Mixed liquid separator and ship

Abstract

The present invention relates to a liquid separator comprising: an interface suspension, which is filled with a first liquid and a second liquid in half, or is made of a material having a specific gravity equal to half that of the first liquid and the second liquid; a sensor disposed inside or outside a tank containing the first liquid and the second liquid to sense the position of the interface suspension; and a retainer for moving the interface suspension up and down to maintain a distance from the sensor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a liquid separator. Prior Technology

[0002] Not only industrial sites such as factories, construction sites, and ships, but also daily life such as restaurants and households discharge large amounts of wastewater. Wastewater is a mixture of several liquids with different specific gravities, such as oil and water. If such mixtures are discharged without any treatment, they often cause serious damage to the natural ecosystem. Therefore, pretreatment is absolutely necessary before discharging any mixtures into the environment.

[0003] For mixtures with different specific gravities, methods for separating the liquids before mixing include gravity separation, hydraulic separation, and filtration. Gravity separation utilizes the difference in specific gravity; for example, in a mixture of water and oil, the oil floats on the water surface and is then skimmed off with an oil skimmer. Hydraulic separation creates a specific flow pattern (such as a vortex) within a confined space, using centrifugal force and gravity to separate the liquids. Filtration uses filter cloths such as non-woven fabrics to filter one liquid, allowing the remaining liquid to pass through.

[0004] However, while such methods may be applicable depending on the circumstances, they are limited in terms of separation speed, separation volume and separation purity, and require filter replacement or regular cleaning, thus increasing maintenance costs and making continuous separation processing difficult.

[0005] Patents relating to the separation of mixed liquids include Korean Patent No. 10-2200323 and Korean Patent No. 10-2265967.

[0006] To overcome these limitations and weaknesses, the inventors proposed a mixed liquid separator with further improvements in structure and function. [Previous Technical Documents] [Patent Literature]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent No. 10-2200323 [Patent Document 2] Korean Patent No. 10-2265967 Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide an economical and commercially viable mixture separator that can separate mixed liquids with high purity for discharge.

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a liquid separator, wherein the liquid separator comprises: an interface suspension, in which a first liquid and a second liquid each fill 1 / 2, or is made of a material having a specific gravity equal to the average specific gravity of the first liquid and the second liquid; a sensor installed inside or outside a tank containing the first liquid and the second liquid to sense the position of the interface suspension; and a retainer that allows the interface suspension to move up and down while maintaining a distance from the sensor.

[0010] The interface suspension can be a flat plate or a container that can be filled with liquid.

[0011] The container-type interface suspension system is formed by injecting half of the first liquid and half of the second liquid into the interior, without division, or by setting a partition wall to divide the interior of the interface suspension into two halves, with the first liquid injected on one side and the second liquid injected on the other side, or by injecting the first liquid and the second liquid into the two interface suspensions respectively and then tightly binding them together.

[0012] The interface levitation body can be a multi-layered structure differentiated by height, and each layer can be sensed by a sensor.

[0013] The sensor includes: a first sensor responsible for opening and closing a first outlet for draining a first liquid from a water tank; and a second sensor responsible for opening and closing a second outlet for draining a second liquid from a water tank.

[0014] When the interface suspending body has a multi-layer structure, it contains at least three layers: a bottom layer, a middle layer, and a top layer. When the first sensor detects the bottom layer of the interface suspending body, the first valve can be opened. When the second sensor detects the top layer of the interface flotation body, the second valve can be opened.

[0015] The interface suspension, the sensor, and the cage are packaged into a single component, forming a liquid interface recognition module (ISM).

[0016] The interface suspension can be provided as a pair by a separate upper ISM and a lower ISM.

[0017] Guide elements can be installed on the cage to guide the up-and-down movement of the interface suspension.

[0018] The sensor may include: a first sensor responsible for opening and closing a first outlet for discharging a first liquid in a water tank; and a second sensor responsible for opening and closing a second outlet for discharging a second liquid in a water tank, the second outlet being located above the first outlet, the first sensor being installed above the first outlet for discharging the first liquid, and the second sensor being installed below the second outlet for discharging the second liquid.

[0019] The sensor may include: a first sensor responsible for opening and closing a first outlet for discharging a first liquid in a tank; and a second sensor responsible for opening and closing a second outlet for discharging a second liquid in a tank, the second outlet being located above the first outlet, the first sensor being installed below the first outlet for discharging the first liquid, and the second sensor being installed above the second outlet for discharging the second liquid, wherein the interface suspension system is at least sensed by the first sensor when the interface between the first liquid and the second liquid descends, and at least by the second sensor when the interface between the first liquid and the second liquid rises.

[0020] Pumps for pumping the first and second liquids can be installed outside the water tank.

[0021] In addition, the present invention relates to a ship equipped with the above-mentioned liquid separator, which is installed in a storage space formed by the height difference of the outer wall of the ship. The first liquid can be water and the second liquid can be oil. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] According to the present invention, an economical and commercially viable mixture separator is provided that can separate and discharge mixtures with high purity.

[0023] The interfacial suspension of the present invention is manufactured to have an intermediate specific gravity of the mixture, so that its intermediate height can be easily matched with the interface (FC).

[0024] In this invention, by integrating the interface suspension, sensor, and holder into a single unit, it can be quickly installed at the location where the mixture needs to be separated.

[0025] Other benefits of the present invention will become clearer from the description in the following specification. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0026] [Figure 1] is a side view showing the overall structure of the mixture separator of the present invention. [Figure 2] is a schematic diagram of various embodiments of the interface suspension body of the present invention. [Figure 3] is a schematic diagram of various examples of the ISM of the present invention. [Figure 4] is a schematic diagram of an additional embodiment of the interface suspension of the present invention. [Figure 5] is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the mixture separator of the present invention. [Figure 6] is a schematic diagram of the application of the mixture separator of the present invention to a ship. Implementation

[0027] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The advantages and features of the present invention, as well as methods for implementing them, will become more apparent from the embodiments detailed below in conjunction with the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but can be implemented in various different forms, and these embodiments are provided merely to complete the disclosure of the present invention and to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the scope of the invention, which is defined only by the claims. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals denote the same parts.

[0028] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in this specification are to be used in the sense commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Furthermore, terms defined in common dictionaries should not be idealized or over-interpreted unless explicitly defined otherwise. The terminology used in this specification is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the invention. In this specification, the singular form includes the plural form unless otherwise explicitly stated. The use of the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising" as used herein does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, operations, and / or elements.

[0029] Figure 1 is a side view showing the overall structure of the liquid separator 1 of the present invention. The liquid separator 1 includes a separation tank 2. The separation tank 2 should be interpreted broadly as including not only small, portable, indoor, or household separation tanks, but also large industrial containers or outdoor separation tanks. The size, shape, or material of the separation tank 2 does not limit the scope of the invention.

[0030] In the separation tank 2, the lower part is filled with a first liquid L1, which has a higher specific gravity, and the upper part is filled with a second liquid L2, which has a lower specific gravity. When the mixture is filled into the separation tank 2, due to the difference in specific gravity, the first liquid L1 naturally separates to the lower part, and the second liquid L2 naturally separates to the upper part, forming an interface FC between the liquids. For ease of explanation, Figure 1 shows that the first liquid L1 and the second liquid L2 occupy almost the same volume.

[0031] On one side of the separating tank 2, a first outlet 4 is provided at a suitable lower position, and a second outlet 6 is provided at a certain distance above it. A first valve 40 responsible for opening and closing the first outlet 4 is installed at the inlet of the first outlet 4, and a second valve 60 responsible for opening and closing the second outlet 6 is installed at the inlet of the second outlet 6. The first valve 40 is located approximately in the middle of the first liquid L1, and the second valve 60 is located slightly above the total height of the second liquid L2. However, this is just one example, and the installation position is not particularly restricted, as long as the valve height is not too low or too high to obstruct the flow of fluids or make it difficult to mix other liquids. In addition, the first outlet 4 can be installed on the floor instead of the side. A pump (not shown) can be installed behind the valve in the discharge path of the outlet to pump out the liquid.

[0032] The mixture separator 1 of the present invention includes an interface floater 10, a retainer 20 surrounding the interface floater 10, and a sensor 30 for detecting the interface floater 10.

[0033] The interface levitation 10 has a space that can be filled with liquid, and in particular, when the two liquids each occupy half, it can be positioned to align with the interface FC. As shown in the figure, the middle part of the interface levitation 10 is almost completely aligned with the interface FC, so the position of the interface levitation 10 changes accurately according to the height (position) of the interface FC, which changes with the height of the liquid.

[0034] Figure 2 illustrates various embodiments of the interface levitation body 10 of the present invention. The interface levitation body 10 can be made into a flat shape as shown in Figure 2a. It is a solid solid shape made of a material with a specific gravity between that of the first liquid L1 and the second liquid L2. The flat plate is only one example and can be made into various shapes, such as rods or columns. Alternatively, the interface levitation body 10 can also be made into a container shape as shown in Figures 2b to 2d. The container type has a liquid inlet (not shown) through which approximately half the amount of the first liquid L1 and the second liquid L2 can be directly injected on-site and easily positioned at the interface FC.

[0035] Figure 2b shows a simple integral type, without distinguishing the interior of the interface suspension 10, with approximately half of the first liquid L1 and the second liquid L2 injected. Figure 2c shows a separate integral type, in which a partition wall is installed, dividing the interior of the interface suspension 10 into two halves, with the first liquid L1 in the lower part and the second liquid L2 in the upper part. Figure 2d shows a separate and combined type, in which the first liquid L1 and the second liquid L2 are respectively added to two separate interface suspensions 10, and then tightly joined together. By means of this method, the interface suspension 10 of the present invention can be accurately aligned with the interface FC when the two liquids separate due to their specific gravity difference.

[0036] Sensor 30 includes a first sensor 30a and a second sensor 30b. Sensor 30 is disposed between the first outlet 4 and the second outlet 6. The position of the first sensor 30a is not particularly limited, but it is installed at a predetermined distance Da from the upper end of the first outlet 4 to prevent the possibility of other liquid discharge. The position of the second sensor 30b is also not particularly limited, but it is installed at a predetermined distance Db from the lower end of the second outlet 6 to prevent the possibility of other liquid discharge. The figure shows that the sensor 30 is installed outside the separation tank 2, but it can also be installed inside the separation tank 2 as long as it does not interfere with the movement of the interface suspension 10.

[0037] Sensor 30 detects the interface levitation body 10. The interface levitation body 10 becomes an object or a sensing target. Sensor 30 can detect the interface levitation body 10 using an image or a water level measuring device; various types of sensors can be used.

[0038] The first sensor 30a and the second sensor 30b each have a built-in controller, which controls the opening and closing of the first valve 40 and the second valve 60 respectively based on the sensing signal from the interface levitation body 10. The first valve 40 and the second valve 60 are closed by default when power is off, and open by default when power is on. The first sensor 30a closes the first valve 40 when it senses the interface levitation body 10, and the second sensor 30b closes the second valve 60 when it senses the interface levitation body 10. Alternatively, a valve controller independent of the sensor 30 can be set, controlling the opening and closing of the valves based on the signal from the sensor 30.

[0039] The retainer 20 is an interface floater cage (IFC) attached to the side of the separation tank 2 and surrounding the interface floater 10. The retainer 20 provides space for the interface floater 10 and its vertical movement. The interface floater 10 moves vertically within a range at the upper and lower ends of the retainer 20 according to the movement of the interface FC. That is, the retainer 20 defines or limits the range of vertical movement of the interface floater 10. Therefore, even if the interface FC rises above the retainer 20, the height of the interface floater 10 is limited within the retainer 20. As described below, guides can be installed on the retainer 20 to assist the movement of the interface floater 10.

[0040] In this invention, the distance Da associated with the first sensor 30a and the distance Db associated with the second sensor 30b are ideally less than the entire length of the interface levitation body 10. If they are larger, the interface levitation body 10 may be located between the first sensor 30a and the first outlet 4, in which case the first sensor 30a may not be able to recognize the interface levitation body 10 and may not be able to close the first valve 40.

[0041] In this invention, the interface levitation body 10, the retainer 20, and the sensor 30 are characterized as being commercially viable or packaged as a module or component. This component can be properly assembled or disassembled as a unit in any separation tank, and due to its universal availability, it forms a "mixture interface sensing module (ISM)".

[0042] Figure 3 illustrates various examples of the ISM of the present invention.

[0043] Figures 3a and 3b show the type where the retainer 20 does not have the guide 24. Figure 3a is similar to Figure 1 and is an integral type. The "⊂" shaped frame 22 forms the appearance of the retainer 20. Figure 3b shows a separate type, where a pair of retainers 20 and the interface suspension 10 form the ISM. When the distance between the first sensor 30a and the second sensor 30b is relatively short, the integral type is ideal; when the distance between the first sensor 30a and the second sensor 30b is relatively long, the separate type is ideal. In the case of the separate type, it is more reasonable when the distance between the first outlet 4 and the second outlet 6 is relatively long. In addition, the upper ISM and the lower ISM can be separated and configured in relatively free locations, thus providing a higher degree of freedom than the integral type.

[0044] Figures 3c and 3d show a cage 20 with one side formed as a guide 24 or a guide 24 installed inside the cage, allowing the interface levitation 10 to move along the guide 24. Figure 3c shows the integral type, and Figure 3d shows the separate type.

[0045] Next, an additional embodiment of the interface suspension body 10 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG4.

[0046] As shown in the figure, the interface suspension 10 can be divided into five layers in sequence from the bottom: a first layer 10a, a second layer 10b, a third layer 10c, a fourth layer 10d, and a fifth layer 10e. The opening and closing of the first valve 40 and the second valve 60 are adjusted according to which layer is sensed by the sensor 30.

[0047] The first layer 10a, the second layer 10b, and the third layer 10c form a first region 10A. The first region 10A is the area associated with the first liquid L1 and is the area where the first valve 40 is identified and controlled by the first sensor 30a. Specifically, when the first sensor 30a detects the first layer 10a, it opens the first valve 40, or, if already open, remains open. The second layer 10b is a resting area; even if the first sensor 30a detects it, the first valve 40 will not activate, maintaining its previous state. The second layer 10b is used to prevent unnecessary repeated opening and closing of the first valve 40. The height of the second layer 10b can be appropriately determined according to the liquid volume. When the first sensor 30a detects the third layer 10c, it closes the first valve 40, or, if already closed, remains closed. This is because when the third layer 10c is located on the sensor, the distance between the second liquid L2 and the first outlet 4 becomes closer, causing the second liquid L2 to flow into the first outlet 4.

[0048] In any case, the total length of the first region 10A must be longer than the distance Da set to the first sensor 30a.

[0049] Similarly, the third layer 10c, the fourth layer 10d, and the fifth layer 10e form the second region 10B. The second region 10B is the area associated with the second liquid L2, and is the area identified by the second sensor 30b and controlled by the second valve 60. Specifically, when the second sensor 30b detects the fifth layer 10e, it opens the second valve 60, or, if it is already open, it remains open. The fourth layer 10d is a rest area; even if the second sensor 30b detects this area, the second valve 60 will not activate. When the second sensor 30b detects the third layer 10c, it closes the second valve 60, or, if it is already closed, it remains closed.

[0050] In any case, the total length of the second region 10B must be longer than the distance Db set to the second sensor 30b.

[0051] When the interface levitation 10 has a multi-layered structure as described above, each layer can have a different color, allowing the sensor 30 to read the color to determine which layer has been detected. Alternatively, various modifications can be made, such as implanting, coating, or embedding a unique identifier on each layer or the dividing lines between layers, so that the sensor 30 can identify it. The interface levitation 10 can be subdivided into more than five layers or the number of layers can be reduced. Even with a reduced number of layers, at least a three-layer structure of a top layer, a bottom layer, and an intermediate layer is required.

[0052] Next, referring to FIG5, another embodiment of the present invention will be described, wherein the retainer 20 is formed to be longer than the outlet, and the interface suspension 10 is manufactured to be longer.

[0053] The difference from the embodiment in Figure 1 is that the holder 20 is mounted at a higher height to accommodate the mounting lengths of the first outlet 4 and the second outlet 6. Importantly, the interface levitation body 10 is manufactured to be longer. In this case, the first sensor 30a is positioned below the first outlet 4, and the second sensor 30b is positioned above the second outlet 6.

[0054] Then, as shown in Figure 5a, when interface FC is located on the first outlet 4, the first sensor 30a detects the interface suspension 10, thereby controlling the first valve 40 to prevent the second liquid L2 from being discharged through the first outlet 4. For this purpose, for example, when using the multi-layer structure of the interface suspension 10 of Figure 4, the first sensor 30a should be installed within a distance that is at least able to detect the range from the first layer 10a to the third layer 10c.

[0055] Similarly, as shown in Figure 5b, when interface FC is located below the second outlet 6, the second sensor 30b detects the interface suspension 10, thereby controlling the second valve 60 to prevent the first liquid L1 from being discharged through the second outlet 6. For this purpose, for example, when using the multi-layer structure of the interface suspension 10 of Figure 4, the second sensor 30b should be installed within a distance that is at least able to detect the range from the third layer 10c to the fifth layer 10e.

[0056] It should be understood that the embodiment of Figure 5 is advantageously applicable to the split configuration illustrated in Figure 3.

[0057] The liquid separator 1 of the present invention can be applied to various fields. Besides indoor separators for household use, it can also be used as a sludge separation device in factory drainage systems, a purifier that separates waste oil and cutting oil based on their specific gravity difference, or a waste oil filtration device installed in facilities such as gas stations. Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to cleaning up oil spills from tankers and other vessels. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the liquid separator 1 of the present invention applied to vessels such as oil recovery ships.

[0058] For ships, the bow section, due to its height difference, forms a storage space that can be used as a separation tank 2. A mixture of water and oil flows in through inlet 70. Efficiency is further enhanced if the space formed at the bow is preceded by a bow section with automatic height adjustment. The heavier water is separated into a first liquid L1, and the lighter oil is separated into a second liquid L2. Using the method described above, the first sensor 30a and the second sensor 30b, via the interface levitation body 10, sense each of the first liquid L1 and the second liquid L2 to control the opening and closing of the first valve 40 and the second valve 60.

[0059] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is obvious that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention, and the scope of the present invention covers the same or equivalent fields as the scope of the claims.

[0060] 1: Mixture Separator 2: Separation tank 4: First row of exits 6: Second row exit 10: Interface Floating Body 20: Cage (IFC) 22: "⊂" shaped frame 24: Suspension Guide 30: Suspension Sensor 30a: First sensor 30b: Second sensor 40: First valve 60: Second valve 70: Inlet Da: Distance Db: Distance FC: Interface L1: High specific gravity first liquid L2: Low specific gravity second liquid

Claims

1. A liquid separator, characterized in that the liquid separator comprises: an interfacial suspension, wherein a first liquid and a second liquid each fill 1 / 2 of the space, or is made of a material having a specific gravity equal to the average specific gravity of the first liquid and the second liquid; a sensor, installed inside or outside a tank containing the first liquid and the second liquid, for sensing the position of the interfacial suspension; and a retainer, allowing the interfacial suspension to move vertically and maintaining a distance from the sensor; the interfacial suspension may be a multi-layered structure differentiated by height, and each layer is sensed by the sensor; the sensor includes: The first sensor is responsible for opening and closing the first outlet for discharging the first liquid from the water tank. The system includes a second sensor responsible for opening and closing a second outlet for discharging a second liquid from a water tank; the multi-layered structure of the interface suspension comprises at least three layers: a bottom layer, a middle layer, and a top layer; when the first sensor detects the bottom layer of the interface suspension, the first valve is opened; when the second sensor detects the top layer of the interface suspension, the second valve is opened; the middle layer provides a resting range that does not change the actuation of the first or second valve even if detected by either the first or second sensor; a retainer restricts the interface suspension to maintain a horizontal distance from the sensor and moves only between the detection ranges of the first and second sensors in the vertical direction, thereby preventing the interface suspension from moving above the detection range of the second sensor and opening the second valve to discharge the first liquid into the second valve.

2. The mixture separator as described in claim 1, wherein, The interface suspension is either a flat plate or a container that can be filled with liquid.

3. The mixture separator as described in claim 2, wherein, The container-type interface suspension system is formed by injecting half of the first liquid and half of the second liquid into the interior, without division, or by setting a partition wall to divide the interior of the interface suspension into two halves, with the first liquid injected on one side and the second liquid injected on the other side, or by injecting the first liquid and the second liquid into the two interface suspensions respectively and then tightly binding them together.

4. The mixture separator as described in claim 1, wherein, The interface levitation body, the sensor, and the cage are packaged into a single component to form a liquid interface recognition module (ISM).

5. The mixture separator as described in claim 4, wherein, The interface suspension system is provided as a pair by the separate upper ISM and lower ISM.

6. The mixture separator as described in claim 1, wherein, The cage is equipped with guides to guide the up-and-down movement of the interface suspension.

7. The mixture separator as described in claim 1, wherein, The second outlet is located above the first outlet. The first sensor is installed above the first outlet that discharges the first liquid, and the second sensor is installed below the second outlet that discharges the second liquid.

8. A vessel characterized by being equipped with a mixture separator as described in claim 1, the mixture separator being installed in a storage space formed by the height difference of the hull walls, wherein the first liquid is water and the second liquid is oil.

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