Distributing device of horizontal screw centrifuge

Abstract

The invention discloses a material distribution device of a horizontal screw centrifuge, and aims to solve the problems of large impact disturbance, non-uniform material distribution and serious local wear in a traditional material distribution mode. The device comprises a material distribution ring installed on a mandrel of the spiral conveyor, and the material distribution ring is coaxially arranged outside the mandrel in a sleeving mode and located above a plurality of discharging ports formed in the mandrel and a feeding cylinder. In a preferable scheme, the material distribution ring is in a horn mouth shape, and a wear-resisting plate with a plurality of convex ribs and inclined planes is arranged at the impact position of the material distribution ring and is used for segmenting and guiding concentrated jet flow. A plurality of radial outlets are circumferentially formed in the distribution ring, and a diversion trench can be formed in the inner wall. And the material jet impacts the inner wall of the rotating material distribution ring, and is thrown to the rotary drum from the circumferential outlet and the horn mouth after multiple times of shunting and decelerating diffusion. According to the invention, low-disturbance and high-uniformity material distribution is realized, the separation effect is remarkably improved, and the service life of parts is remarkably prolonged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of centrifugal separation machinery and equipment, and specifically to a feeding device for a horizontal screw centrifuge. Background Technology

[0002] The horizontal screw discharge sedimentation centrifuge, or simply horizontal screw centrifuge, is a continuous-operation centrifugal separation device widely used in industries such as chemical, pharmaceutical, food, environmental protection, and mining. Its working principle is as follows: the high-speed rotating drum and the screw conveyor with a certain speed difference work together to rapidly separate the solid and liquid phases of the suspension entering the drum under a strong centrifugal force field. The separated solids are pushed by the screw conveyor to the drying zone at the smaller end of the drum for further dehydration before being discharged, while the separated clear liquid is discharged through the overflow weir at the larger end of the drum.

[0003] In the operation of a horizontal screw centrifuge, the material distribution stage is one of the key steps affecting separation efficiency, processing capacity, and equipment operational stability. Current material distribution methods typically involve extending the feed pipe from the large end of the centrifuge and directly distributing the material into the rotating drum through the discharge port located on the screw conveyor spindle or feed cylinder. However, this traditional method suffers from uneven distribution and is prone to disturbance. Material is ejected at high linear velocity from the high-speed rotating discharge port, directly impacting the inner wall of the drum or the already formed settling layer. This concentrated, high-speed impact generates severe turbulence and disturbance within the liquid pool, disrupting the established solid particle settling process. This results in increased moisture content in the separated solids, decreased clarity of the liquid phase, and poor separation efficiency. The impact of this disturbance is particularly significant for fine, difficult-to-settle particles. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the defects in the prior art and provide a feeding device for a horizontal screw centrifuge.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of this invention is to design a material distribution device for a horizontal screw centrifuge, comprising a mandrel mounted on the screw conveyor of the horizontal screw centrifuge and a feed cylinder coaxially mounted inside the mandrel. Multiple discharge ports are provided at corresponding positions on the feed cylinder and the mandrel. The mandrel is equipped with external helical blades. The key feature is that a material distribution ring is coaxially fitted around the mandrel, and the material distribution ring is located above the multiple discharge ports. Based on the traditional screw conveyor mandrel and feed cylinder structure, a material distribution ring coaxially fitted around the mandrel is added, thereby intercepting, guiding, and diffusing the high-speed material flow ejected from the discharge ports, allowing the material to be distributed more smoothly into the internal space of the centrifuge drum.

[0006] Specifically, the fabric ring is funnel-shaped and includes a connecting plate connected to the mandrel and a flow guide channel connected to the connecting plate. The funnel-shaped flow guide channel can prevent the material ejected from the outlet from accumulating on the inner wall of the flow guide channel, thus affecting the flow of subsequent materials.

[0007] Furthermore, a groove is provided on the fabric ring directly above the discharge port, and a wear-resistant plate is installed inside the groove. Considering the long-term impact and wear of the material flow on the fabric ring, a groove is specifically provided on the fabric ring directly opposite the lower discharge port, and a wear-resistant plate is embedded in this groove. The wear-resistant plate, as a vulnerable component directly bearing the impact of the material, is made of a high-hardness, high-wear-resistance material, such as tungsten carbide, ceramic, or a special alloy. When the wear-resistant plate wears to a certain extent, it can be easily replaced without replacing the entire fabric ring, greatly reducing maintenance costs and downtime, and improving the maintainability and economy of the device.

[0008] Furthermore, the wear-resistant plate has three raised ribs on its impact surface facing the discharge port. One end of each rib is connected at the center of the impact surface, dividing it into three inclined surfaces facing three different directions. To more effectively disperse the concentrated material flow impacting the wear-resistant plate, three raised ribs are provided on the impact surface facing the discharge port. These three ribs connect at the center of the impact surface, dividing the originally flat or single-curved surface into three inclined surfaces facing different directions. When a high-speed material flow impacts the central connection point perpendicularly or nearly perpendicularly, it is forcibly divided by these three ribs and guided along the three inclined surfaces in three different circumferential or axial directions, thus achieving initial diversion and diffusion of the material. This three-way diversion active diversion structure is more efficient and produces a more uniform effect than passive diffusion relying solely on collision and rebound.

[0009] Furthermore, the central part of the impact surface is a conical diverter facing the discharge port, with one end of each of the three raised ribs converging at this conical diverter. To optimize the diversion effect, especially addressing the issue of concentrated central impact energy, the connection point at the center of the impact surface can be designed as a conical diverter facing the discharge port. One end of each of the three raised ribs converges and connects to the root or tip of this conical diverter. The conical diverter first receives the strongest central portion of the material flow, its conical surface allowing the central material flow to slide outwards, and then the raised ribs and inclined surface further distribute it. This more gently and thoroughly disperses the concentrated material flow, reducing the impact of concentrated energy and resulting in a more uniform and gentle material distribution.

[0010] Furthermore, the fabric ring is uniformly provided with multiple radial outlets along its circumference. When the material encounters the fabric ring, it will be diverted along the circumference of the guide channel and at the flared end due to the impact of the material. Then, under the action of centrifugal force, it flows towards the inner wall of the drum outside the flared end. The multiple radial outlets along the circumference of the fabric ring can allow a portion of the material to flow towards the inner wall of the drum from the radial outlets in advance.

[0011] Furthermore, multiple inclined guide grooves are evenly arranged on the inner wall of the fabric ring along the direction away from the connecting plate. To enhance the guiding effect inside the fabric ring and prevent material from sticking or flowing poorly on the inner wall of the flared opening, multiple inclined guide grooves are evenly arranged on the inner wall of the fabric ring along the direction from the connecting plate outward. These guide grooves guide the material to flow smoothly towards the outer edge and radial outlet of the fabric ring in a predetermined direction, reducing the possibility of eddies or dead zones forming inside the fabric ring and ensuring a smooth and stable fabric feeding process.

[0012] Furthermore, the feed cylinder is connected to the mandrel via a connecting sleeve fitted at its end. The connecting sleeve is mounted on the feed cylinder with a locking screw, and a through hole is also provided on the connecting sleeve relative to the discharge port direction. The feed cylinder is coaxially connected and fixed to the mandrel of the screw conveyor via the connecting sleeve fitted at its end. The connecting sleeve is locked onto the feed cylinder with the locking screw to prevent axial movement or circumferential rotation. Simultaneously, a through hole is also provided on the connecting sleeve at a position corresponding to the discharge port of the mandrel and the feed cylinder to ensure unobstructed material flow. This split-type connection structure facilitates the individual manufacturing, installation, and disassembly and maintenance of components such as the feed cylinder and the material distribution ring, improving assembly processability and modularity.

[0013] Furthermore, sealing grooves are formed on both sides of the outlet on the connecting sleeve or feed cylinder, and sealing elements are installed in the sealing grooves. To ensure that no leakage occurs when material flows from the feed cylinder through the connecting sleeve area and to maintain pressure, annular sealing grooves are formed on both sides of the outlet on the connecting sleeve or feed cylinder. Appropriate sealing elements, such as O-rings, Glyd rings, or other types of seals, are installed in the sealing grooves. These seals effectively isolate the high-pressure feed zone from the inside of the centrifuge drum, preventing material leakage from unopened outlets or other gaps, ensuring that all material enters the distribution stage from the designated outlet along the designed path. This is a crucial structure for ensuring the sealing reliability of the device.

[0014] Furthermore, a wear-resistant sleeve is fitted onto the discharge port. To further enhance the durability of the discharge port itself and to withstand direct scouring by materials, an independent wear-resistant sleeve is fitted onto each discharge port. The wear-resistant sleeve is typically made of wear-resistant engineering ceramics, alloy steel, or high-molecular materials such as polyurethane, and is fixed to the edge of the discharge port in a replaceable manner. When the edge of the discharge port wears down due to long-term scouring, only the wear-resistant sleeve needs to be replaced, protecting the more expensive mandrel or feed cylinder body, extending the service life of core components, and demonstrating another aspect of the device's durability design.

[0015] The advantages and beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: By adding a feeding ring and its related optimized structure, this invention transforms the destructive high-speed jet impact in traditional centrifuges into a stable, uniform, and controllable feeding process. The main advantages are as follows: First, it significantly reduces turbulence and disturbance of materials within the drum, creating a more stable environment for solid particle sedimentation, thereby improving separation efficiency and product dryness. Second, through the design of wear-resistant plates and wear-resistant sleeves, wear is concentrated on easily replaceable components, significantly reducing the wear rate and maintenance costs of key components. Third, the feeding direction and range can be adjusted to a certain extent through the structure of the feeding ring (such as radial outlets and guide channels), enhancing the equipment's adaptability to different materials. Fourth, the structural design takes into account reliability, maintainability, and modularity, facilitating manufacturing, installation, and maintenance. This invention effectively solves the key problems of uneven feeding, large disturbances, rapid wear, and poor adaptability in existing technologies. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the fabric-making device of the present invention; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Enlarged view of a portion of point A in the middle; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the fabric ring structure of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the wear-resistant plate of the present invention.

[0017] In the diagram: 1. Mandrel; 2. Feed cylinder; 21. Sealing groove; 3. Discharge port; 4. Blade; 5. Fabric ring; 51. Connecting plate; 52. Guide channel; 53. Radial outlet; 54. Guide groove; 6. Wear-resistant plate; 61. Raised rib; 62. Center of impact surface; 63. Inclined surface; 64. Conical diverter; 7. Connecting sleeve; 71. Stop screw; 8. Seal; 9. Wear-resistant sleeve. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are only used to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0019] according to Figure 1 , 2 As shown, this invention relates to a feeding device for a horizontal screw centrifuge. The feeding device is mounted on the spindle 1 of the screw conveyor of the horizontal screw centrifuge and rotates coaxially with the spindle 1. A feed cylinder 2 is coaxially inserted inside the spindle 1, and the material to be separated is pumped in from one end of the feed cylinder 2 under pressure. Multiple discharge ports 3 are spaced circumferentially on the wall of the feed cylinder 2 and in corresponding areas on the spindle 1. The material is ejected outward through these discharge ports 3. Spiral blades 4 are fixedly mounted on the outside of the spindle 1 for pushing the settled solids during centrifugal separation. A feeding ring 5 is coaxially fitted and fixed to the outside of the spindle 1. The feeding ring 5 is positioned axially above all the discharge ports 3, meaning that the material flow ejected from the discharge ports 3 first impacts or enters the inner cavity of the feeding ring 5, rather than directly impacting the inner wall of the rotating drum. The fabric ring 5 is securely fixed to the spindle 1 by welding, bolting, or interference fit to ensure that it can rotate synchronously at high speed with the spindle 1 and the blade 4. It should be noted that the installation of the fabric ring 5 will interfere with the spiral blade 4. Therefore, a notch needs to be cut in the blade 4 for the fabric ring 5 to pass through. For ease of installation, the fabric ring 5 can be composed of two or more arcs assembled together.

[0020] like Figure 3 As shown, the fabric ring 5 is generally funnel-shaped. It consists of a disc-shaped connecting plate 51 and a truncated cone-shaped guide channel 52. The inner ring of the connecting plate 51 is fixedly connected to the outer surface of the mandrel 1 by welding or flange to ensure the transmission of torque and axial force. The larger end of the guide channel 52 faces one side along the axial direction of the mandrel 1, and the smaller end is connected to the outer edge of the connecting plate 51. This gradually widening flow channel allows some of the material ejected from the lower outlet 3 to flow outward along the funnel opening after entering the guide channel 52, preventing material from accumulating inside the fabric ring 5 and affecting the flow of subsequent materials.

[0021] To cope with the continuous impact and wear of the high-speed material flow on the cloth ring 5, a groove is machined or prefabricated on the inner wall of the guide channel 52 of the cloth ring 5, directly opposite the spray center of the lower discharge port 3. A wear-resistant plate 6 is installed in the groove by screws, clips, or adhesive. The wear-resistant plate 6 is preferably made of a material with high hardness and good wear resistance, such as alumina ceramic, silicon carbide, or high-chromium cast iron. This allows the body of the cloth ring 5 to be made of ordinary structural steel to reduce costs, while concentrating wear on the replaceable wear-resistant plate 6.

[0022] like Figure 4As shown, the impact surface of the wear-resistant plate 6 facing the discharge port 3 is designed with multiple beveled surfaces. Three raised ribs 61 are machined or cast onto this impact surface. These three raised ribs 61 intersect and connect in the central area of ​​the impact surface, forming a connection point, namely the center position 62 of the impact surface. The three raised ribs 61 divide the impact surface into three independent inclined surfaces 63 facing different directions. The inclined surfaces 63 can be flat planes or concave or convex curved surfaces. During operation, the material stream sprayed vertically upwards from the discharge port 3 first impacts the intersection point of the three raised ribs 61, is forcibly divided into three streams, and then flows and splashes along the three inclined surfaces 63 in different directions (for example, one mainly flows axially directly from the flared end, and two mainly flow circumferentially in opposite directions into the guide channel), achieving initial dispersion of the material.

[0023] like Figure 4 As shown, to further optimize the impact resistance and diversion effect at the center point, as another improved implementation method, the central position 62 of the impact surface can be specifically embodied as a conical diverter 64 protruding towards the discharge port 3. This conical diverter 64 can be a separate part welded to the wear-resistant plate 6, or it can be integrally formed with the wear-resistant plate 6. The starting ends of the three raised ribs 61 are respectively connected to the root or conical surface of the conical diverter 64. The material flow first impacts the tip or conical surface of the conical diverter 64, is guided to the surrounding area by the conical surface, and then is further distributed by the three raised ribs 61. This structure can more effectively break down the central core of the high-speed material flow, making the energy distribution more uniform and the diversion process smoother.

[0024] like Figure 3 As shown, to achieve uniform circumferential material distribution, multiple radial outlets 53 are evenly distributed along the entire circumference, penetrating the inner wall of the material ring 5. (These radial outlets 53 are offset from the discharge ports 3; generally, each discharge port 3 has one radial outlet 53 along a different circumferential direction.) The radial outlets 53 can be circular holes, square holes, or elongated slits. A portion of the material diverted by the wear-resistant plate 6 enters the guide channel 52 inside the material ring 5 and flows along the inner wall of the guide channel 52. After deceleration and diffusion, a portion eventually passes through these radial outlets 53 (some overflowing outwards from the flared end), being thrown into the drum at a relatively low speed and a large dispersion angle. The number and size of the radial outlets 53 can be adjusted according to the material characteristics (such as viscosity and solid content) to control the density and distribution of the material. For example, for easily disturbed materials, more and smaller outlets can be used; for high-viscosity materials, larger outlets can be used to prevent clogging.

[0025] like Figure 3As shown, to further improve the flowability of the material inside the fabric ring 5 and prevent it from adhering to the inner wall of the bell mouth or forming irregular eddies, multiple inclined guide grooves 54 are machined on the inner wall of the fabric ring 5, i.e., the inner surface of the guide channel 52. These guide grooves 54 start from the inner side near the connecting plate 51 and extend to the outer side near the radial outlet 53. The inclination direction of the guide grooves 54 (the direction is adapted to the rotation direction of the spindle 1; that is, when the spindle 1 rotates, the material inside it will form a tangential force, and under the action of this force, the material flies out tangentially. The guide grooves 54 are set along this flying-out direction to further guide the flow) can be at a certain angle to the axis of the spindle 1 or form a slight spiral. Their function is to guide the material layer flowing on the wall to move smoothly to the outer edge along a predetermined path, ensuring that the material can reach each radial outlet 53 smoothly, and also having a certain auxiliary diversion and uniform distribution effect.

[0026] Regarding the installation and connection of components, the feed cylinder 2 typically extends into the large-end bearing housing of the centrifuge, and its end is coaxially connected and fixed to the mandrel 1 via a connecting sleeve 7. The connecting sleeve 7 is fitted onto the outer circumference of the end of the feed cylinder 2 and radially locked by multiple circumferentially distributed sets of locking screws 71 to prevent relative rotation or axial movement between it and the feed cylinder 2. The outer surface of the connecting sleeve 7 is connected to the mandrel 1 by flange, thread, or welding. Importantly, through holes are also provided on the tube wall of the connecting sleeve 7, corresponding to the positions of the outlet 3 on the mandrel 1 and the feed cylinder 2, to ensure continuous and unobstructed material flow. This split connection method facilitates alignment during assembly and disassembly during later maintenance.

[0027] like Figure 2 As shown, to ensure sealing performance and prevent high-pressure materials from leaking from the gap between the feed cylinder 2 and the connecting sleeve 7, or from the outlet in the non-working area, an annular sealing groove 21 is machined on both sides of the axial direction of the outlet 3 area on the inner wall of the connecting sleeve 7 (or correspondingly, on the outer wall of the feed cylinder 2). Each sealing groove 21 is fitted with a suitable sealing element 8, such as a rubber O-ring, a PTFE Glycol ring, or a metal spring-loaded sealing ring. These sealing elements 8 effectively block leakage paths, ensuring that all materials can only enter the distribution stage through the designed outlet 3.

[0028] Finally, to further improve the wear resistance of the discharge port 3 body, a wear-resistant sleeve 9 is fitted onto the edge of each discharge port 3. The wear-resistant sleeve 9 can be installed on the discharge port edge of the spindle 1 or feed cylinder 2 by interference fit, threaded connection, or snap ring fixing. Its material can be engineering ceramics, wear-resistant alloys, or ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, etc. As the first line of defense against material erosion, the wear-resistant sleeve 9 protects the base material of the spindle 1 and feed cylinder 2. When it wears out, it can be replaced individually, making maintenance very convenient.

[0029] The working principle of this invention is briefly described as follows: The material to be separated is fed into the feed cylinder 2 under pressure through the feed pipe. When the material reaches the discharge port 3 opened on the feed cylinder 2 and the mandrel 1, it enters the internal space of the centrifuge and immediately obtains extremely high tangential velocity, spraying out from the discharge port 3 in a jet shape. These high-speed jets first impact the wear-resistant plate 6 installed on the rotating cloth ring 5 upward (radially outward). The raised ribs 61 and inclined surfaces 63 (or conical diverters 64) on the wear-resistant plate 6 disperse the concentrated jets into multiple secondary streams with different directions. Part of the dispersed material enters the funnel-shaped guide channel 52 of the cloth ring 5, and part of it is directly thrown outward from the funnel. The material flow rate entering the guide channel 52 is further reduced, and under the guidance of the inner wall guide groove 54, part of the material diffuses circumferentially into the ring, while part of the material is thrown into the entire circumferential space inside the centrifuge drum in a relatively gentle and dispersed state through multiple radial outlets 53 evenly distributed around the periphery of the cloth ring 5, and begins the centrifugal sedimentation separation process.

[0030] In summary, this invention, by adding a rotating material distribution ring with a wear-resistant flow divider, a flared flow channel, and a uniformly distributed outlet, completely changes the way materials enter the centrifuge drum. It transforms high-speed, concentrated impact into beneficial, gentle, and uniform material distribution, thereby significantly improving the separation performance, operational stability, and component lifespan of the horizontal screw centrifuge, and has promising prospects for industrial applications.

[0031] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the technical principles of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fabric feeding device for a horizontal screw centrifuge, characterized in that, The invention includes a mandrel (1) mounted on the screw conveyor of a horizontal screw centrifuge, and a feed cylinder (2) coaxially mounted inside the mandrel (1). The feed cylinder (2) and the mandrel (1) are provided with multiple discharge ports (3) at corresponding positions. The mandrel (1) is provided with an outer spiral blade (4). The invention is characterized in that a cloth ring (5) is coaxially fitted outside the mandrel (1), and the cloth ring (5) is located above the multiple discharge ports (3).

2. The fabric feeding device for a horizontal screw centrifuge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fabric ring (5) is flared and includes a connecting plate (51) connected to the spindle (1) and a guide channel (52) connected to the connecting plate (51).

3. The fabric feeding device for a horizontal screw centrifuge according to claim 2, characterized in that, The fabric ring (5) is provided with a groove located directly above the discharge port (3), and a wear-resistant plate (6) is provided inside the groove.

4. The fabric feeding device for a horizontal screw centrifuge according to claim 3, characterized in that, The wear-resistant plate (6) has three raised ribs (61) on the impact surface facing the discharge port (3). One end of each raised rib (61) is connected at the middle position (62) of the impact surface, and the impact surface is divided into inclined surfaces (63) facing three directions respectively.

5. The fabric feeding device for a horizontal screw centrifuge according to claim 4, characterized in that, The middle position (62) of the impact surface is a conical diverter (64) facing the discharge port (3), and one end of the three protruding ribs (61) converges at the conical diverter (64).

6. The fabric feeding device for a horizontal screw centrifuge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fabric ring (5) has multiple radial outlets (53) evenly distributed circumferentially.

7. The fabric feeding device for a horizontal screw centrifuge according to claim 2, characterized in that, Multiple inclined guide grooves (54) are evenly arranged on the inner wall of the fabric ring (5) in the direction away from the connecting plate (51).

8. The fabric feeding device for a horizontal screw centrifuge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feed cylinder (2) is connected to the spindle (1) through a connecting sleeve (7) fitted at its end. The connecting sleeve (7) is installed on the feed cylinder (2) by a stop screw (71). A hole is also opened through the connecting sleeve (7) in the direction relative to the outlet (3).

9. The fabric feeding device for a horizontal screw centrifuge according to claim 8, characterized in that, On the connecting sleeve (7) or the feed cylinder (2), sealing grooves (21) are provided on both sides of the discharge port (3), and a sealing element (8) is provided in the sealing groove (21).

10. The fabric feeding device for a horizontal screw centrifuge according to claim 1, characterized in that, A wear-resistant sleeve (9) is fitted onto the discharge port (3).

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