EP3265195A1 - Supporting collector for a packing column - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a supporting collector (1) for supporting a package, comprising: a plurality of collecting trays (3) for receiving a liquid phase falling from the package; a plurality of guide elements (4) arranged above the collecting trays (3) for guiding the falling liquid phase into the collecting trays (3); and a supporting grid (5) connected to the guide elements (4) for laying the package on the supporting grid (5). According to the invention the supporting grid (5), the guide elements (4), and the collecting trays (3) are formed integrally on one another and form a supporting unit, wherein the supporting grid (5), the guiding elements (4), and the collecting trays (3) are formed by 3D printing and are formed integrally on one another by the 3D printing. The invention further relates to a corresponding method for producing a supporting collector (1).

Description

 description

Load collector for a packing column

The invention relates to a carrier for a pack column and a method for its production.

Packing columns are known from the prior art, in which a gaseous phase rises in a structured packing, wherein a liquid phase is applied in countercurrent to the package, which brought into intensive contact, in particular for mass and / or energy exchange with the gaseous phase shall be. At the exit surface of the package, usually the underside of the package, the dripping liquid phase exits, should be collected and, for example, re-applied to a package. For the arrangement of packages in a packing column (steel) carrier are usually provided, by means of which the packages are fixed in the packing column in a predetermined position. Furthermore, collectors are provided for collecting the dripping condensate, by means of which the condensate is collected and / or removed. A disadvantage of the known packing columns is that the overall height of the known packing columns along the vertical is comparatively large. On this basis, the present invention has the object, at least partially overcome the known from the prior art disadvantages. The features of the invention will become apparent from the independent claims, to which advantageous embodiments are indicated in the dependent claims. The features of the claims may be combined in any technically meaningful manner, for which purpose the explanations of the following description as well as features of the figures may be consulted which comprise additional embodiments of the invention.

The object is achieved by a carrier for carrying a (structured) pack, the carrier having the following components:

a plurality of collection cups for receiving a liquid phase falling from the package; a plurality of guide elements arranged above the collecting shells for guiding the falling liquid phase into the collecting shells; and

 a support grid connected to the guide elements for placing the package on the support grid,

according to the invention, the carrier collector has a central drainage tube, which extends along a longitudinal axis, wherein the support grid, the guide elements, the

The collecting shells and the drainage tube are integrally formed together and form a supporting unit, wherein the support grid, the guide elements, the collecting shells and the drainage tube are formed by 3D printing and integrally formed by the 3D printing together, and wherein the collecting shells with the drainpipe are in flow communication and each extending from the manifold starting in the radial direction outwards to a circumference of the carrier, and wherein the respective collecting tray, starting from the drain pipe in two

Branched cup sections, each extending along a radial direction to the circumference of the carrier collector and diverge.

The carrier collector is thus in particular set up such that the

designed area load, e.g. from a flat in a pack column on the carrier collector lying pack, is picked up by the carrier itself and accumulates e.g. on a support ring which is fixed to a jacket of the packing column is introduced. Particularly preferably, the load collector has a voltage-optimized structure as a whole.

The support grid is particularly intended in particular to form an abutment for an overlying component, in particular for a package, which preferably rests with its exit surface or entry surface on the support grid. In this case, the support grid distributes the load of the overlying component flat and evenly on the arranged below the support grid components of the carrier. At the same time, the covering by the supporting grid is comparatively small, so that through the additional spacing, caused by the supporting grid, to the further components of the collector, flowability of a pack arranged thereon is improved. Here, the rust is also force-transmitting connected to the rest of the loader, particularly preferably with the guide elements or integrally formed thereon.

Insofar as this results in area which results in a shell closed at the bottom, are provided at the low points of such areas outlet openings through which a liquid phase that can accumulate in these areas, can flow.

The grate openings of the support grid can have various opening cross-sections, e.g. square, trapezoidal, circular, honeycomb, polygonal etc. Combinations of these cross-sectional shapes are also possible.

Furthermore, a support grid can be formed from a plurality of struts which extend in the radial direction from the center of the support grid outwardly to the outer edge or periphery of the carrier, wherein such struts are integrally connected to one another via a plurality of circumferential, concentrically arranged struts.

Furthermore, side surfaces of the supporting grid on the outer edge or periphery of the supporting grid can be inclined towards the center, so that an edge flow of a

gaseous phase, which flows upwards on an inner side of the jacket of the packing column, is forced inwards by such side faces.

During operation of the carrier, the support grid (as well as the collecting shells and the guide elements) preferably extends along the horizontal, in particular over the entire cross section of the packing column.

In principle, all components of the carrier collector integrally molded stiffening ribs may have to give the carrier a better carrying capacity.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the central drainage tube extends along a longitudinal axis, which runs in particular perpendicular to the guide elements and / or the collecting shells. Preferably, the support grid, the guide elements, the collecting shells and the manifold are integrally formed integrally to form the said supporting unit, wherein the support grid, the guide elements, the collecting shells and the collecting tube are formed by SD printing and integrally by 3D printing together are formed. Furthermore, the collecting shells are in flow communication with the drainage pipe (see also above), wherein the collecting shells preferably open into the central drainage pipe in the radial direction. The collecting shells each extend from the collecting tube in the radial direction outwards to a circumference or outer edge of the carrying collector.

Furthermore, it is provided that the respective collection shell, starting from the collection tube, branches into two collection shell sections (see also above) which each extend along a radial direction towards the circumference of the charge collector and thereby diverge, the two collection shell sections

especially include an acute angle.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the two divergent collecting bowl sections each one

Have side wall, wherein the two side walls facing each other, and departing from the two side walls each further collecting bowl sections, which in particular extend parallel to each other and in particular each extend along a radial direction to the periphery of the carrier. In this case, a gap is preferably present between each two adjacent collecting bowl sections, which gap in particular serves for passing a gaseous phase, so that it can rise in a pack to be placed on the supporting grid.

Due to the shape of the guide elements and the collecting shells as each extending along a radial direction struts the formation of the carrier collector favors as a supporting unit and also allows a good permeability for an ascending gaseous phase to the resting pack out.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided according to an embodiment of the invention that the guide elements each have at least one guide element section, which is arranged above an associated gap, so that one of the respective

Leitelementabschnitt impinging liquid phase of the respective

Leaves guide element section and in at least one of the two

Collecting shell sections can pass, which extend on both sides of the associated gap, above which the respective Leitelemetabschnitt is arranged. The

Guide element sections each preferably cover the gap assigned to them, in this way that, ideally, the entire liquid phase falling down from the pack resting on the carrier will end up in the collecting bowl sections.

At least some of the guide elements branch, starting from the drain pipe, into a plurality, in particular three, guide element sections. Between two such

 Guide elements is preferably arranged in each case a non-branching guide element, which forms only a guide element section in this sense.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention are still the

Leitelementabschnitte each formed as a roof profile. The respective roof profile in this case has two drainage surfaces arranged at an angle to one another, which drop off on both sides starting from an upper edge of the roof profile so that a liquid phase impinging on the respective roof profile can flow away from the drainage surfaces into the respectively associated collecting bowl section. The targeted flow of the liquid is supported by drip noses at the ends of the drainage surfaces. In particular, the roof profile or the respective guide element section is triangular in cross-section, in particular in the form of an isosceles triangle with the tip directed upwards, whereby a pointed roof or the respective roof profile is formed. The roof profile may also be a solid cross-sectionally triangular profile. As a result, the resistance of the guide element sections is advantageously increased against bending stresses.

The collecting shells and the guide elements are in the result in particular arranged in such a way that on the one hand a rising in a column or packing column gaseous phase can flow past the collecting shells and guide elements, on the other hand, the liquid phase is preferably deflected by the guide elements so that they are ideally complete can be collected in the collecting bowls.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention is further provided that the guide element sections integrally connected via webs

Collecting cup sections are formed, wherein between each adjacent webs a through hole is formed, in particular for passing a

gaseous phase, so that it can ascend into a pack to be placed on the supporting grid. The webs are intended primarily for a force-transmitting one-piece connection between the Sammeischalenabschnitten and the

Produce Leitelementabschnitten and at the same time to ensure good flow through for rising gas. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of passages or passage openings is provided in order to achieve the largest possible total throughflow area. The passage openings may be rectangular, square, trapezoidal, circular, elliptical, honeycomb or polygonal. Furthermore, the different passage openings can also be combined with each other. According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the

 Collecting shells and / or the collecting bowl sections on a slope to the central drain pipe out, so that in the collecting bowl sections reaching liquid is accelerated towards the central drain pipe and can be discharged over it. Particularly preferably, the collecting shells or collecting bowl sections are designed as channels or channels open at the top.

In the collecting bowls additional baffles can be provided which provide a procedurally optimal flow distribution of the liquid phase in the

Support collecting shells.

Furthermore, it is provided according to a preferred embodiment of the invention that the drain pipe forms a collecting funnel for the liquid phase at an upper end.

Preferably, the said supporting unit of the support grid, the guide elements, the collecting shells and the central drainage tube by means of 3D printing, in particular laser sintering, of a metal, in particular aluminum, integrally formed. It is preferably provided that the load-bearing unit in layers from a

powdery material, in particular comprising a metal, in particular

Aluminum, composed of a plurality of successively and superimposed layers, each layer before the application of the next following layer by means of a laser beam in a predefined area, the one

Cross sectional area of the unit to be produced, has been heated and it has been fixed to the underlying layer, in particular has been merged with this.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing a carrier for carrying a pack, in particular a carrier according to the invention as described above, wherein the carrier collects a plurality of collecting trays for receiving a falling out of the package liquid phase, a plurality of above the collecting shells arranged guide elements for Directing the falling liquid phase into the collecting trays, a carrying grid connected to the guiding elements for placing the pack on the supporting grid and

in particular has a drain pipe, which is in particular in flow communication with the collecting shells, each extending in particular from the collecting tube in the radial direction outwardly to a circumference of the carrier, wherein the support grid, the guide elements, the collecting trays and in particular the drainage tube in one piece are formed and form a bearing unit, wherein the support grid, the guide elements, the collecting shells and in particular the drainage tube are formed by 3D printing and integrally formed by the 3D printing together, and wherein in particular the supporting unit by SD printing, In particular laser sintering, of a metal, in particular aluminum, is formed.

In the context of the method according to the invention in the case of SD printing, the supporting unit is preferably built up in layers of a powdered material, in particular comprising a metal, in particular aluminum, successively applying several layers of the material one above the other, each layer before applying the next following layer is heated by means of a laser beam in a predefined area, which corresponds to a cross-sectional area of the unit to be produced, and is thereby fixed to the underlying layer, in particular fused thereto.

In the case of 3D printing, therefore, the material is supplied in powder form in particular, and is connected to the already existing part of the unit to be produced so as to be interfacially, that is, materially bonded. The particles can be completely

be melted or merely connected to the surface and thus with the already existing part of the workpiece. At the interfaces, a diffusive process takes place, so that, for example, in a metal, especially preferably aluminum, no interfaces are superposed adhesively, but a continuous crystal structure is formed. Thus ideally no diminished material characteristic values arise at the joining surfaces. The above-described invention will now be described in detail in the background of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments. It is shown in

1 shows a plan view of a carrier collector according to the invention,

2 shows a section along the line A-A of Figure 1,

3 is a perspective view of the carrier without grate obliquely from above, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the carrier with grate from obliquely below, and

5: a plan view of the underside of the carrier or the collector

 Collecting cups of the carrier.

Figures 1 to 5 show a preferred embodiment of a

Inventive Carrier 1.

The carrier collector 1 has a central drainage pipe 6 which extends along a longitudinal or cylindrical axis 12, which in operation with the vertical longitudinal or

Cylinder axis of a column or packed column coincides, in the

Carrying collector 1 is to be arranged for carrying a structured pack. Above the drainage pipe 6 is a collecting funnel 15 for collecting a liquid phase 16 flowing out of the packing. In particular, the liquid phase 16 falling in the region around the longitudinal or cylindrical salmon L is passed through it

Collecting funnel 15 passed into the drain pipe 6. Starting from the drain pipe 6, a plurality of branched collecting shells 3, which open into the drain pipe 6 and are integrally formed on this, each extending in a radial direction R to the outside to the outside a circular circumference 11 of the carrier 1. The collecting shells 3 are preferably designed in the form of grooves and serve to collect a liquid phase 16 falling out of the packing. The collecting shells 3 extend in each case along a horizontally arranged carrier 1, which is to be assumed below Level and have a slope towards the drain pipe 6. Furthermore, the collecting shells 3, starting from the drainage pipe 6, each branch into two collecting tray sections 30 which each extend along a radial direction R towards the circumference 11 of the carrying collector 1 and thereby diverge. Here, the two collecting bowl sections 30 each have a side wall 300 facing each other, each of the two side walls 300 more collecting bowl sections 31 go off, in particular parallel to each other and in particular each along a radial direction R to the periphery 11 of the carrier 1 collector out extend. In this way, the collecting shells 3 receive a tree structure, wherein the liquid phase 16 in the individual collecting tray sections 30, 31 which are in fluid communication with each other to the discharge pipe 6 is brought together.

The collecting shells 3 or collecting bowl sections 30, 31 are designed as channels open at the top and in this case have an underside 3 a via which the collecting bowl sections 30, 31 can be impinged on a supporting ring 14 at an outer end in order to support the carrying collector. Such a support ring 14 may e.g. be provided on the circumferential inner side of a column, so that the

Carrying collector can be supported on the support ring 14 and at the same time can extend over the entire column cross-section.

For passing a flowing upward in the column gaseous phase 17 gaps 50 are present between the Sammeischalenabschnitten 30, 31 corresponding to each extend along a radial direction R outwardly to the periphery 11 of the carrier 1. The gaseous phase 17 can thus ascend into the pack to be stored on the carrier 1 and there come into contact with a liquid phase 16 wetting the pack.

In order to deflect a liquid phase 16 falling from the pack to be stored, the load collector has a multiplicity of guide elements which, proceeding from the drainage pipe 6, extend outward in the radial direction R to the circumference 11 of the charge collector 1 extend above the collecting shells 3. The guide elements 4 can also branch and each have at least one guide element section 40, which is arranged above an associated gap 50. The guide elements 4 and Leitelementabschnitte 40 thus cover the gaps 50 between the

Collecting bowl sections 30, 31 and make sure that one from above

descending liquid phase 16 is passed into the Sammeischalenabschnitte 30, 31.

For this purpose, the guide element sections 40 are roof-shaped in cross section and each have two drainage surfaces 40a which are arranged at an angle to each other and fall off on both sides so that the liquid phase 16 flowing along the drainage surfaces 40a falls into the collecting bowl sections 30, 31. The

Lower edges of the guide elements 4 and Leitelementabschnitte 40 are preferably formed as drip projections and thereby prevent liquid 16 through the

Through holes 7 drain and not in the collecting shells. 3

arrives. In particular, the guide element sections 40 are preferably triangular in cross-section, in particular in the form of an isosceles triangle with an angled tip, whereby a pointed roof or the respective roof profile is formed. The roof profile may also be a solid cross-sectionally triangular profile.

The individual guide element sections 40 are integrally formed via vertically extending webs 9 on the associated collecting bowl sections 30, 31, wherein between each two adjacent webs 9 each have a through opening 7 is formed through which the gaseous phase 17, which enters from below into the gaps 50, can flow past the vanes 4 to get into the pack. To carry the pack, the carrier collector further comprises a circular support grid 5, the upwardly facing bearing surface above the collecting shells 3 and 4 guide elements

is arranged. The support grid 5 is integrally formed on the guide elements 4. The support grid 5 serves to support a pack which is placed directly on the support surface of the support grid 5.

As shown in Figure 2, according to the invention, the carrier 1 is constructed as a one-piece supporting unit by 3D printing. Here are the

Drain pipe 6, the collecting shells 3, the guide elements 4 and the support grid 5 in one piece molded together. This can be done for example by means of laser sintering.

In this case, the supporting unit 6, 3, 4, 5 layers of a powdered material, in particular comprising a metal, in particular aluminum, constructed successively several layers of the material are superimposed, each layer before the application of the next following layer by means of a laser beam 21, which is produced by means of a laser 20, is heated in a predefined area which corresponds to a cross-sectional area of the unit to be produced, and is thereby fixed to the underlying layer, in particular being fused thereto.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 carrying collector

 3 collecting bowl

 3a bottom

 4 guide element

 5 support grid

 6 central drainpipe

 7 passage opening

 9 footbridge

 11 scope

 12 longitudinal axis or cylinder axis

 14 support ring

 15 collection funnels

 16 liquid phase

 17 Gaseous phase

 20 lasers

 21 laser beam

 30, 31 collection tray sections

 40 guide element sections

 40a Abiaufflächen

 50 gap

 300 side wall

 R radial direction

Claims

claims

Carrier (1) for carrying a package, comprising:

 - A plurality of collecting shells (3) for receiving a falling out of the package liquid phase;

 - A plurality of above the collecting shells (3) arranged

 Guiding elements (4) for guiding the falling liquid phase in the

 Collecting shells (3); and

 a support grid (5) connected to the guide elements (4) for placing the package on the support grid (5),

characterized in that

the load collector (1) has a central drainage pipe (6) extending along a longitudinal axis (12), wherein the support grid (5), the guide elements (4), the collecting shells (3) and the drainage pipe (6) integrally formed together are and form a supporting unit, wherein the support grid (5), the guide elements (4), the collecting shells (3) and the drainage tube (6) are formed by 3D printing and integrally formed by the 3D printing together, and wherein the collecting shells (3) are in fluid communication with the discharge pipe (6) and extend in each case from the collecting pipe (3) in the radial direction (R) outwards to a circumference (11) of the carrying collector (1), and wherein the respective Collecting bowl (3) starting from the drain pipe (6) in two

Branched cup portions (30) branches, each extending along a radial direction (R) to the periphery (11) of the carrier (1) and diverge.

Carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the longitudinal axis (12) is perpendicular to the guide elements (4) and / or the collecting shells (3).

Carrying collector (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the two collecting bowl sections (30) each have a side wall (300), wherein the two side walls (300) facing each other, and wherein of the two side walls (300) each further Departure collection sections (31), which in particular parallel to each other and in particular in each case along a radial direction (R) to the periphery (11) of the support collector (1) extend towards.

4. Tragsammler according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that between each two adjacent Sammeischalenabschnitten (30, 31), a gap (50) is formed, which in particular serves for passing a gaseous phase, so that these in a on the support grid (5) pack to be placed on top.

5. Tragsammler according to claim 4, characterized in that the guide elements (4) each have at least one guide element portion (40) which is disposed above an associated gap (50), so that the respective guide element portion (40) acting upon liquid phase of the respective Guide element portion (40) flow and in at least one of the two

 Collecting cup sections (30, 31) can pass, both sides of the

 [assigned] gap (50) run, above which the respective

 Leitelemetabschnitt (40) is arranged.

6. Tragsammler (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the

 Guide element sections (40) are designed as roof profiles, wherein the

 Guide element sections (40) each have two opposite lower edges, which are each formed as drip tabs.

7. Tragsammler according to any one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the guide element sections (40) via webs (9) are integrally formed on associated collecting bowl sections (30, 31), wherein between adjacent webs (9) each have a through hole (7) is formed, in particular for

 Passing through a gaseous phase, so that it can ascend into a pack to be placed on the support grid (5).

8. Tragsammler (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the collecting shells (3) and / or the collecting bowl sections (30, 31) have a slope to the central outlet pipe (6) out.

9. Tragsammler (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that in a region above the drain pipe (6), in which in particular no Leitelementabschnitte (40) are present, a collecting funnel (15) is arranged, for collecting a falling liquid phase (16) is set up, wherein in particular the collecting funnel (15) directly, in particular in one piece, or indirectly connected to the drain pipe (6).

10. Tragsammler (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized

 characterized in that the supporting unit by 3D printing, in particular

Laser sintered, made of a metal, in particular aluminum, is integrally formed.

Support collector (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that in the SD printing, the supporting unit is built up in layers of a powdery material, in particular comprising a metal, in particular aluminum, wherein successively several layers of the material are applied one above the other, wherein each layer before the application of the next following layer by means of a laser beam (21) in a predefined area, the one

 Cross-sectional area (30) corresponds to the unit to be produced, is heated and thereby fixed to the underlying layer, in particular with this is fused.

A method of producing a carrier for carrying a package, in particular a carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the carrier collects a plurality of collecting trays (3) for receiving a liquid phase falling from the package, a plurality of above

 Collecting shells (3) arranged guide elements (4) for guiding the

 falling liquid phase into the collecting shells (3), one with the

 Guide elements (4) supporting grid (5) for placing the pack on the support grid (5) and in particular a drain pipe (6), which is in particular in flow communication with the collecting shells, in particular in each case from the manifold (3) starting in the radial direction (R) outwardly to a circumference (1 1) of the carrier (1) extend, and wherein the support grid (5), the guide elements (4), the collecting shells (3) and in particular also the drain pipe (6) formed integrally with each other be and form a supporting unit, wherein the support grid (5), the guide elements (4), the collecting shells (3) and in particular also the drainage tube (6) are formed by 3D printing and integrally formed by the 3D printing together.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that in the SD printing the supporting unit in layers of a powdery material, comprising, in particular, a metal, in particular aluminum, wherein successively several layers of the material are applied one above the other, each layer before the application of the next following layer by means of a laser beam (21) in a predefined area, the one

Cross-sectional area (30) corresponds to the unit to be produced, is heated and thereby fixed to the underlying layer, in particular with this is fused.