MODULAR REACTIVE DISTILLATION EMULATION ELEMENTS INTEGRATED WITH INSTRUMENTATION, CONTROL, AND SIMULATION ALGORITHMS

• US 20110061224A1
• Filed: 09/15/2010
• Published: 03/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NRI R&D Patent Licensing, LLC (Advanced Touchscreen and Gesture Technologies, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Lester F. Ludwig
• Inventors: LUDWIG, Lester F.
• Granted Patent: US 8,935,847 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/592.1
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 3/009 in combination with chemical reactions
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 3/02 in boilers or stills
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 3/205 Bubble caps
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 3/32 Other features of fractionating columns ; Constructional details of fractionating columns not provided for in groups B01D3/16 - B01D3/30
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4913 Assembling to base an electrical component, e.g., capacitor, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49137 Different components
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49623 Static structure, e.g., a building component

Abstract

A method for creating laboratory-scale reactive distillation apparatus from provided modular components is described. At least two types of modular distillation column stages are provided. A first type of modular stage comprises two physical interfaces for connection with a respective physical interface of another modular stage. A second type modular stage comprises one such physical interface. At least one type of tray is provided for insertion into the first type of modular stage. A clamping arrangement is provided for joining together two modular stages at their respective physical interfaces for connection to form a joint. The invention provides for at least three modular stages can be joined. At least one sensor or sensor array can be inserted into each modular stage. At least one controllable element can be inserted into each modular stage. The invention provides for study of traditional, advanced, and photochemical types of reactive distillation.

Claims

1. A method for creating laboratory-scale reactive distillation apparatus for use in research and emulation from modular components, the method comprising:

providing at least a first type of modular stage comprising two physical interfaces for connection with a respective physical interface of another modular stage and a second type modular stage comprising one physical interface for connection with the physical interface of another modular stage;

providing a tray element for insertion into the first type of modular stage; and

providing a clamping arrangement for joining together two modular stages at their respective physical interfaces for connection to form a joint,

wherein at least three modular stages are joined, using the clamping arrangement to form each joint.

2. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising of providing at least one sensor for insertion into the first type of modular stage.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the at least one sensor is a temperature sensor.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the at least one sensor is a pressure sensor.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein the at least one sensor comprises a pH sensor.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein the at least one sensor comprises an ion sensor.

7. The method of claim 2 wherein the at least one sensor comprises a spectroscopy sensor.

8. The method of claim 2 wherein the at least one sensor comprises a linear array of a plurality of individual sensors.

9. The method of claim 2 wherein the at least one sensor comprises a two-dimensional lattice array of a plurality of individual sensors.

10. The method of claim 2 wherein the at least one sensor produces measurement data that is transmitted on a network bus.

11. The method of claim 2 wherein the at least one sensor produces measurement data that is transmitted to a computer.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the first type of modular stage comprises a port providing flow connectivity with the interior of the modular stage.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the second type of modular stage comprises a port providing flow connectivity with the interior of the modular stage.

14. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising of providing at least one light source for insertion into the first type of modular stage.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the light source is used as part of a spectroscopy sensor arrangement within the modular stage.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the light source is used to induce photochemical reactions within the modular stage.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein the tray comprises at least one mechanically movable component that can be physically manipulated by a magnetic field.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the magnetic field is produced by an electromagnetic coil.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the electromagnetic coil is controlled by signals received from a network bus.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein the electromagnetic coil is controlled by signals received from a computer.