WO2013020674A1

WO2013020674A1 - Device, in particular column

Info

Publication number: WO2013020674A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/003297
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anton Moll; Stefan Lenz
Original assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2011-08-09
Filing date: 2012-08-02
Publication date: 2013-02-14
Also published as: DE102011109782A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1), having a shell (10) which borders a shell space (M) of the device (1), wherein the device (1) is outfitted and provided for guiding a stream (S) of a gaseous phase along a first direction (R) in the shell space (M), and having a first separator (20) which is outfitted and provided for that stream (S) to flow through it, wherein the first separator (20) is designed for separating off liquid (F) present in the stream (S) from the stream (S) of the gaseous phase. According to the invention, it is provided that the first separator (20) is at an acute angle (α) to the first direction (R).

Description

description

Device, in particular column

The invention relates to a device, in particular in the form of a column, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such a device has at least one jacket which surrounds a jacket space (interior space) of the device, the device being designed to guide a flow of a gaseous phase along a first direction in the jacket space, and a separator through which that flow passes to liquid contained in the stream, eg in the form of entrained liquid droplets, to separate from the stream of gaseous phase. With such separators, especially in the form of knitted or

Baffle separators entrained liquid is largely completely separated from the stream of gaseous phase (gas stream). Own

Knitting separator against impact surface with smaller liquid droplets a higher separation efficiency. The throughput at which the separators can be operated is limited to the top. If the gas velocity exceeds a limit value, the separation efficiency drops sharply. Already isolated

Liquid is then entrained again by the gas. This limit is at

Knitting separators smaller than with impact surface separators. Knitting separators are used in particular in air separation plants (LZA) in the head of columns for process air cooling. In such a column

(Process air cooler), the compressed air is cooled with cold water in direct contact in countercurrent and predried. In the following Molsiebadsorber the air is completely dried and freed from carbon dioxide. In this regard, it should be noted that water droplets severely impair the functioning of such a molecular sieve.

Therefore, known columns for direct-contact process air cooling on a horizontally installed separator made of a knitted fabric (wire mesh), too Knit called, which removes the drops of water from the air stream (gas stream).

The problem with this, however, is the fact that throughputs can be achieved in which the abovementioned critical limit speed for the

Knitting separator can be exceeded.

The present invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a device of the type described, in which the liquid separation is improved.

This problem is solved by a device having the features of claim 1. Thereafter, it is provided that the first separator extends inclined to a cross-sectional plane of the device, which is oriented perpendicular to the first direction. The first separator thus encloses an acute angle α with the first direction.

By such an inclination of the first separator by an angle α to the first direction or vertical increases the current-facing first side or surface on which the gas stream impinges to flow through the separator by the factor 1 / sin a. This basically creates the possibility of increasing the throughput of the separator. Preferably, the said angle α is in a range of 30 ° to 80 °, preferably 40 ° to 70 °, wherein the angle in one embodiment of the invention is preferably 55 °.

In order to fully exploit the use of the thus enlarged surface (first side) of the first separator, the drain of the liquid is preferably conveyed through a drainage device. The device may consist of a grid or of parallel flax (flat bars) which touch the underside of the knitted fabric or first separator. The flat bars preferably each extend along a transverse to the first

Direction extending longitudinal direction (in particular along the

Horizontal), wherein in particular the flat bars each have a first and a second (narrow) end face facing away from each other, and preferably in each case a first and a second (relatively wider) outside, which are also facing away from each other, in particular the two outer sides perpendicular extend to the first side, and wherein, in particular, the first end faces of the first side facing. Preferably, said grid overlies the first one

End faces of the flat bars on the first side of the first separator, so that the flat bars are each perpendicular to the first side of the first separator.

With such a drainage, even higher specific throughputs are possible with respect to the area in the case of an inclined knitted fabric separator than with a horizontal knitted fabric separator.

In particular, the discharge of the liquid from the first separator (knit separator) has a positive effect on its capacity. The drops of liquid trapped by the knitted wires seep down in the fabric and, before dripping, form a bubbling layer several millimeters to centimeters high. The height of this bubbling layer, and thus also the gas pressure loss, increases relatively rapidly when reaching the capacity limit in a horizontal knitting separator until the flood limit is reached, i.e. liquid is entrained upward.

In an inclined first separator (knitted fabric separator), the retained liquid drains away in the knitted fabric to the lower side. The

Bubble layer on this page is significantly higher. Due to the pressure loss, less gas flows through the fabric.

So that the liquid can drain better from the fabric, the above-mentioned drainage device is provided. The said flat bars may e.g. be arranged at a distance of about 30 mm from each other.

The flood limit measured as the maximum possible gas throughput per

Knitted cross-sectional area of the first separator for a given Liquid content is higher in particular with an inclined first separator with said drainage device than with a horizontal first separator.

A possible cause of this increase in capacity may be that the bubble layer in the obliquely standing knit can run down to the next lower flat bar and the bubble layer height is smaller than the horizontal knit with the same load.

With a slope of the first separator of 21 ° (relative to the horizontal), depending on the liquid load, a specific capacity increase of 10% to 30% could be measured. Since the possible knitted surface increases by 1 / cos 21 ° (= 1.07) when tilted, the gas load can be increased by approx. 17% to 39% compared to a horizontal first separator. It is also possible, in particular with comparatively thin first separators, to arrange a guide device along the first direction below the first separator, which is designed to deflect the current flowing along the first direction of the gaseous phase, so that the current is perpendicular to the inclined first Separator or whose first side impinges.

For this purpose, that guide device preferably has a plurality of correspondingly curved or kinked planar guide elements (gas guide plates), which in particular each have a first free end region extending along the first direction and a second free end region extending normal to the first separator. Said guide elements are preferably arranged side by side along the first separator, so that between each two baffles a flow channel is formed, through which the said current is conducted to the first separator. In this case, the partial flows flowing through those flow channels are in each case deflected in the manner described above, so that they each meet perpendicular to the first separator.

The device (column) according to the invention may in particular be a cooler (process air cooler) (for example as part of an air separation plant). Such a process air cooler is in particular designed to compressed air

(gaseous phase) in countercurrent with cold water (liquid) in direct To cool contact and in particular to pre-dry. The mass transfer preferably takes place by means of at least one pack arranged in the jacket space. In such a pack, it may be an ordered or even a disordered pack (packed bed). The packing provides a high effective surface area, so that the largest possible phase interface between the gaseous phase and the liquid for the heat exchange can be achieved.

Preferably, the first separator for separating liquid droplets from the said stream of gaseous phase is formed from a knitted fabric (knitted wire). Such a fabric preferably has an (effective) surface area of 300 m ² / m ³ and preferably a void volume of 98%.

This wire knit or first separator preferably extends (in terms of its outer contour) in the form of a disk-shaped body along an extension plane which forms an acute angle with the first direction, i.e. the extension plane or the first separator is inclined to one

Cross-sectional plane of the shell, which extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shell or vertical. Preferably, the first separator has a first side facing the guide, which is oriented parallel to the extension plane and a second side facing away from the first side, which also parallel to said

Extension direction is oriented.

Preferably, the first separator is further provided with a circulating

Edge region on a jacket surface facing the inside of the jacket of the device or is opposite to this.

In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the jacket extends along a longitudinal axis that runs along the first direction, wherein that longitudinal axis extends in particular-in relation to a condition of the device arranged as intended-parallel to the vertical.

Furthermore, a liquid distributor is preferably provided along the first direction below the first separator for distributing liquid in the jacket space, in particular on a pack arranged in the jacket space, wherein the Liquid distributor is designed for collecting and distributing the deposited in the first and possibly further separators liquid.

In a further variant of the invention, a separate second separator is provided along the first direction above the first separator, which is also preferably designed to be flowed through by that stream of gaseous phase, so that liquid still contained in the stream are separated from the stream can. For this purpose, the second separator preferably has flow channels which are limited by fins and which each have at least one first flow channel

Having a portion and an associated second portion, wherein the two portions are connected to each other via a curved or kinked connection portion (integrally), in particular in the region of the respective connecting portion of the respective flow channel a pocket for receiving entrained by the flow of liquid and an adjacent Throughflow region through which the gaseous phase from the respective ^• first section can get into the respective second section. The two

In this case, sections of a flow channel preferably extend along different directions, so that the liquid contained in the gaseous phase flowing through the flow channels is pressed into the respectively assigned at least one pocket due to its greater inertia, while the gaseous phase passes through the at least one flow-through region. It can pro

Flow channel may be provided several pockets, so that the respective

Flow channel essentially has a zig-zag course. The liquid received in the pockets can now flow downwards against the first direction (along the vertical) as a result of gravity, a liquid collector being arranged along the first direction below the second separator or between the first and the second separator picking up the bags, picking up.

''

Preferably, that liquid collector is connected via a line to the liquid distributor arranged below the first separator in the jacket space, so that liquid collected in the liquid collector can be conducted into the liquid distributor. Preferably, that line extends along the first one Direction through the first separator to be able to feed that liquid distributor with the collected liquid.

Further details and advantages of the invention will be explained by the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the figures.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a device according to the invention; FIG.

and

Fig. 2 is a (partial) sectional view of another invention

Contraption,

Fig. 3 is a schematic sectional view of another invention

Contraption.

Figure 1 shows an apparatus 1 according to the invention The apparatus 1 serves to cool a gaseous phase (e.g., air or gases therein) by means of a liquid F (e.g., water).

For this purpose, the device 1 has a jacket 10, which essentially

is formed as a hollow cylinder and extends along a longitudinal axis L, which - relative to a designated (ready) state of the device 1 - parallel to the vertical Z runs. The jacket 10 limits one

Mantle space M, which is designed to guide a stream S of the gaseous phase along a first direction R, which is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis L and vertical Z.

The said flow S or the gaseous phase is in this case introduced through a first inlet 75, which is provided at a lower end (sump) of the device 1 on the jacket 10, in the jacket space M and then flows along the first direction R upwards at least one arranged in the shell space M package 80. The package 80 is in countercurrent to the gaseous phase with a liquid F (For example, water) is applied, so that in the at least one pack 80, a direct heat exchange between the gaseous phase and the liquid F is produced. For this, the package 80 provides a high effective surface area. For applying the at least one pack 80 with liquid F, this is arranged by a along the vertical Z or longitudinal axis L above the at least one pack 80 on the jacket 10 second inlet 74 a along the vertical Z above the pack 80 in the jacket space M.

Liquid distributor 60, via which the liquid F is applied to the package 80. The liquid distributor 60 may for this purpose have a perforated bottom, through which the liquid F rains on the said packing 80.

The upwardly directed by the packing 80 along the first direction R stream S of gaseous phase is passed to the liquid distributor 60 and the

Separating from the liquid F contained in the stream S (for example in the form of

Liquid droplets entrained in the gaseous phase) through a first separator 20, which is preferably formed of a disk-shaped body of a wire mesh 200, wherein the first separator 20 has a downwardly facing (the liquid distributor 60 facing) first side 20a, which extends along (parallel to) an extension plane and a second one

Page 20b, which is parallel to the first side 20a and this is remote. Furthermore, the first separator 20 has a circumferential (outermost) edge region 20c, which preferably reaches an encircling inner side 20a of the jacket 10 facing the first separator 20, so that the first separator 20

Preferably, an entire cross-section of the shell 10 and Mantelraumes M fills.

In order to increase the throughput of the first precipitator 20, this is now inclined to a cross-sectional plane running perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L or vertical Z or first direction R, in such a way that the first separator 20 or its sides 20a, 20b with the first direction R (longitudinal axis L, vertical Z) includes an acute angle. As a result, the surface (first side 20a) provided by the first separator 20 is correspondingly increased in relation to a horizontal arrangement, specifically by a factor of 1 / sin. In order to be able to allow that the current S normal to the first

Separator, that is, perpendicular to the first side 20 a, can impinge on the first separator 20, along the longitudinal axis L below the first separator 20 guide elements (baffles) 300 are arranged side by side, which form a guide 30. Between two adjacent baffles 300 arises in each case a flow channel, wherein the current S during the flow along the first

Divide the direction of those flow channels. The flow channels now each have a profile which in each case deflects the parts of the stream S flowing upwards along the first direction R, so that the said partial streams of the stream S impinge perpendicularly on the first separator 20 or its first side 20a ,

In order to effect such a deflection of the sub-streams, each guide element 300 comprises e.g. a first free end portion 301 extending along the first direction R and merging into a second free end portion 302 (e.g., over a bent or curved central portion of the guide member 300) normal to said first side 20a of the first separator 20.

In the first separator 20 entrained liquid F is then separated from the stream S and the correspondingly dried stream S is withdrawn from the device 1 or the jacket space M by a first outlet 73 provided at the head 72 of the device 1.

FIG. 2 shows a modification of the device according to FIG. 1, in which, unlike FIG. 1, no guide device according to FIG. 1 is provided underneath the first separator, but a drainage device 500 in the form of a drainage grate, which on the drainage device 500 facing (inclined) first Side 20a of the first separator 20 is present. In this case, the said drainage device 500 is constructed from a plurality of mutually parallel flat bars 510, each extending along a direction transverse to the first direction R.

Longitudinal direction E extending parallel to the horizontal, wherein the flat bars 510 each have a narrow first and a narrow second end face 510a, 510b facing away from each other, and a first and a second outer side 510c, 51 Od, in comparison to the End sides 510a, 510b are wider, so that the flat bars 510 in cross section according to Figure 2 oblong are formed rectangular. The two outer sides 510c, 51Od are likewise remote from each other and in each case run perpendicular to the first side 20a of the first precipitator 20, the first end faces 510a facing the first side 20a and resting against the first side 20a of the first precipitator 20.

FIG. 3 shows a further device 1 according to the invention, in which, in contrast to FIG. 1, an additional second separator 40 is provided which is likewise designed to contain liquid F contained in the stream S of the gaseous phase

deposit. In this regard, however, it should be noted that due to the increase in capacity by the obliquely arranged first separator 20, such a second separator 40 can certainly also be dispensed with.

The second separator 40 is preferably made up of a plurality of lamellae 400 arranged next to one another (compare detail of FIG. 2 in the circle shown in dashed lines), which define a plurality of flow channels 401. In this case, each of these flow channels 401 has at least a first (lower) section 402 and a second (upper) section 403 connected thereto, wherein the two sections 402, 403 each have a curved or kinked one

Connecting portions 404 are connected to each other, so that the two sections 402, 403 in different directions R ', R "are extended, which preferably include an obtuse angle with each other Have connecting portions 404, so that the flow channels 401 have a zigzag course.

In the area of the respective connecting section 404, the respective one now has

Flow channel 401 a pocket 405 for collecting said liquid F on and an adjacent flow area 406, via which the gaseous phase from the respective first portion (402) in the respective second section (403) can pass. Due to the arrangement of the pockets 405 in the respective curved or

bent connection portion 404, the entrained in the gas stream S liquid F is pressed due to their inertia in the respective pocket 405 and collected there.

As a result of gravity, the trapped liquid then drips along the vertical Z (opposite to the first direction R) into one (along the vertical Z) below the second separator 40 arranged in the shell space M liquid collector 50, which is also located (along the vertical Z) above the first separator 20. Via a line 51 which connects the liquid collector 50 with the liquid distributor 60, the liquid 5 collected in the liquid collector 50 passes into the liquid distributor 60, from where the liquid is distributed to the package 80.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

contraption

coat

a inside

First separator First page

b Second side edge area ·

guide

Second separator

liquid receiver

management

liquid receiver

swamp

Second outlet

head

First outlet

Second inlet

First inlet

pack

0 knitted fabric

0 guide element

1 First free end area2 Second free end area0 lamella

1 flow channel2 First section3 Second section

Connecting section 5 pocket

flow-through 500 drainage device

510 flat bar

510a First end

510b Second end face

510c First outside

51 od Second outside

F liquid

R First direction

R \ R "Different directions

S electricity

L longitudinal axis

Z vertical

α angle

M shell space

Claims

claims

1. Device, in particular column, with:

a jacket (10) defining a jacket space (M) of the device (1),

- wherein the device (1) is arranged and provided to lead a stream (S) of a gaseous phase along a first direction (R) in the shell space (M), and

- A first separator (20) which is adapted and intended to be flowed through by that stream (S), wherein the first separator (20) is adapted to in the stream (S) contained liquid (F) from the stream (S) to separate the gaseous phase, characterized in that the first separator (20) forms an acute angle (a) with the first direction (R).

Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the angle (a) is in the range of 30 ° to 80 °, in particular in the range of 40 ° to 70 °, wherein the angle is preferably 55 °.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that along the first direction (R) below the first separator (20) has a

Drainage device (500) is arranged, which is in particular adapted and intended to promote the discharge of liquid from the first separator (20), wherein in particular the drainage device (500) on one of

Drainage device facing first side (20 a) of the first precipitator (20), wherein in particular the drainage device comprises a plurality of mutually parallel flat bars (510), each extending along a direction transverse to the first direction (R) extending longitudinal direction (E), wherein in particular the flat bars (510) each have a first and a second end face (510a, 510b), which are remote from each other, wherein in particular the flat bars (510) each have a first and a second outer side (510c, 51dd) which are wider than the end faces (510a, 510b) and which face away from each other, wherein in particular the two outer sides (510c, 51d0) are perpendicular to the first side (20a), and in particular the first end faces (10a) of the first side (20a) facing, and wherein in particular the drainage device over the first end faces

(510a) abuts against the first side (20a) of the first precipitator (20).

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that arranged along the first direction (R) below the first precipitator (20) is a guide device (30) which is adapted and intended to deflect the gaseous phase stream (S) flowing along the first direction (R), such that the stream (S) impinges on the first separator (20) normal to the first separator (20). 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the guide device (30) has a plurality of planar guide elements (300), wherein the

Guide elements (300) each have a curvature or a kink, so that the current flowing along the guide elements (300) along flow (S) is deflected so that it is incident normal to the first separator (20) on the first separator (20) the guide elements (300) in particular each have a first free end region (301) extending along the first direction (R) and a second free end region (302) extending normal to the first separator (20). 6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

in that the first separator (20) for separating liquid (F) from the stream (S) of the gaseous phase has a knitted fabric (200).

Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the first separator (20) extends in a disc-shaped manner along an extension plane which encloses that acute angle (a) with the first direction (R), wherein that plane of extent - in particular inclined with respect to a properly arranged state of the device (1) extends to the horizontal, wherein the first separator (20) in particular one of the guide means (30) facing the first side (20a), which extends along the extension plane and one of the first side (20a) facing away from the second side (20b), which also extends along the plane of extension. 8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the first separator (20) with a circumferential

Edge region (20c) on one of the jacket space (M) facing the inside (10a) of the shell (10) of the device (1) is present or opposite. 9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the jacket (10) extends along a longitudinal axis (L), which runs in particular along the first direction (R), wherein that longitudinal axis (L) in particular - with respect to a designated and ready for operation state of the device (1) - extends parallel to the vertical (Z).

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that arranged along the first direction (R) above the first precipitator (20) is a separate second separator (40) arranged and intended to be flowed through by that stream (S) of the gaseous phase, the second one Separator (40) is adapted to separate in the stream (S) contained liquid (F) from the stream (S), and wherein in particular the second separator (40) comprises a plurality of by lamellae (400) separate flow channels (401) In particular, the flow channels (401) each have at least one first section (402) and a second section (403) connected thereto, wherein the two sections (402, 403) are connected to each other via a curved or kinked connection section (404) are, and wherein in particular in the region of the respective connecting portion (404) of the respective

Flow channel (401) has a pocket (405) for receiving said liquid (F) and a Durchströmbereich (406) through which the gaseous phase of the stream (S) from the respective first section (402) in the respective second section (403) can pass, in particular, the two sections (402, 403) of the respective flow channel (401) along

different directions (R ', R ") extend. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that along the first direction (R) below the second separator (40) a

Liquid collector (50) for collecting through the pockets (405)

received liquid (F) is provided.

Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that along the first direction (R) below the first separator (20) a liquid distributor (60) for distributing liquid in the shell space (M), in particular on a in the shell space (M) arranged packing (80), is provided in particular, the liquid distributor (60) is arranged and provided for collecting and distributing the liquid (F) deposited in the first and / or second separator (20, 40).

Device according to claims 11 and 12, characterized in that the liquid collector (50) is connected via a line (51) to the liquid distributor (60) for feeding the liquid (F) collected in the liquid collector (50) into the liquid distributor (60). to lead.

14. The device according to claim 13, characterized in that said line (51) along the first direction (R) through the first separator (20) is guided.