall of the upper vessel, over baffles in a casing outside the vessel, and to a common outlet pipe. Reference is made to the use of active carbon as an adsorbent and silica gel as a catalyst. The apparatus ensures a uniform downward movement of the solid material and reduces attrition, so that coarse grained low density adsorption media may be used. Apparatus is described, Fig. 12 (not shown), in which the devices are incorporated in a continuous adsorption apparatus comprising adsorption, desorption, and fractionation zones; this apparatus may be used for the separation of ethylene and ethane from coke oven gas. Reference is made to the co-current passage of gas and solid material through the apparatus, the gas flowing at a considerably greater speed than the solids.