Centrifugal Gas Separator Guide Surface Curvature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing centrifugal separators for cleaning gas vented from internal combustion engines face issues such as pressure losses, contamination of cleaned gas, and assembly difficulties due to manufacturing challenges, which affect their efficiency and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A gas cleaning separator design featuring a rotor assembly with a guide surface and separating discs, along with a housing configuration that includes a channel and outlet passage to minimize pressure losses and ensure effective separation and re-circulation of fluids, while improving assembly and reliability through optimized component alignment and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If prior art ALFDEXTM separators are used, then gas cleaning function is provided, but pressure losses occur which adversely affect flow capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The guide surface is formed with a curved profile that is concave towards the leading edge portion of the blade element. This curved geometry smoothly redirects the flow of mixture towards alignment with the blade element, reducing flow separation and turbulence, thereby minimizing pressure losses while maintaining effective separation and improving overall flow capacity.
2Reliability
If prior art ALFDEXTM separators are used, then separation function is provided, but cleaned gas can become contaminated under certain conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The guide surface performs a preliminary action by pre-aligning the mixture flow with the blade element before the separation process begins. This preliminary flow conditioning ensures that the mixture enters the separation zone in an optimized state, preventing flow patterns that could cause re-contamination of the cleaned gas and maintaining reliable separation performance.
3Ease of manufacture
If certain manufacturing techniques and construction features are used, then separator functionality is achieved, but assembly difficulties and reliability problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The guide surface is integrated as an integral part of the blade element structure, merging two functional elements into a single component. This integration eliminates the need for separate assembly steps and potential misalignment issues between guide surfaces and blade elements, thereby improving assembly reliability while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through conventional blade element fabrication processes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances the flow capacity and reduces contamination of cleaned gas, addressing pressure losses and assembly issues, thereby improving the efficiency and reliability of the gas cleaning process.
Implementation Method 1
a centrifugal separator for the cleaning of a gaseous fluid... at least one blade element located in said space and rotatable about an axis so as to impart motion on a mixture of substances to be separated
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a separator and more specifically, but not exclusively, to a centrifugal separator for the cleaning of a gaseous fluid. A centrifugal separator is provided as comprising a housing defining an inner space, and a rotor assembly for imparting a rotary motion onto a mixture of substances to be separated. The rotor assembly is located in said inner space and is rotatable about an axis relative to the housing. The rotor assembly comprises an inlet for receiving said mixture of substances, an outlet from which said substances are ejected from the rotor assembly during use, and a flow path for providing fluid communication between the inlet and outlet, wherein the outlet is positioned more radially outward from said axis than the inlet.