Droplet separator

Abstract

The present invention relates to a separation device for separating droplets and particles from a gas flow having a substantially vertically upward directional component, the separation device comprising at least one separator stage having at least one separator layer with a plurality of elongated separator elements arranged parallel to one another, the separator elements of at least one separator stage being arranged at an inclination in a first region with a longitudinal orientation relative to the horizontal in at least one inclination direction, the separation device comprising a rinse device capable of supplying a rinse liquid to at least some of the inclined separator elements, the separator elements of at least one separator stage having a vertically lower end region opening into a collection tank arranged in the gas flow, the collection tank having a valve in its lower region that controls the outlet opening and can be moved between an open position that opens the outlet opening and a closed position that at least partially blocks the outlet opening.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a separation device in a gas flow path and to an exhaust gas cleaning system comprising a separation device according to the invention. [Background technology]

[0002] A common type of separation device, in particular a separator level with rod-shaped or tubular separator elements arranged parallel to one another, is frequently used in exhaust gas cleaning systems, in particular exhaust gas desulfurization systems. Prior to the treatment of the exhaust gas by the separation device, the exhaust gas is usually cleaned in the exhaust gas cleaning system by a wet scrubbing method, in particular to remove sulfur dioxide (SO2) from the exhaust gas. The cleaned gas is then introduced into a separation device to remove remaining particles and microdroplets from the gas flow following the wet scrubbing in the gas flow. Typically, a common type of separation device is arranged along a vertical gas flow from bottom to top, so that particles and microdroplets that collect on the separator elements can fall or rain down against the gas flow according to gravity. With a separator level orientation that is preferably oblique or downwardly inclined in the vertical direction, liquid can flow downward according to gravity along the separator elements of the separator level and continue to rain down in strands. Below the separation device, the falling or downward flowing particles and droplets are usually collected in a so-called scrubber sump.

[0003] Particles in the separation process, especially particles adhering to the separator elements, are a frequent cause of contamination of the separation device. Therefore, it is common to provide a rinse liquid supply to the device, especially the separator level, at regular cleaning intervals. This discontinuous liquid supply typically occurs during operation, i.e., while the gas stream is flowing through the separation device. If the flow rate of the treated gas between the separator elements is sufficiently slow, the liquid that accumulates on the separator elements will drop or respectively flow down and be collected in a scrubber sump.

[0004] To separate very small particles, for example particles in the range below 15 μm, liquid can be supplied to at least some of the separator elements or separator levels, and can also be supplied continuously, usually by means of nozzles to achieve continuous wetting of the separator elements and thus promote efficient cleaning or particle separation, respectively.

[0005] Separation devices for removing particles and microdroplets from gas streams are known, for example, from DE102006004723, WO1996024429 and WO2007104284.

[0006] In the separation of very small particle sizes, especially at high velocities between separator elements where the so-called flooding point of a separator stage is reached or respectively exceeded, it can occur that the liquid film flowing down the separator elements is prevented from flowing down by the gas flow, and large microdroplets are detached from the liquid film by the gas flow and carried upwards in the direction of the outlet of the separation device. This mode of operation can cause the failure of the entire separation device. Summary of the Invention

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a separation device of the type initially described which is capable of operating efficiently even when the separator element provided with vertical gas flow is above the flooding point.

[0008] The object is achieved by a separation device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0009] The invention is based on the idea of ​​guiding the microdroplets falling against the direction of flow of the gas to be treated along an inclined separator element and collecting them in a collection tank arranged in the flow path, from where the liquid can be discharged in a controlled manner in a scrubber or respectively a scrubber sump.

[0010] The separation device according to the present invention is for separating microdroplets and particles from a gas flow having a directional component directed substantially vertically upward, the separation device comprising at least one separator stage having at least one separator layer having a plurality of elongated separator elements arranged parallel to one another, the separator elements of at least one separator stage being arranged inclined in a longitudinal direction relative to the horizontal in at least one inclined direction in a first region, the separation device comprising a rinse device capable of supplying a rinse liquid to at least some of the inclined separator elements, the lower end region of the separator elements of at least one separator stage in the vertical direction opening into a collection tank arranged in the gas flow, the collection tank comprising a valve in its lower region for controlling the outlet opening and capable of being moved between an open position in which the outlet opening is released and a closed position in which the outlet opening is at least partially blocked.

[0011] The collection tank is preferably designed so that different amounts of liquid can be discharged at different drainage rates. The first amount of liquid generated during the cleaning rinse on the rear side of the separator elements of the separator layer, i.e., the side facing away from the gas flow, is usually much larger than the amount of liquid generated during the continuous spraying of the separator elements. Therefore, the size of the outlet opening can be designed for a larger amount of liquid to prevent the collection tank from overflowing. However, as a result, a small amount of liquid does not form a liquid level in the collection tank, and gas flowing vertically from below the collection tank can pass through the collection tank through the outlet opening and bypass the separator stage of the separation device that opens into the water collection tank.

[0012] With respect to the terms "vertical" and "horizontal," it should be noted that the "vertical" direction refers to an upward or downward direction along the direction of acceleration under gravity, and "horizontal" refers to an orientation running perpendicular to this direction.

[0013] The separation device according to the invention is preferably arranged in a gas stream that flows substantially vertically upwards, however, for the separation device to function, the gas stream to be treated only needs to have a vertically upward component so that when the separator element according to the invention is arranged at an angle, the liquid flows down it under gravity towards the collection tank according to the invention.

[0014] The rinse device is preferably designed not only to perform continuous spraying of the separator elements with a first liquid supply, but also to perform cleaning rinses with a larger liquid supply compared to continuous spraying at certain points during operation of the separation device.

[0015] According to the invention, the outlet opening controlled by the valve is located in the lower region of the collection tank. The valve according to the invention is preferably designed so that the outlet opening is only partially blocked by the valve in the closed position. This allows, for example, a first amount of liquid to collect in the collection tank, from continuously spraying a separator level arranged above the collection tank to continuously flowing out and accumulating in the process, forming a liquid level seal at the outlet opening that prevents gas flowing from below from penetrating the collection tank.

[0016] The valve can also be designed to be able to be moved to an open position that releases the outlet opening when a large amount of liquid accumulates in the collection tank, for example in the case of a cleaning rinse of the separation device or a separator level, respectively, that is arranged above the collection tank, thereby preventing the collection tank from overflowing even when a large amount of water accumulates.

[0017] In particular for use in exhaust gas scrubbing systems where the separation device is typically exposed to a corrosive and pollutant-rich environment, or for the treatment of other aggressive and / or dirty gases, the valve according to the invention should be resistant to the corrosive and / or pollutant-collecting effects of liquids or gases that come into contact with the valve.

[0018] Regarding the design of the separation device, according to a preferred variant, it can include at least two separator stages spaced apart from one another. At least one separator stage according to the invention, in which the inclined separator elements open into the collection tank according to the invention, is preferably designed as a coalescer stage, with the separator elements preferably designed in the form of rods or tubes. Another separator stage, particularly arranged vertically above the separator stage according to the invention, can have separator elements arranged inclined in at least one first region. The separator elements of this second separator stage can be arranged inclined in a different direction, i.e., in a V-shape that opens upward or downward. It is also conceivable for all separator elements of this second separator stage to be inclined in only one direction, i.e., arranged in a plane oriented obliquely relative to the horizontal, thus running obliquely downwards or upwards, respectively, from one side wall to the opposite side wall. Finally, it is also conceivable for this additional separator stage to have separator elements arranged horizontally or, respectively, flatly, i.e., planarly. In the case of a two-stage or multi-stage separator, the first separator stage in the direction of gas flow is preferably a coalescer operating above the flood point, and the second separator stage, arranged vertically above the first separator stage, is preferably designed as a lamellar droplet separator.

[0019] The separation device according to the invention is preferably designed modularly, so that systems consisting of several separation devices can also be according to the invention, the idea being that the separation devices are arranged next to each other along a flow path transverse to the direction of flow of the gas stream, such that the gas stream introduced into the flow path is guided through the separation device.

[0020] With regard to the separator stages according to the invention, the idea is that the separator elements are arranged inclined in a different direction in the second region, in particular so that the separator elements of at least one separator stage are arranged in a generally V-shaped configuration. The different inclination of the separator elements can shorten the path that the droplets take along the separator elements to one end region of the separator elements. This can prevent large droplets from forming along the separator elements or reduce the likelihood that droplets traveling along the separator elements will be captured by the gas flow and carried upwards towards the outlet of the separation device.

[0021] The V-shaped arrangement of separator elements that opens upward has the advantage that a common collection tank can be provided for two separator elements that are inclined in different directions. Therefore, in one preferred embodiment, the lower vertical end regions of the separator elements that are inclined in different directions open into the collection tank at a common valley point. A V-shaped arrangement of separator elements that opens downward is also conceivable. The lower end regions of the vertical separator elements can each open into a different collection tank. In this context, it is particularly conceivable to arrange the collection tank laterally near the side wall regions of the separation device. Finally, it is also conceivable that the separator elements of at least one separator stage and / or separator layers of another separator stage according to the present invention run in a common plane that is inclined relative to the horizontal and are therefore arranged inclined from one side wall to the opposite side wall. The lower end regions can open into a collection tank arranged laterally near the side wall.

[0022] Regarding the embodiment of the separator elements of at least one separator stage according to the invention, they are preferably designed cylindrically, but can also be designed in the shape of a rod (overall cross section). The outer shape of the separator elements is not limited to a circular cross section. However, the outer shape should be such that it promotes the cleaning effect achieved by the downward flowing water, and in particular there should be a flow over the entire periphery of the separator elements to avoid dripping edges. Therefore, the separator elements are preferably designed to have a circular or elliptical cross section. Rectangular or respectively square cross sections are also possible.

[0023] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention, at least some of the inclined separator elements of at least one separator stage can have drainage channels opening into the collection tank, in particular in the form of vertically closed drainage channels. To this end, some separator elements can have a shell-shaped, in particular semicircular, cross section. Such drainage channels can collect and introduce into the collection tank, for example, liquid droplets falling from the upper separator elements, liquid films flowing down the separator elements, or rinsing liquid flowing from above onto the separator elements, which have been separated from the gas flow in the upper separator stages. Liquids guided into the drainage channels, in particular large amounts of liquid accumulated during the rinsing process, can be discharged into the collection tank according to the present invention, protected from the gas flow flowing from below toward the separator elements by gravity. This prevents liquid droplets from being detached by the gas flow from the liquid flowing down the separator elements and being carried toward the outlet of the separation device before entering the collection tank according to the present invention.

[0024] The design of the drains in the separator elements has the drawback that the outside of the separator elements does not receive a strong rinsing or respectively cleaning effect when the liquid contacts the separator elements from above, since the liquid is collected in the drains and removed. This drawback can be compensated if the rinsing device is designed to supply rinsing liquid from bottom to top, i.e. in the direction of the gas flow, to at least some of the separator elements, in particular those parts of the separator elements equipped with drains, during the cleaning process.

[0025] The drainage channels can also be formed in the separator elements, the idea being that the separator elements are designed in the form of closed tubes, each of these tubular separator elements having at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening for the liquid impinging on the separator element from above, so that at least a portion of the liquid impinging on the separator element from above can enter the interior of the separator element and be removed therefrom.

[0026] According to an advantageous embodiment, the valve can be designed as a float valve, which has a valve seat arranged in the lower part of the collection tank and a float body that at least partially blocks the valve seat in the closed position of the valve. In particular, the float body can be designed as a rotatable body, in particular a spherical body. In this embodiment, any essentially rotatable shape of the float body is conceivable. Preferably, the float body is designed as a float ball.

[0027] The idea of ​​this embodiment is that in the collection tank of the separation device according to the present invention, the float body is implemented as a valve body of a valve that opens or at least partially blocks the outlet opening in the open or closed position of the valve, respectively, depending on the filling level of the collection tank. If the lower part of the collection tank is inclined on all sides with the outlet openings located at a common valley point, the rotatable float body can roll toward the outlet opening whenever it comes into contact with the lower part of the collection tank. The dimensions and buoyancy of the outlet opening and the rotatable float body can be designed so that the float body only partially blocks the outlet opening when a small amount of liquid accumulates in the collection tank. This can significantly prevent gas flow from passing through the outlet opening.

[0028] When a large amount of liquid accumulates, for example during cleaning and rinsing of the separator elements, the float ball is lifted by the liquid level that forms, completely clearing the outlet opening. When the spraying is stopped, the liquid level drops and the ball rolls back down the sloping lower region of the collection tank towards the outlet opening, at least partially blocking it in a closed position.

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the lower part of the collection tank is shaped in such a way that when the valve is in the open position, and in particular also when the valve is in the closed position, at least a part of the liquid collecting in the collection tank moves by gravity in the direction of the outlet opening controlled by the valve, in particular in both the open and closed positions, the liquid moving towards the outlet opening flows downwards through the outlet opening into the collection tank, and in this particular embodiment it is provided that in the open position the outlet opening is only partially blocked, so that the drainage rate is reduced compared to the open position.

[0030] In one embodiment, the idea is that the valve is designed as a valve that can be actuated in a controlled manner and can be brought into an open and / or closed position by a controllable actuator. In variants of valves that can be actuated in a controlled manner, i.e., in particular independently of the liquid level in the collection tank, the valve can be brought into an open and / or closed position hydraulically or pneumatically, for example, by a cylinder actuator or by an actuable linkage or other suitable valve actuator.

[0031] In a preferred variant of the valve, which can be controlled or, respectively, manually actuated in a controlled manner, the cylinder drive is designed as a hydraulic drive, and preferably a rinsing liquid provided for rinsing or, respectively, spraying the separator elements can be used as hydraulic fluid or cylinder drive.

[0032] By supplying the valve actuator with a rinsing liquid as a force transmission medium, the valve can be very easily integrated into the separation device according to the present invention. The supply line for the rinsing liquid is usually easily realizable in a typical device. In this embodiment, no other medium lines are required other than the supply line for the rinsing liquid. When the cylinder actuator is suitably connected to a supply line for the rinsing liquid used for the cleaning and rinsing, it is conceivable to shift the valve to an open position when pressure is applied to the supply line to start the cleaning and rinsing process of the separation device. The cleaning and rinsing of the separation device simultaneously shifts the valve to an open position, thereby reducing the outlet opening of the collection tank relative to the increased fluid flow rate. Furthermore, the valve can be forced to a closed position by a restoring force. After the cleaning and rinsing is completed, i.e., when the pressure is released from the supply line for the rinsing liquid, the valve is forced back to the closed position by a restoring force, thereby at least partially closing the outlet opening again. The restoring force can be generated, for example, by a weight, a spring element, or another elastic element, or by a compressible medium.

[0033] According to the present invention, the structure of the separation device according to the present invention has an opening in the lower region of the collection tank that allows the liquid that collects in the collection tank to be continuously discharged below the collection tank against the gas flow, independent of the open and closed positions of the valve.

[0034] In an advantageous embodiment, the opening is one formed by an outlet opening of a valve, or the opening can be located remotely from an outlet opening controlled by a valve elsewhere below the vessel.

[0035] To prevent the accumulation of contaminants in the collection tank, the rinse device can be designed and configured to rinse the interior of the collection tank. For example, rinsing of the collection tank can be performed by a rinse nozzle arranged directly above the rinse tank. The rinse nozzle can be designed and configured to eject a rinse jet of rinse liquid, particularly a cone-shaped jet, into the collection tank, to loosen and wash away contaminants from the inner wall of the collection tank and / or in the area of ​​the outlet opening.

[0036] In particular, the outlet opening in the recovery vessel is a narrow passage that can be blocked by gypsum deposits that fall, for example, when used in an exhaust gas desulfurization system. Therefore, the recovery vessel can be cleaned during the rinsing process, in particular by a nozzle that emits a spray cone of a spray jet into the interior of the recovery vessel. Flat jet nozzles are particularly suitable for this purpose, as they generate a particularly high pulse to dissolve the deposits.

[0037] According to an advantageous embodiment, at least one additional separator stage can be arranged vertically above the at least one separator stage. This final stage in the flow direction can be used to separate very small droplets and particles from the gas flow. This final stage can therefore be designed as a droplet separator with separator elements designed as lamellar separators. As already mentioned, the separation device according to the invention preferably has at least a first and a second separator stage, although it is understood that three or more separator stages can also be arranged in the separation device.

[0038] Furthermore, at least one additional separator stage may be arranged vertically below the at least one separator stage, the first stage in the direction of flow being used for basic scrubbing of the gas stream entering the separation device.

[0039] Finally, the exhaust gas purification system according to the invention comprises at least one separation device according to one of the above-described embodiments. Advantages and possible embodiments of the exhaust gas cleaning system according to the invention can be found in particular in the description of the separation device according to the invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0040] The invention will now be explained in more detail on the basis of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0041] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic side view of a separation device according to the present invention; [Figure 2a] 2 is a schematic side view of the collection tank shown in FIG. 1 with a first variant valve in a closed position. [Figure 2b] 2b is a schematic side view of the collection vessel shown in FIG. 1 with the valve of the variant of FIG. 2a in the open position; [Figure 3a] 2 is a schematic side view of the collection tank shown in FIG. 1 with a second variant valve in a closed position. [Figure 3b] 3b is a schematic side view of the collection vessel shown in FIG. 1 with the valve of the variant of FIG. 3a in the open position; [Figure 4] 2 is a schematic diagram of the collection vessel of FIG. 1 with a rinse nozzle positioned above the collection vessel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] 1 shows a schematic representation of a separation device 10 according to the present invention, in which a gas stream 42 enters the separation device vertically from below, passes through the device, and exits the device as an exit gas stream 44, which exits the separation device 10 upward. The illustrated variant of the separation device 10 comprises a first (lower) separator stage 12, a second (middle) separator stage 14, and a third (upper) separator stage 16. In the illustrated variant, the separator stages 12, 14, and 16 each comprise two separator layers 30, 32; 34, 36; and 38, 40. At least the separator layers 34, 36 of the middle separator stage layer 14 comprise individual elongated, particularly rod-shaped, separator elements 66 arranged parallel to one another, as shown in FIGS. 2a-3b.

[0043] The bar-shaped separator elements 66 of the intermediate separator stage 14 are offset from one another (see Figures 2a to 3b) and overlap in the direction of gas flow (bottom to top), forming curved flow paths between them.

[0044] Each of the separator layers 34 and 36 of the intermediate separator stage 14 has a separator element 66 that is inclined toward the collection tank 28, which is located slightly in the center. Therefore, the separator elements 66 of the intermediate separator stage 14 are arranged in a slight V-shape. In the illustrated example, the separator elements 66 open into the collection tank 28 at a common valley point located approximately in the center of the module housing 46 of the separation device 10. The rinse liquid discharged from the rinse device nozzle 22 from above in the direction of the separator element 66 or from the nozzle 20 from below in the direction of the separator element 66 is caught by the separator element 66 and flows down by gravity toward the collection tank 28, where it is collected.

[0045] Additional separator stages 12 and 16 may be provided, to which rinsing liquid may also be supplied using nozzles 18 or 24 and 26, respectively. Rinse nozzles 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 are supplied with rinsing liquid by a supply line 72. In the example shown, supply line 72 runs substantially transverse to the gas flow direction and laterally across housing 46 of separation device 10. Nozzles 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 may be integrated into or supported by supply line 72. In the present case, additional separator stage 16 is shown with two separator levels 38, 40. In a preferred embodiment, this additional separator stage is designed as a lamellar separator, in particular as a lamellar separator having only one individual separator level.

[0046] Independently of the illustrated exemplary embodiment, elongated separator elements 66, preferably rod-shaped or tubular, spaced apart from one another can be used to achieve the desired coalescence effect. If more than one separator layer 34, 36 is used, the separator elements 66 of at least two separator layers 34, 36 should be offset from one another in the operating position, i.e., overlap in the gas flow direction, so as to achieve the desired twisting effect of the gas flows 42, 44. Furthermore, the distance between the separator layers 34, 36 and / or their vertical orientation (overlapping) can be varied and, in particular, can be adjustable without tools and / or by means of an adjustment drive (not shown).

[0047] 2a and 2b show a schematic side view of the collection vessel 28 of FIG. 1 in the direction of viewpoint 2-2 in FIG. 1. FIG. 2a shows a valve 52 according to the invention in a closed position, with a valve body designed as a spherical float body 48 that seats on a valve seat 54 in the area of ​​the outlet opening 70 and partially blocks the outlet opening 70. Liquid accumulating in the collection vessel 28, for example, due to droplets separated from the treated gas stream 42 and / or continuous spraying of the separator elements 66 of the separator levels 34, 36 of the intermediate separator stage 14, continuously flows out of the collection vessel 28 downwards against the gas flow 42 directed from bottom to top in the closed position shown in FIG. 2a. The valve 52 with the float body 48 is designed to allow a liquid level 50 to collect in the collection vessel 28. The liquid level 50 covers the outlet opening 70 and thereby prevents the gas flow 42 from entering the collection vessel through the outlet opening 70.

[0048] As shown schematically in Figures 2a and 2b and 3a and 3b, the separator elements 66 of the upper separator layer 36 can be designed, for example, with a trough-shaped, i.e., shell-shaped cross section. This allows, for example, liquid separated in the upper separator stage 16 or discharged by a rinsing device onto the separator stage 14, respectively, to be efficiently collected in the drainage channel formed by the trough shape and introduced into the collection tank 28. The shell shape of the separator elements 66 of the upper separator layer 36 effectively protects the liquid film flowing through the drainage channel formed therein from the gas flow 42 coming from below, so that fewer droplets are separated from the liquid flowing toward the collection tank 28 and are carried back toward the outlet of the separation device 10. This effect can also be achieved by a cylindrical embodiment of the separator elements 66, which has suitable inlet and outlet openings for receiving and discharging the liquid, respectively.

[0049] 2b shows the valve 52 of FIG. 2a in the open position. The rising liquid level 50 in the collection tank 28 causes the float body 48 to experience buoyancy. The valve body, designed as the float body 48, is lifted from its valve seat 54, completely releasing the outlet opening 70 of the collection tank 28. Subsequently, large amounts of liquid, for example from the cleaning rinse of the separator elements 66 of the separator layers 34, 36 in the collection tank 28, can flow out of the collection tank 28 at a higher discharge rate due to the completely released outlet opening 70 (as shown).

[0050] The lower portion 68 of the collection tank 28 is adapted so that as the liquid level 50 drops, the conical float body 48 constantly rolls along the lower portion 68 toward the valve seat 54. When the liquid level 50 drops accordingly, the float body rolls onto the valve seat 54 and the valve returns to the closed position.

[0051] 2a and 2b, the outlet opening 70 may be protected at its bottom from direct flow by the gas stream 42 entering the separation device 10. For this purpose, a convex portion may be formed in the lower portion 68 of the collection vessel 28 extending vertically below the outlet opening 70, covering the outlet opening 70 at a distance, thereby preventing direct flow into the outlet opening 70.

[0052] 3a and 3b show a collection vessel 28 according to the invention with an alternative variant of the valve 52. In this variant, the valve 52 is designed as a valve that can be operated in a controlled manner, in particular independently of the liquid level 50 prevailing in the collection vessel. A cylinder 60 drives the valve body 56. In the closed position shown in FIG. 3a, the valve body 56 rests on the valve seat 54, thereby partially blocking the outlet opening 70. Thus, similar to the embodiment of FIG. 2a, liquid collecting in the collection vessel 28 is prevented from being completely discharged, but can still flow out steadily. The valve 52 is designed so that, when the separator elements 66 of the separator layers 34, 36 are continuously sprayed, a liquid level 50 forms in the collection vessel 28, thereby preventing the gas flow 42 flowing from below relative to the collection vessel 28 from entering through the outlet opening 70.

[0053] FIG. 3b shows the valve 52 of FIG. 3a in the open position. In the example shown, the valve 52 is pressed into the closed position by a restoring force acting in the valve cylinder 60 on the piston 58, which guides the valve body 56 on the piston rod. For this purpose, the piston 58 is weighted from above by a weight 62, which presses the piston 58, and thereby the valve body 56, downwards toward the valve seat 54 under the force of gravity. The weight 62, or the outer shell of each weight 62, should be made of a corrosion-resistant material, particularly when used in exhaust gas cleaning systems, in order to better withstand the aggressive environmental influences prevailing therein. Instead of the weight 62, a spring or other elastic element could also be arranged in the cylinder 60, and / or the cylinder could be pressurized with a compressible medium to generate a restoring force that presses the valve 52 into the closed position.

[0054] A control line 64 allows hydraulic fluid to enter the chamber of the cylinder 60 opposite the chamber applying the restoring force, so that a reaction force moves the piston 58 against the restoring force. The valve body 56, guided by the piston 58, is lifted from the valve seat 54, freeing the outlet opening 70 when the valve 52 is in the open position. The control line 64 can be connected to a supply line 72 that introduces rinsing fluid for the cleaning rinse, so that when the supply line 72 is pressurized and the cleaning rinse thereby initiated, the valve 52 can be simultaneously moved to the open position.

[0055] For continuous drainage from the collection tank 28, the liquid in the illustrated example is drained downward from the collection tank 28 through an outlet opening 70 controlled by the valve 52. To this end, when the valve 52 is in the closed position, the outlet opening 70 is only partially closed and not completely blocked. Alternatively or additionally, for continuous drainage, as shown in the example of FIGS. 3 a and 3 b, another opening 74 may be disposed in the lower portion 68 of the collection tank 28, allowing at least some liquid to be drained from the collection tank 28 independently of the open and closed positions of the valve 52. The opening 74 may be dimensioned such that a liquid level is formed above the opening 74, thereby permanently covering the opening 74 and preventing the gas flow 42 flowing from below into the collection tank 28.

[0056] FIG. 4 shows the collection vessel 28 of FIG. 1 with a nozzle 20 positioned above the vessel 28. The nozzle 20 is designed so that a spray cone 76, spaced from the nozzle, is directed from above the open-top collection vessel 28. The spray cone 76 is used for directional removal of accumulated deposits of fouling sediment or other material that collect on the interior walls and / or in the area of ​​the valve 52 located in the lower portion 68 of the collection vessel 28. The nozzle 20 is preferably activated during a cleaning rinse of the separator elements 66 of the separator stage 14. Alternatively or additionally, the nozzle 20 can be activated independently of the cleaning rinse. A flat-jet nozzle, which generates a particularly high pulse to dissolve the deposits, is particularly suitable for the nozzle 20. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 10 Separation Device 12 First separator stage 14 Second separator stage 16 Third separator stage 18 Rinse device nozzle 20 Rinse device nozzle 22 Rinse device nozzle 24 Rinse device nozzle 26 Rinse device nozzle 28 Collection tank 30 First separator layer of first separator stage 32 second separator layer of first separator stage 34 First separator layer of second separator stage 36 Second separator layer of second separator stage 38 First separator layer of third separator stage 40 second separator layer of third separator stage 42 Incoming gas flow 44 Exhaust gas flow 46 Case 48 Float body 50 liquid level 52 Valve 54 Valve seat 56 Valve body 58 Piston 60 cylinders 62 Weight 64 control lines 66 Separator element 68 Lower part of recovery tank 70 Exit opening 72 Supply Line 74 Aperture 76 Spray Cone

Claims

1. A separation device (10) for separating droplets and particles from a gas flow (42) having a substantially vertically upward directional component, comprising: The separation device (10) comprises at least one separator stage (14) comprising at least one separator layer (34) having a plurality of elongated separator elements (66) arranged parallel to one another; the separator elements (66) of the at least one separator stage (14) are arranged in a first region inclined with respect to the horizontal in at least one oblique direction in a longitudinal orientation; The separation device (10) has a rinsing device capable of supplying a rinsing liquid to at least a portion of the inclined separator element (66), the lower end region in the vertical direction of the separator element (66) of at least one separator stage (14) is open to a collection tank (28) arranged in the gas flow (42); The collection tank (28) has a valve (52) in a lower region (68) that controls an outlet opening (70) and can be moved between an open position in which the outlet opening (70) is free and a closed position in which the outlet opening (70) is at least partially blocked, The collection tank (28) has an opening (74) in the lower region (68) so that liquid collecting in the collection tank can be continuously discharged downward from the collection tank (28) in a direction opposite the gas flow (42) independent of the open and closed positions of the valve (52).

2. 2. The separation device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that in the second region, the separator elements (66) are arranged inclined in another oblique direction, in particular such that the separator elements (66) of the at least one separator stage (14) are arranged in a substantially V-shape.

3. 3. The separation device (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the lower end regions in the vertical direction of the separator elements (66) arranged at an angle in different directions open into the collection tank (28) at a common valley point.

4. 4. The separation device (10) according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the inclined separator elements (66) of the at least one separator stage (14) have drainage channels opening into the collection tank.

5. 5. The separation device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the valve (52) is designed as a float valve having a valve seat (54) arranged in the lower part of the collection tank (28) and a float body (48) that at least partially blocks the valve seat (54) in the closed position of the valve (52).

6. 6. A separation device (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the float body (48) is designed as a rotatable body, in particular of spherical shape.

7. 7. A separation device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the lower part (68) of the collection tank is shaped so that when the valve (52) is in the open position, particularly when the valve (54) is in the closed position, at least a portion of the liquid that collects in the collection tank (28) moves according to gravity in the direction of the outlet opening (70) controlled by the valve (52).

8. 8. A separation device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the valve (52) is designed as a valve (52) that can be actuated in a controlled manner and can be brought into the open position and / or the closed position by a controllable drive (58, 60).

9. 9. A separating device (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that the valve (52) can be moved into the open position and / or the closed position by means of a cylinder drive (58, 60).

10. 10. The separation device (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that the cylinder drives (58, 60) are designed as hydraulic drives, and preferably the rinsing liquid provided for rinsing the separator elements (66) is used as the hydraulic fluid of the cylinder drives.

11. A separation device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening (74) is formed by the outlet opening (70) of the valve (52).

12. 12. A separation device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the rinsing device is designed and constructed so as to be able to rinse the interior of the collection tank (28).

13. 13. A separation device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that at least one additional separator stage (16) is arranged vertically above the at least one separator stage (14).

14. 14. A separation device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that at least one additional separator stage (12) is arranged vertically below the at least one separator stage (14).

15. An exhaust gas cleaning system comprising at least one separation device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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