Scrubber tray and a wet scrubber tower comprising such scrubber tray

Abstract

A scrubber tray for a wet scrubber tower of a flue gas purification device includes a multiplicity of spindles, arranged across an inner horizontal cross section of the wet scrubber tower. Adjacent spindles are arranged at a horizontal distance to each other. At least some of the spindles are pivot-mounted to allow a rotative movement around a corresponding spindle axis and to arrange the respective spindle at a predetermined rotation angle. At least some of the spindles are equipped each with at least one protrusion, which extends outwardly from the respective spindle. The spindles and protrusions are shaped and arranged to provide flow-through openings between adjacent spindles and protrusions respectively. Each flow-through opening defines a corresponding flow-through area, and they add up to 10%-80% of the inner horizontal cross section of the associated scrubber tower, independently of the respective rotation angles of the spindles.

Claims

1. A scrubber tray for a wet scrubber tower (10) of a flue gas purification device, the scrubber tray comprising a) a plurality of spindles (32) arranged across an inner horizontal cross section of the wet scrubber tower (10), the plurality of spindles (32) including adjacent spindles (32) spaced apart from each other by a horizontal distance (d), wherein b) at least some of the plurality of spindles (32) are pivot-mounted to allow a rotative movement of the respective spindle (32) around a corresponding spindle axis (A) and to arrange the respective spindle (32) at a predetermined rotation angle, c) each of at least some of the plurality of spindles (32) is equipped with at least two protrusions (36), each of the at least two protrusions extending outwardly from the respective spindle (32) and being disposed on a line parallel to a spindle axis (A) that is arranged in a longitudinal direction, the at least two protrusions being separated from each other in the longitudinal direction, and d) the plurality of spindles (32) and the at least two protrusions (36) are shaped and arranged such that a flow-through opening (40) is defined between the adjacent spindles and between the at least two protrusions (36) of the adjacent spindles (32), the flow-through opening (40) having a flow-through area comprising between 10% and 80% of the inner horizontal cross section of the wet scrubber tower (10), independently of the respective rotation angles of the plurality of spindles (32).

2. The scrubber tray according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the at least two protrusions (36) include a plate.

3. The scrubber tray according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the at least two protrusions (36) extend tangentially relative to the corresponding spindle.

4. The scrubber tray according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the at least two protrusions (32) include outer rims having discontinuities (36c) configured to enable additional vortices.

5. The scrubber tray according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the at least two protrusions (36) feature stiffening means (36s).

6. The scrubber tray according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the at least two protrusions (36) include a plate having a peripheral shape of the group comprising a triangle, a rectangle, a pentagon, a polygon, a pitch-circle, an oval, a star, a toothed rack, an undulation, and a blossom.

7. The scrubber tray according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of spindles (32) include at least one spindle (32) with at least two protrusions (36), which extend in different directions relative to the spindle axis (A).

8. The scrubber tray according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said at least two protrusions (36) is made of a metal sheet.

9. The scrubber tray according to claim 1, which wherein the plurality of spindles (32) are rotatable individually, in groups, or all together.

10. A wet scrubber tower (10) of a flue gas purification device, the wet scrubber tower comprising a) a flue gas entrance (12) and a flue gas exit (14), b) a liquid entrance (18) and a liquid exit (20), c) a contact area (10c) for said flue gas and said liquid between said flue gas entrance (12) and said liquid entrance (18), d) a scrubber tray (30) according to claim 1, the scrubber tray (30) including at least one scrubber tray (30) positioned within said contact area (10c) across the inner horizontal cross section of the wet scrubber tower (10).

11. The wet scrubber tower (10) according to claim 10, further comprising at least one engine to bring the plurality of spindles (32) individually, in groups, or commonly into a rotary motion.

12. The wet scrubber tower (10) according to claim 10, wherein different spindles (32) of the plurality of spindles (32) are rotatable in opposite directions.

13. The wet scrubber tower (10) according to claim 10, further comprising a control unit, which activates the at least one engine depending on a previously established analysis and volume of the flue gas to be purified, to move the plurality of spindles (32) and their respective protrusions (36) until predetermined rotation angles have been reached.

Description

(1) Further features of the invention can be derived from the features of the sub-claims as well as from the other applications documents, including the following description of examples, which may be realized individually or in arbitrary combinations if not excluded or technically absurd. The attached illustrations are only schematic and display in

(2) FIG. 1a: a schematic design of a generic scrubber tower in a vertical cross-sectional view;

(3) FIG. 1b: a schematic 3D view onto a scrubber tray according to FIG. 1a;

(4) FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d: a first embodiment of a scrubber tray, wherein only a section of the tray is displayed, namely in a three-dimensional view from above in FIG. 2a, in a front view in FIG. 2b, in a side view in FIG. 2c and in a view from below in FIG. 2d;

(5) FIGS. 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d: further embodiments each displayed analogously to FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d;

(6) FIGS. 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d: further embodiments each displayed analogously to FIGS. 2a, b, c and d;

(7) FIGS. 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d: further embodiments each displayed analogously to FIGS. 2a, b, c, and d;

(8) FIGS. 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d: further embodiments each displayed analogously to FIGS. 2a, b, c, and d;

(9) FIGS. 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d: further embodiments each displayed analogously to FIGS. 2a, b, c and d;

(10) FIGS. 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d: further embodiments each displayed analogously to FIGS. 2a, b, c, and d; and

(11) FIG. 9 and FIG. 10: vertical cross-sectional views of two other embodiments of spindles with corresponding protrusions.

(12) In the Figures parts having the identical or equivalent function are referenced by the same numeral.

(13) FIG. 1a represents the main features of a so-called wet scrubber tower 10 by which a flue gas from an associated power station (not illustrated) will be purified.

(14) Scrubber tower 10 comprises four outer walls 10w, defining a square horizontal cross section, a flue gas entrance 12 at a lower part 101 and a flue gas exit 14 at an upper part 10u, a liquid (seawater) entrance 18 at the upper part 10u and the liquid exit 20 at the lower part 101. Said liquid exit 20 corresponds to a so-called sump area beneath the lower part 101 of scrubber tower 10.

(15) A seawater return line to the sea is marked by arrow M.

(16) The liquid absorbent (seawater) is fed into the cylindrical space of scrubber tower 10 via nozzles 18n, attached to a pipe 18p, which follows the liquid entrance 18. The seawater absorbent takes its further way downwardly (arrow A) within the scrubber tower 10 (following gravity), thereby getting in contact with said flue gas, flowing upwardly (arrow G) between gas entrance 12 and gas exit 14 and in a counter current to the liquid absorbent. The flue gas flow is generated by a not illustrated fan.

(17) The described counter flow area of liquid absorbent and flue gas defines the contact area (contact zone) 10c.

(18) Within said contact area 10c a wet scrubber tray 30 is mounted, which extends over the total horizontal cross-sectional area of said scrubber tower 10 (FIG. 1b). This tray 30 urges the gas and the liquid respectively to penetrate (flow) through it. Insofar the tray, independently of its embodiment, always leaves open spaces 40 (flow through areas) to allow the transfer and contact of gas and liquid.

(19) Above the tray, a foam-like phase B, being a mixture of liquid and gas, often develops during the gas purification process.

(20) Main components of the tray are spindles 32 and barrier elements 34, attached to said spindles. The spindles 32 are either supported by beams (which preferably extend perpendicular to and beneath said spindles) and/or hangers and pivotally mounted in corresponding bearings 32b, e.g. at their respective ends, i.e. close to or in said walls 10w. Flow through openings 40 are provided between adjacent spindles and barrier elements respectively.

(21) In the following various embodiments of said tray 30 will be illustrated.

(22) FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d refers to a first embodiment of said tray 30.

(23) This tray 30 comprises a multiplicity of spindles 32 (two of which being displayed, each with a central longitudinal axis A-A), which are arranged with a distance (d) to each other between opposite walls 10w of the scrubber tower 10 and pivotally mounted with their respective ends in corresponding bearings (not displayed).

(24) Square metal plates 34 are welded onto the spindles 32 in a symmetrical manner. While two opposite corners 34a of each square lie on a line, which itself lies in a plane through which a central longitudinal axis A of the spindle 32 extends, the remaining two corners 34p each define that part of a metal plate 34 being arranged furthest with respect to axis A.

(25) By this design each metal plate 34 provides two triangular protrusions 36, extending in opposite directions from a corresponding surface area 32s of the respective spindle 32.

(26) As may be seen in FIG. 2a, metal plates 34 (triangular protrusions 36) of adjacent spindles 32 are arranged offset in the axial direction of the spindles 32, which finally leads to a matching profile of adjacent spindles 32 and protrusions 36.

(27) As may best be seen in a combination of FIGS. 2a, 2b and 2d matching does not mean that adjacent protrusions 36 abut each other or overlap each other, although such an arrangement will be possible; to the contrary: even when the spindles 32 have been turned (arrow R) and brought into a position when said protrusions 36 provide their largest horizontal extension, flow through openings 40 remain between adjacent protrusions 36 to allow the flue gas and liquid absorbent respectively to pass through.

(28) The size of said flow through openings 40 can easily by varied/adjusted by turning one or more of said spindles 32 in a manner as displayed in FIGS. 2a, 2b and 2c. By turning at least one spindle 32, the corresponding protrusions 36 are tilted and brought into a different position vis-a-vis any adjacent spindle(s) 32/protrusion(s) 36, thereby altering the flow-through openings (flow-through area) correspondingly.

(29) This allows to vary the size of the flow-through openings 40 depending on the process parametersas mentioned abovein a simple manner, namely by rotating one or more of said spindles 32 with attached protrusions 36.

(30) In the embodiment of FIG. 2, comprising protrusions 36 in opposite directions, a double effect can be achieved as may be derived from FIGS. 2a and 2b. By turning one spindle 32, one protrusion 361 moves downwardly while the opposite protrusion 36r moves upwardly with immediate consequences for the flow-through openings 40 on both sides of said spindle 32.

(31) Similar effects but with different flow-through areas can be achieved by turning one spindle 32 while keeping the adjacent spindle 32 in its position or turning an adjacent spindle 32 in an opposite direction.

(32) The embodiments displayed in FIGS. 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d are based on the same technical concept with variations in the design and arrangement of these spindles 32 and associated protrusions 36.

(33) The embodiment according to FIGS. 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d differs from that of FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d in that the triangular protrusions 36 are discrete elements and opposing protrusions 36 are fixed onto separate spindles 32 which are attached to each other by welding. The cross-section of the spindles changes from circular (at both ends) to rectangular (in between, but not displayed).

(34) While opposing protrusions 36l,r according to FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d are flush with each other (because of the one plate design), opposing protrusions 36l,r according to the embodiment of FIGS. 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d provide an angle of about 160 between each other. The profile of corresponding flow-through openings 40 between adjacent spindles/protrusions 32, 36 varies correspondingly, always depending on the angle of rotation of each of adjacent spindles 32.

(35) The embodiment of FIGS. 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d are similar to that of FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d with the proviso that all spindles 32 feature a triangular cross section and corner areas 36c of some of said triangular protrusions 36 extend under an angle smaller or larger 180 with respect to the remaining part of the respective protrusion 36. This again leads to different profiles of the corresponding flow-through openings 40 between adjacent protrusions 36.

(36) The embodiment of FIGS. 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d starts from the embodiment of FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d with the proviso that the metal plates 34 have a prismatic shape comprising four protrusion areas (36.1, 36.2, 36.3, 36.4) with angles unequal 180 between adjacent areas (36.1, 36.2; 36.2, 36.3; 36.3, 36.4; 36.4, 36.1).

(37) The embodiment according to FIGS. 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d resembles resemble that of FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d with the proviso that the square metal plates 34 have been replaced by circular metal plates 34. As a consequence protrusions 36 each have a semi-circular shape and flow-through openings 40 in between receive a correspondingly adapted profile.

(38) The embodiment of FIGS. 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d displays display a tray construction with spindles 32 and metal plates 34 (protrusions 36) similar to that of FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d, but with rebated joints (notches, stiffening means) 36s on one side (the upper side as displayed) in FIG. 2a for reinforcement purposes.

(39) The embodiment of FIGS. 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d displays display metal plate 34 of polygonal shape with eight corners, wherein the metal plates 34 of one spindle 32 are arranged at a distance to each other to provide larger flow-through openings for the gas and liquid in between.

(40) FIG. 9 discloses a spindle 32, from which plate-like protrusions 36 of different shape and different size extend into different directions. In the position displayed a first protrusion extends radially outwardly, comprising a first section 36f (extending in a 3 o'clock direction) and a second section 36u following the first section 36f under an angle of about 90 degrees upwardly, which second section 36u features a knife-like terminal end 36t (in the Figure: the upper end). The second protrusion extends with a first section from said spindle 32 in a 7 o'clock direction and features a second section, following the first section at a right angle. Compared with the first protrusion the first section of the second protrusion is of less length and its second section features the same thickness as the first section.

(41) The embodiment of FIG. 10 displays a rail-like spindle 32, which is characterized by a middle part 32m of rectangular cross section, followed at its both ends by circular cross-sectional profiles 32c, matching corresponding pivot bearings (not displayed).

(42) One plate like protrusion 36 extends perpendicular from each of opposing surface sections 32s of the middle part 32m of said spindle 32. Each protrusion features a stop-ridge 36r at its free end, i.e. an overall T-shape in a vertical cross-sectional view to provide additional Vortex-edges.

(43) In FIGS. 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d examples of plate-like protrusions 36 with additional optional features are displayed: The outer rim of the protrusions disclosed on the right in FIGS. 3a, and 3d are not designed in a straight line but features numerous discontinuities 36c to support the formation of additional vortices within the gas or gas/liquid mixtures, passing these rims. The discontinuities are of rectangular shape (top right), triangular shape (mid right) or semicircle geometry (bottom right) similar to a saw-tooth or comb-shaped profile. Adjacent protrusions of an adjacent spindle can be designed accordingly.

(44) FIGS. 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d also display the three directions of the Cartesian Coordinate System with axis x, y and z, wherein x corresponds to the extension of the spindle axis and said protrusions predominantly extend in the y and x direction, while being inclined in the z-direction.

(45) Examples of absolute dimensions (extensions) of one protrusion 36 are: in the x-direction: 0.03 to 25 meter, with alternative lower limits at 0.2 or 0.5 meter and alternative upper limits at 1 meter, 3 meters, 5 meters or 12.5 meters. in the y-direction: 0.05 to 1.0 meter, with alternative lower limits at 0.1 or 0.2 meter and alternative upper limits at 0.2 meter, 0.5 meters or 0.7 meter.