DEVICE FOR PHASE SEPARATION, PLANT FOR THE ELECTROLYSIS OF WATER AND METHOD

Abstract

A phase separation device comprises a first swirl element (110) configured to impart a swirl about the longitudinal axis (101) to a phase mixture supplied parallel to a longitudinal axis (101) of an inlet line (310). A first separation line (320) carries the phase mixture downstream of the first swirl element (110). A second swirl element (120) is configured to separate a less dense fraction of the phase mixture carried in the first separation line (320) and to increase the swirl of a denser fraction of the phase mixture carried in the first separation line (320). An inner outlet line (330) receives the separated, less dense fraction of the phase mixture. A second separation line (340) carries the denser fraction of the phase mixture downstream of the second swirl element (110).A flow divider (130) is designed to divert a denser portion of the phase mixture in the second separation line (340) in a tangential direction.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present application relates to a device and a method for the continuous phase separation of, for example, gas-liquid flows, as well as a device for polymer electrolyte membrane electrolysis. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the following, a phase is understood as a region of space in which all physical properties, such as density, refractive index, magnetization, and chemical composition, are essentially uniform. Accordingly, a phase mixture can contain several immiscible phases of the same state of matter, e.g., oil and water, different states of matter of the same material, or different materials of different states of matter.

[0003] Phase separators separate phase mixtures into a lighter or less dense phase and a heavier or denser phase. Phase separators for the continuous separation of a flowing phase mixture (multiphase flow) impart a rotational component to the multiphase flow, whereby the resulting centrifugal forces push high-density phases outwards more strongly than low-density phases. A first group of phase separators utilizes conduits with swirl elements in the axial flow path of the multiphase flow. The multiphase flow approaches a swirl element, is initially deflected obliquely to the flow direction by it, and subsequently forced into a helical path by the radial boundary of the conduit.In a second group of phase separators (cyclone separators), the multiphase flow enters a cylindrical or funnel-shaped separation chamber in a tangential direction and is forced onto a helical or spiral path as a result of the radial limitation of the separation chamber.

[0004] Document US 9,687,757 B2 describes a phase separator for separating gas from a phase mixture pumped from a hydrocarbon source. The phase separator is based on a separating tube with an inlet for the phase mixture and separate outlets for the heavier and lighter phases. A swirl element located in the separating tube downstream of the inlet imparts rotation to the multiphase flow. The heavier phase spreads along the inner wall of the separating tube. The lighter phase forms an elongated core within the separating tube, extending axially from the region of the swirl element toward the outlet of the heavier phase and bounded radially by the heavier phase. A core stabilizer between the swirl element and the outlet for the heavier phase prevents the lighter phase from escaping through the outlet for the heavier phase.

[0005] A cyclone separator known from US patent 2008 006 011 A1 separates a mixture containing solid particles, liquid, and / or gas, for example, a phase mixture pumped from a hydrocarbon source, into a heavier fraction and a lighter fraction. The cyclone separator comprises an outer casing enclosing a flow chamber, an inlet for the multiphase flow, a first outlet for the separated light fraction, a second outlet for the separated heavy fraction, and a flow element arranged within the flow chamber. A swirl element, located between the flow element and the outer casing, imparts a rotational component to the multiphase flow, separating the phase mixtures into the heavy and light fractions downstream. An outlet element has a central, axially oriented internal passage connected to the first outlet for the discharge of the light fraction.The outer surface of the outlet element and the inner surface of the outer casing define an external passage that is connected to the second outlet for discharging the heavy fraction. The outlet element has elongated openings through which the light fraction can enter the internal passage. To reduce the pressure drop along the cyclone separator, counter-swirl elements can be provided in the external passage.

[0006] Document US 2009 / 065431A1 describes an inline separator for separating liquid phases of different densities from a liquid stream. A multiphase liquid consisting of oil / gas and water enters a vortex tube with a helical axis, which imparts a vortex motion to the multiphase liquid stream. A pipe section with a helical axis is designed as a continuation of the vortex tube and opens into a straight inner tube. A straight outer tube is arranged essentially concentrically around the pipe section with a helical axis and around the inner tube. The pipe section with a helical axis and a portion of the straight inner tube have through-openings through which the heavier fraction of the phase mixture can escape into the space between the inner and outer tubes.

[0007] A cyclone separator described in US 2009 / 0139938A1 comprises an outer casing that defines a flow chamber through which a mixture to be separated flows. A flow body is arranged within the flow chamber, along which the mixture to be separated is guided. A swirl element with a proximal section, an intermediate section, and a distal section is located between the flow body and the outer casing. In the proximal section, the swirl element gradually imparts a rotational motion to the incoming mixture, separating it into a heavy and a light fraction. In the intermediate section, the heavy fraction is discharged through openings in the outer casing and / or the light fraction through openings in the hollow flow body. In the distal section, the swirl element gradually reduces the rotational motion of the mixture to restore the initial pressure.

[0008] The publication EP 4 155 432 A1 describes a cylindrical recombinator for an electrolysis plant. The recombinator has an inlet section with an inlet, followed axially by a catalytically active zone, and then by an outlet section with an outlet. An annular space separates the catalytically active zone radially from the inner wall of the recombinator. The inlet section has a swirl element that extends inwards from the inner wall of the recombinator and imparts a rotation to a phase mixture supplied through the inlet, separating the phase mixture into water and gaseous components. The water is guided past the catalytically active zone in the annular space. The separated gaseous components are fed into the catalytically active zone, where the gaseous components oxygen and hydrogen can recombine to form water.

[0009] A multi-stage liquid-gas separator described in US Patent 4,872,890 B comprises a housing divided into an upper chamber and a lower chamber with an inner chamber and an annular inlet chamber. The annular inlet chamber has a tangential opening for a gas-liquid stream, in which large liquid droplets impinge centrifugally against the chamber wall and flow into a lower sump. From the annular inlet chamber, the gas-liquid stream is abruptly directed to a lower-pressure region in the lower chamber to release further entrained droplets. From this region, the gas-liquid stream is directed into the inner chamber.A pre-separator located in the inner chamber separates liquid droplets still contained in the gas-liquid stream through impact and coalescence, and directs the coalesced liquid into the lower sump. From the pre-separator, the gas stream, which still contains liquid microdroplets, is directed upwards into the upper chamber and through a two-stage main separator.

[0010] The present application is based on the task of providing a compact and efficient phase separator.

[0011] The problem is solved by the devices and the method according to the dependent claims. Advantageous embodiments are described in the sub-claims.

[0012] The following figures show embodiments of the devices and the method according to the invention. The elements and structures shown in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Identical reference numerals refer to identical or corresponding elements and structures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figures 1A to 1D schematically show a side view and three cross-sections of a phase separation device according to a simplified embodiment. Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic partial longitudinal section through a section of a phase separation device with a first swirl element according to one embodiment. Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic longitudinal section through a section of a phase separation device with a second swirl element according to one embodiment. Fig. Figure 4 shows a schematic partial longitudinal section through a section of a phase separation device with a flow divider and control valves according to one embodiment. Fig. 5A and Fig. Figure 5B shows different views of the flow channels of the flow divider. Fig. 4 according to one embodiment. Fig. Figure 6 schematically shows a top view of a flow divider of a phase separation device with four feed devices to four separation chambers with tangential flow inlet according to one embodiment. Fig. Figure 7 shows an oblique view of a flow divider with feed devices to two of four separation chambers of a phase separation device according to an embodiment. Fig. Figure 8 shows an oblique view of a phase separation device according to one embodiment. Fig. Figure 9 is a simplified representation of a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyzer with a phase separation device according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. These drawings form part of the description and illustrate specific embodiments that can realize the invention. Directional terminology such as "top," "bottom," "front," "back," "anterior," "rear," etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the described figure(s). Since components of embodiments can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology serves only for explanation and is in no way to be understood as restrictive. In addition to the embodiments shown, other embodiments exist. Structural or logical modifications can be made to the embodiments shown in the figures and / or described below without deviating from the claimed subject matter.Features of the described embodiments can be combined with one another, unless otherwise expressly or implicitly stated.

[0014] A first aspect of the present disclosure relates to a device for phase separation. A first swirl element is configured to impart a swirl about the longitudinal axis of a phase mixture supplied parallel to the longitudinal axis of an inlet line. A first separation line carries the phase mixture downstream of the first swirl element. A second swirl element is configured to separate a less dense portion of the phase mixture carried in the first separation line and to increase the swirl of a denser portion of the phase mixture carried in the first separation line. An inner outlet line receives the separated, less dense portion of the phase mixture. A second separation line carries the denser portion of the phase mixture downstream of the second swirl element.A flow divider is designed to divert a denser portion of the phase mixture in the second separation line in a tangential direction.

[0015] The supplied phase mixture can be any multiphase mixture of two or more phases of different densities in different or the same states of matter, e.g., a phase mixture containing a gas or a gas mixture and a liquid, or a phase mixture containing two liquids of different densities, e.g., water and oil. The phase mixture is supplied to the device via the inlet line, the longitudinal axis of which defines the axial flow direction.

[0016] The first swirl element imparts a swirl to the phase mixture, deflecting it from the axial flow direction in such a way that a flow along a helical path (helical path) around the longitudinal axis is established downstream of the first swirl element. For this purpose, the first swirl element can have impeller blades that deflect partial flows of the oncoming phase mixture against the axial direction, initially imparting a radial motion component to the phase mixture. A radial boundary of the flow transforms the radial motion of the partial flows into a motion along a helical path with a rotational component around the longitudinal axis of the flow. Along the helical path, the phase mixture flows essentially irradiated.

[0017] The first swirl element can comprise a housing with a cylindrical interior, the inner wall of which limits the flow in the radial direction. The impeller blades can project from an inner wall of the housing into the cylindrical interior, extend into the cylindrical interior from a flow body arranged coaxially to the axial longitudinal axis of the cylindrical interior, or span from a centrally arranged flow body to the inner wall of the housing.

[0018] The rotational motion separates the phases of the phase mixture along a first separation section downstream according to density in the radial direction. The denser phase accumulates along the inner wall of the first separation section. The lighter phase accumulates in a core region around the longitudinal axis of the first separation section and is bounded radially by the heavier phase.

[0019] The second swirl element separates a less dense portion of the phase mixture conveyed in the first separation line and increases the swirl of a denser portion of the phase mixture conveyed in the first separation line. The less dense portion consists predominantly or exclusively of the less dense phase. The denser portion consists predominantly of the denser phase and as little of the less dense phase as possible.

[0020] The second swirl element can have an axial passage extending along the axial direction through the second swirl element 120, which receives the less dense fraction of the phase mixture carried in the first separation line. At least one section of the axial passage can be formed through the interior of a hollow cylinder. The inner outlet line receives, downstream, the fraction of the phase mixture that flows through the axial passage.

[0021] The second swirl element can increase the swirl of the denser portion of the phase mixture flowing in the first separation line, which flows in a helical path around the longitudinal axis, by reducing the pitch of the helical path. To achieve this, the second swirl element can have impeller blades that deflect partial flows of the incoming denser portion of the phase mixture in the first separation line against the axial direction, and a radial boundary that forces these deflected partial flows downstream in a second separation line into a modified helical path around an axial longitudinal axis of the second separation line. This further increases the tangential velocity of the phase mixture, causing even the smallest bubbles or droplets of the less dense phase to accumulate in the central region of the second separation line.

[0022] The second swirl element can comprise a housing with a cylindrical interior. The cylindrical interior and the hollow cylinder for separating the less dense phase can be arranged coaxially. The inner wall of the housing restricts the flow radially outward. The outer wall of the hollow cylinder restricts the flow radially inward. The impeller blades can project from an inner wall of the housing into the cylindrical interior, extend from an outer wall of the hollow cylinder toward the inner wall of the housing, or span from the outer wall of the hollow cylinder to the inner wall of the housing.

[0023] The rotational component of the flow in the second separation line separates the phases of the denser portion of the phase mixture approaching the second swirl element along the radial direction according to density. The denser phase accumulates along the inner wall of the second separation line. The less dense phase accumulates in an inner region with an annular cross-sectional area around the inner outlet line. The less dense portion consists predominantly or exclusively of the less dense phase. The denser portion consists predominantly of the denser phase and as little of the less dense phase as possible.

[0024] The flow divider diverts a denser portion of the phase mixture carried in the second separation line in a tangential direction. The distance between the distal (downstream) end of the second swirl element and the proximal (upstream) end of the flow divider is adjusted depending on the flow velocity and the density difference between the phases so that the flow divider diverts as much of the heavier phase as possible.

[0025] The design of the second swirl element, with a feedthrough for separating the less dense fraction separated in the first separation section, in conjunction with the flow divider, enables a particularly compact design of a multi-stage phase separation device with the option of connecting to a further separation stage based on centrifugal separation. The outflows through the inner outlet pipe and from the flow divider can be controlled independently of each other. The phase separation device enables high separation efficiency over a wide range of flow velocities and quantitative phase ratios. For example, when separating oxygen gas from water, a suitably dimensioned device can be operated with high efficiency over an oxygen-to-water density ratio of 1:1000 to 1:20 and a pressure range of 1 bar to 6 bar.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the inner outlet line can connect downstream to an axial passage of the second swirl element.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the cross-sectional area of ​​the axial passage at a proximal inlet opening can be larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the inner outlet pipe.

[0028] The axial passage can have an inlet section whose cross-sectional area decreases monotonically with increasing distance from an inlet opening at the proximal end. The width of the inlet opening is selected according to the expected proportion of the less dense fraction of the phase mixture and is larger the greater the expected less dense fraction.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the phase separation device may have a first control valve which is configured to temporarily close the inner outlet line.

[0030] The first control valve can switch between a fully open and a fully closed state. The first control valve can be closed if the less dense phase is absent or if the proportion of the less dense phase falls below a predetermined threshold. For example, if oxygen gas is being separated from an aqueous phase, the first control valve can be closed if only the aqueous phase is supplied to the device, or if the oxygen content in the supplied aqueous phase is too low to ensure that only oxygen gas exits at least one outlet line. The first control valve allows for in-situ adjustment of the device to different flow velocities and / or different phase concentrations in the phase mixture.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the device can have an outer outlet line, wherein the outer outlet line is configured to discharge a less dense portion of the phase mixture from the second separation line in an axial direction parallel to the longitudinal axis in an intermediate space between the inner outlet line and the outer outlet line.

[0032] The outer outlet line can be connected to the housing of the second swirl element. The outer outlet line and the inner outlet line can be arranged coaxially. In the space between the inner and outer outlet lines, the less dense portion of the phase mixture from the second separation line can be discharged axially parallel to the longitudinal axis.

[0033] According to one embodiment, a section of the inner outlet pipe can be formed through an opening of the flow divider along the longitudinal axis, or a section of the inner outlet pipe can extend through an opening of the flow divider along the longitudinal axis.

[0034] The internal outlet pipe can have a first section upstream of the flow divider and a second section downstream of the flow divider, with the first section connecting to the proximal end of the opening in the flow divider and the second section connecting to the distal end of the opening in the flow divider. Alternatively, the internal outlet pipe can be a single piece and routed through the opening in the flow divider.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the phase separation device may have a second control valve which is designed to temporarily close off an intermediate space between the inner outlet line and the outer outlet line.

[0036] The second control valve can switch exclusively between a fully open and a fully closed state. The second control valve can be closed when the less dense phase is absent or its proportion falls below a predefined threshold. The first and second control valves can be controlled independently. The second control valve allows for in-situ adjustment of the device to different flow velocities and / or different phase concentrations in the phase mixture.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the phase separation device, the flow divider can have a plurality of tangential outlets.

[0038] The majority of tangential outlets enable the efficient discharge of a denser portion of the phase mixture carried in the second separation line in a tangential direction. This denser portion of the phase mixture carried in the second separation line has a higher concentration of the denser phase than the denser portion carried in the second separation line.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the device has a centrifugal separation device with a tangential flow inlet and a feed device, wherein the feed device is configured to supply the portion of the phase mixture derived from the flow divider to the centrifugal separation device.

[0040] The centrifugal separation device includes, for example, a hydrocyclone or a centrifugal separator. The phase mixture is fed tangentially into one or more separation chambers of the centrifugal separation device and guided onto a helical or spiral path within each chamber. The denser phase is forced against the inner wall of the separation chamber by centrifugal force and slowed down, causing it to flow or fall downwards in the direction of gravity and be discharged at the bottom of the chamber. The less dense phase can be discharged in a different direction, for example, upwards.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the centrifugal separation device has two or more separation chambers with tangential inlets and the feed device has two or more feed lines, each of which is configured to direct a portion of the phase mixture from an outlet of the flow divider to an inlet of one of the separation chambers.

[0042] The separation chambers can be cylindrical or conical, with the apex of the cone oriented towards gravity. Each separation chamber can have a dip tube for draining the lighter phase, or it can be cylindrical with an outlet for the heavier phase at the lower end (in the direction of gravity) and an outlet for the lighter phase at the opposite end. All separation chambers can be of the same design.

[0043] Each feed line connects flush to one of the tangential outlets of the flow divider and to the tangential inlet of one of the separation chambers.

[0044] Since the outflows through the tangential outlets can be controlled independently of each other, the phase separation device can be well adapted to a large velocity range of the flow and a large range of the mixing ratio of the phases of the phase mixture.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the outlets of the flow divider are rotationally symmetrical to the longitudinal axis of the flow divider.

[0046] The flow divider can, for example, have two outlets opposite each other, three outlets at an angular distance of 120 degrees, or four outlets at an angular distance of 90 degrees from each other.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the feed lines are designed to deflect the flow direction of the portion of the phase mixture guided in the feed line between the outlet of the flow divider and the inlet of the separation chamber in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the flow divider by at least 10 degrees, e.g. 45 degrees or 90 degrees.

[0048] The feed lines can be straight or curved. A curve in the feed lines allows for pre-separation of the phase mixture carried in the feed lines by the centrifugal force, with the denser phase accumulating on the longer side and the less dense phase on the shorter side. Feed line cross-sections perpendicular to the flow direction can have straight sections on both the shorter and longer sides. For example, feed lines perpendicular to the flow direction may have rectangular cross-sections.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the phase separation device has one or more controllable closures, each of which is designed to temporarily close one of the feed lines.

[0050] The controllable valves allow for in-situ adjustment of the device to different flow velocities and / or different mixing ratios of the phases in the phase mixture. The controllable valves can be closed if the less dense phase is absent from the supplied phase mixture or if the proportion of the less dense phase falls below a predefined threshold. The controllable valves, as well as the first and second control valves, can be controlled independently of each other.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the phase separation device has a control unit which is configured to control the controllable closures and / or the control valves depending on operating parameters.

[0052] By controlling the controllable closures and / or the control valves depending on the flow velocity and phase content, the device for phase separation can be implemented with high separation efficiency over a large flow velocity range and over a large phase content range.

[0053] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a device for the electrolysis of water. The device comprises an anode, a cathode, and a membrane separating the anode from the cathode and which is either proton-conducting or permeable to hydroxide ions. A draining device removes a phase mixture wetting the anode. The phase mixture removed by the draining device can be fed to a phase separation device connected to the draining device as described above.

[0054] The phase mixture wetting the anode contains an aqueous electrolyte and molecular oxygen. The phase separation device separates the molecular oxygen produced during electrolysis from the electrolyte. The electrolyte regenerated by separating the molecular oxygen can be returned to the system on the anode side.

[0055] The system is, for example, an alkaline electrolyzer using a base, such as a potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution, as the electrolyte. When a direct current voltage is applied, hydrogen is produced at the cathode and oxygen at the anode. The membrane between the anode and cathode is gas-tight and allows the transport of OH. - -ions from the cathode side to the anode side.

[0056] In another example, the system is a proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer using pure water as the electrolyte. A cathode assembly comprises the cathode, and an anode assembly comprises the anode. The gas-tight membrane separates the anode assembly from the cathode assembly, allowing only the transport of protons from the anode side to the cathode side.

[0057] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for phase separation. The method comprises deflecting an axial flow of a phase mixture into a helical flow about a longitudinal axis on a first separation section by means of a first swirl element, separating a less dense portion of the phase mixture from a radially central region of the first separation section from a denser portion of the phase mixture in a radially distal region of the first separation section, intensifying the helical flow of the denser portion of the phase mixture by means of a second swirl element, wherein on a second separation section the intensified helical flow is guided around the separated less dense portion of the phase mixture, and diverting a denser portion of the phase mixture in the intensified helical flow in the tangential direction.

[0058] The enhanced helical flow on the second separation section differs from the helical flow on the first separation section with respect to flow velocity and / or pitch.

[0059] The longitudinal axis of the first separation section is the straight extension of the axial flow's propagation axis. The helical flow on the first separation section follows a helix. The pitch describes the axial displacement as the flow follows exactly one complete turn of the helix. The longitudinal axis of the second separation section is the straight extension of the longitudinal axis of the first separation section.

[0060] Due to the rotational component of the helical flow, phases of differing densities separate downstream of the first swirl element in the first separation section. The second swirl element acts selectively on a denser fraction of the original phase mixture. The tangential diversion selectively affects a denser fraction of the phase mixture in the second separation section.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the less dense portion of the phase mixture is discharged through an inner outlet line, and the denser portion of the phase mixture is discharged through a space between the inner outlet line and a second separation line defining the second separation section.

[0062] The inner outlet pipe can connect to an axial longitudinal opening of the second swirl element.

[0063] According to one embodiment, a flow through the inner outlet pipe and / or a flow through the space between the inner outlet pipe and an outer outlet pipe connected downstream to the flow divider is controlled depending on at least one operating parameter.

[0064] The operating parameter can include the flow velocity and / or the phase content, e.g. the proportion of the lighter phase in the phase mixture.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the derived part is fed to a centrifugal separation device with a tangential flow inlet.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the derived part is fed into two or more separation chambers with tangential inlets.

[0067] The Fig. Figure 1A shows a device 100 for phase separation with an inlet line 310, a first swirl element 110 connected downstream to the inlet line 310, a first separation line 320 connected downstream to the first swirl element 110, a second swirl element 120 connected downstream to the first separation line 320, a second separation line 340 connected downstream to the second swirl element 120, an inner outlet line 330 connected downstream to the second swirl element 120 and arranged inside the second separation line 340, a flow divider 130 connected downstream to the second separation line 340 and an outer outlet line 350 connected downstream to the flow divider 130.

[0068] In the illustrated example, the inlet line 310, the first separation line 320, the second separation line 340, and the outer outlet line 350 are straight, coaxial tubes with the same diameter about a longitudinal axis 101. In the inlet line 310, the phase mixture flows as a substantially linear and laminar flow in a flow direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 101 of the inlet line 310, against the direction of gravity.

[0069] The Fig. Figure 1B shows a cross-section through the first swirl element 110 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 101. The first swirl element 110 comprises a housing 119 with a cylindrical interior space that is point-symmetric with respect to the longitudinal axis 101 and a central flow body 111 that is also point-symmetric with respect to the longitudinal axis 101. The flow body 111 is shaped such that the flow resistance to the oncoming phase mixture is as low as possible. For example, the flow body 111 is spindle-shaped or teardrop-shaped in the axial direction.

[0070] On an outer surface of the fluid body 111, airfoil blades 115 are formed. The airfoil blades 115 extend from the surface of the fluid body 111 in a radial direction to the inner wall of the casing 119. At a proximal (upstream) end, the airfoil blades 115 are aligned parallel to the flow direction. With increasing distance from the proximal end, the airfoil blades 115 curve increasingly away from the longitudinal axis 101 until a first swash angle φ1 is reached.

[0071] In the device of the Fig. 1A forces the initially axially flowing phase mixture onto a helical or helix path around the longitudinal axis 101, with the first swirl angle φ1 determining the pitch of the helical path on the first separation section defined by the length of the first separation line 320. Along the separation section, the rotational component of the flow in the helical path increasingly separates the phases of the phase mixture in the radial direction according to their density.

[0072] At the distal end of the first separation line 320, a less dense portion of the phase mixture flows within a cylindrical volume in the radial center of the first separation line 320. This less dense portion contains predominantly or exclusively the less dense phase. In the case of a gas / liquid mixture, the less dense portion contains almost exclusively gas and behaves essentially like gas.

[0073] A denser portion of the phase mixture flows along a helical path within a volume with an annular cross-sectional area between the flow of the less dense phase and the inside of the first separation line 320. The denser portion contains predominantly or exclusively the denser phase. In the case of a gas / liquid mixture, the denser portion contains almost exclusively liquid with a lower gas content than in the phase mixture supplied to the device 100 and behaves like a liquid.

[0074] The Fig. Figure 1C shows a cross-section through the second swirl element 120 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 101. The second swirl element 120 comprises a flow body 121 with an axial passage 128 and a housing 129 with a cylindrical interior. The maximum outer diameter of the flow body 121 is smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical interior of the housing 129. The flow body 121 is shaped such that the flow resistance to the oncoming phase mixture is as low as possible. For example, the flow body 121 is spindle-shaped or teardrop-shaped in the axial direction. Blades 125 of the second swirl element 112 extend from the outer surface of the flow body 121 to the inner wall of the housing 129.

[0075] The axial passage 128 is point-symmetric about the longitudinal axis 101 and extends along the entire axial length through the second swirl element 120. A proximal inlet opening of the axial passage 128 receives the less dense portion of the phase mixture guided in the first separation line 320 and, if possible, exclusively portions of the less dense phase.

[0076] The space between the outer wall of the flow body 121 and the inner wall of the casing 129 accommodates as much of the denser phase as possible and, if necessary, a small portion of the less dense phase. The blades 125 of the second swirl element 120 are designed such that the swirl of the portion of the phase mixture guided in the space between the outer wall of the flow body 121 and the inner wall of the casing 129 is intensified.

[0077] At the proximal end, the blades 125 of the second swirl element 120 are adapted to the pitch of the screw path in the first separation line 320 and are aligned approximately at the first swirl angle φ1 to the longitudinal axis 101. With increasing distance from the proximal end, the blades 125 can curve further away from the longitudinal axis 101 up to a second swirl angle φ2 to the longitudinal axis 101, thereby further reducing the pitch of the screw path and further increasing the tangential velocity.

[0078] In the device of the Fig. 1A The distal end of the axial passage 128 transitions into the proximal end of the inner outlet line 330. The inner outlet line 330 and the second separation line 340 are arranged coaxially. The second swirl element 120 forces the portion of the phase mixture flowing outside the axial passage 128 further onto a helical or helix path around the longitudinal axis 101, the second swirl angle φ2 determining the pitch of the helical path along the second separation section defined by the length of the second separation line 340. The rotational component of the flow increasingly separates the phases of the portion of the phase mixture guided through the space between the outer wall of the flow body 121 and the inner wall of the housing 129 along the second separation section according to density in the radial direction.At the distal end of the second separation line 340, the less dense phase flows within a volume with an annular cross-sectional area around the inner outlet line 330. The denser phase, with further reduced proportions of the less dense phase, flows within an annular cross-sectional area between the flow of the less dense phase and the inner wall of the second separation line 340.

[0079] The inner outlet line 330 reduces the cross-sectional area of ​​the portion of the phase mixture still to be separated in the space between the inner outlet line 330 and the second separation line 340, thus keeping the flow velocity of the portion of the phase mixture still to be separated high and improving the efficiency of the phase separation in the second separation line 340.

[0080] The flow divider 130 is arranged downstream of the second separation line 340 and directs a denser portion of the phase mixture carried in the space between the inner outlet line 330 and the second separation line 340 in a tangential direction through outlets 139.

[0081] The Fig. Figure 1D shows a cross-section through the flow divider 130 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 101. The flow divider 130 has a longitudinal opening 131 in the axial direction, which is point-symmetrical to the longitudinal axis and through which the inner outlet line 330 extends in the axial direction. The less dense portion of the phase mixture flowing outside the inner outlet line 330, separated at the second separation point, is also discharged in the axial direction through the same longitudinal opening 131. A denser portion of the phase mixture flowing outside the inner outlet line 330 flows in a spiral path around the longitudinal opening 131 in one or more flow channels 135. The flow divider 130 divides the flow into several partial flows that flow along spiral paths around the longitudinal opening 131 in the axial direction.The proximal pitch of the spiral channels is adapted to the pitch of the helical channel in the second separation line 340. The proximal pitch of the spiral channel and the pitch of the helical channel in the second separation line 340 can be approximately the same. The radius of the spiral channels increases with decreasing distance to the distal end of the flow channel 135. At the distal end, each partial flow is discharged tangentially through an outlet 139.

[0082] In the device of the Fig. 1A The flow divider 130 separates the less dense portion of the phase mixture separated in the second separation section. The separated portion is discharged through a gap between an inner wall of the outer outlet line 350 and an outer wall of the inner outlet line 330. The denser portion of the phase mixture separated in the second separation section flows out through the outlets 139 of the flow divider 130 in a tangential direction.

[0083] Downstream, the less dense components of the phase mixture, which are guided through the inner outlet 320 and through the space between the inner outlet 320 and the outer outlet 330 and each contain almost exclusively the less dense phase, can be combined. The components guided through the outlets 131 of the flow divider 130 can, for example, be fed to a centrifugal separation device.

[0084] Fig. Figure 2 shows a section of a phase separation device with a first swirl element 110. The inlet line 310, the housing 119 of the first swirl element 110, and the first separation line 320 are shown in section along the longitudinal axis. The first swirl element 110 has a central flow body 111 that is point-symmetric with respect to the longitudinal axis 101, comprising a proximal section 112, a middle section 113, and a distal section 114. The middle section 113 is cylindrical and defines a flow body diameter D2. The proximal section 112 forms a blunt cone that tapers with increasing distance from the middle section 113. The distal section 114 also forms a blunt cone that tapers with increasing distance from the middle section 113.

[0085] On an outer surface of the central section 113, airfoil blades 115 are formed, extending radially outwards to the inner wall of the annular casing 119. At the proximal end of the central section 113, the airfoil blades 115 are aligned parallel to the flow direction. With increasing distance from the proximal end, the airfoil blades 115 curve progressively away from the longitudinal axis 101 until a first swirl angle φ1 is reached. All airfoil blades 115 curve in the same direction. Adjacent airfoil blades 115 can be arranged equidistant from one another. The airfoil blades 115 divide the oncoming phase mixture into several partial flows, each of which is deflected in the manner described.

[0086] The inlet line 310 is attached to the proximal end of the housing 119 or may overlap the housing 119 axially. The first separation line 320 is attached to the distal end of the housing 119 or may overlap the housing 119 axially. The inlet line 310, the housing 119, and the first separation line 320 have the same inner diameter D1. The ratio of the inner diameter D1 to the flow body diameter D2 is in the range of 1.25 to 2.6.

[0087] In the radial center of the first separation line 320, a column 322 of the less dense phase forms, coaxial with the longitudinal axis 101. The denser phase and as yet unseparated portions of the less dense phase flow along a helical path in an annular channel 321 between the column 322 and the inner wall of the first separation line 320.

[0088] According to Fig. Figure 3 comprises the second swirl element 120, a housing 129 with a cylindrical interior, and a flow body 121 with an axial passage 128. The flow body 121 with axial passage 128 has a proximal section 122, a middle section 123, and a distal section 124. The middle section 123 forms a hollow cylinder. In the proximal section 122, the flow body 121 tapers, and the axial passage 128 widens toward the proximal end. The distal section 124 forms the distal section of a flow body similar to the one in Figure 1. Fig. The distal section 114 of the flow body 111 of the first swirl element 110 is shown in Figure 2. A longitudinal opening in the distal section 124 connects to the interior of the hollow cylinder in the middle section 123. Blades 125 of the second swirl element 112 extend from the middle section 123 to the inner wall of the housing 129.

[0089] The interior of the hollow cylinder of the central section 123 and the longitudinal openings in the proximal and distal sections 122, 124 form the axial passage 128, which is point-symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis 101 and extends along the axial direction through the flow body 121 of the second swirl element 120. A proximal inlet opening of the axial passage 128 receives a portion of the separated, less dense phase of the phase mixture guided in the first separation line 320. The proximal end of the inner outlet line 330 is directly connected to the distal end of the axial passage 128 or overlaps the axial passage 128 in the axial direction, with the inner outlet line 330 completely receiving the portion of the phase mixture guided through the axial passage 128.

[0090] The space between the outer wall of the inner hollow cylinder and the inner wall of the housing 129 accommodates as much of the denser phase as possible and a small portion of the less dense phase. The blades 125 of the second swirl element 120 are designed such that the pitch of the screw path is further reduced and the swirl of the portion of the phase mixture guided in the space between the outer wall of the inner hollow cylinder and the inner wall of the housing 129 is increased.

[0091] At their proximal ends, the blades 125 of the second swirl element 120 are adapted to the pitch of the screw path in the first separation line 320 and are aligned approximately at the first swirl angle φ1 to the longitudinal axis 101. With increasing distance from the proximal end, the blades 125 can curve further away from the longitudinal axis 101 up to a second swirl angle φ2. All blades 125 of the second swirl element 120 curve in the same way and in the same direction. The blades 125 of the second swirl element 120 are arranged equidistant from each other.

[0092] The angle of the blades 125 of the second swirl element 120 to the axial direction can be equal to the first swirl angle φ1 at the proximal end of the blades 125 of the second swirl element 120. For example, the first swirl angle φ1 is approximately 45 degrees, and the angle of the blades 125 of the second swirl element 120 to the axial direction gradually increases to a second swirl angle φ2 of approximately 60 degrees at the proximal end.

[0093] The first separation line 320 is fitted into the housing 129 along its inner wall in the space between the housing 129 and the proximal section 122 of the flow body 121. The second separation line 340 is fitted into the housing 129 along its inner wall in the space between the housing 129 and the distal section 124 of the flow body 121. The inner separation line 330 is fitted flush into the distal section of the axial passage 128.

[0094] The first separation line 320 is attached to the proximal end of the housing 129 or can overlap the housing 129 in the axial direction. The second separation line 340 is attached to the distal end of the housing 129 or can overlap the housing 119 in the axial direction. The first separation line 320, the housing 129, and the second separation line 340 have the same inner diameter.

[0095] The second swirl element 120 forces the portion of the phase mixture flowing outside the axial passage 128 further onto a modified screw or helical path around the longitudinal axis 101.

[0096] Fig. Figure 4 shows a section of a phase separation device with a flow divider 130. The second separation line 340, the outer outlet line 350, and a proximal section 132 of the flow divider 130 are cut along the longitudinal axis 101. An oblique cut opens parts of a middle section 133 of the flow divider 130.

[0097] The flow divider 130 comprises, in addition to the proximal section 132 and the middle section 133, a distal section 134. An axial opening 131, point-symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis 101, extends axially through the entire flow divider 130.

[0098] The proximal section 132 of the flow divider 130 comprises a hollow cylinder 132 with an outer diameter D3, which is smaller than the inner diameter D1 of the second separation line 340, and at least one channel inlet r in the axial direction. The channel inlet(s) 136 are rotationally symmetrical about the longitudinal axis 101 around the hollow cylinder 132. In the central section 133, the axial opening 131, which is formed in the proximal section by the interior of the hollow cylinder 132, widens, for example, again to the diameter D1.

[0099] If the proximal section 132 of the flow divider 130 forms several channel inlets 136 separated from each other in the tangential direction, then a corresponding number of flow channels 135 are formed in the central section 133. These channels wind axially around the central axial opening 138 of the central section 132 on spiral paths with a radius increasing downstream and a pitch decreasing, each connecting a channel inlet 136 to a tangential outlet 139. The flow channels 135 are rotationally symmetrical about the longitudinal axis 101.

[0100] The pitch height at the proximal end of the flow channels 135 or the separation structures is approximately equal to the pitch height of the screw flow in the second separation line 340, which in turn is determined by the second swirl angle φ2. A cross-sectional area of ​​a flow channel 135 perpendicular to the flow direction in the flow channel can be rectangular. The cross-sectional area can increase between the channel inlet 135 and the tangential outlet 139 or it can remain constant.

[0101] The distal section 134 comprises a hollow cylinder with an inner diameter D1, which is symmetrical to the longitudinal axis 101 and whose interior forms the distal section of the axial opening 131.

[0102] The second separation line 340 is attached to the proximal end of the proximal section 132 or may overlap the proximal section 132 in the axial direction. The outer outlet line 350 is attached to the distal end of the distal section 134 or may overlap the distal section 134 in the axial direction. The second separation line 340, the distal section 134, and the outer outlet line 340 have the same inner diameter D1.

[0103] The inner outlet line 330 is guided point-symmetrically through the axial longitudinal opening 131 and can be temporarily closed by a first control valve 325. The flow through the space between the inner outlet line 330 and the outer outlet line 350 can be controlled by a second control valve 326. The first control valve 325 and the second control valve 326 can each independently switch between a fully open and a fully closed state.

[0104] A control unit 600 receives operating data from sensors and / or via a data interface and controls the first control valve 325 in-situ depending on the received operating data. The operating data includes, for example, the flow velocity of the phase mixture and / or the current quantitative proportions of the phases in the phase mixture.

[0105] The control unit 600 can close the first control valve 325 if it is no longer ensured that the proportion of the denser phase in the inner outlet line 330 falls below a first threshold value. The control unit 600 can open the first control valve 325 as soon as it is ensured that the proportion of the denser phase in the inner outlet line 330 falls below the first or a second threshold value.

[0106] The control unit 600 can close the second control valve 326 if it is no longer ensured that the proportion of the denser phase between the inner outlet line 330 and the outer outlet line 350 falls below a third threshold. The control unit 600 can open the second control valve 326 as soon as it is ensured that the proportion of the denser phase in the space between the inner outlet line 330 and the outer outlet line 350 falls below the third or a fourth threshold.

[0107] Fig. 5A and Fig. Figure 5B shows inverse representations of the flow channels 135 of the flow divider 130 according to Fig. 4. The inverse representation shows the interior of the flow channels 135 and hides the body of the flow divider 130. Fig. Figure 5A shows the flow channels in a top view of the channel inlets 136 and Fig. Figure 5B shows an oblique view.

[0108] The channel inlets 136 are circular arcs of the same size. The flow channels 135 wind around the axial longitudinal axis, with the distance to the axial longitudinal axis increasing continuously with increasing distance from the channel inlets 136, the channel height decreasing continuously, e.g., to 0, and the channel cross-section of each flow channel 135 continuously transitioning into a rectangle, with the cross-sectional area continuously increasing. The interior of the flow channels 135 develops in such a way as to prevent, as far as possible, the re-mixing of the phases, insofar as they are already separated at the channel inlet 136 or separate within the flow channels 135. The outlets 139 are rectangular and oriented tangentially to the axial longitudinal axis.

[0109] Fig. Figure 6 shows a cross-section transverse to the axial direction through a phase separation device 100 at the level of the tangential outlets of a flow divider 130 with four tangential outlets. A feed device 400 with four feed lines 410 connects the four tangential outlets to tangential inlets of four separation chambers 510 of a centrifugal separation device 500. Each of the feed lines 410 directs one of the partial flows from one of the tangential outlets to the tangential inlet of one of the separation chambers 510. Regardless of the number of feed lines 410 and separation chambers 510, the feed lines 410 and separation chambers 510 are rotationally symmetrical about the longitudinal axis 101 of the flow divider 130.

[0110] In the illustrated example, a controllable closure 411, e.g., a valve, is arranged in each of two opposing feed lines 410. A control unit 600 receives operating data from the device 100 via sensors and / or a data interface and controls the controllable closures 411 in-situ depending on the received operating data. The operating data includes, for example, the flow velocity of the phase mixture and / or the current quantitative proportions of the phases in the phase mixture.

[0111] For a phase mixture containing one or more gas phases and a liquid phase, the control unit 600 can open the controllable valves 411 when the proportion of gas phases falls below a predefined first threshold. This maximizes the flow rate through the device. If the proportion of gas phases rises above the first threshold, while the total volumetric flow rate remains below a second threshold, the control unit 600 closes both controllable valves 411, thus doubling the throughput through the two other separation chambers. If the flow rate exceeds the second threshold, the control unit 600 opens both controllable valves. The two valves are therefore closed when the current throughput is too low to achieve a minimum flow velocity for optimal phase separation. In another example, a controllable valve 411 can be arranged in each feed line 410.

[0112] The separation chambers 510 are all identical in design. For phase mixtures containing different liquids, e.g., an oil-water mixture, the separation chambers 510 are designed as hydrocyclones. A separation chamber 510 comprises, for example, a cylindrical section with a tangential inlet, a conical section typically extending downwards from the cylindrical section with an apex nozzle at its distal end, and a dip tube that typically projects from above to below the tangential inlet into the cylindrical or conical section. The inlet through the tangential inlet forces the supplied phase mixture onto a helical or screw path along the inner walls of the cylindrical and conical sections. The narrowing in the conical section causes the phase mixture to back up at the distal end. At the distal end of the conical section, an inner channel forms, oriented in the axial direction of the helical or screw path.The less dense liquid phase flows in the opposite direction to the spiral path and exits through the dip tube. The denser liquid phase flows out through the apex nozzle.

[0113] For phase mixtures containing a gas, the separation chambers 510 are designed as centrifugal separators.

[0114] Fig. Figure 7 shows a flow divider 130° after Fig. 4 with two of four feed lines 410 and two of four separation chambers 510 designed as centrifugal separators for separating a gas from a liquid. The separation chambers 510 are hollow cylinders with a first outlet at the lower end and a second outlet at the opposite upper end of the hollow cylinder.

[0115] Each feed line 410 winds around the hollow cylinder 515 with a radius that decreases towards its distal end. The curvature of the feed lines 410 enables pre-separation of the portion of the phase mixture carried in the feed lines 410 by the centrifugal force, with the denser phase accumulating on the longer side and the less dense phase on the shorter side. The radius of curvature can be larger the lower the expected flow velocity. The interior of the feed line 410 has a rectangular cross-section.

[0116] The liquid phase of the portion of the phase mixture supplied via the feed line 410 is pressed against the inner wall of the hollow cylinder 515, flows downwards along the inner wall and is discharged through the first outlet 511. The gas phase rises downwards and is discharged through the second outlet 512.

[0117] The Fig. Figure 8 shows a phase separation device 100 with two separation sections arranged along the same longitudinal axis 101 and four separation chambers 510, three of which are shown. Parts of the device 100 are cut away to reveal otherwise hidden details. The device enables a high separation efficiency for gas / liquid mixtures with gas contents between 38% and 65% and flow velocities of 1.0 to 5.8 m / s.

[0118] Fig.Figure 9 shows a system 700 for the polymer electrolyte membrane electrolysis of hydrogen and oxygen. The system comprises an anode assembly 710 with an anode 711, a cathode assembly 720 with a cathode 721, and a proton-conducting membrane 730 separating the anode assembly 710 from the cathode assembly 720. The anode assembly 710 has a discharge device 712 for a phase mixture and a phase separation device 100 connected to the discharge device 712 as described above, wherein the phase separation device 100 is configured for phase separation of the phase mixture supplied by the discharge device 712. The device 100 regenerates the gas and liquid diffusion layer in the anode assembly 720 by removing the molecular oxygen produced during electrolysis from the gas and liquid diffusion layer and returning the water separated from the oxygen to the anode assembly 720.The device 100 can be configured as a reversible fuel cell. Its compact design and wide operating range simplify the integration of reversible fuel cells, for example, in mobile applications. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 9,687,757 B2

[0004] US 2008 006 011 A1

[0005] US 2009 / 065 431 A1

[0006] US 2009 / 0 139 938 A1

[0007] EP 4 155 432 A1

[0008] US 4 872 890

[0009]

Claims

[1] Phase separation device comprising: a first swirl element (110) which is designed to impart a phase mixture supplied parallel to a longitudinal axis (101) of an inlet line (310) with a swirl about the longitudinal axis (101), a first separation line (320) for guiding the phase mixture downstream of the first swirl element (110); a second swirl element (120) which is designed to separate a less dense portion of the phase mixture carried in the first separation line (320) and to increase the swirl of a denser portion of the phase mixture carried in the first separation line (320); an internal outlet line (330) for receiving the separated, less dense portion of the phase mixture; a second separation line (340) for guiding the denser portion of the phase mixture downstream of the second swirl element (120); and a flow divider (130) which is designed to divert a denser proportion of the phase mixture in the second separation line (340) in a tangential direction. [2] Device for phase separation according to claim 1, wherein the inner outlet line (330) connects downstream to an axial passage (124) of the second swirl element (120). [3] Device for phase separation according to claim 2, wherein a cross-sectional area of ​​the axial passage (125) at a proximal inlet opening is larger than a cross-sectional area of ​​the inner outlet line (330). [4] Phase separation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a first control valve (325) which is designed to temporarily close the inner outlet line (330). [5] Phase separation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: an outer outlet line (350), wherein the outer outlet line (350) is configured to discharge a less dense portion of the phase mixture from the second separation line (340) in an axial direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (101) in an intermediate space between the inner outlet line (330) and the outer outlet line (350). [6] Device for phase separation according to claim 5, wherein a section of the inner outlet pipe (330) is formed by an opening of the flow divider (130) along the longitudinal axis (101) or extends through an opening of the flow divider (130) along the longitudinal axis (101). [7] Device for phase separation according to one of claims 5 to 6, further comprising: a second control valve (326) which is designed to temporarily close the space between the inner outlet line (330) and the outer outlet line (350). [8] Phase separation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the flow divider (130) has a plurality of tangential outlets. [9] Phase separation device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising: a centrifugal separation device (500) with tangential flow inlet and a feed device (400), wherein the feed device (400) is configured to supply the portion of the phase mixture derived from the flow divider (130) to the centrifugal separation device (500). [10] Device for phase separation according to claim 9, wherein the centrifugal separation device (500) has two or more separation chambers (510) and the feed device (400) has two or more feed lines (410), and wherein each of the feed lines (410) is configured to direct a portion of the phase mixture from an outlet of the flow divider (130) to an inlet of one of the separation chambers (510). [11] Device for phase separation according to claim 10, wherein the outlets of the flow divider (130) are designed to be rotationally symmetrical about a longitudinal axis of the flow divider (130). [12] Device for phase separation according to one of claims 10 and 11, wherein the supply lines (410) are arranged to deflect the flow direction of the portion of the phase mixture carried in the supply line (410) in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the flow divider (130) by at least 10 degrees. [13] Device for phase separation according to one of claims 10 to 12, further comprising: one or more controllable closures (411), each of the controllable closures (411) being configured to temporarily close one of the feed lines (410). [14] Device for phase separation according to at least one of claims 4, 7 and 13, further comprising: a control unit (600) which is configured to control the first control valve (325), the second control valve and / or the controllable closures (411) depending on operating parameters. [15] A system for the electrolysis of water, comprising: an anode (711); a cathode (721); a membrane (730) separating the anode (711) from the cathode (721) and conducting protons or permeable to hydroxide ions; a drainage device (712) provided for the discharge of a phase mixture wetting the anode (711); and a device (100) connected to the discharge device (712) for phase separation according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the device (100) is configured for phase separation of the phase mixture supplied by the discharge device (712). [16] Phase separation methods, comprising: Deflection of an axial flow of a phase mixture by means of a first swirl element (310) into a helical flow about a longitudinal axis on a first separation section, Separation of a less dense portion of the phase mixture from a radially central region of the first separation section from a denser portion of the phase mixture in a radially distal region of the first separation section, Intensifying the helical flow of the denser portion of the phase mixture by means of a second swirl element (320), wherein the intensified helical flow is guided around the separated less dense portion of the phase mixture on a second separation section, and Diverting a denser portion of the phase mixture in the enhanced helical flow in the tangential direction. [17] Method for phase separation according to claim 16, wherein the less dense portion of the phase mixture is discharged through an inner outlet line (330) and the enhanced helical flow in an intermediate space between the inner outlet line (330) and a second separation line (340) defining the second separation section. [18] Method for phase separation according to claim 17, wherein a flow through the inner outlet pipe (330) and / or a flow through the space between the inner outlet pipe (320) and an outer outlet pipe (350) connected downstream to the flow divider (130) is controlled depending on at least one operating parameter. [19] Method for phase separation according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the derived portion of the phase mixture is fed to a centrifugal separation device (500) with tangential flow inlet. [20] Method for phase separation according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the derived part is fed to two or more separation chambers (510) with tangential inlet.

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