U.S. patent application number 10/044617 was filed with the patent office on 2004-01-01 for collapsible sparger.
This patent application is currently assigned to CATALYTIC DISTILLATION TECHNOLOGIES. Invention is credited to Casas, Ralph E., Chevalier, Rodney D., Crossland, Clifford S., Groten, Willibrord A., Semerak, Henry J..
Application Number | 20040000731 10/044617 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29709165 |
Filed Date | 2004-01-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040000731 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Casas, Ralph E. ; et
al. |
January 1, 2004 |
COLLAPSIBLE SPARGER
Abstract
A collapsible sparger for insertion into a vessel through a
flanged opening is disclosed having a central tubular conduit
having a plurality of rotatable members along its length. The
rotatable members may be rotated and secured into position after
insertion.
Inventors: |
Casas, Ralph E.; (Deer Park,
TX) ; Semerak, Henry J.; (Houston, TX) ;
Chevalier, Rodney D.; (Vidor, TX) ; Groten,
Willibrord A.; (Houston, TX) ; Crossland, Clifford
S.; (Sarnia, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KENNETH H. JOHNSON
P.O. BOX 630708
HOUSTON
TX
77263
US
|
Assignee: |
CATALYTIC DISTILLATION
TECHNOLOGIES
|
Family ID: |
29709165 |
Appl. No.: |
10/044617 |
Filed: |
January 11, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
261/87 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/49716 20150115;
B01D 47/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
261/87 |
International
Class: |
B01D 047/16 |
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A collapsible sparger for installation in a vessel through a
flanged opening comprising: (a) a central tubular conduit having
openings through the walls thereof, and having a distal insertion
end and a proximal end such that said proximal extends outward of
said vessel through said flange when said distal end is inserted
into said vessel; (b) at least one rotatable tubular member having
openings through the wall thereof arm, the interior of said
rotatable tubular member being in fluid communication with the
interior of said central tubular conduit; and (c) at least one link
arm rotatably secured to said rotatable tubular member such that
said link arm can secure said rotatable tubular in a position cross
wise of said central tubular conduit.
2. The collapsible sparger according to claim 1 comprising a
plurality of rotatable tubular members having openings through the
walls thereof disposed along the length of said central tubular
conduit, the interior of each of said plurality of said rotatable
tubular members being in fluid communication with the interior of
said central tubular conduit, and a plurality of link arms secured
to said plurality of rotatable tubular members such that said link
arms can secure said rotatable members in a position cross wise of
said central tubular conduit.
3. The collapsible sparger according to claim 2 wherein said
rotatable tubular members are secure in a position normal to said
central tubular conduit by said link arms.
4. The collapsible sparger according to claim 3 further comprising
a plurality of tubular sparging elements secured at a ninety-degree
angle to each of said plurality of rotatable tubular members, each
of said plurality of tubular sparging elements being in fluid
communication with the interior of the rotatable tubular member to
which it is secured.
5. A collapsible sparger for installation in a vessel through a
flanged opening comprising: (a) a central tubular conduit having
openings through the walls thereof, and having a distal insertion
end and a proximal end such that said proximal extends outward of
said vessel through said flange when said distal end is inserted
into said vessel; (b) a plurality of rotatable tubular members
rotatably secured along the length of said central tubular conduit,
the interior of each of said rotatable tubular members being in
fluid communication with the interior of said central tubular
conduit; (c) plurality of tubular sparging elements secured at a
ninety-degree angle to each of said plurality of rotatable tubular
members, each of said plurality of tubular sparging elements being
in fluid communication with the interior of the rotatable tubular
member to which it is secured; (d) a plurality of link arms secured
to said plurality of rotatable tubular members such that said link
arms can secure said rotatable members in a position normal to said
central tubular conduit; and (e) a plurality of tubular sparging
elements secured at a ninety-degree angle to each of said plurality
of rotatable tubular members, each of said plurality of tubular
sparging elements being in fluid communication with the interior of
the rotatable tubular member to which it is secured.
6. A method of installing a collapsible sparger inside a vessel
through a flanged opening, said collapsible sparger having (a) a
central tubular conduit having openings through the walls thereof,
and having a distal insertion end and a proximal end such that said
proximal end extends outward of said vessel through said flange
when said distal end is inserted into said vessel; (b) a plurality
of rotatable tubular members rotatably secured along the length of
said central tubular conduit, the interior of each of said
rotatable tubular members being in fluid communication with the
interior of said central tubular conduit; (c) plurality of tubular
sparging elements secured at a ninety-degree angle to each of said
plurality of rotatable tubular members, each of said plurality of
tubular sparging elements being in fluid communication with the
interior of the rotatable tubular member to which it is secured;
and (d) a plurality of link arms secured to said plurality of
rotatable tubular members such that said link arms can secure said
rotatable members in a position normal to said central tubular
conduit, comprising the steps of: (A) inserting the collapsible
sparger through said flanged opening with the rotatable tubular
members aligned with the axis of the central tubular conduit; (B)
rotating the rotatable tubular member nearest the distal end into a
position normal to the central tubular conduit; (C) withdrawing the
collapsible sparger sufficient distance to secure the link arms of
the tubular member nearest the distal end into position to secure
the tubular member nearest the distal end in a position normal to
the central tubular conduit; and (D) repeating the steps (A)
through (C) for each successive rotatable tubular member from said
distal end until all of said plurality of rotatable tubular members
are secure in a position normal to said central tubular conduit.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus for injecting
a gas feed, such as hydrogen, into a liquid in a vessel. More
particularly the invention relates to a sparger that may be
installed through a flanged opening in a vessel. More particularly
the invention relates to a collapsible sparger that may be inserted
through a flanged opening and then opened into a configuration that
covers substantially the entire cross section of the vessel.
[0003] 2. Related Information
[0004] A sparger is used to distribute a liquid or gas throughout
an open space. In the case of hydrotreating processes hydrogen must
be fed to a reactor and distributed evenly throughout the vessel.
If the flow is co-current downflow across a multitude of fixed beds
there are generally mixing apparatus between the beds similar to
distillation trays to spread the liquid and vapor across the bed
below. In countercurrent reactors the hydrogen is fed below the
catalyst bed and must be distributed evenly across the cross
section of the reactor. A sparger provides the mechanism for
obtaining this distribution. The sparger must therefore cover the
cross section area of the reactor which is normally
cylindrical.
[0005] In new construction the sparger may be placed in the reactor
as it is built. However, in retrofits of existing distillation
columns, which may be a preferred construction, the sparger must be
placed below all of the internals of the column without their
removal. Generally the openings available for insertion of a
sparger are much too small to allow a fixed sparger having a cross
section area sufficient to cover the reactor to be inserted.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention is a collapsible sparger and method of
inserting the sparger. The sparger comprises:
[0007] (a) a central tubular conduit having openings through the
walls thereof, and having a distal insertion end and a proximal end
such that the proximal end extends outward of said vessel through
said flange when said distal end is inserted into the vessel;
[0008] (b) a plurality of rotatable tubular members rotatably
secured along the length of the central tubular conduit, the
interior of each of the rotatable tubular members being in fluid
communication with the interior of the central tubular conduit;
[0009] (c) a plurality of tubular sparging elements secured at a
ninety-degree angle to each of the plurality of rotatable tubular
members, each of the plurality of tubular sparging elements being
in fluid communication with the interior of the rotatable tubular
member to which it is secured;
[0010] (d) a plurality of link arms secured to the plurality of
rotatable tubular members such that the link arms can secure the
rotatable members in a position normal to the central tubular
conduit; and
[0011] (e) a plurality of tubular sparging elements secured at a
ninety-degree angle to each of the plurality of rotatable tubular
members, each of the plurality of tubular sparging elements being
in fluid communication with the interior of the rotatable tubular
member to which it is secured.
[0012] The method of insertion comprises:
[0013] (A) inserting the collapsible sparger through the flanged
opening;
[0014] (B) rotating the rotatable tubular member nearest the distal
end into a position normal to the central tubular conduit;
[0015] (C) withdrawing the collapsible sparger sufficient distance
to secure the link arms of the tubular member nearest the distal
end into position to secure the tubular member nearest the distal
end in a position normal to the central tubular conduit; and
[0016] (D) repeating the steps (A) through (C) for each successive
rotatable tubular member from said distal end until all of said
plurality of rotatable tubular members are secure in a position
normal to said central tubular conduit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is atop view of the collapsible sparger of the
present invention as installed in a vessel.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a side plan view of the sparger showing the
placement of the rotatable elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0019] For a detailed description of the preferred embodiment the
reader is directed to the accompanying figures in which like
components are given like reference numerals. There is shown a
central tubular conduit 1 having one end inserted through a manhole
40 having a flange 20 on a vessel 10. The proximal end of the
central tubular conduit 1 has a fitting 50 for connection to a
source of fluid such as hydrogen. A flange 30 is provided attached
to the central tubular element 1 for securing the sparger to flange
20 on vessel 10. Disposed at right angles along the length of the
central tubular conduit 1 are short sparging elements 11.
[0020] Also spaced along the length of the central tubular conduit
1 are four rotatable tubular members 2, 3, 6 and 7. The rotatable
member 3 is the same length as the combined length of the two
rotatable members 6 and 7 while the rotatable member 2 is longer
than member 3 so that the cross sectional area of the cylindrical
reactor can be more efficiently covered. Rotatable member 3 rotates
about connection 5 which also allows fluid communication between
the interior of member 3 and the interior of central tubular
conduit 1. Likewise rotatable member 2 rotates about connection 4
which also allows fluid communication between the interior of
member 2 and the interior of central tubular conduit 1. Finally
rotatable members 6 and 7 rotate about connection 13 which also
allows fluid communication between the interior of members 6 and 7
and the interior of central tubular conduit 1.
[0021] Each of rotatable members 2, 3, 6 and 7 have a plurality of
sparging elements 8 secured at a ninety-degree angle along their
lengths. All of the sparging elements 8, and each rotating member
2, 3, 6 and 7, and central tubular conduit land the elements in
fluid communication therewith have openings 9 to spray the fluid
such as hydrogen into the interior of the vessel 10.
[0022] Rotatable member 3 is secured in a position cross wise of
the central tubular conduit 1 by two link arms 12 and 13. Rotatable
member 2 is secured cross wise the central tubular conduit 1 by two
additional link arms and rotatable members 6 and 7 are secured
cross wise the central tubular conduit 1 by link arms 16 and 17.
The link arms are attached to the rotatable members and their
securing points by conventional fasteners such as screws, bolts,
nuts and washers.
[0023] While only four rotatable members are shown any number can
be used to achieve the desired cross-sectional area coverage.
[0024] The collapsible sparger is installed by first aligning the
rotatable members with the axis of the central tubular conduit and
passing the entire apparatus through a flanged opening. The
farthest rotatable member 3 is then rotated into position. The
sparger is then withdrawn to expose the link arms 12 and 13 so that
they may be secured. The sparger is then inserted again and the
next rotatable member 2 is rotated into position. The sparger is
then again withdrawn so that link arms 14 and 15 can be secured.
The sparger is then reinserted and rotatable members 6 and 7 are
rotated into position. The sparger is then withdrawn so that the
link arms 16 and 17 can be secured. Finally the sparger is
reinserted into position and the fange 30 secured to flange 20.
Connection 50 may then be connected to the fluid source.
* * * * *