Valero Energy has been granted a patent for a modular sieve tray assembly designed for liquid-liquid treating columns. This innovative design features raised inlet and outlet downcomer assemblies that enhance liquid contacting efficiency and increase surface area for light liquid upflow. GlobalData’s report on Valero Energy gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Valero Energy, was a key innovation area identified from patents. Valero Energy's grant share as of June 2024 was 34%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Improved sieve tray assembly for liquid-liquid contacting columns
The patent US12005375B2 describes a liquid-liquid contacting column designed for efficient separation processes. The column features multiple sieve tray assemblies, each consisting of a sieve deck with numerous perforations, along with an inlet downcomer assembly and an outlet downcomer assembly, both positioned above the sieve deck. Notably, the radially outer portions of these assemblies are located inward from the circumferential edge of the sieve deck, enhancing the design's compactness. The column can accommodate between 2 to 100 sieve tray assemblies, with alternating alignments that rotate each assembly 180° relative to the one above it. The uppermost inlet downcomer assembly connects to a heavy liquid source, while the lower-most outlet downcomer pipe is linked to a heavy liquid outlet.
Additional features of the column include the potential for risers in the downcomer assemblies to elevate them above the sieve deck, ensuring optimal flow dynamics. The sieve deck area beneath these risers is also perforated to facilitate liquid movement. Support rings are incorporated to connect the sieve decks to the column's inner wall, providing structural integrity. The design allows for flexibility in the shape of the downcomer assemblies, which can be chord-shaped, c-shaped, rounded, modified arc-shaped, square, or rectangular. The positioning of the downcomer assemblies, either abutting or positioned radially inward from the column wall, further contributes to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the liquid-liquid contacting process.
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GlobalData’s Patent Analytics tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
