DC cyclone separator, generator, and use of a DC cyclone separator as a generator

Abstract

The invention relates to a DC cyclone separator (4) for separating particles (10) from a dispersion (6) comprising the particles (10) and an electrically conductive fluid (8). The DC cyclone separator (4) has: a hollow cylindrical first pipe portion (12) for conducting the dispersion (6) in a conducting direction (34), wherein a first inner wall (32) of the first pipe portion (12) has an indentation (38) which winds helically along the first inner wall (32) about a longitudinal axis (2) of the first pipe portion (12) and which is designed to set the dispersion (6) flowing through the first pipe portion (12) in rotation; a magnet arrangement (60) which is arranged on the first pipe portion (12) and is designed such that magnetic field lines (64) of a magnetic field generated by means of the magnet arrangement (60) are at least approximately perpendicular to the first inner wall (32); and an electrode arrangement (70) which is arranged in the first pipe portion (12) and is designed such that field lines (76) of an electric field generated by means of the electrode arrangement (70) are at least approximately perpendicular to the helix, wherein the Lorentz force acts in the conducting direction (34) on ions in the electrically conductive fluid (8) on account of the electric field, as cause, and of the magnetic field, as mediator, with the result that the ions and thus the electrically conductive fluid (8) and the dispersion (6) are accelerated in the conducting direction (34) within the first pipe portion (12).

Description

[0001] DC cyclone separator, generator and use of a DC cyclone separator as a generator

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to a direct-current cyclone separator, a generator, and the use of the direct-current cyclone separator as a generator. The direct-current cyclone separator serves to separate particles from a dispersion comprising the particles and an electrically conductive fluid. The dispersion can, in particular, be a suspension. The generator serves to generate electrical energy using an electrically conductive fluid containing ions, wherein the electrically conductive fluid can, for example, be the fluid contained in the dispersion. The electrically conductive fluid can, for example, be electrically conductive due to the ions. The direct-current cyclone separator can be used as a generator.

[0004] Such a direct current cyclone separator and its operation are described in detail in DE 10 2017 213 608 A1. The present invention represents a further development of this direct current cyclone separator. Therefore, for reasons of brevity and in order not to obscure the present invention and further development, a detailed description of the basic operation of the direct current cyclone separator is omitted here and only the currently published

[0005] Reference is made to DE 10 2017 213 608 A1, the contents of which are incorporated in this description by this reference. Using the direct current cyclone separator described in DE 10 2017 213 608 A1, very good results can already be achieved with regard to the filterless separation of particles from a dispersion containing the particles.

[0006] DE 10 2022 104631 .1, which has not yet been published, also represents a further development of the cocurrent cyclone separator described in DE 10 2017 213 608 A1. In particular, DE 10 2022 104 631.1 describes a bluff body of the cocurrent cyclone separator with improved guide vane geometry. Using this improved bluff body, even better results can be achieved with regard to the filterless separation of particles from the particle-containing dispersion. However, for some applications, an even higher efficiency, i.e., an even higher separation rate, may be desirable.

[0007] The generator is based on the principle of generating electrical energy using a moving charge in a magnetic field. In other words, the generator uses the physical principle of the Lorentz force to generate electrical energy, similar to an electric motor, which can be used in thrust or generator mode to generate electrical energy. Such a generator usually has at least one moving part, in particular a rotor. The rotor must be mounted on a rotatable support. This contributes to the complexity of the generator and can make it susceptible to wear. This can lead to increased manufacturing and maintenance costs, as well as a short service life of the generator.

[0008] The invention is based on the object of providing a direct current cyclone separator which has a particularly high efficiency and / or a particularly high separation rate, and / or which is particularly efficient.

[0009] The invention is further based on the object of providing a generator which is simple and cost-effective to manufacture, which has a long service life and low maintenance costs, and / or which can be easily integrated into a direct current cyclone separator.

[0010] The objects are achieved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments and refinements are the subject of the respective subclaims.

[0011] One aspect relates to a direct-current cyclone separator for separating particles from a dispersion comprising the particles and an electrically conductive fluid. The direct-current cyclone separator comprises: a hollow-cylindrical first tube section for conducting the dispersion in a conducting direction, wherein a first inner wall of the first tube section has at least one notch that winds along a helix along the first inner wall around a longitudinal axis of the first tube section and is designed to set the dispersion flowing through the first tube section in rotation; a magnet arrangement that is arranged on the first tube section and is designed such that magnetic field lines of a magnetic field generated by the magnet arrangement are at least approximately perpendicular to the first inner wall;and an electrode arrangement which is arranged and designed in the first tube section in such a way that field lines of an electric field generated by the electrode arrangement are at least approximately perpendicular to the helix, wherein the Lorenz force acts on ions in the electrically conductive fluid due to the electric field as a cause and the magnetic field as an intermediary, whereby the ions and thus the electrically conductive fluid and the dispersion within the first tube section are accelerated in the conduction direction.;

[0012] The higher the fluid velocity, especially adjacent to and near the first inner wall, the higher the separation rate and thus the efficiency of the direct-current cyclone separator. The magnet arrangement and the electrode arrangement can accelerate the dispersion and thus the particles contained therein in the direction of flow, especially adjacent to and near the first inner wall of the first pipe section. Thus, the magnet arrangement and the electrode arrangement can contribute to the particularly high efficiency and separation rate of the direct-current cyclone separator.

[0013] The fact that the field lines, such as the magnetic field lines or the field lines of the electric field, are at least approximately perpendicular to the first inner wall or the helix can mean, for example, that an angle which the corresponding field lines enclose with the first inner wall or the helix lies in a range, for example from 60° to 90° inclusive, for example from 70° to 90° inclusive, for example from 80° to 90° inclusive.

[0014] The direct current cyclone separator may include a power source or be electrically coupled to it. The power source may be electrically coupled to the electrode arrangement so that the electric field can be generated by the electrode arrangement. The power source may, for example, be a direct current source, such as a battery.

[0015] The notch in the first tube section serves to set the dispersion in rotation so that the particles contained in the dispersion can subsequently be separated, as described in detail in the prior art DE 102017 213 608 A1 cited in the introduction. The notch that winds along the helix can be referred to as a helical notch. The first tube section can have the longitudinal axis around which the helix winds. The helical notch in the first tube section can be designed such that the helix winds around the longitudinal axis with a pitch along the inner wall and such that a pitch angle of the helix increases in the direction of travel and / or along the longitudinal axis.This causes the rotational speed of the dispersion to increase further, i.e. the dispersion is accelerated in the direction of rotation, which contributes to an increase in the efficiency of the separation of the particles, as also described in detail in the prior art DE 102017 213 608 A1 cited in the introduction.

[0016] The cocurrent cyclone separator may comprise a separation chamber located downstream of the first pipe section in the flow direction. It includes a separation tube arranged coaxially with the pipe section, the inner diameter of which is smaller than the inner diameter of the first pipe section and which is circumferentially surrounded by a collecting chamber. The collecting chamber serves to collect the outer fluid portion in which the particles accumulate due to the separation process.

[0017] The cocurrent cyclone separator may comprise a bluff body. The bluff body may comprise a base body and at least one guide vane extending radially outward from the base body. The base body may be arranged in the hollow-cylindrical first tube section such that an axis of the base body lies on a longitudinal axis of the first tube section. The guide vane may be configured to have a radially and axially extending portion of an imaginary helical surface whose axis corresponds to the axis of the base body, as described in detail in the prior art DE 10 2022 104 631.1 cited in the introduction. In this case, the bluff body may be configured and arranged in the first tube section such that an outer edge of the imaginary helical surface runs parallel to the helix formed by the notch.

[0018] The dispersion can consist of the particles and the electrically conductive fluid. The particles can, for example, comprise a single substance or different substances or elements. For example, the particles can comprise microplastics. The electrically conductive fluid can, for example, be an electrically conductive liquid. The fluid can be electrically conductive, for example, due to the ions dissolved in it. The electrically conductive fluid can, for example, be salt water, in particular seawater. The dispersion "filtered" by means of the direct current cyclone separator, in particular the electrically conductive fluid, can be used, for example, as process water for aquaculture. Alternatively, the electrically conductive fluid, optionally with an acceptable residual proportion of particles, can be fed to a desalination plant.

[0019] The electrodes have at least one cathode and at least one anode. The electrode used as the cathode can, for example, comprise or consist of graphite or a precious metal such as gold or platinum.

[0020] Alternatively or additionally, the electrode used as an anode may comprise or consist of, for example, a Lewis acid. The Lewis acid may, for example, be metal cations, e.g., Al 3+ , in combination with hydroxide ions, e.g. OH or consist of them.

[0021] According to a further development, the magnet arrangement has at least one magnet arranged on the outside of the first pipe section. For example, the magnet arrangement can have two or more magnets. The magnet(s) can be arranged, for example, on an outer wall of the first pipe section. If the first pipe section has two or more notches, one of the magnets can be arranged, for example, for each of the notches. The magnet(s) serve to generate the magnetic field(s), the magnetic field lines of which are at least approximately perpendicular to the first inner wall of the first pipe section. Alternatively or additionally, the electrode arrangement has at least two electrodes arranged on the first inner wall of the first pipe section. If the first pipe section has two or more notches, two of the electrodes can be arranged, for example, for each notch.The electrodes serve in pairs to generate one or more electric fields whose field lines are at least approximately perpendicular to the corresponding helix. The electrodes can have positive electrodes, in other words the anodes, and negative electrodes, in other words the cathodes. A positive electrode and a neighboring, particularly closest, negative electrode can form an electrode pair, between which one of the electric fields is generated as soon as an electrical voltage is applied to the corresponding electrodes.

[0022] According to a further development, the first tube section has two or more notches which are designed and arranged such that they run parallel to one another. In particular, each of the notches can run along a corresponding helix, wherein these helices then run parallel and / or equidistant from one another within an axial section of the first tube section. At least one of the magnets and at least one of the electrodes can be arranged at each of the notches. Thus, one of the magnets and a pair of electrodes can be assigned to each of the notches. The pairs of electrodes can be arranged such that the field lines of the corresponding electric fields are perpendicular to the helix along which the corresponding notch runs.Furthermore, the magnets can be arranged such that the magnets, which are arranged directly next to and adjacent to one another in the circumferential direction, are arranged such that their polarity is opposite or in the same direction, depending on the arrangement of the pairs of electrodes, as explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. The formation of the plurality of notches contributes to the dispersion in the first tube section being set into uniform rotation. Arranging the electrodes and the magnets at each of the notches contributes to the Lorentz force generated by the electrodes and magnets acting on the dispersion, and in particular the ions of the electrically conductive fluid, in each of the notches. This can contribute to a uniform acceleration of the dispersion within an axial section.According to a further development, the magnets and electrodes are arranged at the notches in a section of the first tube section that extends axially along the longitudinal axis, and a plurality of such sections with corresponding magnets and / or electrodes are formed one behind the other along the longitudinal axis. For example, the magnets and electrodes form a ring that is limited in the axial direction in the section. A plurality of such sections, in particular rings, with corresponding magnets and electrodes can then be formed one behind the other along the longitudinal axis. Alternatively, the electrodes can each extend over two or more of the axial sections or over two or more of the rings formed from the magnets. For example, the electrodes that extend over two or more of the axial sections or rings can each be formed in one piece.For example, these electrodes may be coatings of the first inner wall or wires on the first inner wall, each winding parallel to the helix and along the first inner wall around the longitudinal axis of the first tube section.

[0023] The dispersion and thus the ions of the electrically conductive fluid rotate along the first inner wall of the pipe section and thus move in the conduction direction. This means that with fixed magnets and electrodes the ions are only ever in the field of action of the corresponding magnets and electrodes for a short time, which is why the effect of the Lorentz force accelerating the ions would also only occur briefly. Arranging two or more magnets and two or more pairs of electrodes along the notches means that when the ions leave the field of action of one of the magnets and one of the pairs of electrodes within one of the rings, they enter the field of action of another of the magnets and another of the pairs of electrodes within the next ring in the conduction direction. This means that the dispersion and thus the particles are accelerated multiple times as they move along the conduction direction, in particular at least once per ring.This ensures that, as the dispersion rotates along the first inner wall of the pipe section, the ions are ideally permanently or at least almost permanently accelerated by the multiple magnets and pairs of electrodes. This contributes to a particularly large acceleration of the dispersion and thus of the particles, which can contribute to the particularly high efficiency and separation rate of the direct current cyclone separator.

[0024] If the electrodes are designed in such a way that they each extend over several of the axial sections, the principle explained in the previous paragraph applies only to the magnets, since then not only the electrodes but also the electric fields generated by the electrode pairs extend over several axial sections and rings and the ions flowing within one of the notches in the conduction direction can be permanently in the same electric field.

[0025] Thus, the magnets and electrodes can be arranged in the conduction direction along the notches. Since the notches each run helically in the conduction direction, in other words, along a helix, the magnets can also be arranged in a helical configuration. In particular, the magnets and electrodes can be arranged in the conduction direction of each notch along the corresponding helix. The corresponding rings can thus be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise around the longitudinal axis one after the other and thus offset from one another, depending on whether the helix runs clockwise or counterclockwise.

[0026] According to a further development, the notches are designed and arranged such that a cross-section of an interior space in the first pipe section is sawblade-shaped perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and accordingly has a plurality of teeth, each with a tooth tip and a tooth back. At least one of the magnets can be arranged on each of the tooth backs. Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the electrodes can be arranged on each of the tooth tips. This can contribute to optimizing the efficiency and / or separation rate of the direct current cyclone separator. With such an arrangement of the electrodes, the magnets are preferably arranged such that magnets arranged directly next to one another and adjacent to one another in the circumferential direction are arranged alternately with regard to their polarity.If, for example, a first of the magnets is arranged such that its north pole faces the first pipe section and its south pole faces away from the first pipe section, a second of the magnets, which is arranged circumferentially directly next to the first magnet, i.e. in the same axial section directly adjacent to the first magnet, can be arranged such that its south pole faces the first pipe section and its north pole faces away from the first pipe section.

[0027] In an alternative arrangement of the electrodes, in which, for example, one of the electrodes of one of the electrode pairs is arranged at the tooth tip of one of the notches and the other electrode of the same electrode pair is arranged at the tooth back of the same notch, it may be that the magnets which are arranged directly next to one another in the circumferential direction in the same axial section are not arranged alternately with respect to their polarity.If, in this arrangement of the electrodes, for example, the first of the magnets is arranged such that its north pole faces the first pipe section and its south pole faces away from the first pipe section, the second magnet, which is arranged directly next to the first magnet in the circumferential direction, i.e. in the same axial section directly adjacent to the first magnet, can be arranged such that its north pole also faces the first pipe section and its south pole faces away from the first pipe section.

[0028] If the magnets are arranged on the outside of the first tube section, the material of the first tube section is located between the magnets and the teeth of the sawblade-shaped cross-section of the interior of the first tube section. In this case, the magnets cannot be arranged directly or immediately on the corresponding tooth backs due to the material of the first tube section. Therefore, in this case, "that one of the magnets is arranged on each tooth back" means that the magnets are arranged associated with the corresponding teeth, so that a distance between the magnets and the corresponding teeth, in particular the tooth backs, which is limited at the bottom by the material of the tube section, is small, preferably minimal.

[0029] According to a further development, an electrically conductive material is arranged at each of the tooth tips, forming the electrodes. For example, the tooth tips can be coated with the electrically conductive material. Alternatively, the electrodes can each have a wire arranged along the corresponding tooth tip. This can be particularly advantageous if the electrodes each extend over two or more of the axial sections, as described above. If one or more of the electrodes are arranged in the region of the tooth back, the corresponding coatings or wires can be arranged correspondingly in the region of the corresponding tooth back.

[0030] According to a further development, at least one of the magnets is a permanent magnet. This makes it possible to generate the magnetic field(s) using the magnet arrangement without the need for any energy supply.

[0031] According to a further development, at least one of the magnets is an electromagnet. This makes it possible to control the strength of the magnetic field(s) using the magnet arrangement by supplying the electromagnet(s) with appropriate electrical energy. For this purpose, the electromagnet(s) can be electrically coupled to an energy source. This energy source can be the same or a different energy source than the one coupled to the electrode arrangement. Optionally, the direct current cyclone separator can have a control unit coupled to the energy source and configured to control the strength of the electric field and / or the magnetic field.

[0032] One aspect relates to a generator for generating electrical energy using the electrically conductive fluid containing ions. The generator can be structurally and / or structurally similar, particularly with regard to its physical characteristics, to the direct current cyclone separator described above. Therefore, the generator and the direct current cyclone separator are based on the same inventive concept.

[0033] In particular, the generator comprises: the hollow-cylindrical first tube section for conducting the electrically conductive fluid in the conduction direction, wherein the first inner wall of the first tube section has the notch that winds along the helix along the first inner wall around the longitudinal axis of the first tube section and is designed to set the electrically conductive fluid flowing through the first tube section into rotation; the magnet arrangement, which is arranged on the first tube section and is designed such that the magnetic field lines of the magnetic field generated by the magnet arrangement are at least approximately perpendicular to the first inner wall;and the electrode arrangement, which is arranged and designed in the first tube section in such a way that, due to the movement of the ions in the first tube section as a cause and due to the magnetic field as an intermediary, the electric field can be generated as an effect in the first tube section, the field lines of which are perpendicular to the helix and which causes an electrical voltage in the electrode arrangement, so that the electrode arrangement can serve to provide the electrical energy.;

[0034] The key difference between the generator and the DC cyclone separator is that in the DC cyclone separator, the electric field is generated by applying a voltage to the electrodes, which leads to an acceleration of the ions and thus of the electrically conductive fluid. In contrast, in the generator, the moving ions in the electrically conductive fluid induce a voltage in the electrodes, which can then be tapped and used in the form of electrical energy. In the case of the generator, the electrodes, in particular a pair of electrodes, can be electrically coupled to a rechargeable energy source, so that the energy source can be charged using the voltage induced in the electrodes.

[0035] According to a further development, the magnet arrangement has at least one magnet which is arranged on the outside of the first pipe section. For example, the magnet arrangement can have two or more magnets. If the first pipe section has two or more notches, one of the magnets can be arranged for each notch, for example. The magnet(s) serve to generate the magnetic field(s), the magnetic field lines of which are at least approximately perpendicular to the first inner wall of the first pipe section. Alternatively or additionally, the electrode arrangement has at least two electrodes which are arranged on the first inner wall of the first pipe section. If the first pipe section has two or more notches, two of the electrodes can be arranged for each notch, for example.Arranging the magnets on the outside of the first pipe section, for example, on an outer wall of the first pipe section, can contribute to the magnetic field(s) generated by the magnets being particularly strong in the area of ​​the notches. Arranging the electrodes on the first inner wall can contribute to the electric field(s) generated by the moving ions being particularly strong in the area of ​​the notches. This can contribute to the voltage induced in the electrodes and thus the correspondingly generated electrical energy being particularly high or large.

[0036] According to a further development, the first tube section has two or more notches which are designed and arranged such that they run parallel to one another. At least one of the magnets and at least one of the electrodes can be arranged at each of the notches. Thus, one of the magnets and a pair of electrodes can be assigned to each of the notches. The magnets can be arranged such that the magnets which are arranged directly next to one another and adjacent to one another in the circumferential direction are arranged such that their polarity is opposite or in the same direction, depending on the arrangement of the pairs of electrodes, as explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. The formation of the plurality of notches contributes to the dispersion in the first tube section being set into rotation evenly.Arranging the electrodes and magnets at each of the notches helps to generate the voltage at each of the notches.

[0037] According to a further development, the magnets and electrodes are arranged at the notches in the section of the first pipe section extending axially along the longitudinal axis, wherein a plurality of such sections with corresponding magnets and electrodes are formed one behind the other along the longitudinal axis. For example, the magnets and / or electrodes in the section form the ring limited in the axial direction. Several such sections, in particular rings, with corresponding magnets and / or electrodes can then be formed one behind the other along the longitudinal axis, wherein the electrodes can optionally each extend over two or more of the rings. The ions of the electrically conductive fluid rotate along the first inner wall of the pipe section in the first pipe section. That isthat with fixed magnets and electrodes the ions are only ever in the area of ​​the corresponding magnets and electrodes of a ring for a short time, which is why the voltage-inducing effect due to the Lorentz force also only occurs briefly. Arranging the two or more magnets and the two or more pairs of electrodes along the notches means that when the ions leave the area of ​​one of the magnets and one of the pairs of electrodes, they enter the area of ​​another of the magnets and another of the pairs of electrodes. This means that as the dispersion rotates along the first inner wall of the first tube section, the ions ideally permanently or at least almost permanently induce voltages in the corresponding electrodes. This helps to ensure that the voltage is particularly high, which can contribute to the particularly high efficiency of the generator.

[0038] Thus, the magnets and electrodes can be arranged along the notches in the conducting direction. Since the notches each run helically in the conducting direction, in other words, along a helix, the magnets can also be arranged helically. In particular, the magnets and / or electrodes can be arranged along the corresponding helix in the conducting direction for each of the notches. The corresponding rings, which are arranged one after the other in the axial direction, can accordingly be arranged rotated relative to each other with respect to the longitudinal axis, so that the magnets and electrodes of adjacent rings are offset from each other in the circumferential direction.

[0039] According to a further development, the notches are designed and arranged such that the cross-section of the interior in the first tube section is sawblade-shaped perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and accordingly has a plurality of teeth, each with one of the tooth tips and one of the tooth backs. At least one of the magnets is arranged on each of the tooth backs, and at least one of the electrodes is arranged on each of the tooth tips. This can contribute to optimizing the efficiency of the generator.

[0040] If the magnets are arranged on the outside of the first tube section, the material of the first tube section is located between the magnets and the teeth of the sawblade-shaped cross-section of the interior of the first tube section. In this case, the magnets cannot be arranged directly or immediately on the corresponding tooth backs due to the material of the first tube section. Therefore, in this case, "that one of the magnets is arranged on each tooth back" means that the magnets are arranged associated with the corresponding teeth, so that a distance between the magnets and the corresponding teeth, in particular the tooth backs, which is limited at the bottom by the material of the tube section, is small, preferably minimal.

[0041] According to a further development, the electrically conductive material that forms the electrodes is arranged at the tips of the teeth.

[0042] According to a further development, at least one of the magnets is a permanent magnet. This makes it possible to generate the magnetic field(s) using the magnet arrangement without the need for any energy supply.

[0043] One aspect relates to the use of the direct current cyclone separator as a generator for generating electrical energy, wherein: the electrically conductive fluid containing ions is conducted in the conduction direction through the first pipe section of the direct current cyclone separator; the electrically conductive fluid is set into rotation about the longitudinal axis of the direct current cyclone separator by means of the at least one notch formed in the first inner wall of the first pipe section and winding along a helix along the first inner wall around the longitudinal axis of the direct current cyclone separator; the magnetic field is generated by means of the magnet arrangement of the direct current cyclone separator such that the magnetic field lines of the magnetic field on the first inner wall are at least approximately perpendicular;Due to the movement of the ions of the electrically conductive fluid in the first pipe section as the cause and due to the magnetic field as the mediator, the electric field, whose field lines are at least approximately perpendicular to the helix, is generated as an effect in the first pipe section; due to the electric field, the electrical voltage is generated in the electrode arrangement of the direct current cyclone separator, which is arranged in the first pipe section; and the electrical voltage for providing the electrical energy is tapped at the electrode arrangement.

[0044] If the direct-current cyclone separator is used as a generator, one, two, or more components of the direct-current cyclone separator described above and / or below can optionally be omitted. For example, one, two, or more components from a group of components can be omitted, the group comprising the second pipe section, the separation chamber, the bluff body, a collecting chamber, a guide tube, a separation tube, a partition wall, and a blast body.

[0045] In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to a drawing. In the drawings:

[0046] Fig. 1 is a sectional side view of an embodiment of a direct current cyclone separator;

[0047] Fig. 2 shows a cross section of an axial section of a first pipe section of the direct current cyclone separator according to Fig. 1;

[0048] Fig. 3 is a cross-section of an axial section of a first pipe section of the direct current cyclone separator according to Fig. 1;

[0049] Fig. 4 is a perspective schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement of magnets of a magnet arrangement of the direct current cyclone separator according to Figure 1.

[0050] Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0051] Fig. 1 shows a sectional side view of an embodiment of a direct current cyclone separator 4. In particular, in Figure 1, the direct current cyclone separator 4 is shown in a schematically simplified manner in a section along a longitudinal axis 2 of the direct current cyclone separator 4. The direct current cyclone separator 4 is designed to separate the particles 10 from a dispersion 6 comprising an electrically conductive fluid 8 containing ions, for example salt water, and particles 10, for example algae (or organisms), and thus to filter the particles 10 from the dispersion 6. The dispersion 6 can also be referred to as a suspension. For this purpose, the dispersion 6 is passed through the direct current cyclone separator 4 in a direction of flow 34, which is parallel to the longitudinal axis 2, at least when introduced into the direct current cyclone separator 4.

[0052] The direct-current cyclone separator 4 can, for example, be installed upstream of a seawater desalination plant. In this case, the dispersion 6 can be seawater.

[0053] The co-current cyclone separator 4 has a hollow-cylindrical first pipe section 12 and a hollow-cylindrical second pipe section 14. The first pipe section 12 can have an inlet opening 48 through which the dispersion 6 can be introduced into the co-current cyclone separator 4 for separating the particles 10. An inner diameter of the first pipe section 12 can be constant along the longitudinal axis 2. A length of the first pipe section 12 along the longitudinal axis 2 can range, for example, from 1 m to 50 m, for example, from 2 m to 20 m, for example, approximately 5 m. Alternatively or additionally, the length of the first pipe section 12 can be selected depending on the diameter of the first pipe section 12. A ratio of the length to the diameter (L / D) can range, for example, from 10 to 1000, for example, from 50 to 500, for example, approximately 100.

[0054] The second pipe section 14 can be arranged on the first pipe section 12, specifically after the first pipe section 12 in the guide direction 34. The second pipe section 14 can thus be fluidically connected downstream of the first pipe section 12. The second pipe section 14 can be formed onto the first pipe section 12. The second pipe section 14 can be arranged coaxially to the first pipe section 12, wherein the second pipe section 14 can have a longitudinal axis that corresponds to the longitudinal axis 2 and, for the sake of simplicity, is also referred to below as the longitudinal axis 2. An inner diameter of the second pipe section 14 on its side facing the first pipe section 12 can be equal to the inner diameter of the first pipe section 12. On a side of the second pipe section 14 facing away from the first pipe section 12, its inner diameter can increase, so that the second pipe section 14 is widened on this side.For example, the second pipe section 14 can be increasingly widened with increasing distance from the first pipe section 12.

[0055] In the guide direction 34, a guide tube 20 can be arranged on the second pipe section 14 downstream of the second pipe section 14, i.e. on the side of the second pipe section 14 facing away from the first pipe section 12. The guide tube 20 can be integrally formed on the second pipe section 14. The guide tube 20 can be increasingly widened with increasing distance from the second pipe section 14. An inner diameter of the guide tube 20 can be equal to the inner diameter of the second pipe section 14 on a side of the guide tube 20 facing the second pipe section 14. The guide tube 20 can be arranged coaxially to the second pipe section 14 and / or the longitudinal axis 2, wherein the guide tube 20 can have a longitudinal axis that corresponds to the longitudinal axis 2 and, for the sake of simplicity, is also referred to below as the longitudinal axis 2.

[0056] The guide tube 20 can radially surround a separation chamber 16 of the direct-current cyclone separator 4. In other words, the guide tube 20 can form an outer wall of the separation chamber 16. The separation chamber 16 can be arranged on the second pipe section 14 downstream of the second pipe section 14 in the guide direction 34. The separation chamber 16 can thus be fluidically connected downstream of the first and second pipe sections 12, 14.

[0057] A separation tube 22 can be arranged in the guide tube 20. The separation tube 22 can be arranged at least partially in the separation chamber 16. The separation tube 22 can be arranged coaxially to the guide tube 20, the first tube section 12 and / or the second tube section 14 and can have a longitudinal axis that corresponds to the longitudinal axis 2 and, for the sake of simplicity, is also referred to below as the longitudinal axis 2. An inner diameter of the separation tube 22 can be smaller than the inner diameter of the second tube section 14 on its side facing the second tube section 14. The inner diameter of the separation tube 22 can increase with increasing distance from the second tube section 14. A length over which the separation tube 22 is expanded can correspond to a length of the guide tube 20. In other words, the separation tube 22 can be expanded in a region in which it is surrounded by the guide tube 20 in the radial direction.Thus, a circumferential gap 24 can be formed between the guide tube 20 and the separating tube 22. A cross-sectional area of ​​the gap 24 can increase continuously and / or exponentially in the direction 34. The length of the separating tube 22 can be greater than the length of the guide tube 20. Thus, the separating tube 22 can be surrounded by the collecting chamber 18, at least in sections.

[0058] The separation chamber 16 can have a collecting chamber 18. The collecting chamber 18 can be surrounded radially by the guide tube 22 and the separation tube 22. Thus, the guide tube 20 can form an outer wall of the collecting chamber 18, and the separation tube 22 can form an inner wall of the collecting chamber 18. The collecting chamber 18 can have or correspond to the slot 24. The collecting chamber 18 serves to collect the particles 10. The collecting chamber 18 does not have to be closed, but can be open and / or merely designate a region in the guide tube 20 through which the dispersion 6 with a high concentration of particles 10 flows. In contrast, the separation tube 22 is flushed by the dispersion 6 with a low concentration of particles 10.

[0059] A partition 26 can be arranged on the guide tube 20. The partition 26 can extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 2. The partition 26 can serve to delimit the separation chamber 16 in the conduction direction 34. The partition 26 can be arranged at a distance greater than zero from the guide tube 20. The partition 26 can be connected to the separation tube 22, in particular formed thereon. In particular, the partition 26 can be part of the collection chamber 18. It should be understood that the partition 26 does not necessarily have to be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 2, but can enclose almost any angle with the longitudinal axis 2. The partition 26 does not have to be a real body, but can merely be representative of the fact that in the region of the partition 26 a large part of the particles 10 is separated from the dispersion 6 and is guided away from the longitudinal axis 2. The direct current cyclone separator 4 may have a dynamic pressure body 28.The dynamic pressure body 28 can extend into the separation tube 22 on a side of the separation tube 22 facing away from the pipe sections 12, 14. In particular, the dynamic pressure body 28 can have a tip that extends into the separation tube 22. The dynamic pressure body 28 can be conical. The dynamic pressure body 28 can be arranged and / or formed coaxially with the longitudinal axis 2. A circumferential slot 30 can be formed between the dynamic pressure body 28 and the separation tube 22.

[0060] The first pipe section 12 has a first inner wall 32, which radially delimits an interior space 58 of the first pipe section 12. The interior space 58 of the first pipe section 12 can be free of further components of the co-current cyclone separator 4, so that the dispersion 6 can flow essentially freely, i.e., unhindered, through the first pipe section 12 in the direction 34 during operation of the co-current cyclone separator 4. The first pipe section 12 can be designed in the manner of a swirl tube, which generates a swirl of the dispersion 6 around the longitudinal axis 2.

[0061] The first inner wall 32 has at least one, preferably several recesses in the form of notches 38. For example, the first inner wall 32 has 6, 12, or 24 notches 38. Each of the notches 38 winds helically around the longitudinal axis 2. Each of the notches 38 can thus run along a corresponding helix 80 (see Figure 4) or coil, each of which winds around the longitudinal axis 2. The notches 38 can be formed parallel to one another. Each of the notches 38 can be formed in the form of an internal thread formed in the first tube section 12. In the case of several notches 38, the notches 38 can be formed according to several turns of a corresponding multi-start internal thread.

[0062] Each of the notches 38 encloses a pitch angle 40 with the longitudinal axis 2. The pitch angles 40 of the notches 38 can be the same for every cross-section through the first pipe section 12 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 2. In other words, the notches 38 can be formed at a constant tangential distance from one another and thus parallel to one another. The pitch angles 40 can increase in the guide direction 34. For example, the pitch angles 40 of the inlet opening 48 can be approximately 5°, 10°, or 15°. At the transition from the first pipe section 12 to the second pipe section 14, however, the pitch angles 40 can be approximately 40°, 50°, 60°, or even 70°. The increase in the pitch angles 40 along the guide direction 34 can be linear or exponential. The corresponding helices 80, which are followed by the notches 38, can be compressed accordingly and form a compressed helix 80 or coil.As a result, distances measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 2 between the notches 38, i.e. between the threads or helical turns, may decrease due to the increase in the pitch angles 40.

[0063] The second pipe section 14 has a second inner wall 42. Optionally, the second inner wall 42 can also have the notches 38, which are configured similarly to an internal thread with multiple turns. The second inner wall 42 can, for example, have the same number of notches 38 as the first inner wall 32. For example, the notches 38 of the first pipe section 12 can each directly merge into the corresponding notches 38 of the second pipe section 14 and be aligned with them. The pitch angle 40 of the notches 38 can be constant in the second pipe section 14 and can be, for example, 40°, 50°, 60°, or even 70°.

[0064] The cocurrent cyclone separator 4 can have a bluff body 44. The bluff body 44 can be arranged in the second pipe section 14. The bluff body 44 can be substantially drop-shaped and accordingly have a thickened and a tapered axial end. The bluff body 44 can comprise or consist of plastic. The bluff body 44 can be arranged such that the thickened end faces the first pipe section 12 and the tapered end faces the separation chamber 16. Alternatively, the bluff body 44 can have a lens-shaped contour tapering towards the separation chamber 16. The bluff body 44 can be arranged centrally within the second pipe section 14 and thus coaxially and / or rotationally symmetrically to the longitudinal axis 2.An extension of the bluff body 44 in the radial direction, i.e. perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 2, can be approximately equal to half a diameter of the first pipe section 12 and can be adjusted depending on an expected flow velocity of the particles 10 to be separated.

[0065] The bluff body 44 can have a plurality of guide vanes 46, for example, four, six, or eight guide vanes 46. The guide vanes 46 can be connected, for example, molded onto a base body of the bluff body 44. The base body can be formed integrally with the guide vanes 46. The guide vanes 46 can be designed such that they are spaced from the second inner wall 42 and / or that they are inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis 2. In this case, a corresponding angle of inclination of the guide vanes 46 with respect to the longitudinal axis 2 can be equal to the pitch angle 40 of the notches 38 at the transition from the first to the second tube section 42. The length of the guide vanes 46, i.e., their extension along the longitudinal axis 2, can decrease with increasing distance from the longitudinal axis 2. Thus, the guide vanes 46 can each be substantially drop-shaped in a lateral plan view (not shown).Alternatively, the bluff body 44 could be designed as described in detail in the prior art cited in the introduction.

[0066] DE 10 2022 104 631.1.

[0067] During operation of the co-current cyclone separator 4, the dispersion 6 can be introduced into the first pipe section 12 through the inlet opening 48 in the direction of flow 34. The dispersion 6 can have a velocity component only in the direction of flow 34. Due to the notches 38, the dispersion 6 can be set into a rotational movement about the longitudinal axis 2 in the region of the first inner wall 32. Thus, the dispersion 6 is set into a rotational movement by means of the first pipe section 12, which can be designed as a swirl tube. In particular, the dispersion 6 is set into the rotational movement due to a pressure pulse input, which occurs due to the notches 38, which have the pitch angle 40 with respect to the longitudinal axis 2. This rotational movement has a tangential velocity component perpendicular to the direction of flow 34 and perpendicular to the longitudinal 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.

[0068] As a result, the velocity component of the dispersion 6 perpendicular to the direction of travel 34 is greater the closer the dispersion 6 is to the first inner wall 32. The magnitude of the velocity can increase proportionally to the distance from the longitudinal axis 2, which is why the dispersion 6 is forced into a rotational movement directed around the longitudinal axis 2 in addition to the translational movement in the longitudinal direction 34. In other words, the axis of rotation of the dispersion 6 can be equal to the longitudinal axis 2. Consequently, the 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 axis of rotation, so that a first velocity gradient arises that extends in the radial direction.

[0069] Due to the rotation, a centrifugal force and a volume force act on the particles 10. Furthermore, the first velocity gradient causes a fluid force directed toward the first inner wall 32, which can also be referred to as a buoyancy force. Due to the centrifugal force (volume force) and the buoyancy force (fluid force directed toward the inner wall 32), the particles 10 are moved radially outward in the first tube section 12.

[0070] After passing through the first pipe section 12, the dispersion 6 strikes the bluff body 44, so that the dispersion 6 is decelerated in the middle (near the pipe center axis) as it passes through the guide vane arrangement. Because the area of ​​flow around the guide vanes becomes increasingly smaller radially outwards, the flow velocity at the pipe wall remains at a maximum. A second velocity gradient is created which extends in the axial direction. In this area, the particles 10 experience a fluid-dynamic lift outwards, towards the second inner wall 42. After passing through the radially furthest extent of the bluff body 44, the rotational movement essentially moves the electrically conductive fluid 8 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 2, whereas at least a large part of the particles 10 remain radially outwards with the rest of the fluid 8.In other words, the dispersion 6 with a low particle concentration is moved in the direction of the longitudinal axis 2, whereas the dispersion 6 with a high particle concentration remains radially outward. The particles 10 are therefore at a greater distance from the longitudinal axis 2 than a wall of the separation 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, which prevents them from moving further in the direction of flow 34. The electrically conductive fluid 8, which has largely been freed of the particles 10, is located closer to the longitudinal axis 2 than the wall of the separation tube 22 and therefore enters the separation tube 22 in the direction of flow 34. There the electrically conductive fluid 8 encounters the dynamic pressure body 18 and is discharged from the direct current cyclone separator 4 via the slot 30.By selecting the inner diameter of the separation tube 22 on the side of the second tube section 14, it is possible to adjust the purity of the discharged electrically conductive fluid 8 and / or the separated particles 10.

[0071] The separation of the particles 10 thus takes place by means of the separation chamber 16. The geometric design of the separation tube 22 and the guide tube 10 and the gap 24 formed between them is crucial for the separation efficiency, i.e., the percentage of separated particles 10, as well as for the efficiency, i.e., the ratio of the electrically conductive fluid 8 discharged from the co-current cyclone separator 4 to the volume of the dispersion 6 introduced into the co-current cyclone separator 4. Due to the notches 38, the rotation of the dispersion 6 can be optimized in terms of fluid mechanics. Due to the bluff body 44 in conjunction with the notches 38, an optimized separation of the particles 10 can take place.

[0072] The direct current cyclone separator 4 has a magnet arrangement 60 (see Figure 3) and an electrode arrangement 70 (see Figure 3), which are not shown in Figures 1 and 2 for reasons of clarity, better representation and for simple explanation of the basic principle of the direct current cyclone separator 4.

[0073] Optionally, the cocurrent cyclone separator 4 can have a hollow cylindrical third pipe section (not shown) that is fluidically connected upstream of the inlet opening 48 and is described in detail in DE 10 2017 213608 A1 cited at the beginning. Optionally, a further bluff body (not shown) can be arranged within the third pipe section, which is also described in detail in DE 10 2017 213 608 A1 cited at the beginning.

[0074] Fig. 2 shows a cross-section of a first axial partial section 56 of the first pipe section 12 of the direct current cyclone separator 14 according to Figure 1, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 2 and without the magnet arrangement 60 (see Figure 3) and without the electrode arrangement 70 (see Figure 3). Figure 2 essentially serves to illustrate a cross-sectional geometry of the first pipe section 12 and the notches 38 in the first inner wall 32. In particular, the notches 38 can each be rounded and / or angular in cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 2. The notches 38 can, for example, be handle-shaped and / or auricle-shaped. The notches 38 can, for example, be designed such that the interior 58 of the first pipe section 12 has a sawblade-shaped, in particular circular sawblade-shaped, cross-section.

[0075] The sawblade-shaped cross-section of the interior (58) has a plurality of teeth 50 along its outer circumference. Each of the teeth 50 has a tooth tip 54 and a tooth back 52. The tooth tips 54 mark the transition from the corresponding tooth 50 to the next, subsequent tooth 50. The tooth backs 52 extend between two adjacent tooth tips 54.

[0076] Fig. 3 shows a cross-section of an axial section 56 of the first pipe section 12 of the direct current cyclone separator 4 according to Figure 1. The axial section 56 shown in Figure 3 can be the same axial section 56 that is also shown in Figure 2, wherein the magnet arrangement 60 and the electrode arrangement 70 are shown in Figure 3. Alternatively, the axial section 56 shown in Figure 3 can be a different axial section 56 than the one shown in Figure 2, wherein it is possible that neither the magnet arrangement 60 nor the electrode arrangement 70 are actually arranged on the section 56 shown in Figure 2. Thus, the first pipe section 12 can have two or more of the axial sections 56 along the longitudinal axis 2 in the guide direction 34, wherein at least one of the axial sections 56 has the magnet arrangement 60 and the electrode arrangement 70.Preferably, several consecutive axial sections 56 comprise the magnet arrangement 60 and the electrode arrangement 70.

[0077] The magnet arrangement 60 is arranged and configured on the first tube section 12 such that magnetic field lines 64 of a magnetic field generated by the magnet arrangement 60 are at least approximately perpendicular to the first inner wall 32. The magnet arrangement 60 has at least one magnet 62 arranged on the outside of the first tube section 12, for example on an outer wall of the first tube section 12. For example, the magnet arrangement 60 can have two or more magnets 62. If the first tube section 12 has two or more notches 38, one of the magnets 62 can be arranged for each of the notches 38, for example. For example, at least one of the magnets 62 can be arranged on each of the tooth backs 52 of the teeth 50 of the sawblade-shaped cross-section of the interior space 58.The magnets 62 can be arranged such that circumferentially adjacent magnets 62 within one of the axial sections 56 are arranged such that their polarities alternate. This means that, for example, if a first of the magnets 62 is arranged such that its north pole faces the first tube section 12 and its south pole faces away from the first tube section 12, a second of the magnets 62, which is arranged circumferentially directly next to the first magnet 62, i.e. in the same axial section 56 directly adjacent to the first magnet 62, can be arranged such that its south pole faces the first tube section 12 and its north pole faces away from the first tube section 12, as shown in Figure 3.

[0078] If the magnets 62 are arranged on the outside of the first tube section 12, then the material of the first tube section 12 is located between the magnets 62 and the teeth 50 of the sawblade-shaped cross-section of the interior 58 of the first tube section 12. In this case, the magnets 62 cannot be arranged directly or immediately on the corresponding tooth backs 52 due to the material of the first tube section 12. Therefore, in this case, "that one of the magnets 62 is arranged on each of the tooth backs 52" means that the magnets 62 are arranged associated with the corresponding teeth 50, so that a distance between the magnets 62 and the corresponding teeth 50, in particular tooth backs 52, which is limited downwards by the material of the first tube section 12, is small, preferably minimal.

[0079] The magnets 62 can each be permanent magnets or electromagnets. The magnet(s) 62 serve to generate the magnetic field(s) whose magnetic field lines 64 are at least approximately perpendicular to the first inner wall 32 of the first pipe section 12.

[0080] The electrode arrangement 70 is arranged and configured in the first tube section 12 such that field lines 76 of an electric field generated by the electrode arrangement 70 are at least approximately perpendicular to the helix 80. The electrode arrangement 70 has at least two electrodes 72, 74 arranged on the first inner wall 32 of the first tube section 12. If the first tube section 12 has two or more notches 38, two of the electrodes 72, 74 can be arranged, for example, for each of the notches 38. The electrodes 72, 74 serve in pairs to generate one or more electric fields whose field lines 76 are at least approximately perpendicular to the corresponding helix. The electrodes can have positive electrodes 72, in other words anodes, and negative electrodes 74, in other words cathodes.A positive and an adjacent, in particular nearest, negative electrode 72, 74 can form an electrode pair between which one of the electric fields is created as soon as an electrical voltage is applied to the corresponding electrodes 72, 74.

[0081] The electrodes 72, 74 can be arranged alternately at the tooth tips 54 of the teeth 50, so that in the circumferential direction, each of the positive electrodes 72 is followed by one of the negative electrodes 74. Consequently, the electric fields of adjacent notches alternate in their orientation. With this arrangement of the electrodes 72, 74, it is advantageous if the magnets 62 are arranged, as shown in Figure 3, such that the polarities of the adjacent magnets 62 arranged within one of the axial sections 56 alternate.In an alternative arrangement of the electrodes 72, 74, in which, for example, one of the electrodes 72, 74 of one of the electrode pairs is arranged at the tooth tip 54 of one of the notches 38 and the other electrode 72, 74 of the same electrode pair is arranged at the tooth back 52 of the same notch 38, it may be that the magnets 62, which are arranged directly next to one another in the circumferential direction in the same axial section 56, are not arranged alternately with respect to their polarity.If, in this arrangement of the electrodes 72, 74, for example, the first of the magnets 62 is arranged such that its north pole faces the first pipe section 12 and its south pole faces away from the first pipe section 12, the second magnet 62, which is arranged directly next to the first magnet 62 in the circumferential direction, i.e. in the same axial section 56 directly adjacent to the first magnet 62, can be arranged such that its north pole also faces the first pipe section 12 and its south pole also faces away from the first pipe section 12.

[0082] The cathodes can, for example, each comprise or consist of graphite or a precious metal, such as gold or platinum. Alternatively or additionally, the anodes can, for example, each comprise or consist of a Lewis acid. The Lewis acid can, for example, be metal cations, e.g., Al 3+' in combination with hydroxide ions, e.g., OH. The Lewis acid can help reduce or even prevent corrosion of the anode due to electrolysis of the electrically conductive fluid 8 in the electric field. In particular, a coating containing the Lewis acid can prevent negatively charged ions, e.g., chlorine ions in salt water, from reaching the anode and causing corrosion.

[0083] The magnets 62 and electrodes 72, 74 at the notches 38 can be arranged in the section 56 of the first tube section 12 extending axially along the longitudinal axis 2. For example, the magnets 62 and electrodes 72, 74 form a ring limited in the axial direction in the axial section 56. Several such axial sections 56, in particular rings, with corresponding magnets 62 and electrodes 72, 74 can then be formed one behind the other along the guide direction 34. Alternatively, only the magnets 62 can form the rings, and the electrodes 72, 74 can each extend integrally over several of the axial sections 56 and / or the rings. For example, the electrodes 72, 74 can each have or be formed from a coating or a wire, wherein the coating or wire extends along the corresponding tooth tip 54.In this case, the electrodes 72, 74 shown in Figure 3 can represent cross-sections of the corresponding coatings or wires. Thus, the magnets 62 and the electrodes 72, 74 can be arranged in the conduction direction along the notches 38, which will be explained in more detail below with reference to Figure 4.

[0084] Due to the electric field generated by the electrode arrangement 70 as the cause and the magnetic field as the mediator, the Lorentz force acts on the ions in the electrically conductive fluid 8 in the conducting direction 34, whereby the ions and thus the electrically conductive fluid 8 and the dispersion 6 with the particles 10 are accelerated within the first pipe section 12 in the conducting direction 34. The magnet arrangement 60 and the electrode arrangement 70 can thus accelerate the dispersion 6 and thus the particles 10 contained therein in the conducting direction 34, in particular adjacent to and near the first inner wall 32 of the first pipe section 12. The greater the velocity of the dispersion 6, in particular adjacent to and near the first inner wall 32, the higher the separation rate and thus the efficiency of the direct current cyclone separator 4.

[0085] The direct current cyclone separator 4 can have an energy source (not shown) or be electrically coupled thereto. The energy source can be electrically coupled to the electrode arrangement 70 so that the electric field can be generated with the electrode arrangement 70. The energy source can be, for example, a direct voltage source, such as a battery. If the magnet arrangement 60 has one or more electromagnets as magnets 62, the electromagnet(s) can be electrically coupled to the energy source. Optionally, the direct current cyclone separator 4 can have a control unit (not shown) that is coupled to the energy source and is designed to control a strength of the electric field and / or the magnetic field by the control unit controlling the energy supply from the energy source to the electrodes 72, 74 and, in the case of electromagnets, to the magnets 62.

[0086] Fig. 4 is a perspective schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement of the magnets 62 of the magnet arrangement 60 of the direct current cyclone separator 4 according to Figure 1. Since the notches 38 each extend helically in the conducting direction 34, in other words, along a helix 80, and the magnets are arranged at the notches 38, the arrangement of the magnets 62 and / or the electrodes 72, 74 can also have helical courses. In particular, the magnets 62 and also the electrodes 72, 74 can be arranged in the conducting direction 34 for each of the notches 38 along the corresponding helix 80. The rings formed by the magnets 62 and electrodes 72, 74 and arranged one after the other along the longitudinal axis 2 in the conducting direction 34 can thus be arranged rotated relative to one another along the conducting direction 34 about the longitudinal axis 2, so that the magnets 62 and electrodes 72, 74 of adjacent rings are offset from one another in the tangential direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 2.

[0087] The DC cyclone separator 4 described above can be used as a generator for generating electrical energy. In this case, the DC cyclone separator 4 can be referred to as a generator. In other words, the generator can be designed identically to the DC cyclone separator 4 shown in Figure 1 and explained with reference to Figures 1 to 4. The DC cyclone separator 4 can thus fulfill two different functions, namely particle separation and energy generation.

[0088] Thus, Figure 1 also shows a generator that can optionally be used as a direct current cyclone separator 4, at least if it has the components described above. Otherwise, the generator can be used exclusively as a generator. Similarly, Figures 2 to 4 also show the components of the generator.

[0089] If the direct-current cyclone separator 4 is used exclusively as a generator, one, two, or more components of the direct-current cyclone separator 4 described above can optionally be omitted. For example, one, two, or more components from a group of components can be omitted, the group comprising the second pipe section 14, the separation chamber 16, the bluff body 44, the collecting chamber 18, the guide tube 20, the separation tube 22, the partition wall 26, and the dynamic pressure body 28. The generator can thus comprise all components of the direct-current cyclone separator 4 explained with reference to Figures 1 to 4, wherein the second pipe section 14, the separation chamber 16, the bluff body 44, the collecting chamber 18, the guide tube 20, the separation tube 22, the partition wall 26, and / or the dynamic pressure body 28 can optionally be omitted.Therefore, in order to provide a concise and clear description of the invention, a repeated description of all components of the generator is omitted, and reference is made only to the above explanations and the already explained Figures 1 to 4.

[0090] During operation of the generator, the electrically conductive fluid 8 containing ions is conducted through the first pipe section 12 in the conduction direction 34. The electrically conductive fluid 8 is set into rotation about the longitudinal axis by means of the notches 38 formed in the first inner wall 32 of the first pipe section 12 and which wind helically around the longitudinal axis 2 along the first inner wall 32. The magnetic field is generated by the magnet arrangement 60 such that the magnetic field lines 64 of the magnetic field are at least approximately perpendicular to the first inner wall 32. Due to the movement of the ions of the electrically conductive fluid 8 in the first pipe section 12 as the cause and due to the magnetic field as the mediator, the electric field, whose field lines 76 are at least approximately perpendicular to the helix 80, is generated as an effect in the first pipe section 12.Due to the electric field, the electrical voltage is generated in the electrode arrangement 70, which is arranged in the first pipe section 12. The electrical voltage is tapped at the electrode arrangement 70 to provide the electrical energy. The generator may be operated exclusively with the electrically conductive fluid 8, which contains the ions, and not with the dispersion 6, which also contains the particles 10. The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above. Rather, other variants of the invention may be derived therefrom by a person skilled in the art without departing from the subject matter of the invention. In particular, all of the individual features described in connection with the individual exemplary embodiments may also be combined with one another in other ways without departing from the subject matter of the invention.For example, more or fewer notches 38 may be formed in the first inner wall 32. Accordingly, more or fewer magnets 62 and / or electrodes 72, 74 may be arranged. Furthermore, the magnets 62 and / or electrodes 72, 74 may be arranged without being associated with the notches 38 and, in particular, the teeth 50.

[0091] List of reference symbols

[0092] 2 Longitudinal axis

[0093] 4 direct current cyclone separators

[0094] 6 Dispersion

[0095] 8 electrically conductive fluid

[0096] 10 particles

[0097] 12 first pipe section

[0098] 14 second pipe section

[0099] 16 Separation chamber

[0100] 18 Collection chamber

[0101] 20 guide tube

[0102] 22 Separator pipe

[0103] 24 gap

[0104] 26 Partition wall

[0105] 28 dynamic pressure bodies

[0106] 30 slots

[0107] 32 first interior wall

[0108] 34 Main direction

[0109] 38 notch

[0110] 40 pitch angle

[0111] 42 second interior wall

[0112] 44 bluff bodies

[0113] 46 guide vane

[0114] 48 Entrance opening

[0115] 50 teeth

[0116] 52 tooth backs

[0117] 54 tooth tip

[0118] 56 subsection

[0119] 58 Interior

[0120] 60 magnet arrangement

[0121] 62 Magnet

[0122] 64 magnetic field lines

[0123] 70 Electrode arrangement

[0124] 72 positive electrode 74 negative electrode

[0125] 76 field lines electric field

[0126] 80 Helix

[0127] S South Pole

[0128] N North Pole

Claims

Claims 1. Direct current cyclone separator (4) for separating particles (10) from a dispersion (6) comprising the particles (10) and an electrically conductive fluid (8), the direct current cyclone separator (4) comprising: a hollow cylindrical first tube section (12) for conducting the dispersion (6) in a conducting direction (34), wherein a first inner wall (32) of the first tube section (12) has a notch (38) which winds along a helix along the first inner wall (32) around a longitudinal axis (2) of the first tube section (12) and which is designed to set the dispersion (6) flowing through the first tube section (12) into rotation; a magnet arrangement (60) which is arranged on the first pipe section (12) and is designed such that magnetic field lines (64) of a magnetic field generated by the magnet arrangement (60) are at least approximately perpendicular to the first inner wall (32);and an electrode arrangement (70) which is arranged in the first tube section (12) and is designed such that field lines (76) of an electric field generated by means of the electrode arrangement (70) are at least approximately perpendicular to the helix, wherein the Lorenz force acts on ions in the electrically conductive fluid (8) in the conducting direction (34) due to the electric field as the cause and the magnetic field as the mediator, whereby the ions and thus the electrically conductive fluid (8) and the dispersion (6) within the first tube section (12) are accelerated in the conducting direction (34); 2. DC cyclone separator (4) according to claim 1, wherein the magnet arrangement (60) comprises at least one magnet (62) arranged on the outside of the first pipe section (12); and the electrode arrangement (70) comprises at least two electrodes (72, 74) arranged on the first inner wall (32) of the first pipe section (12).

3. A direct current cyclone separator (4) according to claim 2, wherein the first pipe section (12) has two or more of the notches (38) which are designed and arranged to run parallel to one another; and at least one of the magnets (62) and at least one of the electrodes (72, 74) are arranged on the notches (38).

4. DC cyclone separator (4) according to claim 3, wherein the magnets (62) and electrodes (72, 74) are arranged at the notches (38) in a partial section (56) of the first pipe section (12) extending axially along the longitudinal axis (2); and several such partial sections (56) with corresponding magnets (62) and / or electrodes (72, 74) are formed one behind the other along the longitudinal axis (2).

5. Direct current cyclone separator (4) according to one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the notches (38) are designed and arranged such that a cross section of an interior space (58) in the first pipe section (12) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (2) is sawblade-shaped and accordingly has a plurality of teeth (50), each with a tooth tip (54) and a tooth back (52); at least one of the magnets (62) is arranged on each of the tooth backs (52); and at least one of the electrodes (72, 74) is arranged on each of the tooth tips (54). 6 DC cyclone separator (4) according to claim 5, wherein an electrically conductive material is arranged at each of the tooth tips, which material forms the electrodes. 7 DC cyclone separator (4) according to one of claims 2 to 6, wherein at least one of the magnets (62) is a permanent magnet. 8 DC cyclone separator (4) according to one of claims 2 to 7, wherein at least one of the magnets (62) is an electromagnet. 9 Generator for generating electrical energy by means of an electrically conductive fluid (8) containing ions, the generator comprising: a hollow-cylindrical first tube section (12) for conducting the electrically conductive fluid (8) in a conducting direction (34), wherein a first inner wall (32) of the first tube section (12) has a notch (38) which winds along a helix along the first inner wall (32) around a longitudinal axis (2) of the first tube section (12) and which is designed to set the electrically conductive fluid (8) flowing through the first tube section (12) into rotation; a magnet arrangement (60) which is arranged on the first tube section (12) and is designed such that magnetic field lines (64) of a (60) generated magnetic field on the first inner wall (32); and an electrode arrangement (70) which is arranged and designed in the first tube section (12) in such a way that, due to the movement of the ions in the first tube section (12) as a cause and due to the magnetic field as a mediator, an electric field can be generated as an effect in the first tube section (12), the field lines (76) of which are perpendicular to the helix and which causes an electrical voltage in the electrode arrangement (70), so that the electrode arrangement (70) can be used to provide the electrical energy.

10. The generator (4) according to claim 9, wherein the magnet assembly (60) comprises at least one magnet (62) arranged externally on the first tube section (12); and the electrode assembly (70) comprises at least two electrodes (72, 74) arranged on the first inner wall (32) of the first tube section (12).

11. Generator (4) according to claim 10, wherein the first tube section (12) has two or more of the notches (38) which are formed and arranged such that they run parallel to one another; and at least one of the magnets (62) and at least one of the electrodes (72, 74) are arranged on the notches (38).

12. Generator (4) according to claim 11, wherein the magnets (62) and electrodes (72, 74) are arranged at the notches (38) in a section (56) of the first tube section (12) extending axially along the longitudinal axis (2); and several such axial sections (56) with corresponding magnets (62) and / or electrodes (72, 74) are formed one behind the other along the longitudinal axis (2).

13. Generator (4) according to one of claims 11 or 12, wherein the notches (38) are designed and arranged such that a cross-section of an interior space (58) in the tube section (12) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (2) is sawblade-shaped and accordingly has a plurality of teeth (50), each with a tooth tip (54) and a tooth back (52); at least one of the magnets (62) is arranged on each of the tooth backs (52); and / or at least one of the electrodes (72, 74) is arranged at each of the tooth tips (54).

14. Generator (4) according to claim 13, wherein an electrically conductive material is arranged at the tooth tips, which forms the electrodes.

15. Generator (4) according to one of claims 10 to 14, wherein at least one of the magnets (62) is a permanent magnet.

16. Use of a direct current cyclone separator (4) according to one of claims 1 to 8 as a generator for generating electrical energy, wherein an electrically conductive fluid (8) containing ions is conducted in a conducting direction (34) through a first pipe section (12) of the direct current cyclone separator (4); the electrically conductive fluid (8) is set in rotation about the longitudinal axis (2) by means of at least one notch (38) which is formed in a first inner wall (32) of the first pipe section (12) and which winds along a helix along the first inner wall (32) around a longitudinal axis (2) of the direct current cyclone separator (4); a magnetic field is generated by means of a magnet arrangement (60) of the direct current cyclone separator (4) such that magnetic field lines (64) of the magnetic field on the first inner wall (32) are at least approximately perpendicular;due to a movement of the ions of the electrically conductive fluid (8) in the first pipe section (12) as a cause and due to the magnetic field as an intermediary, an electric field, the field lines (76) of which are at least approximately perpendicular to the helix, is generated as an effect in the first pipe section (12); due to the electric field, an electrical voltage is generated in an electrode arrangement (70) of the direct current cyclone separator (4), which is arranged in the first pipe section (12); and the electrical voltage is tapped at the electrode arrangement (70) to provide the electrical energy.

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