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US 8,293,195 B2Granted
Split flow contactor
AssigneeKellogg Brown & Root LLC
InventorsKenneth L. Blanchard, David P. Mann
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for contacting a liquid, gas, and/or a multi-phase mixture with particulate solids. The system can include a body having a first head and a second head disposed thereon. Two or more discrete fixed beds can be disposed across a cross-section of the body. One or more unobstructed fluid flow paths can bypass each fixed bed, and one or more baffles can be disposed between the fixed beds.
Claims20
A split-flow contactor, comprising:
- a cylindrical housing;
- first and second particulate beds disposed within the housing, wherein the particulate beds are arranged one on top of the other;
- at least one flow channel formed through both the first and second particulate beds, wherein each flow channel allows a fluid flowing through the flow channel to selectively bypass the surrounding particulate bed;
- one or more baffles located between the first and second particulate beds, wherein each baffle is in fluid communication with the first particulate bed, but not in fluid communication with the second particulate bed;
- one or more diffusers disposed at an outlet of each flow channel to distribute the fluid flowing therethrough;
- a first distribution zone disposed at a first end of the housing and in fluid communication with the first and second particulate beds to allow distribution of a first portion of a feed across the first particulate bed;
- a receiving zone disposed between the first and second particulate beds and in fluid communication with the first particulate bed for receiving of a first effluent from the first particulate bed;
- a second distribution zone disposed between the first receiving zone and the second particulate bed and in fluid communication with the second particulate bed to allow distribution of a second portion of the feed across the second particulate bed;
- and
- a mixing zone disposed at a second end of the housing and in fluid communication with the first and second particulate beds to allow mixing of the first effluent and a second effluent recovered from the second particulate bed.
7 more elements
A method for retrofitting an existing vessel to provide a split-flow contactor, comprising:
- disposing at least a first support screen and a second support screen arranged one on top of the other within the existing vessel, wherein the first support screen is spaced apart from the second support screen;
- forming at least one flow channel through the first and second support screens, wherein each flow channel allows a fluid flowing through the flow channel to selectively bypass the surrounding support screen;
- disposing one or more baffles between the first support screen and the second support screen, wherein the one or more baffles are substantially perpendicular to the flow paths, and wherein each baffle is in fluid communication with the first support screen, but not in fluid communication with the second support screen;
- disposing one or more diffusers at an outlet of each flow channel to distribute the fluid flowing therethrough;
- disposing a first particulate bed on the first support screen and a second particulate bed on the second support screens;
- forming a first distribution zone at a first end of the housing that is in fluid communication with the first and second support screens to allow distribution of a first portion of a feed across the first particulate bed;
- forming a receiving zone between the first and second support screens that is in fluid communication with the first support screen to allow for receiving of a first effluent from the first particulate bed;
- forming a second distribution zone between the second plenum and the second support screen that is in fluid communication with the second support screen to allow distribution of a second portion of the feed across the second particulate bed;
- and
- forming a mixing zone at a second end of the housing that is in fluid communication with the first and second support screens to allow mixing of the first effluent and a second effluent recovered from the second particulate bed.
7 more elements
A method for contacting one or more fluids and one or more solids comprising:
- introducing a feed comprising carbon monoxide to a contactor, the contactor comprising:
- a cylindrical housing;
- first and second particulate beds disposed within the housing, wherein the particulate beds are arranged one on top of the other;
- at least one flow channel formed through both the first and second particulate beds, wherein each flow channel allows a fluid flowing through the flow channel to selectively bypass the surrounding particulate bed;
- one or more baffles located between the first and second particulate beds, wherein each baffle is in fluid communication with the first particulate bed, but not in fluid communication with the second particulate bed;
- and
- one or more diffusers disposed at an outlet of each flow channel to distribute the fluid flowing therethrough;
- a first distribution zone disposed at a first end of the housing and in fluid communication with the first and second particulate beds to allow distribution of a first portion of a feed across the first particulate bed;
- a receiving zone disposed between the first and second particulate beds and in fluid communication with the first particulate bed for receiving of a first effluent from the first particulate bed;
- a second distribution zone disposed between the first receiving zone and the second particulate bed and in fluid communication with the second particulate bed to allow distribution of a second portion of the feed across the second particulate bed;
- and
- a mixing zone disposed at a second end of the housing and in fluid communication with the first and second particulate beds to allow mixing of the first effluent and a second effluent recovered from the second particulate bed;
- directing a first portion of the feed through the first particulate bed to provide a first effluent comprising carbon dioxide;
- directing a second portion of the feed comprising carbon monoxide through the at least one flow channel and through the second particulate bed to provide a second effluent comprising carbon dioxide;
- directing the first effluent through the at least one flow channel;
- and
- combining the first and second effluents in the mixing zone to provide a mixed effluent.
14 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.