Coiled tubular diabatic vapor-liquid contactor
OwnerDonald C. Ericksoninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A non-diabatic vapor-liquid contact device is disclosed which achieves high heat transfer effectiveness without sacrificing mass transfer effectiveness. Referring to FIG. 2, a helical coil of crested tubing 84 is contained within the annualr space between shrouds 82 and 83. Liquid flows downward through the annulus, and vapor flows countercurrently upward. The mass exchanging fluids pass through the space between tube crests and the shroud, achieving very effective mixing. Heat transfer fluid is flowed through the tubing via connections 87 and 88. The heat and mass transfer is preferably additionally enhanced by interspersing contact media with the coiled tubing, either longitudinally or radially.
Claims28
Apparatus for vapor-liquid contact comprising:
- a) at least one coil of crested tubing;
- b) an inner shroud in thermal contact with the inner surface of said coil;
- c) an outer shroud in thermal contact with the outer surface of said coil;
- d) a means for supplying volatile mass transfer sorbent liquid and vapor to countercurrent thermal contact with said coil outside said tubing;
- e) a means for flowing heat transfer fluid through said tubing;
- and
- f) a means for withdrawing mass transfer fluid from one end of said coil outside said tubing.
A vapor-liquid contact apparatus comprised of:
- a) at least two helical coils of heat transfer tubing;
- b) structured contact media in alternating sequence with the coils;
- c) a shroud in thermal contact therewith one coil and its associated contact media.
A combination heat and mass exchanger comprised of:
- a) a helical coil of tubing;
- b) a means for supplying heat transfer fluid to said coil;
- c) a containment for said coil
- d) a means for supplying mass transfer fluids to said containment for contact with said tubing coil;
- and
- e) contact media interspersed with said tubing coil.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.