Direct contact

One disadvantage of fluidized heds is that attrition of the catalyst can cause the generation of catalyst flnes, which are then carried over from the hed and lost from the system. This carryover of catalyst flnes sometimes necessitates cooling the reactor effluent through direct-contact heat transfer hy mixing with a cold fluid, since the fines tend to foul conventional heat exchangers. 

Heat transfer. Once the basic reactor type and conditions have been chosen, heat transfer can be a major problem. Figure 2.11 summarizes the basic decisions which must be made regarding heat transfer. If the reactor product is to be cooled by direct contact with a cold fluid, then use of extraneous materials should be avoided. 

The final restriction of simple columns stated earlier was that they should have a reboiler and a total condenser. It is possible to use materials fiow to provide some of the necessary heat transfer by direct contact. This transfer of heat via direct contact is known as thermal coupling. 

While a superstructure based on the structure in Fig. 16.26 allows for many structural options, it is not comprehensive. Wood, Wilcox, and Grossmanr showed how direct contact heat transfer by mixing at unequal temperatures can be used to decrease the number of units in a heat exchanger network. Floudas, Ciric, and Grossman showed how such features can be included in a heat exchanger network superstructure. Figure 16.27 shows the structure from Fig. 16.26 with possibilities for direct contact heat transfer included. In the... 

Figure 16.27 Possibilities for direct contact heat transfer can be added to the superstructure.

INCOTEST for instance caimot only measure through insulation, but also in direct contact. This makes it a method for wall thickness measurements to... 

Now roll up the Carius tube (while still in a vertical position) in a strip of ordinary thick drying paper, and then place it in the heavy iron protector tube if the Carius tube is too short and tends to disappear within the iron tube, a short section of old glass tubing should first be placed in the iron tube so that the capillary of the Carius tube just projects. The function of the paper is to protect the Carius tubing from being scratched, and also (more important) to prevent the local overheating which would otherwise occur at places where the Carius tube is in direct contact with the iron tube. The sealed tube, throughout its manipulation, should be left as nearly vertical as possible, so that the contents do not leave the rounded end. 

Liquids or solutions of organic substances in organic solvents are usually dried by direct contact with a solid inorganic drying agent. The... 

Syntheses of alkenes with three or four bulky substituents cannot be achieved with an ylide or by a direct coupling reaction. Sterical hindrance of substituents presumably does not allow the direct contact of polar or radical carbon synthons in the transition state. A generally applicable principle formulated by A. Eschenmoser indicates a possible solution to this problem //an intermolecular reaction is complex or slow, it is advisable to change the educt in such a way. that the critical bond formation can occur intramolecularly (A. Eschenmoser, 1970). 

The attenuated total reflectance (ATR) technique is used commonly in the near-infrared for obtaining absorption spectra of thin Aims and opaque materials. The sample, of refractive index i, is placed in direct contact with a material which is transparent in the region of interest, such as thallium bromide/thallium iodide (known as KRS-5), silver chloride or germanium, of relatively high refractive index so that Then, as Figure 3.f8... 

Other Models for Mass Transfer. In contrast to the film theory, other approaches assume that transfer of material does not occur by steady-state diffusion. Rather there are large fluid motions which constantiy bring fresh masses of bulk material into direct contact with the interface. According to the penetration theory (33), diffusion proceeds from the interface into the particular element of fluid in contact with the interface. This is an unsteady state, transient process where the rate decreases with time. After a while, the element is replaced by a fresh one brought to the interface by the relative movements of gas and Uquid, and the process is repeated. In order to evaluate a constant average contact time T for the individual fluid elements is assumed (33). This leads to relations such as... 

Skin redness and from slight to corrosive irritation is caused by direct contact. Acryhc acid is more corrosive than esters. The monomers not only irritate the skin, but may also be absorbed through the skin. Therefore, gloves and protective clothing and shoes or boots should be used in addition to eye (or hiU face) protective equipment. Upon contact, the skin should be flushed with copious amounts of water foUow-up medical attention should be sought. Medical attention should also be obtained if any of the earlier mentioned symptoms appear. 

Another method of moderate dehumidification is by direct contact between the air and cold water using open circuit equipment. An air washer or capillary humidifier maintaining the water at a cold temperature is an example. 

Compounds having low vapor pressures at room temperature are treated in water-cooled or air-cooled condensers, but more volatile materials often requite two-stage condensation, usually water cooling followed by refrigeration. Minimising noncondensable gases reduces the need to cool to extremely low dew points. Partial condensation may suffice if the carrier gas can be recycled to the process. Condensation can be especially helpful for primary recovery before another method such as adsorption or gas incineration. Both surface condensers, often of the finned coil type, and direct-contact condensers are used. Direct-contact condensers usually atomize a cooled, recirculated, low vapor pressure Hquid such as water into the gas. The recycle hquid is often cooled in an external exchanger. 

If condensation requires gas stream cooling of more than 40—50°C, the rate of heat transfer may appreciably exceed the rate of mass transfer and a condensate fog may form. Fog seldom occurs in direct-contact condensers because of the close proximity of the bulk of the gas to the cold-Hquid droplets. When fog formation is unavoidable, it may be removed with a high efficiency mist collector designed for 0.5—5-p.m droplets. Collectors using Brownian diffusion are usually quite economical. If atmospheric condensation and a visible plume are to be avoided, the condenser must cool the gas sufftciendy to preclude further condensation in the atmosphere. 

The scraper or knife discharge consists of a blade that removes the cake from the dmm by direct contact with the filter cake. It is normally used for granular materials with cake thickness greater than about 6 mm. In order not to damage the filter cloth, a safety distance of 1 to 3 mm between the blade and the cloth must be observed. If the residual layer is made not of filter aid but of the product, there is danger of its blocking by fine particles and by successive consoHdation by the scraper blade. 

Direct Contact Heat Exchangers. In a direct contact exchanger, two fluid streams come into direct contact, exchange heat and maybe also mass, and then separate. Very high heat-transfer rates, practically no fouling, lower capital costs, and lower approach temperatures are the principal advantages. 

Concern for personnel exposure to hydrazine has led to several innovations in packaging to minimize direct contact with hydrazine, eg, Olin s E-Z dmm systems. Carbohydrazide was introduced into this market for the same reason it is a soHd derivative of hydrazine, considered safer to handle because of its low vapor pressure. It hydrolyzes to release free hydrazine at elevated temperatures in the boiler. It is, however, fairly expensive and contributes to dissolved soHds (carbonates) in the water (193). In field tests, catalyzed hydrazine outperformed both hydrazine and carbohydrazide when the feedwater oxygen and iron levels were critical (194). A pubUshed comparison is available (195) of these and other proposed oxygen scavengers, eg, diethyUiydroxylarnine, ydroquinone, methyethylketoxime, and isoascorbic acid. 

---