RU-2861288-C2 - TRAY DISTRIBUTOR AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME

Abstract

FIELD: chemical industry. SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to chemical processing, and more specifically to a system and method for distributing fluid through a distributor. A tray distributor for distributing fluid in a vessel may comprise a tray and an internal support system. The internal support system may include a plurality of column supports extending vertically from a point located on or near the bottom surface of the tray to the bottom of the vessel. One or more column supports may include a flexible upper member connecting a rigid upper support bracket to a rigid intermediate beam, and a flexible lower member connecting the rigid intermediate beam to a rigid anchor support. A method for distributing fluid through a tray distributor in a vessel may include passing fluid into the vessel below the tray distributor and directing the fluid through the tray distributor. EFFECT: device in which the internal support systems are configured to flex during thermal expansion and contraction of the tray. 16 cl, 6 dwg

Inventors

• PRETS, Mettyu T.
• SHOU, Donald F.
• UOLTER, Richard E.
• MEZA, Albert
• SANDOVAL, Fermin
• LI, Livej

Dates

Publication Date

20260504

Application Date

20220624

Priority Date

20210630

Claims (20)

1. 1. A disc grate distributor for distributing a fluid medium in a vessel, comprising:
2. a plate having openings, a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface; and
3. an internal support system in direct contact with the bottom surface of the plate, wherein the internal support system comprises column supports extending substantially vertically from the bottom surface of the plate to the bottom of the vessel, and wherein one or more column supports comprise: a rigid upper support bracket; a rigid intermediate beam;
4. a rigid anchor support bracket attached to the bottom of the vessel;
5. a flexible top member connecting the rigid top support bracket to the rigid intermediate beam; and
6. a flexible lower member connecting the rigid intermediate beam to the rigid anchor support; and
7. wherein the flexible upper element and the flexible lower element bend during thermal expansion or compression of the plate, which makes it possible to change the angle between the rigid intermediate beam and the vertical.
8. 2. A disc grate distributor according to claim 1, in which the internal support system further comprises a frame that is in direct contact with the lower surface of the plate, and wherein the frame is attached to one or more rigid upper support brackets of the column supports.
9. 3. A disc lattice distributor according to claim 2, in which the frame has an annular shape.
10. 4. A disc grate distributor according to claim 2, wherein the frame is continuous.
11. 5. A disc grate distributor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plate is flat.
12. 6. A disc grate distributor according to any one of paragraphs 1-5, in which the rigid upper support bracket comprises:
13. an upper slot of a rigid upper support bracket having a profile complementary to the plate and/or frame; and
14. the lower groove of the rigid upper support bracket, having a profile that complements the flexible upper element.
15. 7. A disc lattice distributor according to any one of paragraphs 1-6, in which the rigid intermediate beam comprises:
16. an upper groove of the rigid intermediate beam having a profile complementary to the flexible upper element; and
17. the lower groove of a rigid intermediate beam, having a profile that complements the flexible lower element.
18. 8. A disc grate distributor according to any one of paragraphs 1-7, in which the rigid anchor support bracket comprises:
19. the upper groove of a rigid anchor support bracket having a profile that complements the flexible lower element.
20. 9. A disc grate distributor according to any one of paragraphs 1-8, wherein the plate has an average diameter of from 5 feet (1.5 m) or more to 75 feet (22.9 m) or less.

Description

Cross-references to related applications This application is a PCT application claiming priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/216,768, filed June 30, 2021, entitled "PLATE GRID DISTRIBUTORS AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME," the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety. Field of technology This description relates generally to chemical processing and, more particularly, to systems and methods for distributing a fluid through a distributor. Prerequisites for the creation of the invention Gaseous chemicals can be fed into reactors or other vessels through distributors. Distributors can be used to ensure a balanced distribution of the feedstock flow within such reactors or vessels. This distribution of feedstocks can promote favorable reactions and maintain mass transfer equilibrium in chemical systems. Statement of the essence of the invention In a number of chemical processes, chemical feedstocks are fed through disc grate distributors into hot environments, such as reactors or other vessels. As the reactor or vessel size increases, additional mechanical supports may be required to support the disc grate distributors. Furthermore, these hot environments can increase the temperature of the disc grate distributors, such as the disc grate distributor plate. As the temperature of the disc grate distributors increases, the plate can thermally expand outward toward the outer walls of the reactors or other vessels. This is particularly problematic in fluidized bed vessels, where the hot environment can cause thermal expansion and contraction of the disc grate distributor plate. This thermal expansion and contraction of the plate, in turn, can create difficulties supporting the disc grate distributor plate. Accordingly, there is a continuing need for improved disc grate distributors. It has been discovered that disc grate distributors with an internal support system can provide adequate support for the disc grate distributor plates while meeting the need for plate support during thermal expansion and contraction of the plate. Embodiments of such disc grate distributors are described herein. Embodiments according to the present disclosure address this need by using internal support systems that are capable of flexing during thermal expansion and contraction of the plate such that the internal support systems can continue to provide support during said thermal expansion and contraction of the plate. According to one embodiment, a disc grate distributor for distributing a fluid in a vessel may comprise a plate and an internal support system. The plate may include a plurality of openings. The plate may comprise an upper surface and a lower surface opposite the upper surface. The internal support system may be in direct contact with the lower surface of the plate. The internal support system may include a plurality of columnar supports extending substantially vertically from a point located on or near the lower surface of the plate to the bottom of the vessel. One or more columnar supports may include a rigid upper support bracket, a rigid intermediate beam, a rigid anchor support bracket attached to the bottom of the vessel, a flexible upper element connecting the rigid upper support bracket to the rigid intermediate beam, and a flexible lower element connecting the rigid intermediate beam to the rigid anchor support. The flexible upper element and the flexible lower element may bend during thermal expansion or contraction of the plate, which allows for a change in the angle between the rigid intermediate beam and the vertical. According to another embodiment, a method for distributing a fluid through a disk grate distributor in a vessel may include passing a fluid into the vessel under reaction conditions through a fluid inlet below the disk grate distributor and directing the fluid through the disk grate distributor. The disk grate distributor may comprise an internal support system. The plate may include a plurality of openings. The plate may comprise an upper surface and a lower surface opposite the upper surface. The internal support system may be in contact with the lower surface of the plate. The internal support system may include a plurality of column supports extending substantially vertically from a point located on or near the lower surface of the plate to the bottom of the vessel. One or more column supports may include a rigid upper support bracket, a rigid intermediate beam, a rigid anchor support bracket attached to the bottom of the vessel, a flexible upper element connecting the rigid upper support bracket to the rigid intermediate beam, and a flexible lower element connecting the rigid intermediate beam to the rigid anchor support. The flexible top element and the flexible bottom element bend with thermal expansion or contraction of the plate, which allows the angle between the rigid intermediate beam and the vertical to be changed. Additional features and advantages w