US 12,458,907 B2
Concept for collection and distribution channels for a simulated moving bed separation process using N-columns in series
Frederic Augier, Saint Symphorien D Ozon (FR); Aude Royon-Lebeaud, Lyons (FR); Damien Leinekugel Le Cocq, Oullins (FR); and Alexandre Vonner, Feyzin (FR)
Assigned to IFP Energies nouvelles, Rueil-Malmaison (FR)
Filed by IFP Energies nouvelles, Rueil-Malmaison (FR)
Filed on Apr. 12, 2018, as Appl. No. 15/951,671.
Claims priority of application No. 17/53.216 (FR), filed on Apr. 12, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2018/0296941 A1, Oct. 18, 2018
Int. Cl. B01D 15/18 (2006.01); B01D 15/22 (2006.01); C07C 7/12 (2006.01); C07C 15/02 (2006.01); G01N 30/60 (2006.01)
CPC B01D 15/185 (2013.01) [B01D 15/1842 (2013.01); B01D 15/22 (2013.01); C07C 7/12 (2013.01); C07C 15/02 (2013.01); G01N 30/6017 (2013.01); B01D 2256/24 (2013.01); B01D 2257/7027 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A device for the distribution or collection of a fluid in a bed of granular solid (6) contained in a column for carrying out a separation into a plurality of components, wherein the bed of granular solid (6) has a bottom and the column has a bottom and a top and a center in each horizontal plane between the bottom and the top of the column, in which:
incoming fluid is distributed by a distribution channel (3) with a variable section in which the fluid flows at a constant velocity Vchannel of between 0.1 and 5 m/s, wherein the distribution channel (3) does not contain a porous material and wherein the constant velocity Vchannel is ensured by the shape of the distribution channel (3) not containing a porous material,
outgoing fluid is collected by a collection channel (8) with a variable section in which the fluid flows at the constant velocity Vchannel;
and
(A)
the distribution channel (3) is delimited by a first screen (5) on top of the bed of granular solid (6) and a wall (4) at a distance hsup (r) above said first screen (5), which hsup (r) has a profile along a radial coordinate r, which r from the center of the column in a horizontal plane is a distance along R, which R is the radius of the column, defined by the following formula:

OG Complex Work Unit Math
the collection channel (8) is delimited by a second screen (7) at the bottom of the bed of granular solid (6) and a wall (9) at a distance hinf (r) below said second screen, which hinf (r) has a profile along the radial coordinate r, defined by the following formula:

OG Complex Work Unit Math
in which VSL is the superficial velocity of fluid in the bed of granular solid (6), defined as a ratio of volume flow rate to a cross sectional area;
or
(B)
the distribution channel (3) is delimited by a first screen (5) in a shape of a tube centered in the column present vertically through the bed of granular solid (6), which bed of granular solid (6) surrounds said tube, and a wall (4) inside said tube, wherein the wall (4) has a radial profile taken from the axis of the column rdistrib(z) along an axial coordinate z, which z is taken from the inlet for the fluid into the column, defined by the following formula:

OG Complex Work Unit Math
the collection channel (8) is delimited by a second screen (7) in the shape of a tube centered in the column present vertically surrounding the bed of granular solid (6) and a wall (9) having a radial profile rcollect(z) along the axial coordinate z, defined by the following formula:

OG Complex Work Unit Math
in which VSL is the superficial velocity of fluid in the bed of granular solid (6) defined as a ratio of volume flow rate to a cross sectional area, Hbed is the total height of the column, and Ebed is the thickness of the bed along the radial direction.