Cyclone-type gas-liquid separator

Abstract

To provide a cyclone-type gas-liquid separator with excellent gas-liquid separation efficiency. [Solution] A cyclone-type gas-liquid separator comprising a separator body having an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder arranged coaxially within the outer cylinder, wherein one end of the outer cylinder is a straight section with substantially equal diameter in the axial direction, and the other end is a tapered section that becomes larger in diameter as it moves away from the straight section, a gas-liquid multiphase flow inlet is provided at the one end of the outer cylinder for introducing a gas-liquid multiphase flow into the outer cylinder in such a manner as to form a swirling flow, and a cover plate is provided on the end face of the one end of the outer cylinder. A gas outlet is provided in the center of the lid plate, the inner cylinder has a larger diameter at the end and a smaller diameter towards the tip, the end of the inner cylinder is connected to the other end of the outer cylinder, the tip of the inner cylinder is located midway between one end and the other end of the outer cylinder, there is a gap between the circumferential surface of the inner cylinder and the circumferential surface of the outer cylinder, this gap becomes smaller towards the other end of the outer cylinder, and a liquid outlet is provided on the other end of either the outer cylinder or the inner cylinder.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a gas-liquid separator, and particularly to a cyclone type gas-liquid separator suitable for use in a microgravity environment such as space.

Background Art

[0002] A cyclone separator used for normal gas-solid separation, solid-liquid separation, and gas-liquid separation has a cylindrical upper part and a conical lower part. For example, when a gas-liquid mixed fluid (e.g., gas / liquid ratio 1 / 10) flows into the cylindrical part tangentially from the upper part, a swirling flow occurs inside the cylinder. Among them, the lighter gas is collected in the center by centrifugal force, passes under the central cylinder, and is discharged from the upper part. The liquid is sent to the conical part by gravity while continuing the swirling flow, and finally is discharged from the lower part.

[0003] This cyclone separator of this shape exhibits the performance of gas-liquid separation or gas-solid separation only when it is used vertically with the tip of the conical part facing down under the gravity environment on the ground. This is because even though the centrifugal force acts in the horizontal direction, it is premised that the fluid or solid with a higher density moves downward and the fluid with a lighter density moves upward due to gravity. In a microgravity environment or a horizontal orientation simulating it, these separation performances are not exhibited at all. When used horizontally on the ground, liquid will mix into the gas outlet and gas will mix into the liquid outlet. The same is true even if the flow rate is increased to enhance the centrifugal force.

[0004] ] Patent Document 1 describes a cyclone type gas-liquid separator having a truncated frustum-shaped chamber with a small diameter at one end and a large diameter at the other end, an inlet for introducing a gas-liquid mixed phase flow in a substantially tangential direction to the one end side of the chamber, a gas outlet provided at the center of the cover plate portion at the other end side of the chamber, and a liquid outlet provided on the circumferential surface at the other end side of the chamber.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

[0006] In the cyclone-type gas-liquid separator described in Patent Document 1, the liquid separated from the gas-liquid multiphase flow moves along the inner surface of the chamber from one end to the other by centrifugal force obtained by swirling within the chamber, and is extracted from the liquid outlet. In this cyclone-type gas-liquid separator, since the gas and liquid are separated only by centrifugal force during swirling, the separation of the liquid is not sufficient. This tendency is particularly pronounced when the liquid content of the gas-liquid multiphase flow is small.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention aims to provide a cyclone-type gas-liquid separator with excellent gas-liquid separation efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A cyclone-type gas-liquid separator according to one aspect of the present invention is a separator body comprising an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder arranged coaxially within the outer cylinder, wherein the outer cylinder has a straight section at one end with substantially equal diameter in the axial direction and a tapered section at the other end that becomes larger in diameter as it moves away from the straight section, and a gas-liquid multiphase flow inlet is provided at the one end of the outer cylinder for introducing a gas-liquid multiphase flow into the outer cylinder in such a manner as to form a swirling flow, and the end face at the one end of the outer cylinder A cover plate is provided, with a gas outlet in the center of the cover plate. The inner cylinder has a larger diameter at its end and a smaller diameter towards its tip. The end of the inner cylinder is connected to the other end of the outer cylinder. The tip of the inner cylinder is located midway between one end and the other end of the outer cylinder. There is a gap between the circumferential surface of the inner cylinder and the circumferential surface of the outer cylinder, and this gap becomes smaller towards the other end of the outer cylinder. A liquid outlet is provided on the other end of either the outer cylinder or the inner cylinder.

[0009] In one aspect of the present invention, the inner cylinder is domed with a pointed apex, and the axial length of the inner cylinder is approximately equal to the axial length of the tapered portion.

[0010] In one aspect of the present invention, at least the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder and at least the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder are made of a hydrophilic material with a small contact angle with water.

[0011] In one aspect of the present invention, a water detection sensor is provided for detecting water present in the gap between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder.

[0012] In one aspect of the present invention, a drainage means is provided for sucking and discharging water from the liquid outlet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, a cyclone-type gas-liquid separator is introduced from an inlet, swirled within the straight section of the outer cylinder, and separated by centrifugal force. The gas flows out from a gas outlet at one end of the outer cylinder. The liquid separated from the gas-liquid multiphase flow flows out from a liquid outlet through the gap between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder.

[0014] In one aspect of the present invention, the liquid that enters this gap moves through the gap toward the other end of the outer cylinder by capillary action, reaches the liquid outlet, and is removed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view of a cyclone-type gas-liquid separator according to an embodiment, taken along the axial direction. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Figure 1. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view showing the dimensions of the cyclone-type gas-liquid separator in the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] The cyclone-type gas-liquid separator 1 according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

[0017] This cyclone type gas-liquid separator 1 includes a separator body 2 having an outer cylinder 3 and an inner cylinder 4.

[0018] One end side of the outer cylinder 3 has a small diameter, and the other end side has a large diameter. A cover plate 6 is provided on the one end side of the outer cylinder 3. The outer peripheral edge of the cover plate 6 is airtightly connected to the one end side of the outer cylinder 3, or the cover plate 6 and the outer cylinder 3 are integrally formed.

[0019] A gas outlet 5 is provided at the center of the cover plate 6. The gas outlet 5 is formed of a short cylinder. One half side extends outward from the cover plate 6, and the other half side protrudes into the separator body 2 from the cover plate 6.

[0020] In this embodiment, the one end side of the outer cylinder 3 is a straight cylindrical portion 3a having substantially the same diameter in the axial direction. The straight cylindrical portion 3a is preferably cylindrical. The other end side than the straight cylindrical portion 3a is a tapered portion 3b whose diameter increases toward the other end side.

[0021] An inlet 7 for a gas-liquid mixed phase flow is provided on the one end side of the outer cylinder 3. The inlet 7 is cylindrical, and the axial direction of this cylinder is substantially the tangential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 3. In this embodiment, the inlet 7 is located on the cover plate 6 side rather than the tip in the protruding direction of the gas outlet 5 into the separator body 2.

[0022] A liquid outlet 8 is provided on the other end side of the outer cylinder 3.

[0023] The inner cylinder 4 is in a pointed dome shape, and the end is airtightly connected to the other end side of the outer cylinder 3. The inner cylinder 4 extends while reducing its diameter toward the one end side within the outer cylinder 3. The tip of the inner cylinder 4 is a conical portion 4a

[0024] In this embodiment, the tip position of the inner cylinder 4 in the axial direction of the outer cylinder 3 is located near the connection point between the straight cylindrical portion 3a and the tapered portion 3b of the outer cylinder 3.

[0025] A gap C exists between the inner cylinder 4 and the outer cylinder 3, and the size of this gap C gradually decreases towards the other end of the outer cylinder 3. The liquid outlet 8 is provided to communicate with this gap C.

[0026] A water detection sensor 9 is provided to detect the presence of liquid (water in this embodiment) accumulating in this gap C. Various types of water detection sensors can be used for the water detection sensor 9, such as those that detect changes in conductivity or dielectric constant.

[0027] In the cyclone-type gas-liquid separator 1 configured in this way, the gas-liquid multiphase flow (in this embodiment, a multiphase flow of gas and water) is introduced from the inlet 7 into the straight section 3a of the outer cylinder 3 in a substantially tangential direction, and swirls within the straight section 3a and the tapered section 3b near the straight section 3a. Due to the centrifugal force generated by this swirling, the water in the gas-liquid multiphase flow adheres to the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 3, moves along this inner circumferential surface toward the other end of the outer cylinder 3, and enters the gap C. This water further moves toward the other end of the outer cylinder 3, coming into contact with both the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 3 and the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 4. Then, by capillary action, this water moves toward the back of the gap C, that is, toward the other end of the outer cylinder 3, and is extracted from the liquid outlet 8.

[0028] In the straight section 3a and the tapered section 3b near it of the outer cylinder 3, the gas components from which water has been separated flow out of the cyclone-type gas-liquid separator 1 through the gas outlet 5.

[0029] To achieve the capillary action described above, the outer cylinder 3 and inner cylinder 4 are made of hydrophilic materials such as metals and resins with a contact angle of less than 90° with water. Materials that have been made hydrophilic by UV treatment on the surface (such as stainless steel, acrylic, polycarbonate, and ABS) are more desirable.

[0030] Referring to Figure 5, the preferred dimensions of this cyclone-type gas-liquid separator 1 are described below.

[0031] The total length L1 of the outer cylinder 3 is preferably 2.0 to 4.0 times, and particularly preferably 2.5 to 3.5 times, the inner diameter D3 at the other end of the outer cylinder 3.

[0032] The inner diameter D1 at one end of the outer cylinder 3 is preferably 70-90% of D3, and particularly preferably around 75-85%.

[0033] The inner diameter D2 of the gas outlet 5 is preferably 40-60%, and particularly preferably 45-55%, of the inner diameter D1 at one end of the outer cylinder 3.

[0034] The cross-section of the gas-liquid multiphase flow inlet 7 is preferably rectangular, and the length h in the axial direction is preferably 30-70%, particularly 40-60%, of the inner diameter D1 at one end of the outer cylinder 3. The width b (opening width perpendicular to the length h) is preferably 10-30%, particularly 15-25%, of the inner diameter D1 at one end of the outer cylinder 3.

[0035] The length L2 of the straight section 3a of the outer cylinder 3 is preferably 20-40%, and particularly preferably 25-35%, of the total length L1 of the outer cylinder 3.

[0036] It is preferable that the length L3 of the tapered portion 3b of the outer cylinder 3 and the total length L4 of the inner cylinder 4 are approximately equal. Specifically, L3 / L4 is preferably 0.9 to 1.1, and particularly preferably 0.95 to 1.05.

[0037] The gradient of the tapered portion 3b in the axial direction is preferably 2-10%, and particularly preferably 3-5%. The installation location for the water detection sensor 9 is preferably a location where the gap C is 0.5-10 mm, and particularly preferably 1-5 mm.

[0038] The apex angle θ (Figure 5) of the conical portion 4a of the inner cylinder 4 is preferably 90 to 130°, and particularly preferably 100 to 120°. The base diameter D5 of the conical portion 4a is preferably 80 to 120%, and particularly preferably 90 to 110%, of the inner diameter of the gas outlet 5.

[0039] This cyclone-type gas-liquid separator 1 is suitable for gas-liquid separation of gas-liquid multiphase flows where the ratio of gas volume G to water volume W (G / W) is 10 / 1 to 10000 / 1, particularly 100 / 1 to 1000 / 1. The water droplet diameter in the gas-liquid multiphase flow is preferably 10 to 20000 μm, particularly 100 to 5000 μm.

[0040] Furthermore, it is preferable to connect a liquid suction pump to the liquid outlet 8 in order to drain the liquid accumulated in the gap C between the outer cylinder 3 and the inner cylinder 4 from the liquid outlet 8.

[0041] The above embodiment is just one example of the present invention, and the present invention may be in any other form. For example, in the above embodiment, the liquid outlet 8 is provided on the other end side of the outer cylinder 3, but it may be provided on the end side of the inner cylinder 4.

[0042] The cross-sectional shape of the inner cylinder 4 in the axial direction may be partially or entirely curved. [Examples]

[0043] A cyclone-type gas-liquid separator 1, having the dimensions shown in Figures 1-4, was fabricated and used to perform gas-liquid separation of a gas-liquid multiphase flow (a multiphase flow of air and water) with a G / W ratio of 100 / 1. The material used for the cyclone-type gas-liquid separator 1 is transparent acrylic.

[0044] D1:60mm D2:30mm D3: 72mm h:30mm b: 12mm D5:30mm L1: 210mm L2: 60mm L3: 150mm L4: 150mm θ: 120° Gap spacing C at the installation location of the water detection sensor 9: 2 mm

[0045] A multiphase flow of air and water (G / L ratio = 100 / 1 (25℃, 1atm), water droplet diameter 12000μm or less) was supplied to this cyclone-type gas-liquid separator at a gas inflow rate of 50 L / min (centrifugal effect rω 2 ( / g ≈ 20).

[0046] As a result, gas with a G / L ratio of 1 / 1000 or higher constantly flowed out of the gas outlet 5. A suction pump was connected to the liquid outlet 8, and the suction pump was activated to discharge the water whenever the sensor 9 detected water.

[0047] Note that this operation is based on the Earth's gravitational acceleration of 9.81 m / s². 2 Because the experiment was conducted under these conditions, the formation of a liquid film due to capillary action was observed only in gaps C with a width of 0.5 mm or less. However, since centrifugation caused water to move in the direction of the tapered section 3b and a tendency for water to accumulate in gap C was observed, it is presumed that water would accumulate evenly in gap C in a microgravity environment. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0048] 1. Cyclone-type gas-liquid separator 2 Separator body 3. Outer cylinder 3a Straight body part 3b Tapered section 4 Inner cylinder 5. Gas outlet 6 Lid plate 7 Gas inlet 8 Liquid outlet 9. Water detection sensor C Gap

Claims

1. A cyclone-type gas-liquid separator comprising a separator body having an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder arranged coaxially with the outer cylinder, The outer cylinder has a straight section at one end with approximately equal diameter in the axial direction, and a tapered section at the other end that becomes larger in diameter as it moves away from the straight section. An inlet for a gas-liquid multiphase flow is provided at one end of the outer cylinder, which introduces a gas-liquid multiphase flow into the outer cylinder in such a manner as to form a swirling flow. A cover plate is provided on the end face of one end of the outer cylinder, and a gas outlet is provided in the center of the cover plate. The inner cylinder has a larger diameter at the end and a smaller diameter towards the tip. The end of the inner cylinder is connected to the other end of the outer cylinder. The tip of the inner cylinder is located midway between one end and the other end of the outer cylinder. There is a gap between the circumferential surface of the inner cylinder and the circumferential surface of the outer cylinder, and this gap becomes smaller towards the other end of the outer cylinder. A cyclone-type gas-liquid separator having a liquid outlet on the other end of the outer or inner cylinder.

2. The cyclone-type gas-liquid separator according to claim 1, wherein the inner cylinder is domed at a pointed apex, and the axial length of the inner cylinder is approximately equal to the axial length of the tapered portion.

3. The cyclone-type gas-liquid separator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least the inner surface of the outer cylinder and at least the outer surface of the inner cylinder are made of a hydrophilic material.

4. A cyclone-type gas-liquid separator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a water detection sensor is provided for detecting water present in the gap between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder.

5. A cyclone-type gas-liquid separator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a drainage means for sucking and discharging water from the liquid outlet is provided.

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