FLOW ELEMENT HAVING AN INTEGRATED CAPILLARY LINE FOR TRANSFERRING FLUIDS

Abstract

The invention relates to a flow element for transferring fluids comprising a capillary cartridge (1) having an integrated capillary line (3). The capillary cartridge according to the invention (1) has a ring-shaped channel (8) and securing grooves (6, 6), wherein the flow element is characterized in that the capillary line (3) is arranged in the ring-shaped channel (8). The ends of the capillary lines (3) are connected to connection elements (9) in which securing grooves (6, 6) are secured in a positive locking manner. The flow elements according to the invention contribute toward improved manageability and effectiveness of components. In a preferred embodiment, the flow elements are used as a distribution system in the form of a plurality of capillary cartridges (1-1, 1-2, . . . ). Such distribution systems are of technical importance in the field of catalyst testing apparatuses with reactors arranged in parallel.

Claims

1. A flow element, comprising: a capillary cartridge and a coiled capillary line, wherein the capillary cartridge comprises a ring-shaped channel and a securing element, in the flow element, the coiled capillary line is arranged in the ring-shaped channel, each end of the capillary line are is connected to a connection element, respectively, and the connection element is fixed in place with two or more securing elements in a positive locking and/or non-positive locking manner.

2. The flow element of claim 1, wherein the two or more securing elements are configured as securing grooves, which are an inlet-side securing groove and an outlet-side securing groove.

3. The flow element of claim 2, wherein each of the inlet-side and outlet-side securing grooves accommodates an anti-rotation device of the connection element, and the anti-rotation device has at least three corners, so that at least one edge of the anti-rotation device runs parallel to an edge of the inlet-side or outlet-side securing groove, so that a rotatability of the connection element about its longitudinal axis is characterized by an angle of rotation of 20.

4. The flow element of claim 2, wherein the connection element is also connected to the capillary cartridge in the securing grooves in the non-positive locking manner.

5. The flow element of claim 1, wherein a connection between an inner side of the connection element and the end of the capillary line is a screw connection.

6. The flow element of claim 1, wherein an outer side of the connection element is equipped with a screw thread, which allows a non-positive locking and sealing connection with lines located outside the capillary cartridge.

7. The flow element of claim 1, wherein the connection element consists of two separable parts, such that a sealing system optionally fluidically seals an inner channel of the connection element with respect to an environment.

8. The flow element of claim 1, wherein the capillary cartridge comprises a metal.

9. The flow element of claim 1, wherein the capillary cartridge comprises a control and/or a space inside the capillary channel is filled with a heat-conducting casting material.

10. A distribution system, comprising at least two of the flow element of claim 1.

11. The distribution system of claim 10, wherein the distribution system is enclosed by a housing.

12. The distribution system of claim 10, wherein each of the flow element is thermally decoupled from one another.

13. The distribution system of claim 11, wherein the housing is surrounded by insulation.

14. A method for testing a catalyst, the method comprising: testing a catalyst in a reaction apparatus, wherein the reaction apparatus comprises a distribution system comprising the flow element of claim 1.

15. A method for transferring at least one fluid, the method comprising: transferring the at least one fluid in at least one reaction apparatus, wherein the at least one reaction apparatus comprises the flow element of claim 1 and two reactors arranged in parallel.

16. A method for transferring at least one fluid, the method comprising: transferring the at least one fluid in at least one reaction apparatus, wherein the at least one reaction apparatus comprises the distribution system of claim 10 and two reactors arranged in parallel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0076] FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic view of the flow element according to the invention fitted without a capillary line (3); in the embodiment shown, the two connection elements (9) lie on opposite sides in one axis. Bulkhead screw connections according to FIG. 3.c are shown as connection elements (9).

[0077] FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic view of a flow element in which the connection elements (9) are arranged on the same side of the capillary cartridge (1). The plug-in parts (18), which establish the connection to the coupling bodies (19), are located in the front wall (17). Only one section of the front wall (17) is shown.

[0078] FIG. 3.a shows a view of the connection element (9) in the embodiment of a separable plug-in connector. The plug-in part (18) and the coupling body (19) of the coupling are shown in an opened state.

[0079] FIG. 3.b like FIG. 3.a, however, is shown in a closed state.

[0080] FIG. 3.c shows a view of the connection element (9) as a bulkhead screw connection. This refers to a connection with an e.g. compression screw (20 or 24) on either side. This connection element is not separable.

[0081] FIG. 4 shows a diagrammatic view of a distribution system composed of a stack-type arrangement of four flow elements in which all of the connection elements (9) are arranged on the same side. The coupling body (19) is located in the front wall (17) in the extension of the connection elements (9). Here, the emphasis is on the arrangement of the plug-in connectors.

[0082] FIG. 5 shows a diagrammatic view of a distribution system with eight flow elements arranged in a stack with eight capillary cartridges (1-1 to 1-8) surrounded by the plates of the housing wall. Here, the variant is shown with couplings that are individually screwed into place. This arrangement is also suitable for the use of self-locking plug-in connectors.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0083] 1Capillary cassette [0084] 2Base element [0085] 3Capillary line or capillary [0086] 4End piece of the capillary line on inlet side [0087] 5End piece of the capillary line on outlet side [0088] 6,6Securing element in the form of securing groove for accommodating the connection element (9) [0089] 8Channel [0090] 9Connection element [0091] 10Center of the base element [0092] 11,11Outer connection element of the connection element [0093] 12Upper part [0094] 13Removable rear wall [0095] 14Side part [0096] 15Closure of the rear wall, shown as a countersunk screw [0097] 16Lower part [0098] 17Front wall [0099] 18Plug-in part of the coupling [0100] 19Coupling body [0101] 20Outer connection element [0102] 20Outer connection element, embodiment Compression screw [0103] 21Anti-rotation device [0104] 22Sealing element [0105] 23Section of front wall 17 [0106] 24Inner connection element [0107] 24Inner connection element, embodiment Compression screw [0108] 25Groove for securing the connection element [0109] 1-1, 1-2, . . . , 1-8Various capillary cartridges