Combined heat and mass transfer device for improving separation process

Patent · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1999

OSTI ID:872466

Tran, Thanh Nhon ^[1]

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1. Flossmoor, IL

A two-phase small channel heat exchange matrix simultaneously provides for heat transfer and mass transfer between the liquid and vapor phases of a multi-component mixture at a single, predetermined location within a separation column, significantly improving the thermodynamic efficiency of the separation process. The small channel heat exchange matrix is composed of a series of channels having a hydraulic diameter no greater than 5.0 millimeters for conducting a two-phase coolant. In operation, the matrix provides the liquid-vapor contacting surfaces within the separation column, such that heat and mass are transferred simultaneously between the liquid and vapor phases. The two-phase coolant allows for a uniform heat transfer coefficient to be maintained along the length of the channels and across the surface of the matrix. Preferably, a perforated, concave sheet connects each channel to an adjacent channel to facilitate the flow of the liquid and vapor phases within the column and to increase the liquid-vapor contacting surface area.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 5942164
• OSTI ID: 872466
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

combined
heat
mass
transfer
device
improving
separation
process
two-phase
channel
exchange
matrix
simultaneously
provides
liquid
vapor
phases
multi-component
mixture
single
predetermined
location
column
significantly
thermodynamic
efficiency
composed
series
channels
hydraulic
diameter
millimeters
conducting
coolant
operation
liquid-vapor
contacting
surfaces
transferred
allows
uniform
coefficient
maintained
length
surface
preferably
perforated
concave
sheet
connects
adjacent
facilitate
flow
increase
separation column
separation process
heat exchange
heat transfer
mass transfer
vapor phase
predetermined location
contacting surfaces
transfer device
significantly improving
simultaneously provides
simultaneously provide
transfer coefficient
matrix provides
multi-component mixture
channel heat
contacting surface
separation colum
uniform heat
/261/165/