Droplet separator

Abstract

The invention relates to a separation device (10) for separating droplets and particles from a gas flow (42) having a directional component upward in a substantially vertical direction, the separation device (10) comprising at least one separator stage (14), the at least one separator stage (14) comprises at least one separator layer (34) having a plurality of elongate separator elements (66) arranged parallel to each other, and wherein the separator elements (66) of the at least one separator stage (14) are arranged to be inclined in a first region in its longitudinal orientation with respect to the horizontal direction in at least one inclined direction, and wherein the separator elements (66) of the at least one separator stage (14) are arranged to be inclined in a second region in its longitudinal orientation with respect to the horizontal direction in at least one inclined direction. The separation device (10) has a flushing device by means of which a flushing liquid can be applied to at least some of the obliquely arranged separator elements (66), and wherein a bottom end region of the separator elements (66) of the at least one separator stage (14) in the vertical direction leads to a collection basin (28) arranged in the gas flow (42), and wherein the gas flow (42) is separated from the gas flow (42). The collecting basin (28) has a valve (52) in the bottom region (68), which valve (52) controls the outlet opening (70) and is accessible to an open position releasing the outlet opening (70) and a closed position at least partially closing the outlet opening (70).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a separation device in a gas flow channel and to a flue gas cleaning system having a separation device according to the invention.

[0002] Separation devices of the general type, in particular such separation devices with separator layers and separator layers with rod-shaped separator elements or corresponding tubular separator elements arranged parallel to each other, are often used in flue gas cleaning systems, in particular flue gas desulfurization systems. Before the flue gas is treated with the separation device, the flue gas is cleaned in the flue gas cleaning system, usually by a wet scrubbing method, in particular to remove sulfur dioxide (SO2) from the flue gas. The cleaned gas is then directed to the separation device so that the remaining particles and droplets are removed from the gas flow after wet scrubbing in the gas flow. Usually, the separation device of the general type is arranged in a vertical gas flow directed from the bottom to the top, so that the particles and droplets collected on the separator elements can fall or fall accordingly against the gas flow under the action of gravity. In the case where the orientation of the separator layer is appropriately deflected downward or tilted accordingly in the vertical direction, the liquid can flow downward along the separator elements of the separator layer under the action of gravity and continue to fall downward in the form of strands. Below the separation device, the falling or downwardly flowing particles and droplets are usually collected in a so-called scrubber sump.

[0003] Particles in the separation process, in particular particles adhering to the separator elements, often lead to contamination of the separation device. Therefore, it is usually provided that flushing liquid is applied to the device, in particular the separator layer, at regular cleaning intervals. This discontinuous application of liquid is usually performed during ongoing operation, i.e. when the gas stream flows through the separation device. If the flow rate of the treated gas between the separator elements is low enough, the liquid thus accumulated on the separator elements can fall or flow downwards accordingly and be captured in the scrubber sump.

[0004] In order to separate very small particles, for example particles in the range of less than 15 μm, a liquid can be applied to at least some of the separator elements or the corresponding separator layers, including continuously. The application of the liquid is usually performed through a nozzle to achieve continuous wetting of the separator elements and thereby promote effective cleaning or corresponding particle separation.

[0005] Separation devices for removing particles and liquid droplets from a gas stream are known, for example, from DE 10 2006 004 723 A1, WO 1996 024 429 A1 and WO 2007 104 284 A2.

[0006] In the separation of very small particle sizes and in particular at high velocities between the separator elements which reach or respectively exceed the so-called overflow point of the separator stage, it can happen that the liquid film flowing out of the separator element is blocked by the gas flow and that larger droplets are detached from the liquid film by the gas flow and conveyed upwards in the direction of the outlet of the separator device. This operating mode can lead to failure of the entire separator device.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a separation device of the initially described type which can operate efficiently even when the separator element is at or above the overflow point at a given vertical gas flow.

[0008] This object is achieved by a separation device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0009] The invention is based on the concept of guiding the falling liquid droplets along the inclined separator elements against the flow direction of the gas to be treated and collecting them in a collecting basin arranged in the flow channel. From the collecting basin, the liquid can be discharged in a controlled manner in the scrubber or, respectively, in the scrubber sump.

[0010] The separation device according to the invention is used for separating droplets and particles from a gas flow having a directional component facing upward in a substantially vertical direction, wherein the separation device comprises at least one separator stage, the at least one separator stage comprising at least one separator layer having a plurality of elongated separator elements arranged parallel to one another, and wherein the separator elements of at least one separator stage are arranged in a first region so as to be inclined in at least one inclined direction in their longitudinal orientation relative to the horizontal direction, and wherein the separation device has a flushing device, by means of which flushing liquid can be applied to at least some of the inclined separator elements, and wherein the bottom end region of the separator elements of at least one separator stage in the vertical direction leads to a collecting basin arranged in the gas flow, and wherein the collecting basin has a valve in the bottom region which controls an outlet opening and which can be moved into an open position which releases the outlet opening and into a closed position which at least partially closes the outlet opening.

[0011] The collecting basin is preferably designed so that a certain amount of liquid can be discharged at different discharge rates. The first amount of liquid produced during the cleaning flushing of the rear side (i.e., the side facing away from the gas flow) of the separator element of the separator layer is generally much larger than the amount of liquid produced during the continuous spraying of the separator element. Therefore, the size of the outlet opening can be designed for larger amounts of liquid to prevent the collecting basin from overflowing. However, therefore, when there is a small amount of liquid, a liquid level will not be formed in the collecting basin, and the gas flowing to the collecting basin from below in a vertical direction can penetrate the collecting basin through the outlet opening and bypass the separator stage of the separation device leading to the collecting basin.

[0012] Regarding the terms “vertical” and “horizontal”, it should be noted that a “vertical” direction indicates a direction upward or respectively downward along the orientation of gravitational acceleration, and “horizontal” indicates an orientation extending perpendicularly to this direction.

[0013] The separation device according to the invention is preferably arranged in a gas flow flowing upwards substantially in the vertical direction. However, for the separation device to function, it is sufficient if the gas flow to be treated has a directional component directed upwards in the vertical direction, so that in the case of an inclined arrangement of the separator element according to the invention, the liquid can flow out of the separator element under the effect of gravity in the direction of the collecting basin according to the invention.

[0014] The flushing device is preferably designed such that both a continuous spraying of the separator element by the first liquid supply and a cleaning flushing of the separator element with a larger liquid supply than the continuous spraying can be performed at certain points during operation of the separation device.

[0015] According to the invention, an outlet opening controlled by means of a valve is arranged in the bottom region of the collecting basin. Preferably, the valve according to the invention is designed so that the outlet opening is only partially closed by the valve being in the closed position. This can allow a first amount of liquid collected in the collecting basin (e.g. a first amount of liquid from a separator layer arranged above the collecting basin which is continuously sprayed) to flow out continuously but accumulate in the process, so that a liquid seal of the outlet opening is formed, which prevents the penetration of gases flowing from below to the collecting basin.

[0016] The valve can also be designed such that it can be moved into an open position releasing the outlet opening when a relatively large amount of liquid has accumulated in the collecting basin, for example in the case of a cleaning flushing of the separation device or a corresponding separator layer arranged above the collecting basin. This prevents overflow of the collecting basin even when there is an accumulation of relatively large amounts of water.

[0017] In particular, for use in flue gas cleaning systems in which the separation device is typically exposed to a corrosive and pollutant-laden environment or for processing other aggressive and / or fouling-laden gases, the valve according to the invention should resist corrosive and / or pollutant-intensive influences caused by liquids or gases in contact with the valve.

[0018] With regard to the design of the separation device, it can be provided according to a preferred variant that the device comprises at least two separator stages at a distance from each other. At least one separator stage whose separator elements arranged obliquely according to the invention lead to the collection basin according to the invention is preferably designed as a collector stage, the separator elements of which are preferably designed in the shape of a rod or a tube. Another separator stage, in particular another separator stage arranged in the vertical direction above the separator stage according to the invention, can have separator elements arranged obliquely in at least one first region. The separator elements of the second separator stage can be arranged obliquely in different directions, i.e., arranged obliquely in a V-shaped shape that is open upward or open downward. It is also conceivable that all separator elements of the second separator stage are arranged obliquely in only one direction, i.e., arranged obliquely in a plane oriented obliquely relative to the horizontal direction, and therefore extend obliquely downward from one side wall or extend upward to the opposite side wall accordingly. Last but not least, it is conceivable that the additional separator stage has separator elements arranged horizontally or correspondingly flat, i.e., arranged flatly. When a two-stage separator or a multi-stage separator is present, the first separator stage in the direction of the gas flow is preferably a concentrator operating at or above the overflow point, and the second separator stage arranged above the first separator stage in the vertical direction is preferably designed as a lamellar droplet separator.

[0019] Preferably, the separation device according to the invention is designed as a module, so that a system comprising a plurality of separation devices can also comply with the invention. The idea is that the separation devices are arranged adjacent to each other in a flow channel transverse to the flow direction of the gas flow, so that the gas flow introduced into the flow channel is guided through the separation devices.

[0020] With regard to the separator stage according to the invention, it is conceived that the separator elements are arranged to be inclined in another inclined direction in the second region, in particular so that the separator elements of at least one separator stage are arranged approximately in a V-shaped shape. If the separator elements are inclined in different directions, the path followed by the droplets in their route along the separator element to the end region of the separator element can be reduced. This can prevent the formation of larger droplets along the separator element, or correspondingly can reduce the probability that the droplets are captured by the gas flow in their route along the separator element and carried upwards in the direction of the outlet of the separation device.

[0021] The upwardly open V-shaped arrangement of the separator elements has the following advantages: a common collection basin can be provided for two separator elements that are each inclined in different directions. Therefore, according to a preferred embodiment, the idea is that the lower end regions of the separator elements arranged to be inclined in different directions, each in the vertical direction, lead to the collection basin at a common valley point. It is also possible to envision a downwardly open V-shaped arrangement of the separator elements. It can be provided that each bottom end region of the bottom end region of the separator element in the vertical direction leads to a different collection basin. In this case, it is particularly conceivable that the collection basin is arranged laterally in the vicinity of the lateral wall region of the separation device. Last but not least, it is also conceivable that the separator elements of the separator layers of at least one separator stage and / or another separator stage according to the present invention extend in a common plane inclined relative to the horizontal direction and are therefore arranged to be inclined from one side wall to the opposite side wall. The bottom end region can lead to a collection basin arranged laterally near the side wall.

[0022] With regard to the embodiment of the separator element of at least one separator stage according to the present invention, the separator element is preferably designed as a tubular, wherein a corresponding rod-shaped design (with a complete cross section) is also possible. The outer shape of the separator element is not limited to a circular cross section. However, the outer shape should promote the cleaning effect achieved by the downwardly flowing water, wherein, in particular in order to avoid the dripping edge, there should be a flow around the entire circumference of the separator element. Preferably, the separator element is therefore designed as a circular or elliptical shape in cross section. A rectangular or correspondingly square cross-sectional shape is also possible.

[0023] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it can be provided that at least some of the separator elements of the oblique arrangement of at least one separator stage have a discharge channel leading to a collection basin, in particular a discharge channel in the form of a discharge channel closed in the vertical direction at the bottom. For this purpose, some separator elements can be shell-shaped, in particular semicircular, in cross section. By means of such a discharge channel, droplets falling from above the separator element, for example, separated from the gas flow at the separator stage arranged above, a liquid film flowing downwardly on the separator element, or a flushing liquid guided from above to the separator element can be collected and guided to the collection basin. Therefore, the liquid guided to the discharge channel, in particular the liquid accumulated in large quantities during the flushing process, can be discharged into the collection basin according to the present invention under the action of gravity, without being affected by the gas flow flowing from below to the separator element. This can prevent the droplets from being separated from the liquid flowing out of the separator element by the gas flow before the liquid enters the collection basin according to the present invention and being transported back upwardly toward the outlet of the separation device.

[0024] The design of the discharge channel in the separator element has the disadvantage that the outside of the separator element is not subjected to a strong flushing effect or a corresponding cleaning effect when liquid from above contacts the separator element, because the liquid is collected in the discharge channel and removed. This disadvantage can be compensated if the flushing device is designed such that the flushing liquid is applied to at least some of the separator elements, in particular some of the separator elements equipped with the discharge channel, from bottom to top during the cleaning step, i.e. in the direction of the gas flow.

[0025] A discharge channel may also be formed in the separator element. The idea is that the separator element is designed in the form of a closed tube, wherein each of these tubular separator elements has at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening for liquid that strikes the separator element from above. In doing so, at least a portion of the liquid that strikes the separator element from above can enter the interior of the separator element and be removed therein.

[0026] According to an advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the valve is designed as a floating valve having a valve seat arranged on the bottom of the collecting basin and a floating body which at least partially closes the valve seat in the closed position of the valve. In particular, it can be provided that the floating body is designed as a rollable body, in particular spherical. Any substantially rollable shape of the floating body is conceivable in this embodiment. Preferably, the floating body is designed as a floating ball.

[0027] The idea of ​​this embodiment is that in the collecting basin of the separation device according to the invention a floating body is introduced as the valve body of the valve, by means of which the outlet opening is released or respectively at least partially closed in the open position or closed position of the valve, depending on the filling level in the collecting basin. If the bottom of the collecting basin is inclined on all sides and the outlet opening is arranged at a common valley point, the rollable floating body can always roll towards the outlet opening when contacting the bottom of the collecting basin. The size and buoyancy of the outlet opening and the rollable floating body can be designed so that the floating body only partially closes the outlet opening when a small amount of liquid accumulates in the collecting basin. This can significantly prevent the gas flow from penetrating through the outlet opening.

[0028] When a larger amount of liquid accumulates, for example during cleaning and rinsing of the separator element, the floating ball is lifted by the liquid level that has built up and thereby releases the entire outlet opening. When the spray is switched off, the liquid level drops and the ball rolls back on the inclined bottom area of ​​the collecting basin towards the outlet opening to at least partially close the outlet opening in the closed position.

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the bottom of the collecting basin is shaped such that at least a portion of the liquid collected in the collecting basin moves under the effect of gravity in the direction of the outlet opening controlled by the valve when the valve is in the open position and in particular also when the valve is in the closed position. In particular, it is provided that the liquid moving towards the outlet opening flows downwardly out of the collecting basin through the outlet opening both in the open position and in the closed position, wherein in this particular embodiment the outlet opening is only partially closed in the closed position, so that the discharge rate is reduced compared to the open position.

[0030] In one embodiment, the idea is that the valve is designed as a valve that can be actuated in a controlled manner and can be brought into an open position and / or a closed position by means of a controllable drive. In this variant of a valve that can be actuated in a controlled manner, i.e. in particular independently of the liquid level in the collecting basin, it can be provided, for example, that the valve can be hydraulically or pneumatically brought into an open position and / or a closed position by means of a cylinder drive or by means of a drivable linkage or another suitable valve drive.

[0031] In a preferred variant of the valve which can be controlled in a controlled manner or respectively actuated manually, it can be provided that the cylinder drive is designed as a hydraulic drive and wherein preferably a flushing liquid which is provided to flush or respectively spray the separator element can be used as hydraulic fluid or cylinder drive.

[0032] Supplying the flushing liquid as a force transmission medium to the valve drive makes it very easy to incorporate the valve in the separation device according to the present invention. In general devices, it is usually easy to implement a supply line for the flushing liquid. In this embodiment, no other medium pipelines need to be provided in addition to the supply line for the flushing liquid. When the cylinder drive is appropriately connected to the supply line used for the flushing liquid for cleaning flushing, it is conceivable that the valve enters the open position when pressure is applied to the supply line in order to start the cleaning flushing process of the separation device. The cleaning flushing of the separation device will simultaneously cause the valve to enter its open position, so as to reduce the outlet opening of the collection basin for the increased liquid throughput. In addition, it can be provided that the valve is pressed into the closed position by a restoring force. After the end of the cleaning flushing, that is, when the pressure escapes from the supply line for the flushing liquid, the valve is forced back to its closed position by the restoring force, whereby the outlet opening is at least partially closed again. The restoring force can be generated, for example, by a weight, by a spring element or by another elastic element or by a compressible medium.

[0033] According to the invention, the separation device according to the invention is designed so that the collecting basin has an opening in its bottom region, by means of which the liquid collected in the collecting basin can be discharged continuously downwards out of the collecting basin against the gas flow independently of the open and closed position of the valve.

[0034] In an advantageous embodiment, it is contemplated that the opening is formed by the outlet opening of the valve.Alternatively, the opening can also be arranged remote from the location of the outlet opening controlled by the valve, at another location in the basin bottom.

[0035] In order to prevent the accumulation of contaminants in the collecting basin, it can be provided that the flushing device is designed and constructed such that the collecting basin can be flushed inside. For example, flushing of the collecting basin can be performed by means of a flushing nozzle arranged directly above the flushing basin. The flushing nozzle can be designed and constructed such that a flushing jet with a flushing liquid, in particular a conical shape, can be discharged into the collecting basin, with which contaminants on the inner wall of the collecting basin and / or in the region of the outlet opening can be loosened and flushed away.

[0036] In particular, the outlet opening in the collecting basin is a bottleneck which can be blocked by fallen gypsum deposits, for example when used in flue gas desulfurization systems. It can therefore be provided that the collecting basin is cleaned during the flushing process, in particular by means of a nozzle which injects a spray cone of a spray jet into the interior of the collecting basin. Flat jet nozzles are particularly suitable for this purpose, since they generate particularly high pulses for dissolving any deposits.

[0037] According to an advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that at least one additional separator stage is arranged in the vertical direction above at least one separator stage. This last stage in the flow direction can be used to separate very small droplets and particles from the gas flow. Therefore, this last stage can be designed as a droplet separator with a separator element, which is designed as a lamellar separator. As already mentioned, the separation device according to the invention preferably has at least a first separator stage and a second separator stage, wherein it will be understood that three or more separator stages can also be arranged in the separation device.

[0038] It can also be provided that at least one additional separator stage is arranged in the vertical direction below the at least one separator stage. The first stage viewed in the flow direction can serve for the basic cleaning of the gas flow introduced into the separation device.

[0039] Finally, the flue gas cleaning system according to the invention has at least one separating device according to one of the embodiments described above. Advantages and possible embodiments of the flue gas cleaning system according to the invention are to be found in particular in the description of the separating device according to the invention.

[0040] The present invention will be described in detail below based on exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Shown in the accompanying drawings are:

[0041] Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a separation device according to the present invention;

[0042] Figure 2a Yes Figure 1 Schematic side view of a collecting basin in which the valve of the first variant is in the closed position,

[0043] Figure 2b Yes Figure 1 Schematic side view of a collection basin in which Figure 2a The valve of the medium variant is in the open position,

[0044] Figure 3a Yes Figure 1 Schematic side view of a collecting basin in which the valve of the second variant is in a closed position,

[0045] Figure 3b Yes Figure 1 Schematic side view of a collection basin in which Figure 3a The valve of the medium variant is in the open position, and

[0046] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Schematic illustration of a collecting bowl of a , wherein a flushing nozzle is arranged above the collecting bowl.

[0047] Figure 1 Schematically shown is a separation device 10 according to the invention and a gas flow 42 flowing into the separation device from below in a vertical direction, passing through the device and leaving the device as an outflow gas flow 44 flowing upward out of the separation device 10. The separation device 10 of the variant shown comprises a first (bottom) separator stage 12, a second (middle) separator stage 14 and a third (top) separator stage 16. In the variant shown, the separator stages 12, 14 and 16 each comprise two separator layers 30, 32; 34, 36 and 38, 40. At least the separator layers 34 and 36 of the middle separator stage 14 have individual elongated, in particular rod-shaped, separator elements 66 arranged parallel to one another, such as Figures 2a to 3b As shown in .

[0048] The rod-shaped separator elements 66 of the intermediate separator stage 14 are arranged offset relative to one another (see Figures 2a to 3b ) so that the separator elements 66 overlap in the direction of gas flow (from bottom to top) and form a tortuous flow path between the separator elements 66.

[0049] The separator layers 34 and 36 of the intermediate separator stage 14 each have a separator element 66 which is inclined in the direction of the slightly centrally arranged collecting basin 28. The separator elements 66 of the intermediate separator stage 14 are therefore arranged in a slightly V-shaped manner. In the example shown, the separator elements 66 are arranged approximately at a common valley point in the middle of the module housing 46 of the separator device 10, and open into the collecting basin 28. The rinsing liquid which is discharged from the nozzles 22 of the rinsing device from above in the direction of the separator element 66 or, respectively, from below in the direction of the separator element 66 by means of the nozzles 20 is caught on the separator element 66 and flows out of the separator element 66 under the action of gravity in the direction of the collecting basin 28 and is collected in the collecting basin 28.

[0050] Additional separator stages 12 and 16 can be provided, and flushing liquid can also be applied to the separator stages 12 and 16 using the nozzle 18 or the corresponding nozzles 24 and 26. The flushing nozzles 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 are each supplied with flushing liquid via a supply line 72. In the example shown, the supply line 72 extends approximately transversely to the gas flow direction and laterally adjoins the housing 46 of the separation device 10. It can be provided that the nozzles 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 are integrated into the supply line 72 or are carried by the supply line 72. In the present case, the additional separator stage 16 is shown with two separator layers 38, 40. In a preferred embodiment, the additional separator stage is designed as a lamellar separator, in particular a lamellar separator having only one single separator layer.

[0051] Independently of the exemplary embodiment shown, it can be provided that preferably rods or corresponding tubes are used as elongated separator elements 66, which are arranged at a certain distance from each other in order to produce the desired focusing effect. When two or more separator layers are used as two separator layers 34, 36, the separator elements 66 of at least two separator layers 34, 36 should be arranged offset from each other in the operating position, i.e. the separator elements 66 overlap in the gas flow direction, so as to achieve the desired deflection effect of the gas flow 42, 44. It can also be provided that the distance of the separator layers 34, 36 relative to each other and / or the orientation of the separator layers 34, 36 relative to each other in the vertical direction (degree of overlap) can be changed, in particular can be adjusted without tools and / or with an adjustment drive (not shown).

[0052] Figure 2a and Figure 2b by Figure 1 The side view in the viewing direction 2-2 schematically shows Figure 1 The collecting basin 28 in the. Figure 2aThe valve 52 according to the invention is shown in the closed position, the valve 52 having a valve body designed as a spherical floating body 48 which sits in a valve seat 54 in the region of an outlet opening 70 and which partially closes the outlet opening 70. Liquid accumulated in the collecting basin 28, for example in the case of separation of liquid droplets from the treated gas flow 42 and / or in the case of continuous spraying of the separator elements 66 of the separator layers 34, 36 of the intermediate separator stage 14, is discharged in the collecting basin 28. Figure 2a The closed position shown in the drawing continuously discharges downwards out of the collection basin 28 against the gas flow 42 directed from the bottom to the top. The valve 52 with the floating body 48 is designed so that a liquid level 50 can be collected in the collection basin 28. The liquid level 50 covers the outlet opening 70 and thereby prevents the gas flow 42 from entering the collection basin through the outlet opening 70.

[0053] like Figure 2a , Figure 2b and Figure 3a , Figure 3b As schematically indicated in , the separator element 66 of the top separator layer 36 can be designed, for example, as a trough shape, i.e., with a shell-shaped cross section. This allows the liquid separated from above (e.g., the liquid separated at the separator stage 16 arranged above, or the liquid discharged to the separator stage 14 by means of a flushing device, respectively) to be effectively captured and guided to the collection basin 28 in the discharge channel formed by the trough shape. The shell shape of the separator element 66 of the top separator layer 36 effectively protects the liquid film discharged in the discharge channel formed therein from the influence of the gas flow 42 from below, so that fewer droplets are separated from the liquid flowing in the direction of the collection basin 28 and transported back in the direction of the outlet of the separation device 10. This effect can also be achieved with a tubular embodiment of the separator element 66, wherein such a tubular separator element 66 has suitable inlet openings and outlet openings for receiving liquid or discharging liquid accordingly.

[0054] Figure 2b Shown in open position Figure 2a The valve 52 of the collecting basin 28 is opened. Due to the rising liquid level 50 in the collecting basin 28, the floating body 48 experiences a buoyancy force. The valve body designed as a floating body 48 is thereby lifted from its valve seat 54 and completely releases the outlet opening 70 of the collecting basin 28. A larger amount of liquid, for example a larger amount of liquid from a cleaning flush of the separator elements 66 of the separator layers 34, 36 in the collecting basin 28, can then (as shown) flow out of the collecting basin 28 at a higher discharge velocity due to the completely released outlet opening 70.

[0055] The bottom 68 of the collecting basin 28 allows the conical floating body 48 to roll on the bottom 68 in the direction of the valve seat 54 as the liquid level 50 drops. When the liquid level 50 is correspondingly lower, the floating body rolls into the valve seat 54 and the valve resumes the closed position.

[0056] like Figure 2a and Figure 2b As indicated in , the outlet opening 70 can be protected at the bottom from direct flows caused by the gas flow 42 flowing into the separation device 10. For this purpose, a projection can be formed in the bottom 68 of the collecting basin 28, which extends in the vertical direction below the outlet opening 70, thereby covering the outlet opening 70 at a certain distance and thus preventing direct flows to the outlet opening 70.

[0057] Figure 3a and Figure 3b The collecting basin 28 is shown with an alternative variant of the valve 52 according to the invention. In this variant, the valve 52 is designed as a valve that can be actuated in a controlled manner, in particular independently of the liquid level 50 present in the collecting basin. The cylinder 60 drives the valve body 56. Figure 3a In the closed position shown in FIG. , the valve body 56 is seated in the valve seat 54 and thereby partially closes the outlet opening 70, so that—as in FIG. Figure 2a In the embodiment of the invention, the liquid collected in the collection basin 28 is prevented from being completely discharged, but can still flow out steadily. The valve 52 is designed so that when the separator elements 66 of the separator layers 34 and 36 are sprayed continuously, a liquid level 50 is formed in the collection basin 28 and the gas flow 42 flowing from below to the collection basin 28 is prevented from entering through the outlet opening 70.

[0058] Figure 3b Shown in open position Figure 3a The valve 52 of FIG. 5 is shown in the example shown, the valve 52 is urged into the closed position by means of a restoring force acting on a piston 58 in a valve cylinder 60, the piston 58 guiding the valve body 56 on the piston rod. For this purpose, the piston 58 is weighted from above with a weight 62, which, under the effect of gravity, presses the piston 58 and thereby the valve body 56 downwards into the valve seat 54. The weight 62 or a corresponding housing of the weight 62 should consist of a corrosion-resistant material, in particular when used in flue gas cleaning systems, in order to exhibit good resistance to the aggressive environmental influences that are prevalent in flue gas cleaning systems. Instead of the weight 62, it can also be provided that a spring or another elastic element is arranged in the cylinder 60 and / or that the cylinder can be pressurized with a compressible medium, so that a restoring force is generated that urges the valve 52 into the closed position.

[0059] By means of the control line 64, hydraulic fluid can enter the chamber of the cylinder 60 that is opposite to the chamber that applies the restoring force, so that the reaction force moves the piston 58 against the restoring force. This lifts the valve body 56 guided by the piston 58 out of the valve seat 54, and the outlet opening 70 is released when the valve 52 is in the open position. The control line 64 can be connected to a supply line 72 that guides the flushing fluid for the cleaning flush, so that when the supply line 72 is pressurized and the cleaning flush started thereby is started, the valve 52 can be simultaneously brought into the open position.

[0060] For continuous discharge from the collection basin 28, in the example shown, the liquid is discharged downwardly from the collection basin 28 through the outlet opening 70 controlled by the valve 52. To this end, when the valve 52 is in the closed position, the outlet opening 70 is only partially closed and not completely closed. Figure 3a and Figure 3b For continuous drainage, it can alternatively or additionally be provided, as shown in the example in , that a further opening 74 is arranged in the bottom 68 of the collecting basin 28, through which opening 74 it is possible to discharge at least part of the liquid out of the collecting basin 28 independently of the open position and the closed position of the valve 52. The opening 74 can be dimensioned such that a liquid level is formed above the opening 74 and the opening 74 is thus permanently covered against the ingress of the gas flow 42 flowing from below towards the collecting basin 28.

[0061] Figure 4 Shows Figure 1 A collection basin 28 is provided, wherein a nozzle 20 is arranged above the collection basin 28. The nozzle 20 is designed so that the spray cone 76 leaving the nozzle is directed from above directly into the collection basin 28 which is open at the top. The spray cone 76 serves for the targeted removal of accumulations of dirt deposits or other material deposits collected on the inner wall of the collection basin 28 and / or in the region of the valve 52 arranged at the bottom 68 of the collection basin 28. The nozzle 20 is preferably activated during the cleaning flushing of the separator element 66 of the separator stage 14. It can be provided alternatively or additionally that the nozzle 20 can be activated independently of the cleaning flushing. For the nozzle 20, a flat jet nozzle is particularly suitable, because the flat jet nozzle generates a particularly high pulse to dissolve any deposits.

[0062] Reference numerals list

[0063] 10 separation device 50 liquid level

[0064] 12 First separator stage 52 valve

[0065] 14 Second separator stage 54 valve seat

[0066] 16 Third separator stage 56 valve body

[0067] 18 Nozzle for flushing equipment 58 Piston

[0068] 20 nozzles for flushing equipment 60 cylinders

[0069] 22 Nozzles for flushing equipment 62 Heavy objects

[0070] 24 nozzles for flushing equipment 64 control lines

[0071] 26 Nozzles for flushing equipment 66 Separator elements

[0072] 28 Collection basin 68 Bottom of collection basin

[0073] 30 First separator layer of first separator stage 70 outlet opening

[0074] 32 Second separator layer of first separator stage 72 Supply line

[0075] 34 The first separator layer 74 of the second separator stage has an opening

[0076] 36 Second separator layer of the second separator stage 76 Spray cone

[0077] 38 The first separator layer of the third separator stage

[0078] 40 The second separator layer of the third separator stage

[0079] 42 Inflow gas flow

[0080] 44 Outflow gas flow

[0081] 46 Shell

[0082] 48 floating body.

Claims

1. A separation device (10) for separating droplets and particles from a gas flow (42), the gas flow (42) having a directional component facing upwards in a substantially vertical direction, wherein: The separation device (10) comprises at least one separator stage (14), the at least one separator stage (14) comprising at least one separator layer (34) having a plurality of elongated separator elements (66) arranged parallel to one another, wherein the separator elements (66) of the at least one separator stage (14) are arranged in a first region so as to be inclined in at least one oblique direction in a longitudinal orientation of the separator elements (66) relative to the horizontal direction, and wherein the separation device (10) has a flushing device by means of which flushing liquid can be applied to at least some of the separator elements (66) arranged obliquely, characterised in that the separator elements (66) of the at least one separator stage (14) The bottom end area in the vertical direction leads to a collection basin (28) arranged in the gas flow (42), and wherein the collection basin (28) has a valve (52) in the bottom area (68), the valve (52) controls the outlet opening (70) and can be moved to an open position releasing the outlet opening (70) and a closed position at least partially closing the outlet opening (70), and wherein the collection basin (28) has an opening (74) in the bottom area (68) of the collection basin (28), and the liquid collected in the collection basin can be discharged continuously downward from the collection basin (28) against the gas flow (42) by means of the opening (74) independently of the open position and the closed position of the valve (52).

2. The separation device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that The separator elements (66) are arranged in a second region inclined in another inclined direction, in particular such that the separator elements (66) of the at least one separator stage (14) are arranged approximately in a V-shape.

3. The separation device (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that The lower end regions in the vertical direction of the separator elements (66) arranged to be inclined in different directions open into the collection basin (28) at a common valley point.

4. The separation device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that At least some of the obliquely arranged separator elements (66) of the at least one separator stage (14) have discharge channels leading to the collection basin.

5. The separation device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The valve (52) is designed as a floating valve having a valve seat (54) arranged on the bottom of the collecting basin (28) and a floating body (48) which at least partially closes the valve seat (54) in the closed position of the valve (52).

6. The separation device (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that The floating body (48) is designed as a rollable body, in particular a spherical body.

7. The separation device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The bottom (68) of the collecting basin is shaped so that at least a portion of the liquid collected in the collecting basin (28) moves under the action of gravity in the direction of the outlet opening (70) controlled by the valve (52) when the valve (52) is in the open position and in particular also when the valve (54) is in the closed position.

8. The separation device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The valve (52) is designed as a valve (52) which can be actuated in a controlled manner and can be brought into the open position and / or the closed position by means of a controllable drive (58, 60).

9. The separation device (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that The valve (52) can be moved into the open position and / or the closed position by means of a cylinder drive (58, 60).

10. The separation device (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that The cylinder drive (58, 60) is designed as a hydraulic drive, wherein preferably a flushing liquid which is provided for flushing the separator element (66) is used as hydraulic fluid for the cylinder drive.

11. The separation device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The opening (74) is formed by means of the outlet opening (70) of the valve (52).

12. Separation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The flushing device is designed and constructed such that the interior of the collection basin (28) can be flushed.

13. Separation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that At least one additional separator stage (16) is arranged in the vertical direction above the at least one separator stage (14).

14. Separation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that At least one additional separator stage (12) is arranged in the vertical direction below the at least one separator stage (14).

15. A flue gas cleaning system having at least one separating device (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

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