U.S. patent application number 14/719982 was filed with the patent office on 2015-09-17 for method and apparatus for securing fractionation trays.
This patent application is currently assigned to GTC Technology US LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is GTC Technology US LLC. Invention is credited to SooWoong KIM, Namsun Ku.
Application Number | 20150258467 14/719982 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46651854 |
Filed Date | 2015-09-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150258467 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIM; SooWoong ; et
al. |
September 17, 2015 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SECURING FRACTIONATION TRAYS
Abstract
A chemical-process system includes a chemical-process column and
a support disposed on an interior of the chemical-process column. A
tray is disposed on a top surface of the support. A bolt is
disposed through the tray and a clamp is disposed below the tray.
The clamp has a notch formed therein for receiving a head region of
the bolt. The clamp engages a bottom surface of the tray and a
bottom surface of the support. The bolt is able to angularly
displace with respect to at least one of the tray and the
clamp.
Inventors: |
KIM; SooWoong; (Flower
Mound, TX) ; Ku; Namsun; (Nonsan, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GTC Technology US LLC |
Houston |
TX |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
GTC Technology US LLC
Houston
TX
|
Family ID: |
46651854 |
Appl. No.: |
14/719982 |
Filed: |
May 22, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13401601 |
Feb 21, 2012 |
9072986 |
|
|
14719982 |
|
|
|
|
61445898 |
Feb 23, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
29/525.02 ;
29/525.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/49963 20150115;
B23P 11/00 20130101; B01D 3/326 20130101; B01D 3/324 20130101; Y10T
29/49948 20150115; B01J 2219/328 20130101; B01J 2208/00884
20130101; B01J 19/325 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B01D 3/32 20060101
B01D003/32; B01J 19/32 20060101 B01J019/32 |
Claims
1. A method for securing a tray in a chemical-process column, the
method comprising: placing the tray on a support formed on an
interior of the chemical-process column; disposing a bolt through
the tray; positioning a clamp below the tray, the clamp being
engaged with the bolt; engaging the clamp with a bottom surface of
the tray and a bottom surface of the support; securing the tray to
the support via a clamp system comprising a clamp and a bolt; and
articulating the bolt with respect to at least one of the clamp or
the tray.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the articulating comprises
articulating the bolt by zero degrees relative to the clamp.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the clamp comprises a generally
U-shaped profile.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the clamp comprises a generally
V-shaped profile.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the articulating comprises
angularly displacing the bolt via a rounded bolt seat.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the rounded bolt seat is disposed
on an underside of the clamp.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the articulating comprises
angularly displacing the bolt via a dome-shaped washer.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the dome-shaped washer engages
the bolt and is disposed on a top surface of the tray.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the securing comprises: securing
a head region of the bolt via a notch; and tightening a nut
disposed on a top surface of the tray, the nut operatively engaged
with the bolt.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/401,601, filed Feb. 21, 2012. U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/401,601 claims priority to, and
incorporates by reference for any purpose the entire disclosure of,
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/445,898, filed Feb. 23,
2011. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/401,601 and U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/445,898 are incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present application relates generally to fractionation
tray hardware and more particularly, but not by way of limitation,
to hardware utilized for securing fractionation trays within a
chemical-process column.
[0004] 2. History of the Related Art
[0005] Chemical-process columns are utilized to separate select
components from a multicomponent stream. Successful separations in
the chemical-process column are dependent upon intimate contact
between heavier fluids and lighter fluids. Several types of contact
mechanisms enhance contact between a fluid in a vapor phase and a
fluid in a liquid phase. Contact devices such as, for example,
trays are characterized by relatively high pressure drop and
relatively high fluid hold-up. Other types of contact apparatus
include high-efficiency packing. High-efficiency packing is
energy-efficient because it has low pressure drop and low fluid
hold-up.
[0006] Typically, chemical-process columns utilize either trays,
packing, or combinations thereof. Tray designs such as, for
example, sieve trays and valve tray are effective and often applied
in chemical-process columns. A sieve tray is constructed with a
large number of apertures formed in a bottom surface. The apertures
permit an ascending lighter fluid to interact with a heavier fluid
that is flowing across the sieve tray from a downcomer. Regions of
the sieve tray surface are generally referred to as "active" or
"inactive". Typically, active tray regions allow the ascending
lighter fluid to pass therethrough for interaction and mass
transfer with the heavier fluid. Conversely, inactive tray regions
do not permit such interaction. It is generally desirable to have
as much of a tray surface as possible be "active". Thus, it is
desirable to secure the tray to an interior of the chemical-process
column in a manner that minimizes inactive tray regions.
[0007] Trays are typically secured within chemical-process columns
by clamps that engage a support affixed to an interior of the
chemical-process column. Typically, the clamps are tightened by way
of bolts arranged generally perpendicular to the tray. This method,
while effective, is not without problems. First, in most cases,
securement of a tray to the support requires a first individual
positioned above the tray and a second individual positioned below
the tray. Moreover, in cases where the support is thick, the clamps
may deflect. As will be described in more detail below, such
deflection induces a lateral force in the bolts which, over long
periods of use, may cause the clamps to disengage from the
support.
SUMMARY
[0008] The present invention relates to tray hardware and more
particularly, but not by way of limitation, to hardware utilized
for securing trays within a chemical-process column. One aspect of
the present invention relates to a chemical-process system. The
chemical-process system includes a chemical-process column and a
support disposed on an interior of the chemical-process column. A
tray is disposed on a top surface of the support. A bolt is
disposed through the tray and a clamp is disposed below the tray.
The clamp has a notch formed therein for receiving a head region of
the bolt. The clamp engages a bottom surface of the tray and a
bottom surface of the support. The bolt is able to angularly
displace with respect to at least one of the tray and the
clamp.
[0009] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method
for securing a tray in a chemical-process column. The method may
include placing the tray on a support formed in an interior of the
chemical-process column and securing the tray to the support via a
clamp system comprising a clamp and a bolt. The bolt is articulated
with respect to at least one of the clamp or the tray.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] For a more complete understanding of the present invention
and for further objects and advantages thereof, reference may now
be had to the following description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0011] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a prior-art
chemical-process column with various sections cut away for
illustrating a variety of internal components.
[0012] FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of a prior-art clamp
system;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a chemical-process
column having a clamp system disposed therein according to an
exemplary embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 3 is an end view of a clamp system according to an
exemplary embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a side view of a clamp system according to an
exemplary embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a side view of a clamp system according to an
exemplary embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a chemical-process
column having a clamp system disposed therein according to an
exemplary embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 7 is an end view of a clamp system according to an
exemplary embodiment; and
[0019] FIG. 8 is a side view of a clamp system according to an
exemplary embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Various embodiments of the present invention will now be
described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and
should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth
herein; rather, the embodiments are provided so that this
disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the
scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
[0021] FIG. 1A, is a perspective view of a prior-art
chemical-process column with various sections cut away for
illustrating a variety of internal components. A chemical-process
column 10 typically comprises a cylindrical tower 12 having at
least one of a plurality of packing-bed layers 14 and a plurality
of trays 48, 49 disposed therein. In many instances, the plurality
of trays 48, 49 are valve trays or sieve trays.
[0022] Still referring to FIG. 1A, a plurality of manways 16 are
likewise constructed for facilitating access to an internal region
of the cylindrical tower 12. Also provided are a side-stream
draw-off line 20, a heavier-fluid side-stream-input feed line 18,
and a side-stream lighter-fluid feed line (or reboiler-return line)
32. A reflux-return line 34 is provided atop the chemical-process
column 10.
[0023] FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of a prior-art clamp
system. A tray 102 is secured within an interior space of a
chemical-process column 100. A support 104 is affixed to an
interior of the chemical-process column 100. The tray 102 rests on
the support 104. Typically, a clamp 106 is connected to a bottom
surface of the tray 102 via, for example, a bolt 108. A nut 109 is
disposed above the tray 102, and receives the bolt 108. Tightening
the nut 109 causes the clamp 106 to engage a bottom surface 103 of
the support 104 thereby securing the tray 102 within the
chemical-process column 100.
[0024] Still referring to FIG. 1B, in situations where the clamp
106 engages the support 104 prior to engaging the tray 102, further
tightening of the nut 109 causes the clamp 106 to tilt with respect
to the bolt 108. An angle .alpha. between the bolt 108 and the
clamp 106 causes a head region 110 of the bolt 108 to not sit flush
on the clamp 106. This arrangement may, over long periods of use,
cause the bolt 108 to deflect in a direction as illustrated by
arrow 112. Such deflection pulls the clamp 106 toward a center of
the tray 102. Such deflection weakens an engagement between the
clamp 106 and the support 104. In some cases, such deflection
entirely disengages the clamp 106 from the support 104.
[0025] Still referring to FIG. 1B, installation of the tray 102
typically requires at least a first worker positioned above the
tray 102 and at least a second worker positioned below the tray
102. The second worker must secure the head region 110 of the bolt
108 while the first worker tightens the nut 109. In situations
where only a single worker is available, installation of the clamp
106 often requires the head region 110 of the bolt 108 to be welded
to the clamp 106.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a chemical-process
column having a clamp system disposed therein according to an
exemplary embodiment. A support 203 is secured to an interior of a
chemical-process column 201. At least a portion of a bottom surface
207 of a tray 205 is disposed on at least a portion of a top
surface 209 of the support 203. A clamp system 200 includes a clamp
202 and a bolt 204. A nut 212 is disposed on a top surface of the
tray 205 for receiving the bolt 204. In a typical embodiment,
tightening the nut 212 causes the clamp 202 to engage a bottom
surface 211 of the support 203. In a typical embodiment, the clamp
202 includes a notch 206 that is sufficiently sized to allow a head
region 208 of the bolt 204 to be received and secured therein. In a
typical embodiment, the notch 206 captures the head region 208 of
the bolt 204 and prevents rotation and deflection of the bolt 204
during tightening of the nut 212. Such an arrangement permits
securement of the tray 205 within the chemical-process column 201
by a single worker positioned above the tray 205 thereby
eliminating the need for multiple workers. Thus, the clamp system
200 allows lower-cost installation.
[0027] Still referring to FIG. 2, a washer 210 and the nut 212 are
disposed above the tray 205. In a typical embodiment, the washer
210 is dome shaped. The washer 210 and the nut 212 receive the bolt
204. In a typical embodiment, the washer 210 allows the bolt 204 to
be received at an angle .beta. with respect to a vertical axis 214.
The washer 210 thereby permits the bolt 204 and the clamp 202 to
remain at an angle .gamma. of generally 90 degrees relative to each
other despite the angle .beta. between the bolt 204 and the
vertical axis 214. Such an arrangement ensures that the head region
208 of the bolt 204 remains flush against the clamp 202 thereby
reducing a tendency of the bolt 204 or the clamp 202 to deflect
toward the center of the tray 205.
[0028] FIG. 3 is an end view of a clamp system according to an
exemplary embodiment. A clamp system 300 includes a clamp 302 and a
bolt 304. The clamp 302 comprises a "V" shaped profile. In a
typical embodiment, the "V" shaped profile is capable of
withstanding greater force while consuming less material. In a
typical embodiment, a notch 306 is disposed in the clamp 302. The
notch 306 is sufficiently sized to allow a head region 308 of the
bolt 304 to be received and secured therein. In a typical
embodiment, the notch 306 captures and secures the head region 308
of the bolt 304 and prevents rotation and deflection of the bolt
304 during installation. In a typical embodiment, the clamp system
300 permits securement of a tray such as, for example, the tray 205
(shown in FIG. 2) within a chemical-process column by a single
worker located above the tray thereby eliminating the need for
multiple workers. Thus, the clamp system 300 allows lower-cost
installation.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a side view of a clamp system according to an
exemplary embodiment. The clamp system 400 includes a clamp 402 and
a bolt 404. The clamp 402 includes a long-leg region 416 and a
short-leg region 418. In a typical embodiment, the long-leg region
416 engages a bottom surface 407 of a tray 405 while the short-leg
region 418 engages a bottom surface 409 of the support 403. A notch
406 is disposed on a side of the clamp 402 corresponding with the
long-leg region 416; however, in various alternative embodiments,
the notch 406 is located in other positions relative to the
long-leg region 416. In a typical embodiment, the notch 406 is
sufficiently sized to receive and secure a head region 408 of the
bolt 404. The notch 406 captures the head region 408 of the bolt
404 and prevents rotation and deflection of the bolt 404 during
tightening of a nut such as, for example the nut 212 (shown in FIG.
2).
[0030] FIG. 5 is a side view of a clamp system according to an
exemplary embodiment. In a typical embodiment, a clamp system 500
includes a clamp 504 and a bolt 506. In a typical embodiment, the
clamp 504 includes a notch 508. The notch 508 is sufficiently sized
to receive and secure a head region 510 of the bolt 506. The notch
508 captures the head region 510 of the bolt 506 and prevents
rotation and deflection of the bolt 506 during tightening of a nut
such as, for example, the nut 212 (shown in FIG. 2). In a typical
embodiment, a rounded bolt seat 502 is located within the notch
508. The rounded bolt seat 502 permits movement of the bolt 506
relative to the clamp 504 while allowing the head region 510 of the
bolt 506 to remain generally flush with the clamp 504. In various
embodiments, the rounded bolt seat 502 permits sufficient movement
of the bolt 506 relative to the clamp 504 such that a washer such
as, for example, the washer 210 (shown in FIG. 2) is not required.
In a typical embodiment, the clamp system 500 permits securement of
a tray such as, for example, the tray 205 (shown in FIG. 2) within
a chemical-process column by a single worker positioned above the
tray thereby eliminating the need for multiple workers. Thus, the
clamp system 500 allows lower-cost installation.
[0031] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a chemical-process
column having a clamp system disposed therein according to an
exemplary embodiment. In a typical embodiment, a support 603 is
secured to an interior of a chemical-process column 601. At least a
portion of a bottom surface 607 of a tray 605 is disposed on at
least a portion of a top surface 609 of the support 603. In a
typical embodiment, a clamp system 600 includes a clamp 602 and a
bolt 604. The clamp 602 engages a bottom surface 611 of the support
603. A rounded bolt seat 606 extends from an underside 613 of the
clamp 602. In a typical embodiment, the rounded bolt seat 606 may
be integrally formed with the clamp 602; however, in various
alternative embodiments, the rounded bolt seat 606 may be formed
separate from the at least one clamp 602 and attached thereto via a
process such as, for example, welding or soldering. In a typical
embodiment, the rounded bolt seat 606 allows movement of the bolt
604 relative to the clamp 602.
[0032] Still referring to FIG. 6, in a typical embodiment, the
rounded bolt seat 606 permits the bolt 604 to be received at an
angle .phi. relative to the clamp 602. The rounded bolt seat 606
allows the bolt 604 to remain at an angle of generally 90 degrees
relative to the tray 605. Such an arrangement permits a head region
608 of the bolt 604 to remain generally flush against the rounded
bolt seat 606 thereby reducing a tendency of the bolt 604 or the
clamp 602 to deflect toward the center of the tray 605. In various
embodiments, a washer (not explicitly shown) is included above the
tray 605. In a typical embodiment, the washer is dome shaped and
permits a greater range of motion of the bolt 604 beyond that which
is represented by the angle .phi.. In various alternative
embodiments, the washer 210 is not required.
[0033] FIG. 7 is an end view of a clamp system of according to an
exemplary embodiment. A clamp system 700 includes a clamp 702 and a
bolt 704. In a typical embodiment, the clamp 702 comprises a "U"
shaped profile. In a typical embodiment, a rounded bolt seat 706
extends from a bottom surface 710 of the clamp 702. The rounded
bolt seat 706 permits the bolt 704 to be received at an angle
relative to the clamp 704.
[0034] FIG. 8 is a side view of a clamp system according to an
exemplary embodiment. A clamp system 800 includes a clamp 802 and a
bolt 804. A rounded bolt seat 806 extends from an underside 813 of
the clamp 802. In a typical embodiment, the rounded bolt seat 806
may be integrally formed with the clamp 802; however, in various
alternative embodiments, the rounded bolt seat 806 may be formed
separate from the at least one clamp 802 and attached thereto via a
process such as, for example, welding or soldering. In a typical
embodiment, the rounded bolt seat 806 permits the bolt 804 to be
received at an angle .theta. relative to a vertical axis 810. Such
an arrangement permits a head region 808 of the bolt 804 to remain
generally flush against the rounded bolt seat 806 thereby reducing
a tendency of the bolt 804 or the clamp 802 to deflect in a
direction noted by arrow 812.
[0035] Although various embodiments of the method and system of the
present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying
Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it
will be understood that the invention is not limited to the
embodiments disclosed, but is cable of numerous rearrangements,
modifications and substitutions without departing from the spirit
of the invention as set forth herein.
* * * * *