Detection device and separation system with a separation container

Abstract

Device (2) for detecting the vertical position of a surface of a component of several components of different densities present in a container (3, 46), which are present in layers in the container (3, 46) during operation of the container (3, 46), wherein the device (2) has a float (8) capable of floating on the component, which can be positioned vertically movable in the container (3, 46) so that, during operation of the container (3, 46), at least the vertical position of the surface of the component in the container (3, 46) can be detected based on the floating position of the float on the component, wherein the device (2) has a control element (10) movable along the path of movement of the float (8), wherein drive means for the driven movement of the control element (10) are provided, wherein, in order to influence the vertical position of the float (8), the control element (10) can be temporarily coupled to the float (8).so that in the coupled state of float body (8) and control element (10), the float body (8) can be moved out of its vertical position determined by the float body's floating position and into another vertical position of the float body (8) in the container (3), so that with the coupling, the float body (8) can be moved vertically either upwards or downwards from its floating position, wherein magnetic means (12) are provided for supplying magnetic forces with which the coupling of the float body (8) with the control element (10) is established, characterized in thatthat by the movement of the float body (8) from its floating position, forced by the control element (10) according to the balancing of the float body (8) with the float body (8), at least one further vertical position of a further component in the container (3) and one further level vertically above the balanced predetermined floating position of the float body (8) is discernible, wherein the control element (10) and the float body (8) are coordinated such that the temporary coupling of the control element (10) and the float body (8) takes place without contact.

Description

State of the art

[0001] Devices for detecting the level of a component present in a container, such as a liquid or sludge level measuring devices, and separation systems with such devices are known. In separation systems, during operation of the separation system, which serves to separate liquid and / or solid components of a multi-component mixture flowing into the separation system, the separation tank is continuously or discontinuously fed by the multi-component mixture, such as a wastewater stream.

[0002] With regard to environmentally harmful substances, the safe operation and monitoring of the separation system is of fundamental importance. Relevant operating parameters include levels within the separation tank, such as light liquid layers in a light liquid separation system or sludge layers in a sludge trap.

[0003] The state of the art is represented by US 4876888 A, CN 2859472 Y, JP 2000-241231 A, WO 2009 / 033496 A1, US 2015 / 0068301 A1, CN 102384776 A, DE 577539 A, DE 202008017436 U1, DE 102012018149 A1, DE 102012002413 A1, JP S57-3010 A and Called JP 2010-249790 A. Purpose and advantages of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to improve a level detection device or a separation system of the type mentioned above, in particular with regard to safe and continuous monitoring and management of a warning-relevant operating situation of the separation system.

[0005] This problem is solved by the independent claims. The dependent claims relate to advantageous and expedient variants of the invention.

[0006] The invention relates to a device for detecting a vertical position of a surface of a component of several components of different density present in a container, which are present in layers in the container during operation of the container, wherein the device has a float body capable of floating on the component, which can be arranged vertically movable in the container, so that during operation of the container at least the vertical position of the surface of the component in the container can be detected based on a float body floating position on the component.

[0007] The device preferably serves to detect the vertical position of a liquid and / or a solid component in the container, wherein several, preferably two or three, components with different densities are present in the container. Depending on their density, the components separate in layers within the container, as the container serves as a settling zone or sedimentation tank for the multi-component mixture flowing into it, thereby reducing the flow velocity of the mixture. The container is, in particular, a separator tank of a separation system such as a light liquid separator and / or a sludge trap or the like. The float is preferably balanced such that it floats on a first liquid with a first density and does not float or sinks in a second liquid with a lower density than the first liquid.The first liquid can be, for example, an aqueous component, and the second liquid can be a light liquid such as gasoline or oil. To allow the float to move vertically along a predetermined path within the container, a guide axis or float guide is advantageously provided, for example, an elongated hollow body along which the float is guided. The float guide is preferably a linear guide and is designed such that the float can move freely upwards and downwards to any vertical position along the guide, but cannot move, or can only move within narrowly defined limits, in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement defined by the float guide. For example, the float can only move vertically, but not horizontally.

[0008] A first essential aspect of the invention lies in the fact that the device has a control element movable along the path of movement of the float body. To influence the vertical position of the float body, the control element can be temporarily coupled to the float body, so that in the coupled state of the float body and control element, the float body can be moved out of its vertical position, determined by its floating position, and into another vertical position within the container. In the uncoupled state, the control element and the float body are freely and independently movable vertically within their respective maximum possible vertical ranges of movement, i.e., between a lowest and a highest vertical position. With the coupling, the float body can be moved vertically from its floating position, either upwards or downwards, as desired.

[0009] The float position refers to a state of the float in equilibrium, i.e., with negligible flow influences from moving liquids or solids or components in the container.

[0010] By forcing the float body out of its floating position according to the float body's balancing, as mandated by the control element, at least one further vertical position of another component in the container can be detected with the float body, preferably two or more vertical positions. In particular, by moving the float body out of its floating position, another level vertically above the pre-set, balanced floating position of the float body, such as the fill level of the container, and another level below the floating position, such as a sludge level, can be detected.

[0011] The control element and the float body are advantageously coordinated in such a way that, after the float body is moved out of the swimming position and reaches the next vertical position, the coupling between the control element and the float body is automatically released.

[0012] The coupling utilizes a force to move the float upwards or downwards from its floating position, which acts as a resultant kinetic force on the control element in its vicinity. Advantageously, the float's buoyancy remains unchanged, meaning its weight and volume, or rather its density, remain the same.

[0013] The coupling exerts a force on the float, which is determined by the behavior of the control element in its environment. The control element is preferably located in a separate, isolated space or fluid from the float.

[0014] To move the float upwards, the control element is set in a state where the buoyant force acting on the control element, which counteracts gravity, is greater than the force exerted by the weight of the control element. The buoyant force on the control element is so great that, when coupled to the float, it is sufficient to move the float upwards as well.

[0015] To move the float downwards from its floating position, the control element is in a state where it sinks in its surroundings, meaning it has comparatively little buoyancy. When coupled to the control element, the weight of the control element acts as an additional relevant force on the float, so that the float's buoyancy is insufficient to keep it afloat. Consequently, the float sinks along with the control element.

[0016] The coupling allows for targeted external influence on the float body, forcing it to move vertically. Otherwise, the float body's position is deliberately governed only by the predetermined balance of the float body or the buoyancy of the corresponding component.

[0017] By coupling the control element with its externally controlled buoyancy or sinking behavior in its environment (which will be explained further below), it is advantageously possible, with the aid of the float, to detect and thus monitor a level in the container of another component within the container, which differs from the component to which the float is specifically calibrated. The components within the container do not refer to the contents in the isolated environment inside the guide assembly in which the control element is movably mounted.

[0018] For example, a float used to detect a liquid level in wastewater separators is balanced so that it floats on an aqueous phase with a density of approximately 1 kg / liter. Detecting the surface level of another layered component within the tank is not practically feasible with this float in known systems.

[0019] This is where the invention comes in, wherein the device according to the invention advantageously operates with exactly one float body in the container and, in addition to detecting the level of the component to which the float body is balanced, reliably detects preferably two further levels or vertical positions of further components in the container and, with the help of a position detection system adapted to the float body, which includes reed contacts and a permanent magnet on the float body, provides corresponding operating signals for monitoring the operation of the container or the separation system.

[0020] Preferably, the invention allows the respective vertical position of a surface of exactly two further layered components in the container to be determined. Preferably, the two further components in question comprise a first further component, such as a light liquid, which has a lower density than the component with respect to which the float body is balanced, and a second further component, which has a higher density than the component, such as a solid, with respect to which the float body is balanced.

[0021] Therefore, according to the invention, the single float body can advantageously be used to detect the respective vertical position of the respective surface of, for example, three components with different densities, in relation to the components layered in the container, if the container forms a settling zone for the multi-component mixture, for example, if it is designed as a sedimentation tank.

[0022] Up to now, a float in a separator has served solely to determine the single component on which the float is balanced. With the present invention, the vertical positions of a surface or level of several components of different densities in a container such as a separator can be determined during a comparatively short measurement phase.

[0023] Furthermore, it is advantageous that the relevant levels can be recorded, particularly at predetermined times or at any time, and that the corresponding operating parameters can be determined from them.

[0024] According to an arrangement not according to the invention, it is advantageous that the float body has a shape-changing shell which encloses a receiving chamber for a medium, wherein the medium can be selectively introduced into and discharged from the receiving chamber of the float body via conduits extending to the float body. The float body is, for example, constructed in the manner of a float balloon or an inflatable bladder with an elastic shell. The buoyancy or lift of the float body in a liquid in the container or in a medium present in the container can be variably controlled by the amount of gas filled into the float body, which can be supplied from the outside or via the control unit of the device. When the float body is evacuated or emptied, it sinks to the bottom in a liquid in a conventional separator container such as a wastewater tank. The shell orThe housing material of the float is advantageously selected, for example from a robust yet flexible elastomer or rubber material, so that the emptied float floats on a sedimentation layer in the bottom of the separator tank, such as a layer of sludge, and does not sink into the sludge. This allows the vertical position of the sludge layer's surface to be detected, and a corresponding operating signal can be transmitted to the control unit or a higher-level unit via a position sensor on the float. For this purpose, the position sensor described above is preferably provided, for example with a permanent magnet on the float and several reed switches on a vertical float guide.

[0025] In this way, the vertical position of the sludge layer's surface can be continuously detected, logged, and monitored at predefined intervals. When a maximum tolerable sludge level is reached and detected in the tank, the operating signal is linked to a log entry for "maximum sludge level" and a warning message. This message is then transmitted, for example, via the internet or a server and forwarded as a warning via email, SMS, or as a push notification with a link to a corresponding operating app on a mobile device, such as a smartphone.

[0026] The same applies to the detection of a maximum fill level in the container according to an uppermost component layer.

[0027] To introduce and / or remove the gas, such as air or another inert gas, into or out of the tightly enclosed inner volume of the balloon float, preferably exactly one line is connected to the float, which is connected outside the container to a conveying device or gas pump arrangement and leads from there into the interior of the container to the float.

[0028] Advantageously, the device according to the invention includes a detection device for detecting the vertical position of the float in the container. The position detection device provides, in particular, a measurement signal for determining the vertical position of the float in its installed state within the container. Specifically, all possible vertical positions of the float within the container can be detected, which differ, in particular, by vertical distances, e.g., in the millimeter or centimeter range. The detection device preferably comprises magnetic means with a permanent magnet on the float and a plurality of reed contacts or reed switches interacting with the permanent magnet. The reed contacts are advantageously arranged along a vertical path of movement for the float and are fixedly positioned in a vertically aligned arrangement and spaced vertically apart.Each individual reed switch can be activated, or generates an operating signal, when the float assumes a corresponding vertical position in the container. For this purpose, the reed contacts inside the container are connected to a unit outside the container, preferably via a wired connection such as a self-locking electrical cable.

[0029] The control element and the float body are advantageously designed so that the temporary coupling of the control element and the float body takes place without contact.

[0030] This is advantageous from a design perspective and with regard to the harsh conditions regularly found in a separator tank. Because of the components regularly present in multi-component mixtures such as wastewater, soiling, adhesion, and deposits occur on all affected surfaces inside the tank, which can also have a detrimental effect on the contact surfaces between the control element and the float. With a contactless coupling, these negative effects are eliminated or minimized.

[0031] Preferably, magnetic means are provided to supply magnetic forces for coupling the float body to the control element. These magnetic means enable simple, contactless coupling between the float body and the control element. Preferably, the magnetic means comprise a first magnetic means on the float body and a second magnetic means on the control element. The magnetic means preferably include a section on the control element made of a magnetic material and a permanent magnet section on the float body. The section on the control element and the permanent magnet section on the float body are closely adjacent in a corresponding vertical position and are separated only by a relatively thin section of material, for example, a wall of guide elements for the vertical guidance of the control element and / or the float body.The separating material section consists in particular of a non-magnetic material.

[0032] Advantageously, the coupling mechanism of the magnetic means on the control element is such that the effect of the magnetic means on the float body on existing reed contacts, which can be switched by the magnetic means on the float body, is not impaired. Preferably, the magnetic means on the float body, such as permanent magnets, are present and effective both for coupling with the control element and for generating an operating or position signal regarding the position of the float body.

[0033] It is also advantageous that a guide arrangement is provided, with which the control element can be moved back and forth along a longitudinal axis of the guide arrangement. A corresponding drive is also provided for the movement of the control element, which is controlled externally or by a control unit of the device. The guide arrangement is designed such that it can be installed in the container in such a way that the longitudinal axis of the guide arrangement is, in particular, at least substantially vertically oriented. Preferably, the guide arrangement serves for the vertical guidance of both the control element and the float body.

[0034] The guide arrangement is designed, for example, such that the control element interacts with sections of the guide arrangement in a sliding or contactless manner. The control element is freely movable between positions defined by the guide arrangement, or between a vertically upper and a vertically lower position, particularly in the vertical direction.

[0035] In particular, the guide arrangement is provided as a linear guide which can be installed upright in the container, so that the longitudinal axis of the guide arrangement is vertically aligned in the container when installed.

[0036] It is also advantageous that the guide arrangement includes a hollow vessel with a hollow volume. The hollow vessel, with a volume that is negligible compared to the internal volume of the container, is simple and robust to provide. Advantageously, the hollow vessel can be housed within the container as a tightly closed receptacle, for example, as an upright hollow tube. Preferably, an inlet and outlet line for supplying and removing air or another gas into the hollow volume are connected to the hollow vessel. The control element is movably mounted within the hollow volume in the longitudinal direction of the hollow vessel. The length or height of the hollow vessel is advantageously matched to the maximum filling height of the container with the components. In particular, when installed in the container, the hollow vessel extends from the bottom of the container to approximately one of its upper ends.at least up to a standard fill level of the container, to which the surface of the uppermost component accumulates in the container during normal operation.

[0037] An advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the control element is movable back and forth within the hollow volume of the vessel. Preferably, the interior of the hollow vessel serves as a vertical linear guide for the control element, and the exterior serves as a vertical linear guide for the float. For this purpose, the float advantageously has a shape such that the float, guided within the hollow vessel, can only be moved back and forth longitudinally along the vessel, but not transversely. The float preferably has, for example, a through-hole that completely encloses the exterior of the hollow vessel, or through which the hollow vessel engages.

[0038] A further advantageous modification of the invention provides that the guide arrangement comprises a hollow vessel in which a liquid is enclosed, with the control element being immersed in the liquid. Preferably, the liquid is a viscous liquid such as mineral oil, hydraulic oil, or the like. The liquid is contained within the hollow vessel in a tightly sealed manner. In particular, almost the entire interior is filled with the liquid. The control element has a higher density than the liquid, so that the control element is not buoyant in the liquid, for example, it is made of a magnetizable metallic material.

[0039] Furthermore, it is advantageous that drive means are provided for the powered movement of the control element. The drive means enable the control element to be moved vertically. The drive means are preferably designed to increase the buoyant force acting on the control element in a liquid in which the control element is housed. This makes the otherwise non-floating control element buoyant, as the drive means increase the static buoyancy of the control element. The drive means can, for example, include a gas supply by which a gas such as air is applied to or introduced into the control element, for example, in a hollow volume region of the control element surrounded by sections of the control element.The control element is preferably designed as a downwardly open, lid- or roof-shaped component, so that the gas can be filled in from below, displacing any existing liquid and trapping the gas at least temporarily beneath the control element. Consequently, the buoyant force acting on the control element due to the volume of gas trapped within it causes the control element to float. The control element then moves upwards in the surrounding liquid, which is present, for example, in the hollow vessel serving as a guide.

[0040] When the float and control element are coupled and the surface of the uppermost layer in the container, such as a layer of light liquid, reaches a vertical position, the float loses its buoyancy in the liquid, or rather, the buoyant force acting on the float ceases. The buoyant effect of the coupled control element on the float is no longer sufficient to lift the float upwards or above the surface of the uppermost liquid layer in the container. Consequently, the coupling between the control element and the float is released. The magnetic connection between the control element and the permanent magnet on the float is also broken, as the magnetic forces are insufficient to overcome the downward weight of the float in the container liquid, i.e., without any buoyant force acting on it.

[0041] At the moment the float separates from the control element, its movement is interrupted, followed by a reversal of motion due to the float sinking into the lighter liquid layer, which has a lower density than the component for which the float is calibrated. The position of the float within the container is detected by the sensing device, for example, the permanent magnet on the float and the reed switches on the guide assembly or on the outside of the hollow vessel. This device then detects the float's position at the moment of separation from the control element and transmits a corresponding operating signal to the higher-level unit.

[0042] It is also advantageous that the drive means comprise a supply line and / or a discharge line for a control fluid, the supply line and / or the discharge line being connected to the guide arrangement. The control fluid serves to buoy the control element and is preferably a gas such as air or another gas. The control fluid is introduced from below into the liquid-filled interior of the guide arrangement or the hollow vessel via the supply line or the discharge line, and is then discharged from the interior at the top. The gas, introduced from below, for example in the form of bubbles, rises slightly in the liquid and strikes the open side of the control element from below. Advantageously, the control element has a receiving area for the control fluid in order to increase the buoyancy of the control element, which is impinged with the control fluid, in the liquid within the hollow vessel.The control element preferably extends over the entire cross-section of the interior of the hollow vessel, so that the blown-in gas accumulates below the preferably lid-shaped control element, thereby creating a buoyant force on the control element which moves the control element upwards in the liquid in the hollow vessel.

[0043] For example, a small amount of gas can escape upwards through an opening at the top or front of the control element, but only to a comparatively small extent or so slowly that the control element, with the gas volume below it, is initially moved vertically upwards with a comparatively large buoyant force.

[0044] Preferably, the control fluid or gas is circulated from the vertical upper end in the hollow vessel via the discharge line to a fluid or gas conveying device or gas pump and via the supply line back into the hollow vessel.

[0045] Another preferred modification of the invention is characterized in that the drive means comprises a piston-cylinder unit, in particular with a double-acting cylinder for pumping the control fluid. Preferably, an electric motor is provided for the reversible movement of the piston of the piston-cylinder unit.

[0046] Furthermore, it is advantageous to have a control unit that processes measurement signals from the detection device and provides them to a higher-level unit. The computer-based control unit can be designed as an electrical controller that provides signals which form the basis for further processing of the operating signals and / or for displaying information on the operation of the container. The electrical control unit is preferably also designed to control the drive mechanism for the driven movement of the control element. The control unit works in particular with a computer-based evaluation and display unit and / or a higher-level unit, which, for example, includes a server unit for connecting to the internet.

[0047] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control unit communicates with an evaluation unit, which transmits data to an internet server, via which an alarm can be transmitted as an email message and / or push message to any number of participants.

[0048] Push notifications, when used with a corresponding application program, software, or app (e.g., a "warning app"), trigger an alert such as an audible warning signal (e.g., a siren) and / or a visual signal. Upon receiving the push notification, the recipient immediately recognizes that an alarm has been received and that immediate action is required. The warning app allows the recipient to acknowledge the alert on their mobile device. Once acknowledged, the recipient's name and address, along with a timestamp, are stored and permanently logged within the application program or warning app. This information is clearly visible to all participants, indicating the specific person responsible for the action.

[0049] The invention further extends to a separation system, in particular a separation system with at least one separation vessel for receiving a multi-component mixture, with a device according to one of the aforementioned embodiments. The separation system is, for example, designed as a continuous flow system, which is fed with the multi-component mixture, for example, a wastewater stream, and in which a separation of components takes place, in particular due to density differences of the components, into the various fractions with different densities. The separation system preferably has several, for example, two vessels, through which the mixture to be separated flows in series or successively. The multi-component mixture can contain various solid and / or liquid and optionally gaseous components. In the, for example,Separation systems designed as floatation and sedimentation systems allow for the separation of aqueous phases with different densities from solids by reducing the flow velocity of the multi-component mixture. This separation process, for example, separates the components into a solid phase, aqueous wastewater, and a light liquid. Within the separation system, these components separate in layers: a sludge fraction containing the solids settles at the bottom of the tank, an aqueous layer collects above it, and a light liquid floats on top of the aqueous phase.

[0050] The separator system preferably comprises at least two communicating separator tanks connected in parallel or in series. In a series connection, the separator system includes a first tank, which is fed by the entire multi-component mixture to be treated, and a second tank connected to the first tank, e.g., via a pipeline. A partial flow enters the second tank and, after passing through the first tank and its outlet, flows out of the first tank. After passing through the second tank, the fraction of the multi-component mixture pre-treated in both tanks flows via an outlet of the second tank to a receiving water body or a downstream facility, such as a wastewater collection system with a subsequent wastewater treatment plant.With a suitably designed system, the two containers retain or separate almost the entire quantity of critical solids and lighter substances, such as light liquids, from the multi-component mixture. The solid component, which settles at the bottom of the container, and the lighter component, which floats to the top, must be periodically removed from both containers, specifically as the solid fraction and the lighter fraction, and sent for separate treatment or recycling.

[0051] According to the invention, the vertical position of the fill level and the surface of each layer of component are detected using the float body or the information about the respective vertical position of the float body during a measurement, and corresponding information or an associated operating signal is generated. In the relevant container of the separation system, this allows the upper level of the solid layer, the upper level of the aqueous layer, and the upper level of the light liquid, or the container fill level, to be detected at any given time. In a scenario frequently encountered in practice with the aforementioned three component layers in the container, the lower level of the layer above it (the aqueous layer) can be determined from the upper level of the solid layer, and vice versa.

[0052] It is advantageous that the control unit is trained to cooperate with a higher-level unit designed to generate a warning message.

[0053] The control unit is preferably located nearby, outside the container in question, and is connected to the detection device for recording the float's floating position within the container. The higher-level unit is generally located further away from the control unit and is connected to it either via a wired connection or wirelessly. The higher-level unit, which preferably comprises a computer, a signaling unit, and a display unit such as a screen, processes the signals or operating information received from the control unit and enables, in particular, storage, visual display, and / or, preferably, forwarding to another unit such as an internet server and / or end devices such as a PC or a smartphone.

[0054] Finally, it is advantageous that the higher-level unit is designed as a remote monitoring system, which uses an internet server to generate a warning message as an email notification and / or push notification. SMS messages or phone calls are also possible.

[0055] The higher-level unit preferably comprises the internet, with the associated internet server accessing or capable of accessing various end devices to generate warning messages or other operational information for the separation system, which preferably converge on an end device. These end devices include, for example, a landline telephone, a mobile phone or smartphone, a computer, or a monitoring station of a private, commercial, or governmental facility. This allows warning messages to be provided visually and / or audibly as warning signals, for example, as SMS messages, email messages, or similar, and / or as push notifications on a preferably mobile device.

[0056] In the event of a push notification, each contacted person from the predetermined group of participants recognizes that it is an urgent message and accesses the corresponding app, such as the warning app or a similar application on their mobile device. Upon access, a timestamp is generated, and the address of the mobile device or the acknowledging person is logged and stored in the application. This permanently and irreversibly establishes and traces which person or organization was notified of the warning message and at what time, and whether they received and acknowledged it. The person or responsible organization is simultaneously identifiable to all participants as being responsible for any further actions arising from the warning scenario.This ensures absolutely reliable problem resolution in operational situations of the separation plant that are assigned to a warning scenario and require high-priority follow-up. It also ensures that targeted and unambiguous responsibilities exist, thus virtually guaranteeing the prevention of ecological and economic damage to the public and / or the operator. Character description

[0057] Further features and advantages of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to schematically illustrated embodiments of the invention. Specifically, the following are shown: Fig. Figures 1 to 12 show a separation system according to the invention with a container in vertical section in different operating states. Fig. 13 a schematically shown conveying device of the separation plant according to the Fig. 1 to 12 in detail, Fig. 14 the schematic conveying device in the area of ​​a container wall shown in the section, Fig. 15 to 17 a separation system not according to the invention with a container in three different operating states and Fig. 18 an alternative separation system according to the invention with a superior unit and Fig. 19 one to Fig. 18 alternative superior unit of a separation system according to the invention.

[0058] For corresponding elements of different embodiments, the same reference symbols are sometimes used.

[0059] For the separation of environmentally hazardous solid and / or liquid substances, in the first embodiment of a separation system 1 according to the invention, the separation system 1 is equipped with a detection device 2 according to the invention. Fig. 1 to 12 a separation tank or a container 3, into which a multi-component mixture, such as a wastewater mixture, flows and separates horizontally into different components due to a reduction in flow velocity. The components retained or separated in container 3 are removed separately from container 3 discontinuously. Fig. Figures 1 to 12 show the filled container 3 in operation schematically or not to scale without an inlet pipe for the multi-component mixture into the interior 4 of the container 3 and without an outlet pipe for a liquid 6, for example a wastewater component, that has accumulated in an intermediate layer in the container 3.

[0060] During operation of container 3, a lightweight component retained in container 3, such as a light liquid 7 or, for example, gasoline or oil or another component of a multi-component mixture, floats on the aqueous liquid 6. This component has a small layer thickness and a lower density compared to the aqueous liquid 6.

[0061] Above the bottom of container 3, a solid 5 is present as a sludge layer, which is also retained in container 3 and has a greater density than the liquid 6.

[0062] The separator system 1 comprises the detection device 2 according to the invention, shown not realistically but enlarged, with a measuring float located inside the container 4 3, which is here exemplarily designed as a hollow float body 8 with a fixed, tightly closed housing 8a. The float body 8 is freely movable in the container 3 along a guide arrangement 9 located inside the container 4 in the vertical direction downwards in the direction R1 and upwards in the direction R2, but is fixed in the direction transverse to this, i.e., in the horizontal direction. For this purpose, the guide arrangement 9 comprises an upright closed tube 13 in the form of a hollow cylinder. The guide arrangement 9 with the tube 13, in which a liquid 15 is filled, extends from the bottom of the container 3 upwards to just below an upper edge of the container 3.The liquid level of liquid 15 lies above a maximum fill level F achievable by the multi-component mixture in container 3 during operation of container 3.

[0063] A control element 10 made of a magnetizable metal material is housed in the tube 13, which is almost completely filled with the viscous fluid 15, such as hydraulic oil. A gas cushion 16 is located above the fluid 15. The downwardly open, lid-shaped control element 10 is vertically movable within the tube 13 with a small gap and has a small opening or passage 10a in its upper surface. Fig. 1 and Fig. In section 2, the control element 10 is located in a recessed lower end position on the bottom of the pipe 13 and interacts with a limit switch 27 designed as a reed contact or reed switch, thus making the lower end position of the control element 10 detectable. The information on the end position of the control element 10 is transmitted via an electrical cable 28 connected to the limit switch 27 to a computer-aided control unit of the separator system 1, which controls the operation of the separator system 1 and is located outside the container 3 in its immediate vicinity and is designed as an electrical controller 18.

[0064] The guide arrangement 9 also serves to guide the movement of the float body 8 in the vertical direction R1 and R2. For this purpose, the float body 8 has a central continuous opening 8b through which the tube 13 passes at a small distance to the opening 8b, so that the float body 8 completely encloses the tube 13 on the outside.

[0065] A permanent magnet arrangement 11 comprises a permanent magnet 12 fixedly arranged in the air- or gas-filled hollow float body 8, for example, in a ring shape around the opening 8b. This ensures a magnetic effect in every possible rotational position of the float body 8. The permanent magnet 12 is connected to a plurality of reed contacts 14 on the outside of the tube 13 for interaction with a respective reed contact, such that when the permanent magnet 12 and a reed contact 14 are horizontally adjacent, a switching signal is transmitted to the electrical control unit 18. This transmission occurs via a probe cable 17, which is connected to the reed contacts 14 and the electrical control unit 18.The multiple reed contacts 14 are attached to the outside of the tube 13 at uniformly spaced intervals along its longitudinal axis and are arranged so that only one adjacent reed contact 14, located at the same vertical height as the permanent magnet 12, is switched by the permanent magnet 12. This allows every vertical position of the float 8 along the tube 13 to be detected and a corresponding signal to be transmitted to the electronic control unit 18, where it is processed or forwarded via a connection 29 to a computer-aided evaluation and display unit 20 and / or a connected higher-level unit.

[0066] The float 8 is pre-balanced so that it floats on the liquid 6 but sinks in the light liquid 7. Thus, the float 8, according to its floating position, reflects the vertical position of the surface of the liquid 6 and provides the electronic control unit 18 with corresponding position information. During operation of the separator system 1, increasing amounts of light liquid 7 accumulate in the container 3. As the layer thickness of the light liquid 7 increases, and at a constant maximum fill level F inside 4 (determined by the discharge level of the outlet pipe, not shown), the float 8 follows the downward movement of the liquid 6 surface.

[0067] The layer height of the sedimented solid 5 also increases over time during operation.

[0068] For a permanently safe and advantageous operation of the separation system, further information is necessary, in particular regarding the levels of the layered components 5, 6 and 7 inside 4 of the container 3, which is advantageously possible with the detection device 2.

[0069] The existing float 8 is used to detect the further surface levels or the surface of the light liquid 7 in an operating or measurement phase "fill level measurement" and the settled sludge or solid 5. To move the float 8 from its balanced floating position on the liquid 6 according to Fig. To enable movement of the float 1 upwards and downwards, the control element 10 is provided. The magnetizable or magnetic control element 10 can be coupled to the float 8 without contact as soon as the control element 10 and the permanent magnet 12 are at least nearly in the same vertical position (see figure). Fig. 4).

[0070] So that the control element 10 moves from the end position according to Fig. To enable the control element 10 to be brought upwards, gas 22 is fed into the interior of the tube 13 from below via an inlet 21 in the tube 13 according to a pre-programmed timing sequence. For this purpose, the gas 22, such as air, is metered or bubbled below the control element 10 via a gas supply line 25 that connects to the lower end of the tube 13 and opens into the interior of the tube 13, so that the gas bubbles formed rise upwards and accumulate in a volume of the control element 10 or below the control element 10. Due to the amount of gas trapped below the control element 10, a buoyancy effect is generated on the control element 10, which moves the control element 10 upwards in the liquid 15 in the tube 13 (see figure). Fig. 3) As soon as the control element 10 has left its lower end position, the corresponding information is transmitted via the limit switch 27 to the electrical control 18, so that it is recognized that the control element 10 is on its way.

[0071] A comparatively small amount of gas in the control element 10 escapes continuously upwards through the passage 10a.

[0072] Upon reaching the vertical height of the permanent magnet 12, a contactless coupling between the control element 10 and the float 8 occurs due to the magnetic forces acting upon the permanent magnet 12. The control element 10 is then magnetically connected to the float 8. The float 8 is moved from its balanced or stationary floating position by the sufficiently high buoyancy acting on the control element 10 and moved vertically upwards in the direction of R2 (see figure). Fig. 5).

[0073] The float body 8 with the control element 10 passes through the layer of light liquid 7, whereby the buoyancy on the float body 8 decreases, and reaches the liquid surface F of the light liquid 7 (see. Fig. 6), wherein the float 8 with the control element 10 emerges from the light liquid 7, such as gasoline, and rises to a maximum of line A, which lies only minimally above the surface F of the light liquid 7. In Fig. Figure 6 shows the distance between F and A not to scale, but rather enlarged for indication. This causes the float 8 to lose further buoyancy. As a result, the float 8 decouples or separates from the control element 10 due to its weight or gravity, as the magnetic forces are overcome. The float 8 then falls back or sinks downwards towards R1 until it reaches the interface between the upper light liquid 7 and the liquid 6 below it, where it refloats. The electronic control 18 maintains the position of the float 8 using the reed contacts 14. From this, the thickness of the uppermost liquid layer, i.e., the light liquid 7, can be determined or calculated.

[0074] After the magnetic upper decoupling from the float 8, the control element 10 rises a little further upwards in the liquid 15 towards R2 due to the remaining buoyancy from gas bubbles (see. Fig. 6, Fig. 7) until, due to the gas 22 continuing to escape upwards through the passage 10, the buoyancy acting on the control element 10 decreases and the control element 10 sinks again in the hydraulic fluid 15 in the direction of R2 (see Fig. 8).

[0075] As the control element 10 descends and the float 8, which is suspended on the liquid 6, reaches a vertical position, the operating phase "sludge or solids layer measurement" begins. A renewed magnetic coupling of the control element 10 and the float 8 occurs due to the magnetic forces of the permanent magnet 12 acting on the control element 10. Since the control element 10 no longer experiences effective buoyancy in the liquid 15 due to the escaping gas, and the buoyancy of the float 8 is also insufficient to keep the float 8 suspended, the float 8 and the control element 10 descend together in the direction of R1 (see figure). Fig. 9 and Fig. 10).

[0076] As the float body 8 sinks, its underside reaches the surface of the sludge layer or the settled solid 5. The sinking movement of the float body 8 is stopped by the solid layer. A lower decoupling of the float body 8 and the control element 10 occurs due to the sinking blockage of the float body 8 or due to the weight of the control element 10 itself, and the control element 10 continues to sink downwards in the hydraulic fluid 15 (see figure). Fig. 11). The float 8, decoupled from the weight of the control element 10, rises in the liquid 6 until it reaches its balanced floating position on top of the liquid 6.

[0077] The control element 10 descends until it reaches its end position, which is registered by the limit switch 27 of the electrical control 18 (see Fig. 12) The electronic control unit 18 receives the information "Control element has reached end position". The end of the solids layer measurement is detected, or the measurement cycle is completed. The separator system 1 returns to the initial operating mode "Light liquid monitor", whereby the initial state of the separator system 1 is as follows: Fig. 1 resets.

[0078] The entire path of the float body 8 during a measurement cycle as described above for determining the total fill level F and the solids layer height of the container 3 with the operating conditions starting from Fig. 1 about the conditions according to the Fig. 2 to 12 and back to the state according to Fig. The position 1 is registered and monitored by the electronic control unit 18 using the reed contacts 14. The lowest vertical position reached by the float body 8 is assigned to the vertical position or height of the sludge or solids layer.

[0079] In normal or "light liquid monitor" operation of the separator system 1, an electrical measuring current is supplied to the reed contacts 14 by the electronic control unit 18, for example, once per minute for a comparatively short measuring time of, for example, one millisecond. During this measuring time, an operating signal or a probe signal for position detection of the float 8 can be transmitted to the electronic control unit 18 or to the evaluation and display unit 20. No current is consumed between or until the end of the minute. This allows for comparatively low power consumption despite continuous monitoring of the system 1, which is particularly advantageous for battery operation of the separator system 1 or the electronic control unit 18.

[0080] During a comparatively short measurement phase that takes place at predetermined time intervals, which includes the "fill level measurement" and the subsequent "sludge layer measurement", the reed contacts 14 are energized with a measuring current for e.g. one millisecond at comparatively short time intervals of, for example, once per second in order to comprehensively detect the position of the float body 8.

[0081] Upon detection of a predefined maximum tolerable fill level F or a maximum tolerable solids level of solid 5, the evaluation and display unit 20 and / or a higher-level unit associated with it, which in connection with the Fig. 18 and Fig. As explained in section 19, an alert is generated with a qualified message or a warning message or a warning signal.

[0082] For supplying gas 22 or air into the pipe 13 or to the control element 10 and for returning the gas 22 from the gas cushion 16 in the pipe 13, a pneumatic conveying device 23 is positioned outside the container 3, comprising a piston-cylinder unit 30 and a drive motor 24, wherein gas supply lines 25, 25a, 25b and gas discharge lines 26, 26a, 26b are connected on the one hand at the bottom and top of the pipe 13 and on the other hand to the piston-cylinder unit 30. Fig. Figure 13 shows a highly schematic representation of the details of the conveying device 23. The conveying device 23 also includes a housing 31 enclosing the piston-cylinder unit 30 and the drive motor 24, through which an electrical cable 32 from the electrical control unit 18 leads to the drive motor 24.

[0083] The piston-cylinder unit 30, designed according to the operating principle as a double-acting cylinder, has a piston 33 with a piston rod 34 that can be moved back and forth within a cylinder 35 in accordance with the direction arrows R3 and R4. The piston rod 34 passes through an end wall 35a of the cylinder 35 in a sealed manner.

[0084] According to the piston displacement position, the subsequent piston 33, which is guided gas-tight on the inside of a cylinder wall, divides the gas-filled internal volume of the cylinder 35 into a first chamber 36 facing away from the piston rod 34 and a second chamber 37 inside the cylinder 35.

[0085] Upon a control command from the electrical control unit 18 “sludge layer measurement”, the drive motor 24 is activated and the piston 33 moves from the piston starting position to the inside of the end wall 35a or into Fig. 13 from the right, in which the piston rod 34 is completely withdrawn from the interior of the cylinder 35, is displaced towards R3. The gas in the first chamber 36 escapes through the gas supply lines 25a and 25 connected to the first chamber 36 and is conveyed to the bottom inlet 21 on the pipe 13. The gas supply line 25 opens via a gas nozzle 38 (see figure 1). Fig. 2), in which a check valve is integrated, into the interior filled with hydraulic oil 15 at the bottom of the pipe 13. The supplied gas 22 fills the control element 10 from below.

[0086] The cylinder 35 is dimensioned such that the movement of the piston 33 from the end wall 35a to an opposite end wall 35b supplies enough or a predetermined amount of gas, so that a buoyancy effect acts on the control element 10 in the liquid 15, causing the control element 10 to move upwards in the direction of R2.

[0087] To prevent overpressure in pipe 13 or gas cushion 16 and underpressure in the second chamber 37, excess gas from the gas cushion 16 at the top of pipe 13 is returned to the second chamber 37 via gas discharge lines 26 and 26b. This achieves pressure equalization.

[0088] In the gas supply lines 25a, 25b and in the gas discharge lines 26a, 26b there are valves 39, 40 and 41, 42 which allow passage in only one flow direction, whereby passage is possible in the direction of the indicated tip of the respective valve.

[0089] Fig. Figure 14 shows a schematic and enlarged section of the container 3 of the separator system 1 with the piston-cylinder unit 30, which has a connected gas supply line 25 and gas discharge line 26. These lines pass through a wall of the container 3 and each has a section designed as a protective loop 43, 44. The protective loops 43, 44, which are, for example, siphon-like, ensure atmospheric separation between the interior 4 of the container 3, which may contain an explosive gas or gas mixture, and the piston-cylinder unit 30 and a downstream unit such as a drive or the electrical control unit 18. This prevents the ingress of an explosive gas into these units in a potential scenario such as a leak, damage, or break in the gas supply line 25 and / or the gas discharge line 26, thus mitigating the risk of explosion.

[0090] A schematic separation system 45 not in accordance with the invention, comprising a detection device 2 and a warning system (see Fig. 18, Fig. 19) and a container 46 in which a solid 47 and a liquid 48 above it are layered, shows Fig. 15. A float body, designated as a balloon float 51, is slidably mounted along a vertical guide rod 49 extending from the bottom of the container 46 to above a maximum tolerable solids level 50. The balloon float 51 has an elastic expandable shell 52, which is connected via a gas hose 53 to a gas or liquid compressor 54 located outside the container 46.

[0091] In the balloon float 51 a permanent magnet 55 is permanently installed, which interacts with each of the vertically spaced reed contacts 14 along the guide rod 49, which are connected via a self-locking electrical cable 56 to a computer-aided control unit or a control and measuring unit 57 outside the container 46, which communicates via a line 58 with a higher-level unit and / or with an evaluation and display unit 59.

[0092] In the inflated state of the balloon float 51 or the balloon probe according to Fig. 15. During operation of the separator system 45, the balloon float 51 rises to an upper stop 60 on the guide rod 49 in the liquid 48, e.g., wastewater. If the balloon float 51 is evacuated or a gas contained within it is extracted, the balloon float 51 sinks downwards to the surface of the layer formed by the solid 47 (see figure 15). Fig. 16), so that the reed contact 14 located there is triggered or switched and the corresponding information or operating signal is transmitted to the evaluation and display unit 59 via the electrical cable 56. This allows the solid layer height to be determined.

[0093] After the measurement process, the balloon float 51 is refilled with gas and rises to its maximum position 60. This is achieved by detecting predefined measurement or level values, in particular reaching a maximum tolerable solids level 50 according to... Fig. 17. An alarm with a qualified message or a warning message or a warning signal is generated with the evaluation and display unit 59 and / or a higher-level unit associated with it (not shown) (see. Fig. 18, Fig. 19).

[0094] Another separation system 61 according to the invention with a warning system is shown in Fig. 18 schematically represented. The separator system 61 corresponds to a network according to the separator system 1 and the separator system 45, through which a multi-component mixture flows in series, with a common control unit 62 and a common gas conveying device 23.

[0095] The control unit 62 is connected to an evaluation and display unit 64 via a line 63. Alternatively, a radio connection, which is not configured as GPRS or GSM transmission, for example, is possible.

[0096] The evaluation and display unit 64 sends corresponding data to an internet server 65, which according to Fig. 18 by radio transmission or according to Fig. 19. Wired connection.

[0097] The acquired data is stored on the internet server 65 and, in case of an alarm, an alarm message generated by the evaluation unit 64 is converted into an email message 66 and / or an SMS message 67 or a short message service and / or a pull or push message 68, displayed on a stationary device 69 such as a PC or a mobile device, preferably a smartphone 70.

[0098] The messages can be sent to any number of participants, recipients, or receiving devices.

[0099] Push notifications, when used with a corresponding application program, software, or app (e.g., a "warning app"), trigger an alert such as an audible warning signal (e.g., a siren) and / or a visual signal. Upon receiving the push notification, the recipient immediately recognizes that an alarm has been received and that immediate action is required. The warning app allows the recipient to acknowledge the alert on their mobile device. Once acknowledged, the recipient's name and address, along with a timestamp, are stored and permanently logged within the application program or warning app. This information is clearly visible to all participants, indicating the specific person responsible for the action.

[0100] With the warning system according to the invention with components 62 to 70, it is also advantageously possible to trigger a conventional alarm, for example, to automatically trigger and make telephone calls or to generate an SMS. Reference symbol list 1 Separator system 2. Detection device 3 containers 4 Inner 5 solid 6 Liquid 7 Light liquid 8 floats 8a Housing 8b Passage opening 9. Leadership order 10 Control element 10a Passage 11 Permanent magnet arrangement 12 permanent magnets 13 pipe 14 Reed contact 15 Liquid 16 gas cushions 17 probe cables 18 Electrical control 19 Control line 20 Display / evaluation unit 21 Admission 22 Gas 23 Funding institution 24 Drive motor 25 Gas supply line 25a, 25b Gas supply line 26 Gas discharge pipe 26a, 26b Gas discharge pipe 27 limit switches 28 electrical cables 29 connection 30 piston-cylinder unit 31 cases 32 electrical cables 33 pistons 34 Piston rod 35 cylinders 35a, 35b Front wall Chambers 36 and 37 38 Gas nozzle 39-42 valve 43, 44 Protective loop 45 Separation system 46 containers 47 Solid 48 Liquid 49 Guide rod 50 solid level 51 balloon swimmers 52 case 53 Gas hose 54 Compressor 55 permanent magnet 56 electrical cables 57 Control / Measuring Unit 58 Management 59 Evaluation / Display Unit 60 stops 61 Separation system 62 Control unit 63 Management 64 Evaluation / Display Unit 65 Internet servers 66 email messages 67 SMS messages 68 push notifications 69 device 70 smartphones

Claims

[1] Device (2) for detecting the vertical position of a surface of a component of several components of different densities present in a container (3, 46), which are present in layers in the container (3, 46) during operation of the container (3, 46), wherein the device (2) has a float (8) capable of floating on the component, which can be positioned vertically movable in the container (3, 46) so that, during operation of the container (3, 46), at least the vertical position of the surface of the component in the container (3, 46) can be detected from the floating position of the float on the component, wherein the device (2) has a control element (10) movable along the path of movement of the float (8), wherein drive means for the driven movement of the control element (10) are provided, wherein, in order to influence the vertical position of the float (8), the control element (10) can be temporarily coupled to the float (8),so that in the coupled state of float (8) and control element (10), the float (8) can be moved out of its vertical position defined by the float's floating position and into another vertical position of the float (8) in the container (3), so that with the coupling, the float (8) can be moved vertically either upwards or downwards from its floating position as desired, wherein magnetic means (12) are provided to supply magnetic forces with which the coupling of the float (8) with the control element (10) is established. characterized by, that by the movement of the float body (8) from its floating position forced by the control element (10) in accordance with the balancing of the float body (8) with the float body (8), at least one further vertical position of a further component in the container (3) and one further level vertically above the balanced predetermined floating position of the float body (8) is discernible, wherein the control element (10) and the float body (8) are coordinated in such a way that the temporary coupling of the control element (10) and the float body (8) takes place without contact. [2] Device (2) according to claim 1, characterized by , that a detection device for detecting the vertical position of the float body (8) in the container (3) is provided. [3] Device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that a guide arrangement (9) is provided with which the control element (10) can be guided and moved back and forth along a longitudinal axis of the guide arrangement (9). [4] Device (2) according to claim 3, characterized by , that the guide arrangement (9) comprises a hollow vessel (13) with a hollow volume. [5] Device (2) according to claim 4, characterized by , that the control element (10) is movable back and forth in the hollow volume of the hollow vessel (13). [6] Device (2) according to one of the preceding claims 3 or 4, characterized by , that the guide arrangement (9) comprises a hollow vessel (13) in which a liquid (15) is enclosed, wherein the control element (10) is immersed in the liquid (15). [7] Device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims 3 to 6, characterized by, that the drive means comprise a supply line (25) and / or a discharge line (26) for a control fluid (22), wherein the supply line (25) and / or the discharge line (26) connects to the guide arrangement (9). [8] Device (2) according to claim 2, characterized by , that a control unit (62) is present which receives and processes measurement signals from the acquisition device and provides them to a higher-level unit (20, 64). [9] Device (2) according to claim 8, characterized by , that the control unit (62) communicates with an evaluation unit (64), which transmits data to an internet server (65), via which an alarm can be transmitted as an email message (66) and / or push message (68) to any number of participants. [10] Separation system (1, 61) with a separation container (3) for receiving a multi-component mixture with a device (2) according to one of the preceding claims. [11] Separation system (1, 61) according to claim 10, characterized by , that the control unit (62) is trained to cooperate with a superior unit (20, 64) which is designed to generate a warning message. [12] Separation system (1, 61) according to claim 11, characterized by , that the superior unit (20, 64) is designed as a remote monitoring system which uses an Internet server (65) which generates a warning message as an email message (66) and / or push message (68).

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