Structural Optimization of a Gas Distributor of Vertical Adsorption Tower Based on CFD

doi:10.12422/j.issn.1672-6952.2025.02.008

Abstract

Abstract:

The vertical adsorption tower is crucial for carbon dioxide removal from flue gas, but its complex and variable adsorption process poses challenges for optimal production. Achieving uniform gas distribution is essential, prompting the evaluation of various gas distributors via computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Four types were compared: no distributor, conical, truncated cone, and a combination of sieve plate with baffle. Results were assessed based on velocity vector smoothness and curve uniformity. A single sieve plate resulted in non?uniform airflow concentrated at the tower center. Types Ⅰ and Ⅱ improved flow but with uneven distribution. Type Ⅲ, featuring a sieve plate and baffle, significantly enhanced uniformity. Optimal parameters identified were a baffle diameter (d) of 100 mm and a distance (h) of 150 mm from sieve plate to air inlet. This configuration achieved the most uniform airflow distribution, demonstrating superior effectiveness in carbon dioxide adsorption processes.

Key words: Vertical adsorption tower, Gas distributor, CFD, Numerical simulation

摘要：

立式吸附塔对烟气中二氧化碳的脱除至关重要，但其复杂多变的吸附过程对优化生产提出了挑战，因此实现气体的均匀分布至关重要。通过计算流体力学(CFD)，对各种气体分布器进行评估，并比较了无分布器、圆锥形分布器（Ⅰ型气体分布器）、圆台形分布器（Ⅱ型气体分布器）及筛板加挡板的组合型气体分布器（Ⅲ型气体分布器）的性能；根据速度矢量平滑度和曲线均匀性对实验结果进行了评价。结果表明，单一筛板的不均匀气流集中在塔中心；Ⅰ型气体分布器和Ⅱ型气体分布器可改善气流流通的均匀性，但效果仍不理想；Ⅲ型气体分布器的气流均匀性显著提高；在挡板直径（d）为100 mm、筛板与挡板的距离（h）为150 mm时，气流分布最均匀，对二氧化碳的吸附效果好。

关键词: 立式吸附塔, 气体分布器, 计算流体力学, 数值模拟

CLC Number:

TQ546.5

Bingchao GUO, Yongfei YAN, Cunlei LI, Yiwan NING, Feng GU. Structural Optimization of a Gas Distributor of Vertical Adsorption Tower Based on CFD[J]. Journal of Liaoning Petrochemical University, 2025, 45(2): 61-67.

郭丙超, 晏永飞, 李存磊, 宁亿万, 古峰. 基于CFD的立式吸附塔内气体分布器的结构优化[J]. 辽宁石油化工大学学报, 2025, 45(2): 61-67.

Figures/Tables 10

Fig.1 Simple composition diagram of the adsorption tower

Table 1 The structural dimensions of the vertical adsorption tower

参数	数值	参数	数值
吸附塔直径/mm	600	吸附塔高度/mm	1 800
进气口直径/mm	80	进气口长度/mm	100
出气口直径/mm	80	出气口长度/mm	100
吸附塔壁厚/mm	10	分布器焊接厚度/mm	20

Fig.2 Geometry of a gas sparger

Fig.3 Grid division

Fig.4 Velocity contour without gas distributor

Fig.5 Vector diagram of the velocity of the three gas spargers

Fig.6 The velocity curve of the cross?section on the sieve plate of the three gas distributors

Fig.7 Structural diagram of the distributor with different distances between the baffle and the sieve plate

Fig.8 The distance between the baffle and the sieve plate affects the axial velocity of the flow field inside the vertical adsorption tower

Fig.9 The influence of the diameter of the baffle on the axial velocity of the flow field inside the vertical adsorption tower

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