Hydraulic cyclone separator

Abstract

The utility model discloses a hydraulic cyclone separator which comprises a cyclone separator barrel, the barrel comprises a cylinder section and a cone section, a feeding channel is arranged on the upper portion of the cylinder section, an overflow opening is formed in the top of the cylinder section, an underflow opening is formed in the bottom of the cone section, and the feeding channel comprises a cut-in section and a spiral section. The cut-in section is tangent to the top end of the cylinder section, and the spiral section is connected with the cut-in section in a winding mode. The section of each cut-in section is rectangular, and the cut-in sections are arranged in multiple layers; the multiple layers of cut-in sections are connected with feeding pipes from inside to outside, wherein the feeding concentrations of the feeding pipes are sequentially decreased, and the feeding flow speeds are sequentially increased. The material liquid flows in a layered manner, the concentration of the material liquid is reduced layer by layer from inside to outside, the use amount of the diluent can be reduced, and the lighter diluent has a washing effect on heavier suspended solids moving downwards in the process of moving from outside to inside; the flow velocity of the feed liquid is gradually increased from inside to outside, the radial velocity gradient of a traditional hydrocyclone is counteracted, the internal shear force of the feed fluid and the damage to floc particles are reduced, and the separation effect is better.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a hydrocyclone separator, and more particularly to a hydrocyclone separator with a multi-layer feeding method for the feed inlet. Background Technology

[0002] Hydrocyclones separate solids from the liquid phase using hydrodynamic methods, generating centrifugal force during the circulating flow of a suspension. The suspension enters the hydrocyclone tangentially and is forced into a cylindrical or conical shell to form a circulating flow. Heavier solids are separated and discharged from the bottom, while lighter solids and liquid are discharged through an overflow pipe at the top of the device. Therefore, hydrocyclones can be used as classifiers or separators for suspensions containing solid particles of different sizes or densities.

[0003] Depending on the particle size of the selected equipment, a suspension can be separated into two parts. For example, it can be used to remove unwanted small particles or low-density particles from the suspension, thereby achieving a narrower particle size or density distribution range. In environmental engineering, such as in biological wastewater treatment, hydrocyclones are used to separate excess sludge in activated sludge processes. Their purpose is to remove lighter sludge flocs while retaining heavier ones, thus improving the settling properties of the activated sludge in the system. The process involves pumping the return sludge or the side flow of activated sludge into a set of parallel hydrocyclones. The overflow from the hydrocyclones is discharged as excess sludge, while the underflow returns to the activated sludge tank. Compared to traditional activated sludge processes, adding hydrocyclones to separate sludge removes the portion of activated sludge with lower settling velocity from the system, improving the overall settling performance of the activated sludge and thus enhancing the system's biological treatment capacity. Practical experience has proven that its treatment effect is superior to traditional activated sludge processes.

[0004] However, existing hydrocyclones were developed for separating inorganic particulate suspensions and are primarily used in mining and other industrial applications. But activated sludge and other similar flocculent particles differ from inorganic particles; they exhibit a fractal structure with a large amount of liquid distributed within the flocs. Furthermore, the density difference between these flocs and the liquid is two to three orders of magnitude lower than that under typical inorganic particle separation conditions. Hydrocyclones exert high shear forces on the separated media in the diametrical direction, leading to floc particle breakage. This breakage is more pronounced when using hydrocyclones to separate smaller particle sizes, thus affecting separation efficiency. Additionally, the fractal structure of the flocs causes mutual interference during settling, resulting in obstructed settling. This phenomenon intensifies with increasing floc concentration, causing lighter flocs to be carried away by heavier undercurrents, ultimately leading to poor separation. Utility Model Content

[0005] Purpose of the utility model: The purpose of this utility model is to reduce the shear force that causes flocculent breakage and improve the separation accuracy when separating suspensions containing flocculents with low apparent density, by providing a hydrocyclone separator with multiple feed inlets.

[0006] Technical Solution: The present invention discloses a multi-layer feeding hydrocyclone separator, comprising a hydrocyclone separator cylinder, the cylinder comprising a cylindrical section and a conical section, a feed channel being provided at the top of the cylindrical section, an overflow port being provided at the top of the cylindrical section, and an underflow port being provided at the bottom of the conical section. The feed channel comprises a cutting section and a spiral section, the cutting section being tangent to the top of the cylindrical section, and the spiral section being meanderingly connected to the cylindrical section; the cutting section is provided in multiple layers, and the multiple cutting sections are connected from the inside out to multiple feed pipes with successively decreasing concentration and successively increasing flow rate.

[0007] Furthermore, by setting up multi-layer feed channels, the liquid flows in layers within the hydrocyclone separator, with the concentration of the liquid decreasing layer by layer from the inside out. This reduces the amount of diluent needed, and more suspended solids are directed to the center of the separator, allowing the diluent to wash the suspended solids. The concentration of light flocculents in the underflow is greatly reduced, improving the separation effect. The flow velocity gradually increases from the inside out, offsetting the radial velocity gradient under traditional hydrocyclone conditions. This reduces the internal shear force of the suspension and the damage to the flocculent particles, further enhancing the separation effect.

[0008] Furthermore, the multi-layered inlet sections are rectangular channels with uniform height. The channel width is adapted to the feed flow rate, decreasing from the inside to the outside. The channel length is equal to or greater than 1.5 times the nominal diameter of the hydrocyclone. The width adjustment range of the multi-layered inlet sections is -50% to +50% of the value obtained by dividing the total inlet section width by the number of layers, ensuring the stability of the stratified flow and preventing mutual interference between different flow layers.

[0009] Furthermore, the feed flow rate ratio of the multi-layered inlet section is 1.2 to 3.0 times from the inside to the outside, preferably 1.5 to 2.0 times. The concentration ratio of the multi-layered inlet section is 0.3 to 2 times from the outside to the inside, preferably 0.7 to 1.5 times. The limitation of the concentration gradient and flow rate gradient affects the stability and separation effect of the stratified flow of the liquid. If the gradient change is too large, it is not conducive to the formation of multiple stable flow layers, and adjacent flow layers interfere with each other. If the gradient change is too small, the stratification effect is not obvious, the ability to resist the radial velocity gradient of traditional hydrocyclones is poor, and the separation effect is poor.

[0010] Furthermore, an inwardly curved guide wall is provided on the inner wall of the inlet section, starting from the inlet point of the feed liquid, to guide the feed fluid. The curvature of the guide wall is 30-120°. The curved guide wall can optimize the flow field distribution in the swirling motion of the fluid, reduce head loss, reduce wear on the cyclone separator, and increase its service life.

[0011] Furthermore, the multi-layered inlet section is a straight pipe or has a bend with an angle of less than or equal to 45°. The multi-layered inlet section is connected to the feed pipe through adapters and connectors. Different adapters and connectors are selected to connect to different feed pipes, so that liquids of different concentrations and velocities can smoothly pass through the multi-layered feed channel into the hydrocyclone separator, reducing mutual disturbance between different flow layers, ensuring the stratification effect, and thus ensuring the separation effect.

[0012] Beneficial effects: Compared with the prior art, this utility model has the following advantages: 1. By setting up multi-layer feed channels, the flow is layered within the separator, reducing the occurrence of radial turbulence, decreasing the possibility of radial mixing of the liquid and improving the sedimentation effect of the medium particles, thereby improving the overall separation effect; 2. The concentration of the liquid in the multi-layer feed channels decreases layer by layer from the inside to the outside. When using diluent to dilute the suspension, the amount of diluent can be reduced, and more suspended matter is guided to the center of the separator, so that the diluent has a washing effect on the suspended matter, greatly reducing the concentration of light flocculent matter in the underflow obtained by separation, and further improving the separation effect; 3. The flow velocity of the liquid in the multi-layer feed channels gradually increases from the inside to the outside, increasing the momentum gradient from the inside to the outside to offset the radial velocity gradient under the traditional hydrocyclone condition, reducing the internal shear force of the suspension, especially in the cylindrical section of the hydrocyclone separator, reducing the damage to the flocculent particles, improving the quality of the overflow liquid, and reducing the need for subsequent treatment of the overflow liquid. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the three-layer feed hydrocyclone separator of this utility model;

[0014] Figure 2 This is a top view of the structure of the three-layer feed hydrocyclone separator of this utility model;

[0015] Figure 3 This is a side view of the structure of the three-layer feed hydrocyclone separator of this utility model;

[0016] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the stratified feeding flow of the three-layer feeding hydrocyclone separator of this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The technical solution of this utility model will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] Taking a three-layer feeding system as an example, such as Figure 1 The diagram shows a three-layer feed hydrocyclone separator, including a separator body comprising a cylindrical section 1 and a conical section 2. A feed channel 5 is provided at the upper part of the cylindrical section 1, an overflow port 4 is provided at the top of the cylindrical section 1, and an underflow port 3 is provided at the bottom of the conical section 2. The feed channel 5 includes a cutting section 51 and a spiral section 52. The cutting section 51 is tangent to the top of the cylindrical section 1, and the spiral section 52 is connected to the cutting section 51 in a meandering manner. An arc-shaped guide wall 7, curved inwards from the point of entry of the feed liquid, is provided on the inner wall of the cutting section 51 to guide the feed fluid. The arc of the guide wall 7 is 120°, but can also be set to 30–120° depending on the guiding requirements.

[0019] like Figure 2 and 3 As shown, the cross-section of the cutting section 51 is rectangular to ensure that the fluid achieves a stratified feeding effect by following a certain concentration gradient and velocity gradient. The cutting section 51 is configured with three layers, namely, inner layer 511, middle layer 512 and outer layer 513 from the inside out. These layers are respectively connected to the first feed pipe 61, the second feed pipe 62 and the third feed pipe 63 with sequentially decreasing feed concentrations. The cutting section 51 is connected to the feed pipe 6 through the adapter 8 and the connector 9.

[0020] The three-layer inlet sections 51 have the same height and their width is adjusted to match the feed flow rate. The appropriate nominal diameter of the hydrocyclone and the width of the inlet section 51 are selected according to the performance of the feed to be separated. The width adjustment range of the three-layer inlet sections 51 is from -50% to +50% of the value obtained by dividing the total inlet section width by the number of layers 3, decreasing from the inside to the outside. For example, if the width ratio of the three layers is selected as 3:2:1, the length of the inlet section 51 is equal to (or greater than) 1.5 times the nominal diameter of the hydrocyclone. The concentration of the liquid in the three-layer inlet section 51 is: outer layer 513 < middle layer 512 < inner layer 511, with a concentration ratio of 0.3 to 2 times, preferably 0.7 to 1.5 times. For example, the concentration ratio of the liquid in the three-layer inlet section 51 from the outside to the inside is 0.7:1:1.5. The flow rate of the liquid is: outer layer 513 > middle layer 512 > inner layer 511, with a flow rate ratio of 1.2 to 3.0 times, preferably 1.5 to 2.0 times. For example, the flow rate ratio of the liquid in the three-layer inlet section 51 from the outside to the inside is 2:1.5:1. The three-layer inlet section 51 is selected with the middle layer 512 being a straight pipe, the outer layer 513 being a downwardly bent pipe, and the inner layer 511 being an upwardly bent pipe. The bending angle of the outer layer 513 and the inner layer 511 is 45°. Different adapters 8 and connectors 9 can be selected to connect different feed pipes 6.

[0021] like Figure 4As shown, feed solutions of different concentrations and velocities enter the hydrocyclone separator through multiple feed channels 5, forming a strong swirling flow inside the hydrocyclone. Due to centrifugal force, the denser suspended floc particles in the feed solution are guided to the inner wall of the hydrocyclone and move downwards along the inner wall, eventually being discharged from the underflow outlet; while the less dense diluted solution and the lighter suspended flocs move upwards through the central area and are discharged from the overflow outlet. Compared with traditional hydrocyclones, the separation effect is greatly improved: during the separation process, the stratified flow reduces the occurrence of radial turbulence and the possibility of radial mixing of the feed liquid; the concentration of the multi-layer feed decreases layer by layer from the inside to the outside, and more suspended solids are guided to the center of the separator, so that the diluent has a washing effect on the suspended solids, greatly reducing the concentration of light flocs in the underflow; the flow velocity of the feed liquid in the multi-layer feed pipe 6 gradually increases from the inside to the outside, and the momentum gradient from the inside to the outside wall offsets the radial velocity gradient under the operating conditions of traditional hydrocyclones, reducing the internal shear force of the suspension, especially in the cylindrical section of the hydrocyclone separator, reducing the damage to floc particles, improving the quality of the overflow liquid, and reducing the need for subsequent treatment of the overflow liquid.

Claims

1. A hydrocyclone separator comprising a cyclone separator cylinder, said cylinder comprising a cylindrical section (1) and a conical section (2), said cylindrical section (1) being provided with an inlet channel (5) in its upper part, said cylindrical section (1) being provided with an overflow opening (4) in its upper part, said conical section (2) being provided with an underflow opening (3) in its lower part; characterized in that, The feed inlet channel (5) comprises a tangential section (51) and a spiral section (52), the tangential section (51) is tangent to the top end of the cylindrical section (1), and the spiral section (52) is connected to the tangential section (51) in a serpentine manner; the tangential section (51) is provided with multiple layers, and the multiple layers of the tangential section (51) are connected to multiple feed pipes (6) with decreasing concentration and increasing flow rate from inside to outside.

2. The hydrocyclone separator of claim 1, wherein The multiple layers of the tangential section (51) are rectangular channels with the same height, the channel width is adapted to the feed flow rate and decreases from inside to outside, and the channel length is equal to or greater than 1.5 times the nominal diameter of the hydrocyclone.

3. The hydrocyclone separator of claim 2, wherein, The width of the multiple layers of the tangential section (51) is adjusted in the range of -50% to +50% of the value obtained by dividing the total tangential section width by the number of layers.

4. The hydrocyclone separator of claim 1, wherein The ratio of the feed flow rates of the multiple layers of the tangential section (51) is 1.2 to 3.0 from inside to outside.

5. The hydrocyclone separator of claim 4, wherein, The ratio of the feed flow rates of the multiple layers of the tangential section (51) is 1.5 to 2.0 from inside to outside.

6. The hydrocyclone separator of claim 1, wherein, The ratio of the feed concentrations of the multiple layers of the tangential section (51) is 0.3 to 2 from outside to inside.

7. The hydrocyclone separator of claim 6, wherein, The ratio of the feed concentrations of the multiple layers of the tangential section (51) is 0.7 to 1.5 from outside to inside.

8. The hydrocyclone separator of claim 1, wherein, An arc-shaped guide wall (7) for guiding the feed fluid is arranged on the inner wall of the tangential section (51) starting from the feed liquid tangential point, and the curvature of the guide wall (7) is 30 to 120°.

9. The hydrocyclone separator of claim 1, wherein, The multiple layers of the tangential section (51) are straight pipes or have one elbow with an angle less than or equal to 45°.

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