DRIP SEPARATOR

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a droplet separator for liquid separation and / or solid particle separation from a gas flow, comprising a housing that has an inlet area for the gas flow containing liquid / solid particles and an outlet area for the gas flow freed of liquid and / or solid particles and for the liquid and / or solid particles, and with a plurality of functional elements arranged in the flow path of the gas flow containing liquid / solid particles.

[0002] Droplet separators for separating liquid / solid particles from a gas flow are well-known. In many technical applications, an airflow containing liquid droplets and / or solid particles flows through a flow channel. Multiple deflections of the airflow result in the separation of the liquid droplets and / or solid particles, typically water droplets. This deflection of the gas flow is achieved by functional elements of the droplet separator, which create a serpentine flow path. The entrained liquid droplets and / or solid particles adhere to these functional elements or separation elements and are then carried to an outlet area of ​​the droplet separator, from where they are discharged.

[0003] A droplet separator of the type described above is known from EP 0 281 981 A2. This droplet separator has a first layer of spaced-apart flow deflectors in the direction of the gas flow path. This is followed by a second layer of liquid collection and discharge elements, which separate the entrained liquid droplets. From there, the droplets enter a trough and are discharged from the separator. The flow deflectors of the first layer are V-shaped, while the liquid collection and discharge elements of the second layer are approximately inverted V-shaped.

[0004] From EP 1 059 107 A1 a separation device is known which comprises an agglomeration device having two rows of offset rods which are passed by a gas flow in a serpentine path.

[0005] Separators with multiple rows of separation elements are also known from DE 100 42 443 A1, DE 10 2004 045 608 A1, WO 99 / 28011 A1 and DE 100 45 302 A1.

[0006] The present invention is based on the objective of creating a droplet separator of the type described above, which is characterized by a particularly good separation performance with a shallow installation depth and the lowest possible pressure loss.

[0007] This problem is solved according to the invention in a droplet separator of the type specified by arranging the functional elements in the gas flow path in the flow direction in three or more planes, of which the first plane in the flow direction comprises a plurality of pure flow deflection elements arranged next to each other and at a distance from each other, the second and optionally the third plane in the flow direction.The next level contains a plurality of first liquid / solid particle collection and discharge elements arranged side by side and at a distance from each other, and the last level in the flow direction has a plurality of further liquid / solid particle collection and discharge elements arranged side by side and at a distance from each other, wherein the offset functional elements of the different levels partially overlap in the lateral direction with a coverage area of ​​a functional element, and the flow deflection elements of the first level as well as the first liquid / solid particle collection and discharge elements of the second and possibly further levels extend with their rear sides inclined or curved in the direction of the center line of the spaces between the functional elements of the next level.

[0008] The droplet separator designed according to the invention thus has at least three levels of functional elements arranged one after the other in the flow path of the gas flow containing liquid / solid particles. The first level consists purely of flow deflection elements that have virtually no separation or liquid / solid particle removal function. The subsequent levels have functional elements that are designed as liquid / solid particle collection and removal elements, i.e., they carry out the desired droplet / particle separation and removal of the separated droplets / particles.

[0009] According to the invention, at least two levels are provided for liquid / solid particle separation, resulting in a multiple separation effect. To enable the functional elements of the last level to perform efficient liquid / solid particle separation and removal, the invention provides that the back surfaces of the flow deflection elements of the first level and the liquid / solid particle collection and removal elements of the second and any further levels assume corresponding guiding functions. These guide the gas flow through the spaces between the functional elements of the second and any further levels into the separation or collection elements of the last level, or between them. Thus, liquid / solid particle separation and removal occur both through the functional elements of the second and any further levels, and through the functional elements of the last level.This results in efficient separation overall, even though the functional elements in the separator designed according to the invention are arranged in an offset pattern, so that only a slight obstruction to the gas flow is provided. In other words, the gas flow passing through the separator follows a only slightly serpentine path. On the other hand, the functional elements of the planes are arranged such that the gas flow cannot pass through the separator in a straight line.

[0010] Despite the relatively small obstruction provided by the invention, efficient separation with a low pressure drop is achieved by the two downstream separation stages. This allows the separation of liquid droplets, preferably in the size range of 10-30 µm, and particularly around 20 µm. Such a separator is especially suitable as a surge separator, with which a sudden surge of liquid carried along in a gas flow can be efficiently separated.

[0011] Preferably, by varying or adjusting the distances between the individual levels and functional elements of the droplet separator, it can be adapted to the respective diameters of the droplets or particles to be separated.

[0012] To achieve efficient separation of the functional elements of the second and, if applicable, subsequent and final levels, the back surfaces of the flow deflection elements of the first level and the liquid / solid particle collection and discharge elements of the second and, if applicable, subsequent levels perform corresponding flow-guiding functions. These guide the gas flow through the spaces between the functional elements of the second and, if applicable, subsequent levels, and through the spaces between the functional elements of the final level, whereby the entrained liquid droplets and / or solid particles are collected by the functional elements of the various levels. Since the functional elements of the different levels overlap only slightly, a minimal pressure drop occurs.The functional elements of the first level, designed purely as deflection elements, accelerate the gas flow, thereby facilitating the separation of the liquid and / or particles in the subsequent levels.

[0013] Preferably, the rear surfaces of the flow deflection elements and the first liquid / solid particle collection and discharge elements have a point directed towards the centerline of the spaces between the functional elements of the next level. In principle, these rear surfaces can be inclined or curved if they fulfill their guiding function into the spaces of the next level. A roof-shaped design of the rear surfaces with a point directed towards the centerline of the spaces is preferred. This does not preclude other embodiments. For example, arc-shaped designs can also be used.

[0014] As regards the flow deflection elements of the first level, these are preferably diamond-shaped. The flow striking the apex of the diamond on the upstream side is split and directed onto the first two adjacent liquid / solid particle collection and discharge elements of the second level, from which the liquid droplets and / or solid particles are collected and discharged. The freed gas flow then passes along an inclined, preferably slightly curved, rear side of the diamond-shaped flow deflection element between the two functional elements of the second level and meets the functional element of the next level in a straight line, where the remaining liquid droplets and / or solid particles are also separated and collected. The gas flow is then directed along a rear side of the functional element of the second and, if applicable, the next level.further level between the two functional elements of the last level to the outlet area of ​​the droplet separator.

[0015] The diamond-shaped flow deflection elements of the first level therefore fulfill two functions: On the one hand, they direct the gas flow onto a functional element of the second level and accelerate it, and on the other hand, they direct the gas flow deflected by the functional elements of the second level onto the corresponding functional element of the next level.

[0016] The liquid / solid particle collection and discharge elements of the second and, if applicable, further and final levels are preferably designed as box-shaped receiving elements open on the flow side. In another embodiment, these functional elements are designed in the shape of an inverted V. Generally, any shape is conceivable, provided that there is only one collection area for liquid droplets and / or solid particles to be separated and the corresponding rear sides of these functional elements possess the guiding functions described above.

[0017] The liquid / solid particle collection and discharge elements of the second and, if applicable, subsequent levels can, for example, have a deflection projection on their back side, which may be a small deflection gusset. This gusset preferably has a point that is directed towards the centerline of the space between the functional elements of the next level.

[0018] In a particular embodiment, the rear surfaces of the flow deflection elements of the first level are concavely curved. Furthermore, the flow deflection elements preferably have an opening angle of 60–120°, particularly 90°, on the upstream side.

[0019] The droplet separator described here is designed as a small unit, particularly suitable for use downstream of inexpensive heat exchangers. One application example is in fuel cell-based vehicle engines. During engine start-up and operation, water droplets can be released from an exchange membrane, potentially damaging the blades of a downstream turbine and leading to its failure. The droplet separator designed according to the invention can prevent this.

[0020] To make the droplet separator as small as possible, the invention provides that a space is provided in the housing behind the last level for laterally discharging the gas flow freed of liquid or solid particles. The gas flow freed of liquid or solid particles is thus discharged laterally from the housing.

[0021] The droplet separator is preferably subjected to a horizontal flow, and the separated liquid and / or solid particles are discharged downwards or laterally by gravity. A suitable trough design can be provided for this purpose.

[0022] The invention is explained in detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment in conjunction with the drawing. The drawing shows: Figure 1 shows two spatial views of a droplet separator with a lateral inlet area and horizontal flow; and Figure 2 shows a schematic top view on three levels of the functional elements of the droplet separator.

[0023] The in Figure 1The droplet separator, shown in two spatial views, has a housing 1 with dimensions of, for example, 280 mm x 140 mm x 75 mm. On one side of the housing 1, there is an opening 2 through which a plurality of flow deflection elements 3 extend vertically, arranged side by side and spaced apart from one another. A gas stream laden with a liquid and / or solid particles enters the droplet separator through the opening 2 and is freed from the liquid and / or particles inside. The freed gas stream and the liquid and / or particles are then discharged from the housing via suitable outlet areas (not shown here). Such a droplet separator can, for example, be connected downstream of a heat exchanger.

[0024] The in Figure 2The top view shown illustrates the internal structure of the droplet separator. The arrow indicates the direction of gas flow. The gas flow, laden with liquid and / or particles, enters the housing of the droplet separator through the schematically arranged opening area 2 and passes successively through at least three levels 5, 6, 7 of functional elements in the direction of gas flow.

[0025] The first level features a multitude of rhomboid-shaped flow deflection elements 3 arranged side by side and at intervals. These elements have a purely flow-deflection function and accelerate the incoming gas flow. The rhomboid-shaped flow deflection elements 3 have two slightly concave rear faces 4 that converge at a point located on the center line of the spaces between the functional elements 8 on the second level 6. The functional elements of the second level 6 are designed as the first liquid / solid particle collection and discharge elements 8. Specifically, these functional elements are box-shaped in cross-section and have an almost completely open upstream side for collecting the separated liquid droplets and / or particles.On the reverse side of these functional elements of the second level 6 is a pointed gusset 10, which acts as a guide and directs the flow into the spaces between the functional elements of the next identical or last level 7. These functional elements are also designed as liquid / solid particle collection and discharge elements 9 and have a box shape in cross-section with an almost completely open upstream side.

[0026] The separator functions as follows: The gas flow, laden with liquid and / or solid particles, enters the separator housing 1 through the opening 2. It encounters the diamond-shaped flow deflectors, which divide it, and flows through the open upstream faces into the adjacent liquid / solid particle collection and discharge elements 8 of the second level 6. These elements 8 separate liquid droplets and / or solid particles and discharge them downwards, i.e., perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. The deflected gas flow is then guided along the curved back surface 4 of the flow deflectors 3 into the space between the elements 8 of the second level 6 (which may be present multiple times) and encounters the open upstream face of the liquid / solid particle collection and discharge elements 9 of the third level 7.Here, further liquid droplets are deposited, which are then carried downwards within elements 9.

[0027] The deflected gas flow then passes over the back of the elements 8, which has a pointed gusset 10, into the spaces between the elements 9 and from there in a lateral direction to the outlet area of ​​the liquid-free gas flow.

[0028] The functional elements of the at least three levels 5, 6, and 7 are arranged offset from one another and overlap only slightly, resulting in minimal obstruction of the gas flow passing through them. This leads to only a small pressure drop. The functional elements of the second and, if applicable, subsequent levels 6 and 7 cause the separation of liquid droplets or solid particles in two successive levels, so that, despite the minimal obstruction of the gas flow, a very good separation effect is achieved with low pressure loss. Furthermore, a particularly shallow installation depth is achieved.

Claims

1. Mist eliminator for separating liquids and / or solid particles from a gas flow, comprising a housing (1) which has an inlet region (2) for the gas flow containing liquid / solid particles and an outlet region for the gas flow freed of liquid and / or solid particles and for the liquid and / or solid particles, and with a plurality of functional elements (3, 8, 9) arranged in the flow path of the gas flow containing liquid / solid particles, wherein the functional elements (3, 8, 9) are arranged in the gas flow path in three or more planes (5, 6, 7) in the direction of flow, the first plane (5) in the direction of flow comprising a plurality of pure flow deflection elements (3) arranged next to one another and at a distance from one another, the second plane (6) in the direction of flow comprising a plurality of first liquid / solid particle collection and discharge elements (8) arranged next to one another and at a distance from one another, and the last plane (7) in the direction of flow has a plurality of further liquid / solid particle collection and discharge elements (9) arranged next to one another and at a distance from one another, wherein the function elements (3, 8, 9) of the different planes (5, 6, 7) ), which are arranged offset from one another, partially overlap in the lateral direction with an overlapping region of a functional element (3, 8, 9), and the flow deflection elements (3) of the first plane (5) and the first liquid / solid particle collection and discharge elements (8) of the second plane (6) extend with their rear sides (4, 10) inclined or curved in the direction of the centre lines of the spaces between the functional elements of the next plane, characterised in that a space (11) is provided in the housing (1) behind the last plane (7) for sidewards diverting the gas flow freed from liquid and / or solid particles, wherein the space is designed to divert the gas flow freed from liquid and / or solid particles sidewards out of the housing.

2. Mist eliminator according to claim 1, characterised in that the rear sides (4, 10) of the flow deflection elements (3) and the liquid / solid particle collection and discharge elements (8) have a tip directed towards the centre line of the spaces between the functional elements of the next plane.

3. Mist eliminator according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the flow deflection elements (3) are diamond-shaped in cross-section.

4. Mist eliminator according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the liquid / solid particle collection and discharge elements (8, 9) are designed as box-shaped receiving elements that are at least partially open on the inflow side.

5. Mist eliminator according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the liquid / solid particle collection and discharge elements (8) of the second plane (6) have a deflection elevation on their rear side (10).

6. Mist eliminator according to claim 5, characterised in that the deflection elevation is designed as a small deflection gusset.

7. Mist eliminator according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the flow deflection elements (3) have an opening angle of 60-120 degrees, in particular 90 degrees, on the inflow side.

8. Mist eliminator according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the rear sides (4) of the flow deflection elements (3) are designed to be concavely curved.