Strong mixed flow and weak spiral flow type oil-water separation device
By designing a disc-type integrated hydrocyclone assembly and guide vane components, the problems of low space utilization and poor coordination in traditional hydrocyclone combinations are solved, achieving efficient and compact oil-water separation, which is suitable for scenarios such as oilfield produced water and industrial oily wastewater.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202511084497.4
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-04
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-11
AI Technical Summary
Traditional cyclone oil-water separators suffer from low space utilization, poor coordination, and insufficient adaptability to complex operating conditions. In particular, when multiple cyclones are combined, the equipment occupies a large area, has uneven processing load, and low efficiency in separating tiny oil droplets, making it difficult to meet stringent environmental emission standards.
The system employs a disc-type integrated hydrocyclone assembly, in which multiple hydrocyclone bodies are evenly distributed in a concentric circle or matrix. A high-strength, corrosion-resistant alloy disc is used to form a tight connection with the guide vane assembly. Overflow and underflow ports are designed to achieve efficient oil-water separation. A stable centrifugal flow field is formed by using spiral guide vanes to achieve efficient separation of tiny oil droplets.
It improves space utilization, enhances the collaborative operation capability of multiple hydrocyclones, strengthens adaptability to complex working conditions, and achieves efficient and low-energy oil-water separation, making it suitable for various oily wastewater treatment scenarios.
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Figure CN120922971A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of oil-water separation technology, and in particular to a strong mixed flow and weak swirling flow type oil-water separator. Background Technology
[0002] Oil-water separation is a crucial step in industrial wastewater treatment. Traditional hydrocyclone oil-water separators have several limitations. The processing capacity of a single hydrocyclone is limited, and for large-scale wastewater treatment needs, multiple independent hydrocyclones are typically connected in parallel. However, this approach has significant drawbacks: the equipment requires a large footprint, making it difficult to install and use in space-constrained locations such as offshore platforms; each hydrocyclone operates independently without a coordination mechanism, easily leading to uneven processing loads, with some hydrocyclones overworking while others operate inefficiently, resulting in poor overall separation performance.
[0003] Furthermore, the performance of traditional hydrocyclones needs improvement. They have low separation efficiency for tiny oil droplets, making it difficult to meet increasingly stringent environmental emission standards. When treating wastewater with high oil content, they are prone to short-circuiting of the oil phase, resulting in insufficient oil phase separation. Their fixed structural parameters cannot adapt to complex and changing working conditions. When parameters such as the oil content of the wastewater and the oil droplet size change, the separation performance of the equipment will be significantly affected.
[0004] Although some improvements exist in existing technologies, such as optimizing the internal structure of the hydrocyclone and adding auxiliary separation components, they still cannot effectively solve the core problems of low space utilization, poor coordination, and insufficient adaptability to complex operating conditions in large-scale processing applications. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a new type of oil-water separation device that is compact, highly efficient, and adaptable to various operating conditions. Summary of the Invention
[0005] The main technical problem to be solved by the present invention is that the combination of multiple hydrocyclones has low space utilization, poor coordination and insufficient adaptability to complex working conditions. In order to overcome the above-mentioned defects of the prior art, a strong mixed flow and weak swirling oil-water separation device is provided.
[0006] The technical solution adopted by this invention to solve its technical problem is: A strong mixed-flow, weak swirling oil-water separator includes: a flow-dividing integrated unit, which is a disc and is fixedly connected to a separator; and an integrated swirling hydrocyclone assembly fixedly connected to the separator. The integrated hydrocyclone assembly includes a hydrocyclone body assembly and an internal guide plate. The internal guide plate is fixedly installed inside the integrated hydrocyclone assembly. The integrated hydrocyclone assembly and the disc form a disc-based flow divider. The integrated hydrocyclone assembly is fixed inside the equipment.
[0007] Furthermore, the disc-type integrated hydrocyclone assembly uses a disc made of high-strength, corrosion-resistant alloy material as its core carrier, and the bottom of the disc has a diversion channel to achieve uniform distribution of wastewater.
[0008] Furthermore, the hydrocyclone body assembly is composed of multiple hydrocyclone bodies, which are evenly distributed on the disk in a concentric circle or matrix form. The disk surface has a regular array of mounting holes for fixing multiple hydrocyclone bodies. The hydrocyclone bodies are tightly connected to the disk through flanges or embedded sealing structures to form an integrated separation unit, ensuring that each hydrocyclone body is installed firmly and has good sealing performance.
[0009] Furthermore, the hydrocyclone body has a cylindrical section on one side and a conical section on the other side, and the cylindrical section and the conical section are manufactured using an integrated molding process.
[0010] Furthermore, the hydrocyclone body has a flow channel inside, and the hydrocyclone body has an overflow port and an underflow port. The surface of the underflow port is covered with a high-performance wear-resistant coating. The overflow port and underflow port of each hydrocyclone body are respectively connected to the total overflow outlet and the total underflow outlet through a collection pipe.
[0011] Furthermore, the internal guide plate is a guide vane assembly.
[0012] Furthermore, the guide vane assembly is composed of multiple spiral guide vanes, and the spiral guide vanes adopt a variable curvature surface design.
[0013] Furthermore, the spiral guide vane is installed at the position from the inlet to the inner wall of the hydrocyclone body to form a continuous swirling acceleration zone.
[0014] Furthermore, the spiral guide vanes on the same disk are installed at the same angle.
[0015] A method for using a strong mixed flow and weak swirling flow type oil-water separator includes the following steps: S1. Oily wastewater is first evenly transported to each hydrocyclone body on the disc via a diversion pipe; S2. Inside each hydrocyclone body, the spiral guide vanes cause the wastewater to form a centrifugal flow field, and the less dense oil phase is enriched towards the axis and discharged from the overflow port, and then collected and flowed out through the collection pipe. S3. The denser water phase is discharged through the underflow outlet and then flows out from the main underflow outlet after being collected. S4. Regularly backwash the hydrocyclone body, using flushing fluid at a specific pressure to remove deposits from the inner wall, ensuring continuous and efficient operation of the equipment.
[0016] The beneficial effects of this invention are: This invention utilizes an innovative disc-type integrated hydrocyclone assembly, tightly combining multiple structurally optimized hydrocyclone bodies and configuring them with guide vane components to form a highly efficient and compact oil-water separation system. The disc-type integrated hydrocyclone assembly design significantly improves space utilization, enabling efficient collaborative operation of multiple hydrocyclone bodies. The hydrocyclone bodies, combined with helical guide vanes, can quickly form a stable centrifugal flow field, achieving efficient separation of tiny oil droplets. The device, through the rational design of the overflow and underflow ports, can stably adapt to various oil-containing operating conditions. This invention offers advantages such as high separation efficiency, low energy consumption, strong anti-clogging properties, and convenient modular expansion, making it widely applicable to scenarios such as oilfield produced water and industrial oily wastewater treatment, providing an innovative and reliable solution for industrial wastewater treatment.
[0017] The technical solution of this invention not only significantly reduces the floor space and improves space utilization, but also ensures the stability and efficiency of the separation effect of the entire device through the synergistic effect of multiple hydrocyclone bodies under the flow splitting integration unit. The optimized hydrocyclone body structure and spiral guide vane design effectively reduce the flow resistance of fluid inside the equipment and reduce energy consumption. Attached Figure Description
[0018] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.
[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a partially enlarged view of the shunt integration unit of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the internal swirling flow of a single hydrocyclone body according to the present invention.
[0020] Explanation of the labels in the diagram: 1. Integrated cyclone separator assembly; 2. Disc; 3. Internal guide vane. Detailed Implementation
[0021] The present invention will be further described below with reference to specific embodiments. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions herein are used to explain the present invention, but are not intended to limit the present invention.
[0022] Example: Figures 1-3 The image shows a strong mixed flow and weak swirling flow oil-water separation device.
[0023] Reference Figures 1-3 As shown, the present invention discloses a strong mixed flow and weak swirling oil-water separation device, including: a flow splitting integration unit, which is a disc 2, and the disc 2 is welded and fixed to the separator; it also includes an integrated swirling coil 1 that is welded and connected to the separator.
[0024] The integrated hydrocyclone assembly 1 includes a hydrocyclone body assembly and an internal guide plate 3. The internal guide plate 3 is welded inside the integrated hydrocyclone assembly 1. The integrated hydrocyclone assembly 1 and the disc 2 together form a disc-type diversion integrated hydrocyclone assembly fixed inside the equipment. The disc-type diversion integrated hydrocyclone assembly 1 uses a high-strength, corrosion-resistant alloy disc 2 as the core carrier. The bottom of the disc 2 has a diversion channel to achieve uniform distribution of wastewater.
[0025] Specifically, the hydrocyclone body assembly consists of multiple hydrocyclone bodies, which are evenly distributed on the disk 2 in a concentric circle or matrix pattern. The surface of the disk 2 is precision machined to form a regular array of mounting holes for fixing multiple hydrocyclone bodies. The hydrocyclone bodies are tightly connected to the disk 2 through flanges or embedded sealing structures to form an integrated separation unit, ensuring that each hydrocyclone body is installed firmly and has good sealing performance. Furthermore, the hydrocyclone body has a cylindrical section on one side and a conical section on the other, which are manufactured using an integrated molding process. The hydrocyclone body has internal flow channels with smooth transitions, reducing fluid turbulence losses and creating an excellent internal environment for oil-water separation. The hydrocyclone body has an overflow port and a bottom flow port. The overflow port features a specific insertion depth design to ensure smooth oil phase discharge and reduce fluid interference; the bottom flow port is covered with a high-performance wear-resistant coating to enhance wear resistance. The overflow ports and bottom flow ports of each hydrocyclone body are connected to the main overflow outlet and main bottom flow outlet via converging pipes, respectively. The pipe layout is scientifically designed to ensure smooth fluid flow.
[0026] Furthermore, the optimal matching relationship between the aspect ratio and cone angle of the hydrocyclone body was determined through fluid dynamics simulation and experimental verification, balancing centrifugal separation efficiency and fluid pressure drop. The overflow port adopts a constant diameter straight-through design, and by precisely controlling the insertion depth, it ensures stable adsorption of the axial oil flow in the oil phase enrichment zone, avoiding the mixing of water phase.
[0027] Specifically, the internal guide plate 3 is a guide vane assembly. This assembly consists of multiple spiral guide vanes, each employing a variable curvature surface design. Its spiral angle and radial spacing are optimized to rapidly convert axially flowing wastewater into a tangential high-speed swirling flow. The guide vanes, with their calculated angles and shapes and finely polished surfaces, guide wastewater within the hydrocyclone body to quickly form a stable and uniform centrifugal flow field.
[0028] The spiral guide vanes are installed in the key area from the inlet to the inner wall of the hydrocyclone body, extending to a specific position at the end to form a continuous swirling acceleration zone, enhancing the oil phase enrichment process. The spiral guide vanes on the same disk 2 are installed at a consistent angle to ensure the consistency and stability of the flow field within each hydrocyclone.
[0029] Moreover, the spiral guide vane forms a continuous swirling acceleration zone, ensuring that the centrifugal force field uniformly covers the entire separation space, prompting tiny oil droplets (≥20μm) to migrate and accumulate rapidly toward the axis.
[0030] During use, the oil-water mixture enters the integrated hydrocyclone group 1 tangentially along the inlet. The tangential velocity is increased by the spiral guide plates inside each hydrocyclone body, forming a continuous swirling acceleration zone, which enhances the enrichment process of the oil phase. Inside each hydrocyclone body, the spiral guide plates cause the wastewater to form a centrifugal flow field. The less dense oil phase is enriched towards the axis and discharged from the overflow port, and then flows out through the collection pipe. The more dense water phase is discharged through the underflow port and then flows out from the main underflow outlet after being collected, ensuring a highly efficient oil-water separation effect.
[0031] This invention also discloses a method for using a strong mixed flow and weak swirling flow type oil-water separator, comprising the following steps: S1. Oily wastewater is first evenly transported to each hydrocyclone body on disc 2 via a diversion pipe; S2. Inside each hydrocyclone body, the spiral guide vanes cause the wastewater to form a centrifugal flow field, and the less dense oil phase is enriched towards the axis and discharged from the overflow port, and then collected and flowed out through the collection pipe. S3. The denser water phase is discharged through the underflow outlet and then flows out from the main underflow outlet after being collected. S4. Regularly backwash the hydrocyclone body, using flushing fluid at a specific pressure to remove deposits from the inner wall, ensuring continuous and efficient operation of the equipment.
[0032] This invention breaks through the traditional loose layout of simple parallel connection of multiple hydrocyclones, transforming the independent processing of a single hydrocyclone unit into multi-unit collaborative operation. The wastewater is evenly distributed through the diversion channel at the bottom of the disc 2, ensuring consistent processing load for each hydrocyclone unit and avoiding localized overload. The integrated disc structure reduces the equipment's footprint by more than 50% compared to traditional parallel methods, significantly improving space utilization.
[0033] This invention utilizes an innovative disc-type integrated hydrocyclone assembly, tightly combining multiple structurally optimized hydrocyclone bodies and configuring them with guide vane components to form a highly efficient and compact oil-water separation system. The disc-type integrated hydrocyclone assembly design significantly improves space utilization, enabling efficient collaborative operation of multiple hydrocyclone bodies. The hydrocyclone bodies, combined with helical guide vanes, can quickly form a stable centrifugal flow field, achieving efficient separation of tiny oil droplets. The device, through the rational design of the overflow and underflow ports, can stably adapt to various oil-containing operating conditions. This invention offers advantages such as high separation efficiency, low energy consumption, strong anti-clogging properties, and convenient modular expansion, making it widely applicable to scenarios such as oilfield produced water and industrial oily wastewater treatment, providing an innovative and reliable solution for industrial wastewater treatment.
[0034] This invention addresses the problems of large footprint and low space utilization in traditional parallel multi-cyclone systems, achieving high equipment integration to meet the needs of space-constrained environments. It also overcomes the challenges of uneven load distribution and low collaborative efficiency when multiple hydrocyclones operate independently, enhancing the collaborative operation capability between multiple hydrocyclones and ensuring overall separation efficiency and stability. Furthermore, it improves upon the shortcomings of traditional hydrocyclones, such as poor separation of small oil droplets, weak adaptability to high oil content conditions, and difficulty in handling fluctuations in operating conditions, enhancing the device's ability to treat wastewater with varying oil concentrations and droplet sizes. Finally, it reduces equipment energy consumption, lowers maintenance costs, and improves equipment reliability and lifespan, providing an economical and efficient oil-water separation solution for offshore platforms.
[0035] This invention is applicable to the treatment of oily wastewater generated in various industrial production processes, including oilfield produced water, oily wastewater from food processing, oil refinery wastewater, and chemical wastewater. It can effectively separate wastewater with different oil concentrations and different oil droplet size distributions, providing reliable technical support for industrial wastewater treatment.
[0036] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention.
Claims
1. A strongly mixed-flow, weakly swirling oil-water separator, characterized in that, include: The flow splitting integration unit is a disk (2) which is fixedly connected to the separator; it also includes an integrated hydrocyclone assembly (1) which is fixedly connected to the separator. The integrated hydrocyclone assembly (1) includes a hydrocyclone body assembly and an internal guide plate (3). The internal guide plate (3) is fixedly installed inside the integrated hydrocyclone assembly (1). The integrated hydrocyclone assembly (1) and the disc (2) form a disc-diverted integrated hydrocyclone assembly fixed inside the equipment.
2. The strongly mixed-flow, weakly swirling oil-water separator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The disc-type integrated hydrocyclone assembly uses a disc (2) made of high-strength corrosion-resistant alloy material as the core carrier. The bottom of the disc (2) has a diversion channel to achieve uniform distribution of wastewater.
3. The strongly mixed-flow, weakly swirling oil-water separator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hydrocyclone body assembly consists of multiple hydrocyclone bodies, which are evenly distributed on the disk (2) in a concentric circle or matrix form. The disk (2) has a regular array of mounting holes on its surface for fixing multiple hydrocyclone bodies. The hydrocyclone bodies are tightly connected to the disk (2) through flanges or embedded sealing structures to form an integrated separation unit, ensuring that each hydrocyclone body is installed firmly and has good sealing performance.
4. The strongly mixed-flow, weakly swirling oil-water separator according to claim 3, characterized in that, The hydrocyclone body has a cylindrical section on one side and a conical section on the other side, and the cylindrical section and the conical section are manufactured using an integrated molding process.
5. The strongly mixed-flow, weakly swirling oil-water separator according to claim 4, characterized in that, The hydrocyclone body has a flow channel inside, and the hydrocyclone body has an overflow port and an underflow port. The surface of the underflow port is covered with a high-performance wear-resistant coating. The overflow port and underflow port of each hydrocyclone body are respectively connected to the total overflow outlet and the total underflow outlet through a collection pipe.
6. The strongly mixed-flow, weakly swirling oil-water separator according to claim 5, characterized in that, The internal guide plate (3) is a guide vane assembly.
7. The strongly mixed-flow, weakly swirling oil-water separator according to claim 6, characterized in that, The guide vane assembly consists of multiple spiral guide vanes, and the spiral guide vanes adopt a variable curvature surface design.
8. The strongly mixed-flow, weakly swirling oil-water separator according to claim 7, characterized in that, The spiral guide vanes are installed at the position from the inlet to the inner wall of the hydrocyclone body to form a continuous swirling acceleration zone.
9. The strongly mixed-flow, weakly swirling oil-water separator according to claim 8, characterized in that, The spiral guide vanes on the same disk (2) are installed at the same angle.
10. The method of using the strong mixed flow and weak vortex type oil-water separator according to claim 9, comprising the following steps: S1. Oily wastewater is first evenly transported to each hydrocyclone body on the disc (2) through a diversion pipe; S2. Inside each hydrocyclone body, the spiral guide vanes cause the wastewater to form a centrifugal flow field, and the less dense oil phase is enriched towards the axis and discharged from the overflow port, and then collected and flowed out through the collection pipe. S3. The denser water phase is discharged through the underflow outlet and then flows out from the main underflow outlet after being collected. S4. Regularly backwash the hydrocyclone body, using flushing fluid at a specific pressure to remove deposits from the inner wall, ensuring continuous and efficient operation of the equipment.