Centrifugal gravity-coupled liquid-liquid phase separator

Abstract

This invention relates to a centrifugal gravity-coupled liquid-liquid phase separator, comprising an upper end cap, a cylinder, and a lower end cap coaxially connected from top to bottom. A heavy phase weir plate and a light phase weir plate are disposed within the cylinder, with the light phase weir plate positioned above the heavy phase weir plate. The light phase weir plate has a generally wider upper section and narrower lower section structure, while the heavy phase weir plate has a generally narrower upper section and wider lower section structure. The lower end of the light phase weir plate and the upper end of the heavy phase weir plate are matched and connected, forming a connecting hole. A light phase separation channel is provided at the end of the light phase weir plate near the connecting hole, and a heavy phase separation channel is provided at the end of the heavy phase weir plate near the cylinder. A feed pipe is provided on the side wall of the cylinder located between the light and heavy phase weir plates, with the axis of the feed pipe tangent to the circumferential direction of the cylinder. Guide vanes are provided on the inner wall of the cylinder located between the light and heavy phase weir plates. This invention has the advantages of simple and compact structure, high phase separation efficiency, high phase separation purity, and low cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of liquid-liquid separation technology, and more particularly to a centrifugal gravity-coupled liquid-liquid phase separator. Background Technology

[0002] An absorption heat pump is a heat energy recovery system that uses thermal energy as its driving energy source. Absorption heat pumps are divided into two types: Type I absorption heat pumps and Type II absorption heat pumps. Type I absorption heat pumps, also known as heat-enhancing heat pumps, use a high-temperature heat source to raise the energy of a low-temperature heat source to an intermediate temperature, thereby improving energy utilization efficiency. Type II absorption heat pumps, also known as temperature-raising heat pumps, utilize the potential difference between a large amount of intermediate waste heat and a low-temperature heat source to produce heat with a smaller heat output but a temperature higher than the intermediate waste heat, thereby improving the quality of some waste heat.

[0003] Chinese patent CN118499987A discloses a novel second-type absorption heat pump system based on liquid-liquid phase separation, which constructs a brand-new heat pump cycle system based on liquid-liquid phase separation technology. This cycle system breaks the limitations of existing reverse Carnot cycle heat pump systems, which rely on high-grade energy and are difficult to operate efficiently under large temperature differences. It enriches the theoretical system of heat pump technology and provides a new direction for the development and expansion of new heat pumps.

[0004] Traditional single-stage liquid-liquid separation equipment mostly adopts gravity sedimentation or centrifugal liquid-liquid separation methods. Traditional gravity sedimentation liquid-liquid separation equipment and centrifugal liquid-liquid separation equipment (also known as hydrocyclones) rely on the density difference between the two phases to achieve separation. Such single-stage phase separation equipment will have the problem of fluid turbulence during the liquid separation process. Fluid turbulence significantly disrupts the stability of phase separation interfaces. This is because the Marangoni effect induced by turbulence causes random fluctuations at the interface. When two partially miscible liquids are in a turbulent state, local temperature fluctuations or differences in solute concentration lead to uneven surface tension distribution at the phase separation interface. Regions with high surface tension exert a pulling force on regions with low surface tension, forming spontaneous convection circulation. In traditional phase separation equipment, this effect manifests as severe disturbances at the phase separation interface. The two-phase interface, which should be clearly separated, will exhibit irregular vortices and wrinkles, causing the dispersed phase droplets to be repeatedly pulled and broken, forming diffuse droplets with diameters of 10-500 μm. These droplets are difficult to coalesce quickly due to Brownian motion, and some will be entrained into the target phase solution. Critical fluctuations induced by turbulence lead to increased heterogeneity of the dispersed phase structure, forming an emulsion layer that is difficult to break down, ultimately resulting in a decrease in the purity of the separated phase solution.

[0005] Furthermore, gravity settling liquid-liquid phase separators require a long solution residence time during separation, resulting in a large system filling volume. This necessitates a sufficiently large equipment volume to compensate for the solution's residence time within the separator, thereby achieving the desired phase separation effect. The large filling volume not only occupies a large space but also leads to a large amount of working fluid used, significantly increasing costs. Moreover, the long solution residence time required by gravity settling liquid-liquid phase separators necessitates intermittent operation to avoid turbulence disturbances, thus affecting the continuous phase separation capability. Since gravity settling liquid-liquid phase separators have a free liquid surface and the solution within is not under external pressure, continuous material processing is required in the thermal system. Therefore, a constant liquid level must be maintained through overflow to ensure a stable separation interface. This necessitates pressurizing the effluent solution, requiring two additional booster pumps, further increasing equipment complexity and cost.

[0006] Centrifugal liquid-liquid separators have an internal rotor and an external drive motor, requiring additional rotating components to generate centrifugal force. This results in high energy consumption and high equipment complexity.

[0007] In summary, the existing technology has the following problems:

[0008] 1) Traditional single-stage liquid-liquid phase separators suffer from turbulence disturbances, which can lead to a decrease in the purity of the target phase solution.

[0009] 2) Traditional gravity settling liquid-liquid phase separators require a large filling capacity, resulting in a large space occupation and a large amount of working fluid used in the system, which leads to a significant increase in cost. In order to avoid turbulence disturbance, intermittent operation is required, which affects the continuous phase separation capability of the phase separator. In order to achieve continuous phase separation, additional pressurization equipment is required, which increases the complexity and cost of the equipment.

[0010] 3) Traditional centrifugal liquid-liquid separators require additional rotating parts to generate centrifugal force, resulting in high energy consumption and high equipment complexity. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The present invention aims to provide a centrifugal gravity coupling liquid-liquid phase separator to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art. The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is achieved through the following technical solution.

[0012] A centrifugal gravity-coupled liquid-liquid phase separator includes an upper end cap, a cylindrical body, and a lower end cap, which are coaxially connected from top to bottom. A heavy phase weir plate and a light phase weir plate are disposed within the cylindrical body, with the light phase weir plate positioned above the heavy phase weir plate. The light phase weir plate has a generally wider upper section and a narrower lower section, while the heavy phase weir plate has a generally narrower upper section and a wider lower section. The lower end of the light phase weir plate and the upper end of the heavy phase weir plate are mated and connected, forming a connecting hole at the connection point, allowing communication between the upper cavity of the light phase weir plate and the lower cavity of the heavy phase weir plate. A light phase separation channel is provided at the end of the light phase weir plate near the connecting hole. The heavy phase weir plate is provided with a heavy phase separation channel at one end near the cylinder body; a feed pipe is provided on the side wall of the cylinder body located between the light phase weir plate and the heavy phase weir plate, and the axial direction of the feed pipe is tangent to the circumferential direction of the cylinder body; guide vanes are provided on the inner wall of the cylinder body located between the light phase weir plate and the heavy phase weir plate; a light phase collection chamber is provided at the upper end of the upper head, a light phase packing layer is provided at the bottom of the light phase collection chamber, and a light phase discharge pipe is connected to the upper end; a heavy phase collection chamber is provided at the lower end of the lower head, a heavy phase packing layer is provided at the top of the heavy phase collection chamber, and a heavy phase discharge pipe is connected to the lower end.

[0013] Preferably, a light phase rectifier plate is disposed inside the cylinder above the light phase weir plate, and a heavy phase rectifier plate is disposed inside the cylinder below the heavy phase weir plate.

[0014] Preferably, the light phase rectifier plate and / or the heavy phase rectifier plate are perforated plate structures or grid plate structures.

[0015] Preferably, an anti-vortex plate is provided inside the connecting hole.

[0016] Preferably, the anti-vortex plate is a cross plate or a star plate, and its flow channel direction is parallel to the axial direction of the connecting hole.

[0017] Preferably, the upper end cap is a cone shape that is narrower at the top and wider at the bottom, and the lower end cap is an inverted cone shape that is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom.

[0018] Preferably, the upper end cap and the lower end cap are cylindrical.

[0019] Preferably, the angle between the light phase weir plate and the horizontal plane is 10° to 80°.

[0020] Preferably, the angle between the heavy phase weir plate and the horizontal plane is 10° to 80°.

[0021] Preferably, the light phase weir plate and the heavy phase weir plate are continuous smooth plate structures or stepped plate structures.

[0022] The centrifugal gravity-coupled liquid-liquid phase separator provided by this invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0023] 1) The centrifugal phase separation method and the gravity sedimentation phase separation method were coupled in series. The internal part of the phase separator was divided into a centrifugal zone, a gravity sedimentation zone and a clarification zone. Each zone is physically isolated from each other and relatively independent, realizing two-stage separation of centrifugal phase separation and gravity phase separation. This allows the solution in each zone to achieve two-phase separation in a relatively stable flow field, avoiding back mixing of the separated solution.

[0024] 2) The separation purity is improved by two-stage phase separation, which eliminates the need to increase the equipment volume, reduces the space occupied, saves the amount of working fluid used, and thus saves costs.

[0025] 3) By setting separation channels on the weir plate in the centrifuge zone, the first-stage separation of light and heavy phase solutions is achieved. The separated light and heavy phase solutions still contain a small amount of separated phase solution and may still have turbulence disturbance problems. However, after entering the gravity settling zone, since the content of the separated phase solution is very low, there will be no violent mass exchange during the second-stage phase separation in the gravity settling zone. That is, the intensity of micro-waves in phase separation is reduced, thereby greatly improving the separation efficiency and separation purity of the phase separator.

[0026] 4) The structure is simple and compact. The rotational power of the solution in the centrifugation zone and the circulation power of the solution come from the kinetic energy of the tangential feed. No additional rotating parts are required, which reduces energy consumption and equipment complexity, thereby reducing equipment costs.

[0027] 5) There is no free liquid surface inside the phase separator, which can realize continuous phase separation operation under pressure, effectively improving the separation efficiency of the phase separator. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a structural embodiment of the lightweight phase weir plate in this invention;

[0030] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a structural embodiment of the heavy phase weir plate in this invention;

[0031] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of one embodiment of the anti-vortex plate of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the solution flow in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] The reference numerals in the attached figures are as follows: 1. Upper head, 2. Cylinder, 3. Lower head, 4. Heavy phase packing layer, 5. Heavy phase collection chamber, 6. Heavy phase discharge pipe, 7. Heavy phase rectifier plate, 8. Heavy phase weir plate, 81. Heavy phase separation channel, 9. Feed pipe, 10. Light phase weir plate, 101. Light phase separation channel, 11. Light phase rectifier plate, 12. Light phase packing layer, 13. Light phase collection chamber, 14. Light phase discharge pipe, 15. Connecting hole, 16. Anti-vortex plate, 17. Guide vane. Detailed Implementation

[0036] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be combined with each other. The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0037] Example 1:

[0038] An improved centrifugal gravity-coupled liquid-liquid phase separator includes an upper end cap 1, a cylindrical body 2, and a lower end cap 3, which are coaxially connected from top to bottom. The cylindrical body 2 contains a heavy phase weir plate 8 and a light phase weir plate 10, with the light phase weir plate 10 positioned above the heavy phase weir plate 8. The light phase weir plate 10 has a wider upper section and a narrower lower section, while the heavy phase weir plate 8 has a narrower upper section and a wider lower section. The lower end of the light phase weir plate 10 and the upper end of the heavy phase weir plate 8 are matched and connected, forming a connecting hole 15 at the connection point, allowing communication between the upper cavity of the light phase weir plate 10 and the lower cavity of the heavy phase weir plate 8. A light phase separation channel 1 is provided at one end of the light phase weir plate 10 near the connecting hole 15. 01. A heavy phase separation channel 81 is provided at one end of the heavy phase weir plate 8 near the cylinder 2; a feed pipe 9 is provided on the side wall of the cylinder 2 located between the light phase weir plate 10 and the heavy phase weir plate 8, and the axial direction of the feed pipe 9 is tangent to the circumferential direction of the cylinder 2; a guide vane 17 is provided on the inner wall of the cylinder 2 located between the light phase weir plate 10 and the heavy phase weir plate 8; a light phase collection chamber 13 is provided at the upper end of the upper head 1, a light phase packing layer 12 is provided at the bottom of the light phase collection chamber 13, and a light phase discharge pipe 14 is connected to the upper end; a heavy phase collection chamber 5 is provided at the lower end of the lower head 3, a heavy phase packing layer 4 is provided at the top of the heavy phase collection chamber 5, and a heavy phase discharge pipe 6 is connected to the lower end.

[0039] In this embodiment, refer to Figures 1 to 7As shown, the heavy phase weir plate 8 has a conical structure that is narrower at the top and wider at the bottom, while the light phase weir plate 10 has an inverted conical structure that is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom. The lower edge of the heavy phase weir plate 8 is coaxially connected to the inner wall of the cylinder 2. The upper inner edge of the heavy phase weir plate 8 is in the shape of a circular hole. The upper edge of the light phase weir plate 10 is coaxially connected to the inner wall of the cylinder 2. The lower inner edge of the light phase weir plate 10 matches and connects with the upper inner edge of the heavy phase weir plate 8. The inner wall of cylinder 2, the upper wall of heavy phase weir plate 8, and the lower wall of light phase weir plate 10 enclose each other to form a centrifugal zone with a shape complementary to the hourglass shape, serving as the first phase separation stage of the phase separator. The cavity enclosed by the inner wall of upper head 1, the inner wall of cylinder 2, and the upper wall of light phase weir plate 10 serves as the gravity settling zone for the light phase solution. The cavity enclosed by the lower wall of heavy phase weir plate 8, the inner wall of cylinder 2, and the inner wall of lower head 3 serves as the gravity settling zone for the heavy phase solution. The gravity settling zones of the light and heavy phase solutions together constitute the second phase separation stage of the phase separator. The light phase separation channel 101 is located at the lower part of the light phase weir plate 10, and the heavy phase separation channel 81 is located at the lower part of the heavy phase weir plate 8. The number of feed pipes 9 can be one or more, and all of them are tangent to the circumference of cylinder 2.

[0040] In this embodiment, when the phase separator is working, the mixture enters the centrifugation zone at a certain speed through the tangential feed pipe 9 and rotates at high speed within the centrifugation zone along the guide vanes 17. Under the action of centrifugal force, the denser heavy phase solution in the mixture moves towards the wall of the cylinder 2, while the less dense light phase solution moves towards the axis of the cylinder 2. The centrifugal force of the rotating solution achieves primary separation of the mixture.

[0041] After primary separation, the light phase solution collects at the axial center of the cylinder 2 and enters the upper light phase gravity settling zone through the light phase separation channel on the light phase weir plate 10. As the light phase solution rises along the upper surface of the light phase weir plate 10, the upward flow velocity continuously decreases in the gradually expanding light phase gravity settling zone, and the flow gradually becomes uniform and stable, effectively avoiding turbulence, eddies, and solution back-mixing. During the upward process of the light phase solution, a small amount of heavy phase droplets remaining in the solution continuously settles to the upper surface of the light phase weir plate 10 under the action of gravity, and collects at the center position along the upper surface of the light phase weir plate 10, and enters the lower heavy phase gravity settling zone through the connecting hole 15. After the light phase solution completely separates the small amount of heavy phase droplets entrained in the solution through the light phase packing layer 12, it enters the light phase collection chamber 13 and is discharged through the light phase discharge pipe 14. The light phase collection chamber 13 serves as the clarification zone for the light phase solution.

[0042] The heavy phase solution, after primary separation, moves towards the cylinder wall of cylinder 2 and enters the heavy phase gravity settling zone below the heavy phase weir plate 8 through the heavy phase separation channel 81 opened at the lower end of the heavy phase weir plate 8. In the gradually expanding heavy phase gravity settling zone, it gradually and steadily flows downward. The small amount of light phase solution remaining in the heavy phase solution gradually floats upward to the lower surface of the heavy phase weir plate 8 due to its lower density, and gradually gathers at the center position along the lower surface of the heavy phase weir plate 8. Then, it enters the upper light phase gravity settling zone through the connecting hole 15. After the heavy phase solution passes through the heavy phase packing layer 4 to completely separate the small amount of light phase droplets entrained in it, it enters the heavy phase collection chamber 5 and is discharged from the heavy phase discharge pipe 6. The heavy phase collection chamber 5 serves as the clarification zone for the heavy phase solution.

[0043] This embodiment provides a centrifugal-gravity coupled liquid-liquid phase separator that cascades centrifugal phase separation with gravity sedimentation phase separation. The separator is internally divided into a centrifugal zone, a gravity sedimentation zone, and a clarification zone. These zones are physically isolated and relatively independent, achieving two-stage separation via centrifugal and gravity phase separation. This ensures that the solution in each zone can achieve two-phase separation within a relatively stable flow field, preventing backmixing of the separated solutions. This two-stage phase separation improves separation purity without requiring increased equipment volume, reducing space occupation, saving working fluid usage, and thus saving costs. The separation channels on the weir plate in the centrifugal zone achieve primary separation of the light and heavy phase solutions. While the separated light and heavy phase solutions still contain small amounts of the separated phase solution and may still experience turbulence, the very low concentration of the separated phase solution in the gravity sedimentation zone eliminates drastic mass exchange during secondary phase separation, reducing the intensity of micro-waves and significantly improving the separator's separation efficiency and purity. With a simple and compact structure, the rotational and circulation power of the solution in the centrifugal zone comes from the kinetic energy of the tangential feed, eliminating the need for additional rotating parts, thus reducing energy consumption and equipment complexity, and consequently lowering equipment costs. The phase separator has no free liquid surface inside, enabling continuous pressurized phase separation operation, effectively improving the separation efficiency of the phase separator.

[0044] Furthermore, the diameter of the light phase collection chamber 13 is smaller than the diameter of the cylinder 2.

[0045] Furthermore, the diameter of the heavy phase collection chamber 5 is smaller than the diameter of the cylinder 2.

[0046] Furthermore, refer to Figure 2 As shown, the light phase separation channels 101 are arranged in a ring array along the axis of the light phase weir plate 10.

[0047] Furthermore, refer to Figure 3 As shown, the heavy phase separation channels 81 are arranged in a ring array along the axis of the heavy phase weir plate 8.

[0048] Furthermore, the guide vane 17 has a circular ring structure or a spiral strip structure.

[0049] Furthermore, the guide vane 17 is a strip structure of equal width or a strip structure of non-equal width. The arrangement of the guide vane 17 can increase the residence time of the heavy phase solution during centrifugal swirling.

[0050] Furthermore, the width of the guide vane 17 is 0.1R~0.3R, and the diameter of the connecting hole 15 is 0.1R~0.5R, where R is the radius of the cylinder 2.

[0051] Furthermore, the angle between the light phase weir plate 10 and the horizontal plane is 10°~80°.

[0052] Furthermore, the angle between the heavy phase weir plate 8 and the horizontal plane is 10°~80°.

[0053] Example 2:

[0054] Based on Embodiment 1, a light phase rectifier plate 11 is provided inside the cylinder 2 above the light phase weir plate 10, and a heavy phase rectifier plate 7 is provided inside the cylinder 2 below the heavy phase weir plate 8.

[0055] In this implementation, refer to Figure 1 As shown, the light phase rectifier plate 11 and the heavy phase rectifier plate 7 serve to equalize pressure and stabilize flow, thereby reducing the turbulence during the rising process of the light-rich solution in the light phase gravity settling zone and reducing the turbulence during the falling process of the heavy-rich solution in the heavy phase gravity settling zone, thus further improving the separation purity.

[0056] Furthermore, the light phase rectifier plate 11 and / or the heavy phase rectifier plate 7 are perforated plate structures or grid plate structures.

[0057] Furthermore, an anti-vortex plate 16 is provided inside the connecting hole 15.

[0058] In this embodiment, the anti-vortex plate 16 is provided to avoid vortices and turbulence during the exchange of light and heavy phase residual liquids flowing up and down.

[0059] Furthermore, refer to Figure 4 As shown, the anti-vortex plate 16 is a cross plate or a star plate, and its flow channel direction is parallel to the axial direction of the connecting hole 15.

[0060] Example 3:

[0061] Based on embodiment 1 or 2, the upper end cap 1 is a cone shape that is narrower at the top and wider at the bottom, and the lower end cap 3 is an inverted cone shape that is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom.

[0062] In this embodiment, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 5As shown, the conical upper head 1 and lower head 3 cause the flow channels in the gravity settling zone to gradually narrow when the light phase solution rises and the heavy phase solution falls. This causes the flow velocity of the mainstream solution to increase to a certain extent after the light phase solution enters the upper head 1 section and the heavy phase solution enters the lower head 3, thus facilitating the discharge of each phase solution.

[0063] Example 4:

[0064] Based on embodiment 1 or 2, the upper end cap 1 and the lower end cap 3 are cylindrical.

[0065] In this embodiment, refer to Figure 6 As shown, the cylindrical upper head 1 and lower head 3 design ensures that the light phase solution in the gravity settling zone has no gradually narrowing flow channel after entering the upper head 1 section and the heavy phase solution has entered the lower head 3 section. This results in a uniform solution flow velocity without any acceleration process. Since both the light and heavy phase solutions in the gravity settling zone carry a small amount of the separated phase solution, excessively high velocities would hinder the separation of residual liquid. The cylindrical upper head 1 and lower head 3 design, on the other hand, is more conducive to the separation of residual liquid, thereby improving the separation purity.

[0066] The choice between conical or cylindrical shapes for the upper head 1 and lower head 3 depends on the specific density of the mixed solution and the density difference between the light and heavy phases, thereby achieving optimal separation efficiency and purity.

[0067] Example 5:

[0068] Based on Example 4, this example uses a mixed solution of n-butanol and water as an example, wherein the volume content of n-butanol is approximately 10%, and under room temperature conditions, n-butanol and water are partially miscible, and the density of n-butanol is approximately 800 kg / m³. 3 The density of water is approximately 1000 kg / m³. 3 In traditional gravity-based phase separation equipment, n-butanol is prone to forming a large number of fine dispersed droplets due to the influence of n-butanol volume content, Marangoni effect, and fluid turbulence, which affects the phase separation purity and separation efficiency.

[0069] In this embodiment, both the upper end cap 1 and the lower end cap 3 are cylindrical. Considering the small volumetric flow rate of n-butanol, the angle between the light phase weir plate 10 and the horizontal plane is 10°, and the angle between the heavy phase weir plate 8 and the horizontal plane is 30°, in order to increase the residence volume of the heavy phase solution in the centrifugation zone. In addition, the flow channel cross-section ratio of the light phase separation channel 101 opened in the light phase weir plate 10 and the heavy phase separation channel 81 opened in the heavy phase weir plate 8 is approximately 1:9. The guide vane 17 is a non-uniform height annular guide vane, which is used to enhance the residence time of the heavy phase swirling flow.

[0070] This embodiment achieves efficient separation of low-flow-rate n-butanol aqueous solution by changing the inclination angles of the light phase weir plate and the heavy phase weir plate, as well as the cross-sectional configuration ratio of the light phase separation channel and the heavy phase separation channel. The two-phase separation efficiency can reach over 98% according to the test.

[0071] Example 6:

[0072] Based on any of Embodiments 1-4, the light phase weir plate 10 and the heavy phase weir plate 8 are continuous smooth plate structures or stepped plate structures.

[0073] In this embodiment, refer to Figure 7 As shown, the light phase weir plate 10 and the heavy phase weir plate 8 are configured as stepped plate structures, which can increase the fluid residence time in the first phase separation stage, increase the flow Reynolds number of the high viscosity phase solution during centrifugal rotation, and improve the separation purity of the first-stage centrifugal phase separation.

[0074] In this embodiment, taking the separation of two partially miscible or immiscible solutions with similar densities and higher viscosity of a certain phase as an example, both the heavy phase weir plate 8 and the light phase weir plate 10 adopt stepped conical weir plates, and the spatial proportion of the secondary gravity sedimentation phase separation zone is increased by adjusting the height of the cylinder 2.

[0075] This embodiment increases the fluid residence time in the first phase separation stage by using a stepped weir plate, thereby increasing the flow Reynolds number of the higher viscosity phase solution during centrifugal swirling and improving the separation purity of the first-stage centrifugal phase separation. By increasing the proportion of the second-stage gravity sedimentation space, the residence time of the light and heavy phase solutions during gravity sedimentation is increased, thereby improving the separation purity of the second-stage gravity sedimentation.

[0076] It should be noted that the above detailed descriptions are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation of this application. Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains.

[0077] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments described in this application. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, it should be understood that when the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0078] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., used in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such terms can be used interchangeably where appropriate so that the embodiments of this application described herein can be implemented in sequences other than those illustrated or described herein.

[0079] Furthermore, the terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units that are explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not explicitly listed or that are inherent to such process, method, product, or apparatus.

[0080] For ease of description, spatial relative terms such as "above," "on top of," "on the upper surface of," "above," etc., are used herein to describe the spatial positional relationship of a device or feature as shown in the figures to other devices or features. It should be understood that spatial relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations in use or operation beyond the orientation of the device as described in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures were inverted, a device described as "above" or "on top of" other devices or structures would subsequently be positioned as "below" or "under" other devices or structures. Thus, the exemplary term "above" can include both "above" and "below." The device may also be positioned in other different ways, such as rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations, and the spatial relative descriptions used herein will be interpreted accordingly.

[0081] In the detailed description above, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this document. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar parts unless the context otherwise indicates otherwise. The illustrated embodiments described in the detailed specification, drawings, and claims are not intended to be limiting. Other embodiments may be used and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein.

[0082] The foregoing description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various modifications and variations of the present invention are possible. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention are intended to be within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A centrifugal gravity-coupled liquid-liquid phase separator, characterized in that: The system includes an upper end cap (1), a cylinder (2), and a lower end cap (3), which are coaxially connected from top to bottom. The cylinder (2) contains a heavy phase weir plate (8) and a light phase weir plate (10), with the light phase weir plate (10) positioned above the heavy phase weir plate (8). The light phase weir plate (10) has a generally wider upper section and a narrower lower section, while the heavy phase weir plate (8) has a generally narrower upper section and a wider lower section. The lower end of the light phase weir plate (10) and the upper end of the heavy phase weir plate (8) are matched and connected, forming a connecting hole (15) to allow the upper cavity of the light phase weir plate (10) to communicate with the lower cavity of the heavy phase weir plate (8). A light phase separation channel (101) is provided at one end of the light phase weir plate (10) near the connecting hole (15), and the heavy phase weir plate (8) is positioned near the connecting hole (15). A heavy phase separation channel (81) is provided at one end of the cylinder (2); a feed pipe (9) is provided on the side wall of the part of the cylinder (2) between the light phase weir plate (10) and the heavy phase weir plate (8), and the axial direction of the feed pipe (9) is tangent to the circumferential direction of the cylinder (2); a guide vane (17) is provided on the inner wall of the part of the cylinder (2) between the light phase weir plate (10) and the heavy phase weir plate (8); a light phase collection chamber (13) is provided at the upper end of the upper head (1), a light phase packing layer (12) is provided at the bottom of the light phase collection chamber (13), and a light phase discharge pipe (14) is connected to the upper end; a heavy phase collection chamber (5) is provided at the lower end of the lower head (3), a heavy phase packing layer (4) is provided at the top of the heavy phase collection chamber (5), and a heavy phase discharge pipe (6) is connected to the lower end.

2. The centrifugal gravity-coupled liquid-liquid phase separator according to claim 1, characterized in that: A light phase rectifier plate (11) is provided inside the cylinder (2) above the light phase weir plate (10), and a heavy phase rectifier plate (7) is provided inside the cylinder (2) below the heavy phase weir plate (8).

3. A centrifugal gravity-coupled liquid-liquid phase separator according to claim 2, characterized in that: The light phase rectifier plate (11) and / or the heavy phase rectifier plate (7) are perforated plate structures or grid plate structures.

4. A centrifugal gravity-coupled liquid-liquid phase separator according to claim 1, characterized in that: A vortex-resistant plate (16) is provided inside the connecting hole (15).

5. A centrifugal gravity-coupled liquid-liquid phase separator according to claim 4, characterized in that: The anti-vortex plate (16) is a cross plate or a star plate, and its flow channel direction is parallel to the axial direction of the connecting hole (15).

6. A centrifugal gravity-coupled liquid-liquid phase separator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper end cap (1) is a cone shape that is narrow at the top and wide at the bottom, and the lower end cap (3) is an inverted cone shape that is wide at the top and narrow at the bottom.

7. A centrifugal gravity-coupled liquid-liquid phase separator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper end cap (1) and the lower end cap (3) are cylindrical.

8. A centrifugal gravity-coupled liquid-liquid phase separator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The angle between the light phase weir plate (10) and the horizontal plane is 10°~80°.

9. A centrifugal gravity-coupled liquid-liquid phase separator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The angle between the double phase weir plate (8) and the horizontal plane is 10°~80°.

10. A centrifugal gravity-coupled liquid-liquid phase separator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light phase weir plate (10) and the heavy phase weir plate (8) are continuous smooth plate structures or stepped plate structures.

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