Centrifugal Solid-Liquid Separator with Adjustable Basket
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solid-liquid separation technologies are inefficient and costly, particularly in animal agriculture, where they fail to effectively separate manure, leading to high operating costs, laborious processes, and environmental concerns such as odor and pollution, while also reducing the suitability of the separated solid phase for land application or reuse.
Innovation Solution
A solid-liquid separator comprising a leg and tank assembly with a coaxially housed basket and filter assembly, utilizing centrifugal force and a wiper assembly to facilitate efficient filtration and separation, allowing for adjustable operation based on solids content, and featuring a contour tank for solid discharge and air venting to aid in drying and pressure equalization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If gravity sedimentation is used for solid-liquid separation, then the process is simple and inexpensive, but the settling time becomes extremely long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces gravity-based sedimentation with a centrifugal separation system that uses rotational motion. The centrifugal force generated by rotating the basket assembly at controlled speeds (typically 300-1000 RPM) accelerates the separation process from hours to minutes, while maintaining mechanical simplicity through a straightforward rotation mechanism driven by a motor or manual cranking system.
2Productivity
If chemical pretreatment is added to enhance separation, then the separation efficiency improves, but the suitability of the separated solid phase for land application is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates chemical pretreatment entirely by using a mechanically-driven centrifugal separation system. The controlled rotation creates sufficient centrifugal force to separate solids from liquids based on density differences alone, producing a solid phase that maintains its natural properties and remains suitable for land application, composting, or other beneficial uses without chemical contamination.
3Productivity
If high-speed centrifugal separation is used, then separation speed increases, but operating and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centrifugal separation system into modular components: a removable basket assembly, a separate motor drive system, and a washable filter screen. This segmentation allows the basket to be easily removed, inspected, and cleaned without disassembling the entire system, reducing maintenance time and costs while maintaining high separation speeds during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates self-cleaning capabilities through a wash water system that rinses the filter screen and basket interior during or after operation. This self-service feature minimizes manual cleaning requirements and reduces maintenance costs by preventing buildup that would otherwise require labor-intensive removal and cleaning of complex components.
4Device complexity
If a fixed filtration system is used, then the structure is simple, but the ability to adjust to different solids content is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates variable speed control in the centrifugal rotation system, allowing operators to adjust the rotation speed based on the solids content and characteristics of the input material. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the same simple structural design to effectively handle a wide range of materials from liquid-rich manure to drier waste streams, maintaining adaptability without increasing structural complexity.
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 enables efficient and cost-effective separation of solid and liquid phases, reducing organic material in treatment lagoons, odor, and pollution, while producing solids suitable for bedding, animal feed, composts, and soil amendments, thus addressing the inefficiencies and environmental issues of existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing centrifugal force and a wiper assembly to facilitate efficient filtration and separation
Implementation Method 2
the basket and filter assembly provides for filtration of a solid-liquid mixture through the filtration means of the filter
Data Source
AI summary
A solid-liquid separator for separating a solid phase from a liquid phase in a solid-liquid mixture is provided. The solid-liquid separator includes a basket and filter assembly housed coaxially within a tank such that when the basket and filter assembly rotates the liquid phase moves through the filter of the basket and filter assembly into the tank and is discharged from the solid-liquid separator. The solid phase is retained on the filter of the basket and filter assembly and travels vertically up the filter of the basket and filter assembly where it is discharged from the solid-liquid separator.