Separating device and thermodynamic system
The described separation device addresses efficiency limitations in low-profile phase separation by using inlet and outlet configurations with inserts and mesh structures to achieve reliable and efficient phase separation in compact containers.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-15
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-23
AI Technical Summary
Existing phase separation devices are limited by stricter regulations on flammable refrigerants, necessitating a narrow and low-profile geometry that compromises efficiency.
A separation device with a specific inlet and outlet configuration, combined with inserts and mesh structures, that utilizes momentum and density differences to efficiently separate gaseous and liquid phases within a compact container.
Ensures effective phase separation with reduced container height, minimizing pressure losses and enabling heat transfer for enhanced outgassing, while maintaining reliability and efficiency.
Smart Images
Figure EP2026050949_23072026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] R.416252
[0002] - 1 -
[0003] Description
[0004] title
[0005] Separation device and thermodynamic system
[0006] State of the art
[0007] Phase separators using the flash process and centrifugal phase separators are known in the prior art. Due to stricter regulations on flammable refrigerants, separation devices such as separator tanks are limited in height and diameter. However, the height and diameter of the separation devices have a significant influence on the efficiency of the phase separation.
[0008] Disclosure of the invention
[0009] The invention relates to a separation device for separating a gaseous phase and a liquid phase from a multiphase material stream.
[0010] The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a separation device which, despite a narrow and low-profile geometry, ensures efficient and reliable phase separation.
[0011] The problem underlying the invention is solved by a separation device with the features of claim 1. The invention relates to a separation device for separating a gaseous phase and a liquid phase from a multiphase, in particular two-phase, material stream. The separation device comprises a container extending along a longitudinal axis for receiving the multiphase material stream, the container having a head section and a foot section; a fluid inlet extending parallel to the longitudinal axis for supplying the multiphase material stream into the container; and a first fluid outlet for discharging the R.416252
[0012] - 2 -
[0013] The first fluid outlet is located at the top of the container, and the second fluid outlet is located at the bottom. The fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet are located at the bottom of the container.
[0014] Accordingly, the effect of a large container as a phase separator can be replicated in a smaller container through additional measures. Since the conservation of momentum and the acceleration due to gravity act in the same direction, they reinforce each other. In combination with the density difference between the liquid and gaseous phases, both phases experience different forces that cause phase separation. These are essentially momentum forces, buoyancy, and contact forces on the inlet. Furthermore, there is a pressure drop in the dynamic pressure because the cross-section of the fluid inlet is significantly smaller than that of the container. Other pressure losses are not essential for phase separation but are crucial for the superheating effect of the gas phase at the inlet pipe. Overall, this leads to the reliable separation of the fluid flow into the individual phases, with the separation effect being greater due to the different densities of the phases.The change in cross-section causes the incoming flow to be decelerated because the flow cross-section becomes larger.
[0015] Consequently, the mass flow can be separated into its phases particularly effectively, even with a shallow container height. Due to the arrangement of the fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet in the top region, heat transfer between the mass flow and the gaseous phase can occur, further improving the outgassing of the gaseous phases.
[0016] The multiphase, in particular two-phase, material stream preferably consists of a refrigerant, in particular a flammable one, such as propane.
[0017] It is advantageous that the fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet are arranged in the container, particularly in the head section, such that the gaseous phase contacts the fluid inlet on the outside. This allows heat transfer from the mass flow, which contacts the fluid inlet on the inside, to the gaseous phase. R.416252
[0018] - 3 -
[0019] An advantageous aspect of the description is that the first fluid outlet extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
[0020] An advantageous aspect of the description is that the fluid inlet ends below the first fluid outlet.
[0021] An advantageous aspect of the description provides that at least one insert with at least one, in particular negative, curvature is provided in the container to deflect the multiphase mass flow from a flow along the longitudinal axis, in particular wherein the at least one curvature includes variable angles with the longitudinal axis, in particular wherein the variable angles increase with greater distance to the fluid inlet.
[0022] Initially, the mass flow is forced towards the insert due to gravity and the conservation of momentum. Combined with atomic / molecular bonding forces, surface tension, and adhesion, this causes the liquid phases to accumulate at the insert. The liquid phase then drips down from the insert. Since the change in direction has less of an effect on the gaseous phase due to its lower density, the gaseous phase rises towards the first fluid outlet. The distribution of the mass flow further promotes the outgassing of the gaseous phase. Furthermore, the insert prevents the multiphase mass flow from being sprayed into the container, and in particular, prevents the formation of foam.
[0023] Preferably, the gaseous phase rises in such a way that it surrounds the fluid flow entering through the fluid inlet in a ring-like manner.
[0024] An advantageous aspect of the description provides that the at least one insert is arranged along a first flow direction of the gaseous phase between the fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet and / or along a second flow direction of the liquid phase between the fluid inlet and the second fluid outlet. This ensures that the mass flow encounters the insert. R.416252
[0025] - 4 -
[0026] One advantageous aspect of the description is that the curvature is designed as a tractrix. This allows for a particularly effective continuous change in the direction of the material flow.
[0027] An advantageous aspect of the description is that at least one insert is designed as a full or half pseudosphere, particularly one that is mirror- or rotationally symmetric. This allows for a particularly effective continuous change in the direction of the mass flow.
[0028] The insert can be a turned, milled, cast, or molded part. A molded part can be a deep-drawn part. The insert can be made of materials such as metal, ceramic, glass, or plastic.
[0029] An advantageous aspect of the description provides that the at least one insert has a tip section directed towards the head section and / or a bottom section directed towards the foot section. The longitudinal axis and the tip section preferably enclose at least substantially a first angle in a range between 0° and 10°. The longitudinal axis and the head section preferably enclose at least substantially a second angle in a range between 80° and 90°. Consequently, it is ensured that the material flow can flow against the insert with as little interference as possible. In addition, it is ensured that no liquid phase splashes up due to the specially designed bottom section.
[0030] To secure the insert within the container, a retaining device can be provided inside the container, which is rigidly connected to the container. Alternatively, the insert can be joined to the container, in particular by screwing, gluing, or welding, preferably spot welding.
[0031] An advantageous aspect of the description provides that the tip section of the at least one insert is arranged flush with or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and laterally offset from the fluid outlet, and / or wherein the bottom section of the at least one insert is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and laterally offset from the fluid outlet. Accordingly, R.416252
[0032] - 5 -
[0033] Changes in the direction of the material flow should be provided as efficiently and with as little loss as possible.
[0034] The tip section is preferably arranged in the area of the free end of the fluid inlet in such a way that it is ensured that the material flow interacts with the insert and that no foam forms from the material flow in the container.
[0035] An advantageous aspect of the description is that the container, particularly the head section, contains at least one structure, especially a mesh structure, for releasing droplets from the gaseous phase. This ensures that small droplets from the gaseous phase are effectively filtered and can thus drip off. The mesh structure can be made, for example, of steel wool or a similar material. Alternatively, the structure can be made of a foamed material.
[0036] An advantageous aspect of the description stipulates that at least one mesh structure is arranged along the first flow direction between the at least one insert and the first fluid outlet. This ensures that the mass flow is initially deflected by the insert and largely separated into its phases.
[0037] An advantageous aspect of the description is that the fluid inlet extends through the mesh structure. Preferably, the mesh structure surrounds the fluid inlet in a ring-like shape.
[0038] Preferably, the fluid inlet and / or the second fluid outlet extend along the longitudinal axis. The container is preferably circular cylindrical. The fluid inlet and / or the second fluid outlet are preferably arranged concentrically with the container. The fluid inlet, the first fluid outlet, and / or the second fluid outlet are preferably tubular and / or (circular) cylindrical.
[0039] The separation device can preferably be used in all thermodynamic systems that require phase separation. The invention relates to a thermodynamic system, in particular one R.416252
[0040] - 6 -
[0041] Air conditioning system, a refrigerator or a refrigerant circuit of a vapor compression heat pump, with a previously described separation device.
[0042] Further advantages, features, and details will become apparent from the following description, in which various embodiments of the invention are illustrated with reference to the drawing. The features mentioned in the claims and the description can each be essential to the invention individually or in any combination.
[0043] They show:
[0044] Fig. 1 shows a side view of a separating device;
[0045] Fig. 2 a side view of a separating device with a first insert; Fig. 3 a side view of the first insert;
[0046] Fig. 4 shows a top view of the first insertion;
[0047] Fig. 5 a side view of a separating device with a second insert; Fig. 6 a side view of the second insert;
[0048] Fig. 7 shows a top view of the second insert;
[0049] Fig. 8 a side view of a separating device with a third first insert; Fig. 9 a side view of the third insert; and
[0050] Fig. 10 shows a top view of the third insert.
[0051] The separation device 10 is designed to separate a gaseous phase 12 and a liquid phase 14 from a two-phase mass stream 16. The separation device 10 has a container 20 extending along a longitudinal axis 18 for receiving the multi-phase mass stream 16, in which the mass stream 16 is separated into the gaseous phase 12 and the liquid phase 14.
[0052] The container 20 has a head section 22, a foot section 24, and an intermediate section 26 arranged between the head section 22 and the foot section 24. The head section 22 and the foot section 24 are arranged opposite each other along the longitudinal axis 18. R.416252
[0053] - 7 -
[0054] To feed the two-phase mass flow 16 into the container 20, a fluid inlet 28 extending along the longitudinal axis 18 is provided in the head section 22. To discharge the gaseous phase 12, a first fluid outlet 30 extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 18 is provided in the head section 22. To discharge the liquid phase 14, a second fluid outlet 32 extending along the longitudinal axis 18 is provided in the foot section 24. The intermediate section 26 is preferably closed, in particular without an inlet and / or outlet.
[0055] The container 20 contains an insert 34 with at least one negative curvature 36 for deflecting the material flow 16 from a flow direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 18. The negative curvature 36 is arranged such that the angle 38 formed by the curvature 36 and the longitudinal axis 18 increases with increasing distance from the fluid inlet 28. Furthermore, the distance to the longitudinal axis 18 also increases with increasing distance from the fluid inlet 28. Three embodiments of inserts 34 are shown in Figures 2 to 10.
[0056] The insert 34 is preferably arranged in the intermediate section 26 of the container 20. The insert 34 can be held in the container 20 by spot welding. Alternatively, a separate mounting device is also possible.
[0057] The gaseous phase 12 flows along a first flow direction 40 from the fluid inlet 28 to the first fluid outlet 30. The liquid phase 14 flows along a second flow direction 42 from the fluid inlet 28 to the second fluid outlet 32. In and around the fluid inlet 28, the first flow direction 40 and the second flow direction 42 run along the longitudinal axis 18. Subsequently, at the latest at the insert 34, the flow directions 40 and 42 diverge. This also separates the gaseous phase 12 and the liquid phase 14 from the mass flow 16.
[0058] The insert 34 is preferably arranged along the first flow direction 40 between the fluid inlet 28 and the first fluid outlet 30. The insert 34 is preferably arranged along the second flow direction 42 between the fluid inlet 28 and the second fluid outlet 32. R.416252
[0059] - 8 -
[0060] The separation device 10 further comprises a structure, in particular a mesh structure 44, for separating droplets from the gaseous phases 12, which is arranged in the head section 22. The mesh structure 44 is preferably made of metal wool. The structure, in particular the mesh structure 44, is arranged along the first flow direction 40 between the fluid inlet 28 and the first fluid outlet 30. The second flow direction 42 does not cross the structure, in particular the mesh structure 44. The fluid inlet 28 preferably extends through the structure, in particular the mesh structure 44, so that the structure, in particular the mesh structure 44, surrounds the fluid inlet 28 in an annular manner.
[0061] According to Figures 3, 6, and 9, the negative curvature 36 is designed as a tractrix. Other types of curves are also conceivable. The insert 34 has a tip section 46 facing the fluid inlet 28 and a bottom section 48 facing away from the fluid inlet 28 and towards the second fluid inlet 32. The curvature 36 forms a first angle 50 with the longitudinal axis 18 at the tip section 46 in the range between 0° and 20°. The curvature 36 forms a second angle 52 with the longitudinal axis 18 at the bottom section 48 in the range between 70° and 90°.
[0062] According to Figures 2 to 4, the insert 34 is rotationally symmetric. The insert 34 tapers from the circular base section 48 to the tip section 46. According to Figures 5 to 7, the insert 34 is mirror-symmetric with respect to the longitudinal axis 18 (full insert). The insert 34 has two insert halves 54, each comprising a negative curvature 36. The insert halves 54 can be rectangular with rounded corners, as shown in Figure 7(A), or rectangular, as shown in Figure 7(B). The inserts 34 according to Figures 2 to 4 and Figures 5 to 7 can be described as rotationally symmetric and mirror-symmetric pseudospheres, respectively. The insert 34 according to Figures 8 to 10 (half insert 34) is designed according to one of the two insert halves 54 according to Figures 5 to 7. According to Figures 2 and 5, the inserts 34 are arranged concentrically or centrally with respect to the longitudinal axis 18. In contrast, the individual insert half 54 is arranged off-center with respect to the longitudinal axis 18.This ensures that the mass flow 16 interacts with the negative curvature 36 to separate phases 12 and 14. R.416252.
[0063] - 9 -
[0064] The mass flow 16 enters the container 20 via the fluid inlet 28 and, due to gravity and conservation of momentum, moves against the insert 34. The mass flow 16 interacts with the negative curvature 36 by undergoing a change in direction. This change in direction affects phases 12 and 14 differently due to their different densities.
[0065] The conservation of momentum causes the liquid phase 14 to experience a greater contact force against the insert 34 than the gaseous phase 12. Binding forces and surface tensions then act, causing liquid droplets to coalesce and flow downwards as a film along the insert 34. The liquid droplets drip through the bottom section 48 towards the bottom section 24, or the second fluid outlet 32. The liquid phase 14 can then flow out of the container 20 via the second fluid outlet 32. The gaseous phase 12 flows to the top section 22 and can escape from the container 20 via the first fluid outlet 30. On its way to the first fluid outlet 30, the gaseous phase 12 flows through the network structure 44, separating any droplets still present in the gaseous phase 12.Since the fluid inlet 28 and the first fluid outlet 30 are both located in the head section 22, heat transfer can occur from the fluid inlet 28, or the mass flow 16 flowing therein, to the first fluid outlet 30, or to the gaseous phase 12 provided in the head section 22. This further ensures that no liquid phase 14 is present in the gaseous phase 12.
Claims
R.416252 - 10 - Claims 1. Separation device (10) for separating a gaseous phase (12) and a liquid phase (14) from a multiphase mass flow (16), the separation device (10) comprising: a container (20) extending along a longitudinal axis (18) for receiving the multiphase mass flow (16), wherein the container (20) has a head section (22) and a foot section (24); a fluid inlet (28) extending parallel to the longitudinal axis (18) for supplying the multiphase mass flow (16) into the container (20); a first fluid outlet (30) for removing the gaseous phase (12) from the container (20) and a second fluid outlet (32) for removing the liquid phase (14) from the container (20); wherein the fluid inlet (28) and the first fluid outlet (30) are arranged at the head section (22) and the second fluid outlet (32) at the foot section (24) of the container (20).
2. Separating device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the first fluid outlet (30) extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (18) and / or wherein the fluid inlet (28) terminates below the first fluid outlet (30).
3. Separation device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one insert (34) with at least one, in particular negative, curvature (36) is provided in the container (20) for deflecting the multiphase material flow (16), in particular wherein the at least one curvature (36) includes variable angles (38) with the longitudinal axis (18), in particular wherein the variable angles (38) increase with greater distance to the fluid inlet (28).
4. Separating device (10) according to claim 3, wherein the at least one insert (34) is located along a first flow direction (40) of the gaseous phase (12) between the fluid inlet (28) and the first fluid outlet. - 11 - (30) and / or along a second flow direction (42) of the liquid phase (14) between the fluid inlet (28) and the second fluid outlet (32).
5. Separating device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the curvature (36) is designed as a tractrix.
6. Separating device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one insert (34) is designed as a full or half, in particular mirror- or rotationally symmetric, pseudosphere.
7. Separating device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one insert (34) has a tip section (46) directed towards the head section (22) and / or a bottom section (48) directed towards the foot section (24), in particular wherein the longitudinal axis (18) and the tip section (46) form a first angle (50) in a range between 0° and 20° and / or the longitudinal axis (18) and the head section (22) form a second angle (52) in a range between 70° and 90°.
8. Separating device (10) according to claim 7, wherein the tip section (46) of the at least one insert (34) is arranged aligned with or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (18) and laterally offset to the fluid inlet (28) and / or wherein the bottom section (48) of the at least one insert (34) is arranged laterally offset to the fluid inlet (28) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (18).
9. Separation device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one structure (44), in particular a network structure, is provided in the container (20), in particular in the head section (22), for separating droplets from the gaseous phase (12).
10. Separating device (10) according to claims 3 and 9, wherein the at least one structure (44) is arranged along the first flow direction (40) between the at least one insert (34) and the first fluid outlet (30). R.416252 - 12 - 11. Separating device (10) according to one of claims 8 or 9, wherein the fluid inlet (28) extends through the mesh structure (44).
12. Thermodynamic system with a separation device (10) according to one of the preceding claims.