Damming body, damming body arrangement and axial-flow cyclone separator

Abstract

The invention relates to a damming body (44) for an axial-flow cyclone separator (4). The damming body (44) comprises: a main body (54) for arranging in a hollow-cylindrical tube section (12, 14) of the axial-flow cyclone separator (4), such that an axis of the main body (54) lies on an axis (2) of the tube section (12, 14); and at least one guide vane (46) which extends radially outwards from the main body (54) and which is designed such that it has a radially and axially extending sub-section (88) of a notional helix-shaped surface (60), the axis of which corresponds to the axis of the main body (54).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Bluff body, bluff body arrangement and direct current cyclone separator

[0003] The invention relates to a bluff body for a direct current cyclone separator, a bluff body arrangement comprising at least two of the bluff bodies, and the direct current cyclone separator with the bluff body or the bluff body arrangement.

[0004] The direct-current cyclone separator is used to separate particles from a dispersion containing the particles and a fluid. A suspension is typically used as the dispersion.

[0005] To separate particles from a dispersion containing the particles and a fluid, such as a gas or liquid, filters are used, for example, in which the dispersion is passed through a membrane. The particles settle on the membrane, which must be replaced after a certain period of time to prevent clogging. An alternative to these are cyclone separators, also known as centrifugal separators. These cyclone separators are designed either as countercurrent cyclone separators, also known as tangential cyclone separators, or as cocurrent cyclone separators, also known as axial separators.

[0006] In dispersion flows, particles are exposed to volume forces and fluid forces. Volume forces in a swirling flow include centrifugal forces, magnetism, and gravity. Fluid forces in a swirling flow include aerodynamic forces caused by a radial velocity gradient. In this case, a buoyancy force acts on particles due to a dynamic pressure gradient. The particles thus receive a lift force in the direction of the faster flow components.

[0007] In co-current cyclone separators, the dispersion is set into a rotational motion around an axis along the direction of motion of the dispersion. This motion is usually generated by guide vanes arranged within a pipe section of the co-current cyclone separator or by a tangentially introduced secondary flow. The guide vanes or the secondary flow impart an additional velocity in the tangential direction to the dispersion, with the maximum velocity of the dispersion, i.e., its absolute value, being located essentially midway between a pipe wall and the center of the pipe. Thus, the particles are moved radially outward, whereas the fluid is moved essentially in the center of the co-current cyclone separator.Since the maximum velocity is not located at the edge of the pipe section, the force acting on particles in the radial direction is reduced the further they move away from the area of ​​maximum velocity, which is why only a few particles accumulate in the edge area.

[0008] The rotation of the dispersion leads to the formation of a Hamel-Oseen vortex, which essentially corresponds to a rigid-body vortex in the core region and, radially outwardly, a potential vortex extending toward the pipe wall. Depending on this vortex structure, a region of maximum absolute velocity emerges, which can be considered a sink for the particles, and to which the particles, especially suspended matter or suspended solids, i.e., particles with a density similar to water, are moved.

[0009] Due to its design, the cocurrent cyclone separator can also be retrofitted into existing systems. The manufacturing costs of such a cocurrent cyclone separator are also reduced. Furthermore, the pressure drop is comparatively low, as there is no need to redirect the dispersion perpendicular to the direction of flow. However, compared to a countercurrent cyclone separator, the efficiency of the cocurrent cyclone separator and the separation efficiency between the particles and the fluid are reduced. Especially in the cocurrent hydrocyclone design, the separation rate is further reduced due to the essentially identical density of the particles and the fluid.

[0010] WO 2019 / 025617 A1 describes a direct-current cyclone separator that at least partially solves these problems. The direct-current cyclone separator serves to separate particles from a dispersion comprising the particles and a fluid. For example, the dispersion consists of the particles and the fluid. The direct-current cyclone separator is an axial separator. In other words, the direct-current cyclone separator is a centrifugal separator with an axial / unidirectional design. The dispersion is passed through the direct-current cyclone separator in a direction of flow, with the direction of flow not being changed for separation. Suitably, the direction of flow is constant. In other words, the direction in which the dispersion, or at least the fluid, is passed is not changed.

[0011] The direct-current cyclone separator comprises at least one pipe section that is hollow-cylindrical in design and serves to guide the dispersion in the direction of flow. During operation, the dispersion is guided through the hollow-cylindrical pipe section. The direction of flow is expediently parallel to the axis of the hollow-cylindrical pipe section, at least in sections. The pipe section has an inner wall, along which the dispersion is thus guided during operation. The hollow-cylindrical pipe section preferably has a substantially circular cross-section. For example, at least a partial section of the hollow-cylindrical pipe section can be free of further components of the direct-current cyclone separator, so that the dispersion can flow through it relatively freely. In other words, there is no further component in the partial section within the inner wall, and a cavity is thus formed by the inner wall.The partial section is located at the beginning of the pipe section in the direction of travel. The section that is free of other components can also be referred to as the first pipe section.

[0012] The inner wall of the tube section has a notch, which is designed, for example, in the form of an internal thread. In other words, the notch runs helically along the guide direction. In particular, the notch forms a helix, i.e., preferably a curve that winds at a gradient around the shell of a cylinder, wherein the cylinder is provided, in particular, by means of the inner wall. In other words, the notch winds around an axis of the hollow cylindrical tube section. In particular, at least the first tube section has the notch over its entire length in the guide direction.

[0013] The notch serves to generate swirl in the dispersion, so that after passing through the notch, it exhibits a tangential velocity component, i.e., perpendicular to the direction of travel. Thus, the notch generates the swirl. In other words, the notch imparts a rotational motion to the dispersion in addition to the translational motion along the direction of travel, with the rotational motion being perpendicular to the direction of travel. The tangential velocity component is applied by the notch to the layers of the dispersion moving along the inner wall. This tangential velocity component is transferred to the other, inner regions of the dispersion due to viscosity or the like. As a result, the dispersion exhibits a velocity profile that is not constant.

[0014] In summary, the outer regions of the dispersion, i.e., those closest to the inner wall, particularly in the area of ​​the notch, exhibit the highest velocity due to the notch. This velocity corresponds to the velocity prevailing due to the dispersion being directed along the direction of flow, plus the velocity introduced by the notch. The essentially central portion of the dispersion exhibits only the velocity component in the direction of flow. Due to the viscosity of the dispersion, the circumferential velocity increases essentially linearly from the center of the pipe section to the inner wall, so that the rotational motion of the dispersion essentially corresponds to that of a solid.

[0015] As a result, the particles are moved relatively efficiently radially outward toward the inner wall of the pipe section due to centrifugal force, particularly in conjunction with the fluid force, with the force acting on the particles in the radial direction increasing with decreasing distance from the inner wall. Thus, the further the particles are already outside, the more strongly they are moved outward, leading to a sharp separation between the particles and the fluid in the dispersion. The particles themselves move particularly along the helical path, which is predetermined by the pitch of the notch. No moving parts are required to separate the particles from the dispersion, which reduces construction costs and the susceptibility to errors. Furthermore, efficiency is increased.The particles themselves are enriched in an outer fluid portion and, together with this, enter a suitable separation chamber, which is expediently arranged downstream of the pipe section in terms of fluid technology. The particles are thus completely, at least approximately completely or largely removed from the dispersion in the form of a particle-containing fluid portion. The notch corresponds to a thread of an internal thread, which is realized by means of the notch. In other words, the thread corresponds to the notch, and the thread is helically designed along the guiding direction, and the inner wall is thus notched to form the thread. Particularly preferably, the pipe section has a number of notches and correspondingly such threads. The corresponding internal thread then has a corresponding number of threads, i.e. notches. In this way, swirl generation in the dispersion is improved.

[0016] Furthermore, with such a number of gears, manufacturing costs are comparatively low. The gears are provided by notches, which, for example, have a substantially rectangular cross-section. Alternatively, the notches are rounded, and the cross-section of each notch can be handle-shaped and / or auricle-shaped. Consequently, the hollow cylindrical tube section essentially has a cross-section that can be gear- or sawblade-shaped. The cross-section can be designed similar to the cross-section of a freewheel. Due to the rounding, the formation of unwanted vortices, which would otherwise reduce efficiency, can be further reduced.

[0017] The pitch angle of the notch can be constant. However, the pitch angle can also increase in the direction of flow. For example, the pitch angle starts at 0° and increases continuously, thus further preventing the formation of vortices. As a result, the rotation speed of the dispersion around an axis along the direction of flow increases continuously, which further increases efficiency. The pitch angle is, in particular, the angle that the notch, in particular the corresponding thread, makes with the direction of flow. The pitch angle is preferably between 15° and 60° and increases, for example, between 15° and 60°, suitably continuously or exponentially. As a result, after passing through the pipe section, the dispersion has essentially the same velocity component in the direction of flow in the region of the inner wall as in the tangential direction in the region of the inner wall.

[0018] A bluff body is arranged in the pipe section. This is positioned centrally within the pipe section, i.e. centrally within the pipe section and preferably on the axis of the pipe section. A partial section of the pipe section in which the bluff body is arranged can also be referred to as a second pipe section. The first and second pipe sections are arranged coaxially with one another. In particular, the second pipe section directly borders on the first pipe section, and the first pipe section merges directly into the second pipe section. In particular, the first pipe section is formed onto the second pipe section and is thus integral, in particular monolithic, with it. Thus, the pipe section as a whole can be formed in one piece, the first and second pipe sections differing in that the first pipe section is free of the bluff body and that the bluff body is arranged in the second pipe section.

[0019] The second pipe section preferably has a substantially circular cross-section. On the side facing the first pipe section, the second pipe section has the same internal diameter as the first pipe section, thereby preventing turbulence of the dispersion or fluid during the transition from the first pipe section to the second pipe section. During operation of the cocurrent cyclone separator, the dispersion, or at least the fluid, and the particles separated therefrom are guided through the second pipe section in the direction of flow from the first pipe section.

[0020] The inner wall of the second pipe section can also have a helical notch, for example in sections or completely, with the notch of the first pipe section directly transitioning into the notch of the second pipe section. In other words, the notches, or the threads of the internal thread, are aligned with one another. Preferably, the pitch angle of the notch of the first pipe section at the transition is equal to the pitch angle of the notch of the second pipe section. Alternatively, or in combination with this, the inner wall of the second pipe section can be flat, i.e., without a notch, at least in sections.

[0021] The bluff body is designed to be rotationally and / or axially symmetrical with respect to the axis of the second pipe section. The bluff body is flow-optimized. This reduces the fluid resistance of the bluff body and prevents turbulence. Guide vanes extending radially outward are attached to the bluff body. In other words, the path of the guide vanes has at least one component in the radial direction. The guide vanes extend between the bluff body and the inner wall of the pipe section, i.e., at least in sections, radially and outwardly relative to the bluff body. The guide vanes extend at least partially tangentially and are spirally curved. The guide vanes are spaced from the inner wall of the pipe section.

[0022] Due to the distance of the guide vanes from the inner wall, the radially outer part of the dispersion is only slightly influenced by the guide vanes. Due to the distance of the guide vanes from the inner wall of the second pipe section, the rotational motion of the dispersion is maintained, so that it continues to rotate after passing the bluff body and the guide vanes. The guide vanes, in particular, maintain the swirl. The distance of the guide vanes from the outer wall has the particular effect of maintaining the absolute velocity of the swirl flow at the outer wall.

[0023] The bluff body with its attached guide vanes overall reinforces / increases the radial velocity gradient. This gives the particles a radially outward-directed lift and accelerates them toward the inner wall of the pipe section. The increased centrifugal force and / or fluid force act on the radially outward-moving particles, which is why even particles still in the fluid after the pipe section are separated toward the inner wall of the second pipe section. After passing through the bluff body, the outer regions of the dispersion primarily contain the particles. The inner regions of the dispersion, on the other hand, primarily contain the fluid. The bluff body and the guide vanes therefore give the cocurrent cyclone separator a relatively high level of efficiency.

[0024] The co-current cyclone separator described above, which is known from the prior art, already delivers very good results in separating particles from the dispersion fluid. However, there are applications where an even higher degree of particle separation efficiency is required or at least desirable. Therefore, there is a need for an even more efficient co-current cyclone separator.

[0025] The invention is based on the object of providing a bluff body for a direct current cyclone separator which contributes to a particularly high efficiency of the direct current cyclone separator.

[0026] The invention is further based on the object of providing a bluff body arrangement for a direct current cyclone separator, which has at least two bluff bodies and which contributes to a particularly high efficiency of the direct current cyclone separator.

[0027] The invention is further based on the object of providing a direct current cyclone separator which has a particularly high efficiency.

[0028] These objects are achieved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments and refinements are the subject of the respective subclaims.

[0029] One object of the invention is achieved by a bluff body for a cocurrent cyclone separator. The bluff body comprises: a base body for arrangement in a hollow cylindrical pipe section of the cocurrent cyclone separator, such that an axis of the base body lies on an axis of the pipe section; and at least one guide vane extending radially outward from the base body and configured to have a radially and axially extending portion of an imaginary helical surface whose axis corresponds to the axis of the base body.

[0030] The direct-current cyclone separator serves to separate particles from a dispersion comprising the particles and a fluid. The pipe section, in particular a first subsection of the pipe section, which can be referred to as the first pipe section and which is preferably free of other components of the direct-current cyclone separator, for example the bluff body, serves to set the dispersion in rotation, so that the dispersion exhibits a swirl that can essentially correspond to a solid body rotation when it encounters the bluff body. For this purpose, the pipe section, in particular the first pipe section, can have an inner wall with one, two, or more helical notches.

[0031] The bluff body can be arranged in a pipe section adjacent to the first pipe section in the direction of flow, for example, referred to as the second pipe section. The second pipe section can also have an inner wall with one, two, or more helical notches, which preferably merge flush and / or aligned with the corresponding helical notches of the first pipe section.

[0032] The bluff body serves to generate a particularly high velocity gradient in the radial direction in the dispersion and, in doing so, to introduce as little disturbance and / or turbulence into the dispersion as possible. In particular, the bluff body causes the dispersion to be significantly decelerated at the base body, with this deceleration effect decreasing radially outwards, so that the high velocity gradient is imposed on the dispersion in the radial direction. Due to the particularly high velocity gradient in the radial direction, the effects described above with reference to the known bluff body are further amplified, whereby an even higher proportion of particles, in particular suspended matter particles or, in other words, suspended matter, can be separated from the fluid by means of the co-current cyclone separator than with the known co-current cyclone separator.

[0033] The base body can, for example, be cylindrical or frustoconical. The base body can, for example, be rotationally symmetrical, wherein the axis of the base body can be the corresponding axis of symmetry. The bluff body and / or the guide vanes can, for example, comprise or be formed from plastic. The bluff body preferably has two, three, or more guide vanes. For example, the bluff body can have between 3 and 20 guide vanes, for example between 4 guide vanes and 8 guide vanes. The bluff body can, for example, have so many guide vanes that the number of guide vanes is equal to or greater than the number of notches in the tube section. The plurality of guide vanes can, for example, be arranged equidistant from one another. Each of the guide vanes can then have a partial section of a corresponding helical surface.The bluff body can, for example, be arranged in a fixed position, particularly rotationally fixed, with respect to the pipe section. The bluff body and the guide vanes can be formed as a single piece (monolithic).

[0034] The imaginary helical surface can, for example, have a helical outer edge, with the helical surface extending from the helical outer edge to the axis of the base body, to a lateral surface of the base body, or to a helical inner edge of the helical surface. The helical inner edge can, for example, lie on the lateral surface of the base body. The helical surface, in particular its partial section, serves to construct and accurately describe the guide vane, in particular the shape of the guide vane.

[0035] According to a further development, the guide vane is designed such that one side of the guide vane corresponds to the partial section of the imaginary helical surface. In other words, the guide vane can, for example, lie on the imaginary helical surface, in particular completely.

[0036] According to a further development, the side of the guide vane corresponding to the section of the imaginary helical surface is concave. Since the guide vane lies on the helical surface, and the helical surface naturally has a concave and a convex side, the guide vane also has a concave and a convex side.

[0037] According to a further development, the guide vane is designed such that, when the bluff body is arranged as intended, a pitch angle of at least one outer edge of the helical surface increases in a guiding direction of the co-current cyclone separator. For example, a pitch angle of the helical surface can increase in the guiding direction. Since the guide vane lies on the helical surface, a pitch angle of the guide vane can also increase in the guiding direction. The guiding direction corresponds to the direction in which a fluid to be filtered flows through the pipe section during operation of the co-current cyclone separator. The outer edge of the helical surface can also be helical. The inner edge of the helical surface can also be helical. Thus, the helical inner edge and the helical outer edge can span the helical surface between them.The bluff body is arranged as intended if it is arranged in the pipe section, in particular in a second pipe section, of the direct current cyclone separator.

[0038] According to a further development, the guide vane is designed such that, when the bluff body is arranged as intended, a rear end of the guide vane lies behind a rear base surface of the base body in the direction of flow. In other words, the guide vanes can protrude at least partially beyond the base body in the direction of flow.

[0039] According to a further development, a leading edge of the guide vane, which extends outward from the base body and is the first part of the guide vane to be exposed to fluid flow when the bluff body is used as intended, has an angle of attack between 10° and 60°. For example, the angle of attack is between 20° and 50°, for example, approximately 45°. This ensures that no particles from the dispersion are deposited on the leading edge.

[0040] According to a further development, the guide vane is designed such that its axial length decreases continuously in the radial direction. Thus, the area of ​​the guide vane over which the fluid flows in the direction of flow decreases with increasing distance from the axis. As a result, the dispersion on the inner wall essentially retains the original velocity prevailing upon exiting the first tube section, and the dispersion continues to exhibit a rotational motion essentially corresponding to that of a solid. This further improves the separation of particles from the fluid. The axial length of the guide vane is parallel to the axis of the bluff body.The axial length of the entire bluff body can, for example, correspond to between a quarter of the diameter and ten times the diameter of the pipe section, for example between half and five times the diameter of the pipe section, in particular the second pipe section of the direct current cyclone separator.

[0041] According to a further development, the guide vane is designed such that, for the same radial distance from the axis of the bluff body, the axial length of a convex side of the guide vane is longer than the axial length of a concave side of the guide vane. This means that the dispersion path in the direction of flow, i.e., in the axial direction, is longer along the convex side of the guide vane than along the concave side of the guide vane. This optimizes the flow of the guide vanes and reduces turbulence behind a guide vane. Furthermore, the swirl is better maintained, and the velocity gradients can be better utilized.

[0042] According to a further development, the guide vane is designed such that an axially extending profile of the guide vane is airfoil-shaped or drop-shaped. This causes the particles to move faster over the convex side than over the concave side. This optimizes the flow of the guide vanes and reduces turbulence behind a guide vane. Furthermore, the swirl is better maintained and the velocity gradients can be better utilized.

[0043] According to a further development, the bluff body has a conical inflow body which is arranged flush with the base body on a front base surface of the base body, which is directed counter to the direction of flow when the bluff body is used as intended, and whose conical tip is directed counter to the direction of flow.

[0044] One object of the invention is achieved by a bluff body arrangement comprising at least two of the bluff bodies explained above, wherein the bluff bodies are arranged one behind the other in the axial direction and their axes lie on top of one another.

[0045] The features, advantages, and refinements of the bluff body explained above can be readily applied to the bluff body assembly. Therefore, in the following, reference is made only to the above explanations regarding these features, advantages, and refinements to avoid unnecessary repetition.

[0046] According to a further development, when the bluff bodies are arranged as intended, a maximum outer diameter of the bluff bodies becomes smaller in the conducting direction. This means, for example, that a bluff body against which the fluid flows first can have a larger diameter than a bluff body against which it flows next. One object of the invention is achieved by the co-current cyclone separator for separating particles from the dispersion comprising the particles and the fluid, comprising at least the hollow cylindrical pipe section for conducting the dispersion in the conducting direction; and at least one of the bluff bodies explained above or the bluff body arrangement explained above. The pipe section can have the first and the second pipe section. The bluff body or the bluff body arrangement can be arranged in the second pipe section.

[0047] The features, advantages, and refinements of the bluff body and / or bluff body arrangement explained above can be readily applied to the direct-current cyclone separator. Therefore, in the following, reference is made only to the above explanations regarding these features, advantages, and refinements to avoid unnecessary repetition.

[0048] According to a further development, the inner wall of the pipe section has the helical notch that winds around the inner wall. The bluff body is designed and arranged in the pipe section such that an outer edge of the imaginary helical surface runs parallel to the helix formed by the notch. In other words, the helix formed by the notch can lie on the imaginary helical surface, provided that the imaginary helical surface is enlarged, for example extrapolated, in the radial direction up to the notch. Due to the helical notch, the dispersion is set in rotation as it flows through the pipe section. The particles then move in the direction of flow along helical paths that run essentially parallel to the helical notch, at least at the end of the first pipe section.If the bluff body is designed and arranged in the pipe section such that the outer edge of the imaginary helical surface runs parallel to the helix formed by the notch. In this way, the bluff body maintains the rotation with preferably minimal vortex formation and simultaneously increases the radial velocity gradient. If the co-current cyclone separator has the bluff body arrangement, i.e. two or more bluff bodies, all of the bluff bodies can be arranged and designed accordingly. According to a further development, the notch in the pipe section is designed such that the corresponding helix winds around the inner wall at a pitch and that a pitch angle of the helix increases in the direction of flow, and the bluff body is designed such that a pitch of the outer edge of the helical surface increases to the same extent as the pitch of the helix formed by the notch.The increasing pitch of the notch causes an increase in the rotational speed of the dispersion. The increasing pitch of the outer edge of the helical surface supports this increase in rotational speed. Since the pitch angles and, accordingly, the speed increases occur to the same extent, in other words, correspond, no or only negligible turbulence occurs in the dispersion.

[0049] According to a further development, the pipe section has two or more notches, wherein the notches run parallel to each other, and the bluff body has so many guide vanes that a number of guide vanes corresponds to a number of notches. The multiple notches together can also be understood as a type of internal thread with a corresponding number of turns, wherein each turn of the internal thread corresponds to one of the notches.

[0050] In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to a drawing. In the drawings:

[0051] Fig. 1 is a sectional side view of an embodiment of a direct current cyclone separator with a bluff body;

[0052] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the bluff body of Figure 1 and an imaginary helical surface;

[0053] Fig. 3 is a detailed side view of the bluff body of Figure 1;

[0054] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a bluff body and an imaginary helical surface;

[0055] Fig. 5 is a perspective, partially sectioned detailed view of the bluff body from Figure 4.

[0056] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a bluff body and an imaginary helical surface;

[0057] Fig. 7 is a side view of an embodiment of a bluff body arrangement.

[0058] Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0059] Fig. 1 shows a sectional side view of an embodiment of a direct-current cyclone separator 4 with a bluff body 44. In particular, Figure 1 shows a simplified schematic view of the direct-current cyclone separator 4 in a section along an axis 2. The axis 2 can, for example, be a longitudinal axis or an axis of symmetry of the direct-current cyclone separator 4. The direct-current cyclone separator 4 serves to remove particles 10 from a dispersion 6, in particular to separate them. For this purpose, the dispersion is guided through the direct-current cyclone separator 4 in a guide direction 34.

[0060] The dispersion 6 comprises, for example, a fluid 8 and the particles 10. The fluid can be, for example, a compressible fluid, for example a gas, or an incompressible fluid, for example a liquid. In other words, the dispersion 6 can be a suspension. The fluid 8 can be, for example, water. The water can be taken, for example, from a flowing body of water or from the sea. The fluid 8 can be used, for example, as cooling water in an industrial plant or as process water in mining. Alternatively, the fluid 8 can be fed to a desalination plant, and the dispersion 6 can be seawater in which the particles 10 are present. The co-current cyclone separator 4 can, for example, be installed upstream of a seawater desalination plant, and the dispersion 6 can be taken from the sea, in which case the fluid 8 is the salt water from the sea.

[0061] The particles 10 can, for example, comprise or be grains of sand or other very small particles, such as microplastics. A density of the particles 10 and a density of the fluid 8 can, for example, be substantially the same. A ratio of the densities can, for example, be equal to 1 or at least between 0.95 and 1.05 or between 0.99 and 1.01 or between 0.995 and 1.005. The particles 10 can, for example, have a size of 1 nm to 1 pm or larger than 1 pm. For example, the particles 10 have a particle size between 0.1 mm and 1 mm or larger. The particles 10 can, for example, consist of a single substance or of different substances or elements. For example, the particles are heterogeneous. For example, sand can form at least part of the particles 10.

[0062] The cocurrent cyclone separator 4 has a hollow cylindrical pipe section. The pipe section can, for example, have a first pipe section 12 and a fluidically downstream second pipe section 14. If appropriate, the second pipe section 14 is formed on the first pipe section 12 and arranged coaxially to the pipe section 12. An inner diameter of the first pipe section 12 can, for example, be constant and / or equal to an inner diameter of the second pipe section 14 on the side facing the first pipe section 12. On the side opposite the first pipe section, the second pipe section 14 can be widened so that its inner diameter increases in the direction of flow 34.

[0063] In fluid terms, a separation chamber 16 can be arranged downstream of the second pipe section 14, which is thus also arranged downstream of the first pipe section 12. The separation chamber 16 can have a collecting chamber 18 with a guide tube 20, which is formed onto the second pipe section 14 on the side opposite the first pipe section 12. The second pipe section 14 can be increasingly widened with increasing distance from the first pipe section 12. Optionally, the guide tube 20 can also be increasingly widened with increasing distance from the first pipe section 12. In this case, an inner diameter of the guide tube 20 on the side facing the second pipe section 14 can be equal to the inner diameter of the second pipe section 14. The guide tube 20 can be arranged coaxially to the second pipe section 14, so that an axis of the guide tube 20 corresponds to the axis 2.

[0064] Within the guide tube 20, a dip tube 22 can be arranged coaxially with the guide tube and thus also coaxially with the pipe section 12, 14, the inner diameter of which on the pipe section 12, 14 side is smaller than the inner diameter of the first pipe section 12 and thus also smaller than the inner diameter of the second pipe section 14. The inner diameter of the dip tube 22 can be increasingly widened with increasing distance from the first pipe section 12. A length of the dip tube 22 over which it is widened can correspond to a length of the guide tube 20. For example, the dip tube 22 can be widened in a region within which it is located in the guide tube 20. As a result, a circumferential gap 24 can be formed between the guide tube 20 and the dip tube 22, the cross-sectional area of ​​which increases continuously / exponentially in the direction away from the pipe section 12. A total length of the immersion tube 22 may be greater than the length of the guide tube 20.A partition wall 26 for delimiting the collecting chamber 18 can be arranged, for example, molded onto the guide tube 20 at a distance from the guide tube 20. Thus, the immersion tube 22 can be surrounded by the collecting chamber 18 at least in part. A conical pressure body 28 can protrude into the immersion tube 22 with its tip from the side facing away from the first tube section 12. The pressure body 28 can also be arranged coaxially to the longitudinal axis 2. In this case, a circumferential slot 30 can be formed between the pressure body 28 and the immersion tube 22.

[0065] The pipe section 12, 14 has an inner wall that forms a boundary of the pipe section 12, 14 in the radial direction. In particular, the first pipe section 12 has a first inner wall 32. The pipe section 12, 14 can be free of further components of the direct-current cyclone separator 4 in the region of the first pipe section 12, so that the dispersion 6 can flow essentially freely through the first pipe section 12 during operation in the direction 34, which is parallel to the longitudinal axis 2 and directed from the first pipe section 12 toward the separation chamber 16. A ratio of a length L of the first pipe section 12 to a diameter D of the first pipe section 12 in the guide direction 34 can be in a range, for example, from L / D = 10 to L / D = 1000, for example from L / D = 50 to L / D = 500, for example approximately L / D = 100.

[0066] The first inner wall 32 has at least one, preferably two or more helical notches 36. In other words, the notches 36 each form a helix that winds around the axis 2. Each of the notches 36 can be formed in the form of an internal thread, in particular a pitch of the internal thread, in the first inner wall 32. In other words, the notches 36 can form a multi-start internal thread, wherein the pitches of the internal thread correspond to the notches 32.

[0067] A pitch angle 40 is formed between each notch 36 and the guide direction 34. The pitch angles 40 of the notches 36 can be the same at any cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 2. In other words, the notches 36 can run at a constant tangential distance and / or parallel to one another. The pitch angles 40 can increase in the guide direction 34. For example, the notches 36 can have an angle of 15° in the guide direction 34 at the beginning of the first pipe section 12. At the transition from the first pipe section 12 to the second pipe section 14, however, the notches 36 can have a pitch angle 40 of 45°. Within the second pipe section 14, the pitch angle 40 can increase further. The increase in the pitch angle 40 can, for example, be linear or exponential.As a result, the notches extend helically around the longitudinal axis 2, with the distance between the notches 36 decreasing due to the increasing pitch angle in the direction of travel 34. In other words, each of the notches 36 can form a compressed helix, or in other words, a 'spiral'.

[0068] The second pipe section 14 has a second inner wall 41. A bluff body 46 is arranged in the second pipe section 14. The first pipe section 12 is thus characterized by the fact that it is at least substantially free of the bluff body 46, and the second pipe section 14 is characterized by the fact that it has the bluff body 46. The two pipe sections 12, 14 can therefore only differ in that the bluff body 46 is arranged in the second pipe section 14 and not in the first pipe section 12. Accordingly, the second pipe section 14 can have the notch(s) 36, which can optionally continue continuously and / or steadily from the first pipe section 12 to the second pipe section 14. The pitch angle 40 of the notch(s) 46 in the second pipe section 14 can be constant or can continue to increase.

[0069] The bluff body 44 can, for example, be arranged centrally within the second pipe section 14. The bluff body 44 can, for example, be designed to be rotationally symmetrical. An axis of the bluff body 44 can, for example, correspond to axis 2 of the direct-current cyclone separator 4. Thus, the bluff body 44 can be designed and / or arranged to be rotationally symmetrical with respect to axis 2.

[0070] The bluff body 44 has at least one, preferably two or more, for example twelve, radially outwardly extending guide vanes 46, only two of which are shown in Figure 1.

[0071] During operation of the co-current cyclone separator 4, the dispersion 6 is introduced into the pipe section 12 in the conducting direction 34 through an inlet opening 48, which is located on a side of the first pipe section 12 facing away from the second pipe section 14. The dispersion 6 essentially only has a velocity component in the conducting direction 34. Due to the notch(s) 36, the dispersion in the region of the first pipe section 12 is set into a rotational movement about the axis 2. Due to the viscosity of the dispersion 6, this velocity component is also transferred to regions of the dispersion 6 that are spaced from the first inner wall 32 of the first pipe section 12. Consequently, the velocity component of the dispersion 6 perpendicular to the conducting direction 34 is greater the closer the dispersion 6 is to the first inner wall 32.The magnitude of the velocity is proportional to the distance from axis 2, which is why dispersion 6, in addition to the translational movement in the direction of travel 34, also exhibits a rotational movement directed around axis 2. In other words, a velocity gradient is formed in the radial direction in dispersion 6. A rotational axis of dispersion 6 can correspond to axis 2. Consequently, dispersion 6 can behave like a solid body in which, during a rotational movement, the velocity component in the tangential direction increases linearly with the distance from the rotational axis.

[0072] If the pitch angle 40 increases in the guide direction, the rotational speed of the dispersion 6 can increase with increasing penetration into the first pipe section 12 due to the increasing pitch angle 40. Due to the centrifugal force (volume force) caused by the rotation, which is caused by the velocity gradient, the particles 10 are moved radially outwards. After passing through the first pipe section 12, the dispersion 10 encounters the bluff body 44 in the second pipe section 14, wherein the dispersion 6 is decelerated in the center due to the bluff body 44 and displaced outwards in the radial direction. The rotational movement of the dispersion 6 can be maintained by means of the guide vanes 46 and optionally by means of the notch(s) 36 in the second inner wall 41 of the second pipe section 14.

[0073] During the helical flow around the bluff body 44, the particles 10 receive a radially outward-directed buoyancy and accumulate near the inner wall 41 of the pipe section 12. The distance of the majority of the particles 10 from the axis 2 is therefore greater than a radius of the opening of the dip tube 22, which is why the particles 10 enter the gap 24 and thus into the collecting chamber 18. There they encounter the partition wall 26 and are prevented from moving further in the direction of flow 34. The fluid 8, freed of the particles 10 and low in particles, is located further inward in the direction of the axis 2 with respect to the inner wall 41 of the second pipe section 14 and enters the dip tube 22. There it encounters the dynamic pressure body 18 and is discharged from the co-current cyclone separator 4 via the slot 30.By selecting the inner diameter of the immersion tube 22 on the side of the second tube section 14, as well as the axial position of the dynamic pressure body 18, it is possible to adjust a purity or a quantity of the fluid 8.

[0074] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the bluff body 44 from Figure 1 and an imaginary helical surface 60. The bluff body 44 has a base body 54 for arrangement in the pipe section 12, 14, in particular the second pipe section 12, of the direct-flow cyclone separator 4, in such a way that an axis of the base body 54 lies on an axis of the second pipe section 12. The base body 54 can, for example, be cylindrical or frustoconical. The base body 54 can, for example, be rotationally symmetrical, wherein the axis of the base body 54 can be the corresponding axis of symmetry.

[0075] The bluff body 44 further has at least one, preferably two or more, for example six or twelve, guide vanes 46, each extending radially outward from the base body 54. The bluff body 44 can, for example, have so many guide vanes 46 that a number of guide vanes 46 corresponds to a number of notches 36 in the pipe section 12, 14. Alternatively, the number of guide vanes 46 can be greater than the number of notches 36. The guide vanes 46 can then, for example, be designed and arranged such that helical outer edges 66 of the guide vanes 46 run parallel to the corresponding notches 36 and / or that the notches 36 lie on radial extensions of the helical surfaces 60 of the corresponding guide vanes 46. The bluff body 44 and / or the guide vanes 46 can, for example, comprise or be formed from plastic.The bluff body 44 and / or the guide vanes 46 can, for example, be formed in one piece (monolithic).

[0076] The guide vanes 46 are designed such that they each have a radially and axially extending section 88 (see Figure 5) of the imaginary helical surface 60, the axis of which corresponds to the axis of the base body 54 and the axis 2 of the co-current cyclone separator 4.

[0077] Furthermore, the bluff body 44 can have a conical inflow body 56 which is arranged flush with the base body 54 on a front base surface 90 (see Figure 6) of the base body 54, which is directed counter to the direction of flow 34 when the bluff body 44 is used as intended, and whose conical tip is directed counter to the direction of flow 34.

[0078] The plurality of guide vanes 46 can, for example, be arranged equidistant from one another on the base body 54. Each of the guide vanes 46 can be constructed using a corresponding helical surface 60. Each of the guide vanes 46 can have a partial section 88 (see Figure 5) of a corresponding helical surface 60. The bluff body 44 can, for example, be arranged in a fixed position, in particular rotationally fixed, with respect to the tube section 12, 14 in the second tube section 14. The bluff body 44 and the guide vanes 46 can be formed integrally (monolithically).

[0079] The imaginary helical surface 60 can, for example, have the helical outer edge 66, wherein the helical surface 60 can extend from the helical outer edge 66 to the axis of the base body 54, to a lateral surface of the base body 54, or to a helical inner edge 68 of the helical surface 60. The helical inner edge 68 can, for example, lie on the lateral surface of the base body 54. The helical surface 60, in particular its partial section 88, serves to construct and technically accurately describe the guide vane 46, in particular the shape of the guide vane 46. Once the guide vane 46 is constructed, the imaginary helical surface 60 is no longer required, and the guide vane 46 can be manufactured accordingly.

[0080] The guide vane 46 can be designed such that, when the bluff body 44 is arranged as intended, a pitch angle of at least the helical outer edge 66 of the helical surface 60 increases in the guide direction 34 of the co-current cyclone separator 4. For example, a pitch angle of the helical surface 60 can increase in the guide direction 34. Since the guide vane 46 lies on the helical surface 60, a pitch angle of the guide vane 46 can also increase in the guide direction 34. The bluff body 44 is arranged as intended when it is arranged in the pipe section 12, 14, in particular in the second pipe section 14, of the

[0081] DC cyclone separator 4 is arranged, for example as shown in Figure 1.

[0082] The inner wall 32, 41 of the pipe section 12, 14 of the

[0083] The direct-current cyclone separator 4 has the helical notch 36 that winds around the inner wall 32, 41. The bluff body 44 can be designed and arranged in the second pipe section 14 such that the helical outer edge 66 of the imaginary helical surface 60 runs parallel to the helix formed by the notch 36. In other words, the helix formed by the notch 36 can lie on the imaginary helical surface 60, provided the imaginary helical surface 60 is enlarged, for example, extrapolated, in the radial direction up to the notch 36. If the direct-current cyclone separator 4 has a bluff body arrangement with multiple bluff bodies 44, i.e., two or more of the bluff bodies 44, all of the bluff bodies 44 can be arranged and designed accordingly.

[0084] If the notch 36 in the pipe section 12, 14 is designed such that the corresponding helix winds around the inner wall 32, 41 with a pitch and that the pitch angle 40 of the helix increases in the guide direction 34, the bluff body 44 can be designed such that a pitch of the helical outer edge 66 of the helical surface 60 increases to the same extent as the pitch of the helix formed by the notch 36.

[0085] If the pipe section 12, 14 has two or more notches 36, which, for example, run parallel to one another, the bluff body 44 can have so many guide vanes 46 that a number of guide vanes 46 corresponds to a number of notches 36. Alternatively, the number of guide vanes 46 can be greater than the number of notches 36. The multiple notches 36 together can also be understood as a type of internal thread with a corresponding number of turns, wherein each turn of the internal thread corresponds to one of the notches 36.

[0086] Fig. 3 shows a detailed side view of the bluff body 44 from Figure 1. From Figure 3 it can be seen that the bluff body 44, in particular the guide vane 46, has a leading edge 76 on the guide vane 46. The leading edge 76 extends outwards from the base body 54. When used as intended, i.e. when the bluff body 44 is arranged as intended during operation of the co-current cyclone separator 4, the leading edge 76 is the first part of the guide vane 46 to be approached by the fluid 8. The leading edge 76 can enclose an angle of attack 78 with the axis 2, for example between 10° and 60°, for example between 20° and 50°, for example of approximately 45°.

[0087] The guide vane 46 can be designed such that an axial length L1, L2 of the guide vane 46 decreases continuously in the radial direction. For example, a first length L1 can always be longer than a second length L2 if the lengths L1, L2 are measured parallel to the axis 2 and the first length L1 is measured closer to the axis 2 than the second length L2. Thus, an area of ​​the guide vane 46 over which the fluid 8 flows in the guide direction 34 becomes smaller with increasing distance from the axis 2. An axial length of the entire bluff body 44 can, for example, correspond to between half a diameter and ten times the diameter of the pipe section 12, 14, for example between a quarter of the diameter and five times the diameter of the pipe section 12, 14, in particular of the first pipe section 12.

[0088] The guide vane can be configured such that, when the bluff body 44 is arranged as intended, a rear end 58 of the guide vane 46 lies behind a rear base surface 84 of the base body 54 in the guide direction 34. In other words, the guide vanes 46 can protrude at least partially beyond the base body 54 in the guide direction 34.

[0089] The guide vanes 46 can have an outer spherical segment section 80 adjoining the leading edge 76 in the direction away from the base body 54. The outer spherical segment section 80 is formed in the shape of a spherical segment. In other words, an edge of the guide vanes 46 in the outer spherical segment section 80 can run along an imaginary spherical surface. The guide vanes 46 can have an inner spherical segment section 82 on an edge facing away from the leading edge 76 in the direction away from the base body 54. The inner spherical segment section 82 is formed in the shape of a spherical segment. In other words, an edge of the guide vanes 46 in the inner spherical segment section 82 can run along an imaginary spherical surface. Optionally, the inner spherical segment sections 82 of all guide vanes 46 can form a bowl and / or lie on the surface of the same imaginary sphere.

[0090] Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a bluff body 44 for the direct current cyclone separator 4 and an imaginary helical surface 60.

[0091] Fig. 5 shows a perspective, partially sectioned detailed view of the bluff body from Figure 4.

[0092] The bluff body 44 shown in Figures 4 and 5 can, for example, largely correspond to the bluff body 44 explained above. Therefore, only those features of the bluff body 44 with respect to which the bluff body 44 shown in Figures 4 and 5 differs from the bluff body 44 explained above will be explained below.

[0093] The guide vanes 46 can be designed such that an axially extending profile of the guide vanes 46 is airfoil-shaped or drop-shaped (see sectional area of ​​the guide vane 46 in Figure 5). For example, the guide vanes 46 can be designed such that, for the same radial distance from the axis of the bluff body 44, an axial length of a convex side 74 of the guide vane 46 is longer than an axial length of a concave side 72 of the guide vane. This means that the path for the dispersion in the guide direction 34, i.e. in the axial direction, along the convex side 74 of the guide vane 46 is longer than along the concave side 72 of the guide vane 46. The guide vanes 46 can be designed such that one side of the guide vanes 46 corresponds to the partial section 88 of the imaginary helical surface 60. In other words, the guide vane 46 can, for example, lie on the imaginary helical surface 60, in particular completely.For example, the concave sides 72 of the guide vanes 46 may correspond to the corresponding sections 88.

[0094] Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a bluff body 44 and an imaginary helical surface 60. The bluff body 44 shown in Figure 6 can, for example, largely correspond to the bluff body 44 explained with reference to Figure 5. In Figure 6, the bluff body 44 is shown without the inflow body 56, so that the front base surface 90 of the base body 54, on which the inflow body 56 can be arranged, is exposed and visible.

[0095] Fig. 7 shows a side view of an embodiment of a bluff body arrangement. The bluff body arrangement has at least two, optionally three or more of the bluff bodies 44 explained above. The bluff bodies 44 are arranged one behind the other in the axial direction and their axes lie on top of one another. Only the bluff body 44 arranged first in the guide direction 34 has the inflow body 56. The bluff bodies 44 can have the same number of guide vanes 46 or a different number of guide vanes 46. For example, the first bluff body 44 in the guide direction 34 can have six guide vanes 46 and all subsequent bluff bodies 44 can have twelve guide vanes 46, whereby other combinations of different numbers of guide vanes 46 can also be used.

[0096] In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the maximum outer diameters of the two bluff bodies 44 are the same size, i.e., constant along the bluff body arrangement. Alternatively, the bluff bodies 44 can be designed such that, when the bluff bodies 44 are arranged as intended in the co-current cyclone separator 4, the maximum outer diameter of the bluff bodies 44 becomes larger in the direction of flow 34. This means, for example, that the bluff body 44 to which the fluid 8 flows first (the upper bluff body 44 in Figure 7) can have a smaller diameter than the bluff body 44 to which the fluid 8 flows next (the lower bluff body 44 in Figure 7).

[0097] The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above. Rather, other variants of the invention can also be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the subject matter of the invention. In particular, all individual features described in connection with the individual exemplary embodiments can also be combined with one another in other ways without departing from the subject matter of the invention.

[0098] List of reference symbols

[0099] 2 axle

[0100] 4 direct current cyclone separators

[0101] 6 Dispersion

[0102] 8 Fluid

[0103] 10 particles

[0104] 12 first pipe section

[0105] 14 second pipe section

[0106] 16 Separation chamber

[0107] 18 Collection chamber

[0108] 20 guide tube

[0109] 22 Immersion tube

[0110] 24 gap

[0111] 26 Partition wall

[0112] 28 dynamic pressure bodies

[0113] 30 slots

[0114] 32 first interior wall

[0115] 34 Main direction

[0116] 36 notch

[0117] 40 pitch angle

[0118] 41 second interior wall

[0119] 44 bluff bodies

[0120] 46 guide vane

[0121] 48 Entrance opening

[0122] 50 third pipe section

[0123] 52 separators

[0124] 54 basic bodies

[0125] 56 inflow bodies

[0126] 58 rear end of guide vane

[0127] 60 helical surface

[0128] 62 concave side helical surface

[0129] 64 convex side helical surface

[0130] 66 helical outer edge

[0131] 68 helical inner edge

[0132] 72 concave side of guide vane 74 convex side of guide vane

[0133] 76 leading edge

[0134] 78 Angle of attack

[0135] 80 outer spherical segment section

[0136] 82 inner spherical segment section

[0137] 84 rear floor area

[0138] 86 wing profile

[0139] 88 Partial section of helical surface

[0140] 90 front base area

[0141] L1 first axial length

[0142] L2 second axial length

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 28 July 2023 (28.07.2023) 1. A direct current cyclone separator (4) for separating particles (10) from a dispersion (6) containing the particles (10) and a fluid (8), comprising a hollow cylindrical pipe section (12, 14) for guiding the dispersion (6) in a guiding direction (34), wherein an inner wall (32) of the pipe section (12, 14) has a helical indentation (36) that winds around the inner wall (32); and comprising at least one damming body (44): a base body (54) which is arranged in the hollow cylindrical pipe section (12, 14) of the direct current cyclone separator (4) such that an axis of the base body (54) lies on an axis (2) of the pipe section (12, 14);and at least one guide vane (46) extending radially outwards from the base body (54), characterized in that the guide vane (46) is designed such that it has a radially and axially extending partial section (88) of an imaginary helical surface (60) whose axis corresponds to the axis of the base body (54), and the dam body (44) is designed and arranged in the pipe section (12, 14) such that an outer edge (66) of the imaginary helical surface (60) runs parallel to the helix formed by means of the notch (36).

2. Direct current cyclone separator (4) according to claim 1, wherein the guide vane (46) is designed such that one side (62) of the guide vane (46) corresponds to the partial section (88) of the imaginary helical surface (60).

3. Direct current cyclone separator (4) according to claim 2, wherein the side (62) of the guide vane (46) corresponding to the subsection (88) of the imaginary helical surface (60) is concave.

4. Direct current cyclone separator (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide vane (46) is designed such that, when the damming body (44) is arranged as intended, the inclination angle of at least one outer edge (66) of the helical surface (60) increases in a guiding direction (34) of the direct current cyclone separator (4).

5. Direct current cyclone separator (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) the guide vane (46) is designed such that, when the dam body (44) is arranged as intended, a rear end (58) of the guide vane (46) lies behind a rear base surface (84) of the base body (54) in the guiding direction (34).

6. Direct current cyclone separator (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a leading edge (76) of the guide vane (46), which extends outwards from the base body (54) and which, when the dam body (44) is used as intended, is the first part of the guide vane (46) to be exposed to the fluid, has a leading angle between 10° and 60°.

7. Direct current cyclone separator (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide vane (46) is designed such that an axial length (L1 , L2) of the guide vane (46) decreases continuously in the radial direction outwards.

8. Direct current cyclone separator (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide vane (46) is designed such that, at the same radial distance to the axis of the damming body (44), an axial length of a convex side (74) of the guide vane (46) is longer than an axial length (L1 , L2) of a concave side (72) of the guide vane (46).

9. Direct current cyclone separator (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide vane (46) is designed such that an axially extending profile of the guide vane (46) is shaped like an airfoil or a droplet.

10. Direct current cyclone separator (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the baffle body (44) comprises: a conical inflow body (56) which is arranged flush with the base body (54) at a front base surface (90) of the base body (54), which is directed against the guiding direction (34) when the baffle body (44) is used as intended, and whose conical tip is directed against the guiding direction (34).

11. Direct current cyclone separator (4) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least two of the damming bodies (44), wherein the damming bodies (44) are arranged one behind the other in an axial direction and their axes lie on top of each other. AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) 12. DC cyclone separator ((44)) according to claim 11, wherein, when the dam bodies (44) are arranged as intended, the maximum outer diameter of the dam bodies (44) in the guiding direction (34) becomes smaller.

13. Direct current cyclone separator (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the indentation (36) in the pipe section (12, 14) is designed such that the corresponding helix winds around the inner wall (32) with a slope and that a slope angle (40) of the helix increases in the guiding direction (34), and the damming body (44) is designed such that a slope of the outer edge (66) of the helical surface (60) increases to the same extent as the slope of the helix formed by the indentation (36).

14. Direct current cyclone separator (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pipe section (12, 14) has two or more of the indentations (36), the indentations (36) are parallel to each other, and the damming body (44) has so many guide vanes (44) that a number of guide vanes (44) corresponds to a number of indentations (36). AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)

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