Centrifugal Separator Heavy Phase Discharge Element
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Centrifugal separators face pressure losses during the separation of heavy phase liquids, leading to unstable interface levels and losses of lighter phases due to uneven discharge rates.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a heavy phase liquid discharge element with two separate outlet channels, which reduces pressure losses by minimizing vortices and adapting to the shape of the outlet housing, allowing for more stable interface levels even with large flow variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a single outlet passage is used for heavy phase liquid discharge, then the device complexity is reduced, but pressure losses increase due to vortex formation
Solution Approach 1:
The single outlet passage is divided into multiple outlet channels (at least two) within the discharge element. This segmentation reduces the flow velocity and vortex formation in each individual channel, thereby reducing pressure losses while distributing the discharge function across multiple pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet channels are designed with specific geometric arrangements including longitudinal extensions and overlapping portions with inlet openings. This multi-dimensional configuration optimizes flow patterns and reduces pressure losses by controlling the discharge geometry in multiple spatial dimensions.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the outlet passage design is simplified, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the stability of liquid interface deteriorates during flow rate variations
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge element features localized geometric features including overlapping portions between outlet channels and inlet openings, and specific longitudinal extensions. These local quality variations in the geometry stabilize the liquid interface by controlling flow distribution without requiring complex overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet channels are designed with specific dimensional parameters including longitudinal extensions longer than inlet openings and overlapping configurations. These parameter changes optimize the discharge characteristics to maintain interface stability during flow rate variations.
3Loss of energy
If outlet channels are made longer in longitudinal direction, then pressure losses are reduced, but the length of the discharge element increases
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge function is segmented into multiple outlet channels, allowing each channel to have optimized longitudinal extension length. This segmentation reduces the required length of individual channels compared to a single long channel, while collectively achieving the pressure loss reduction goal.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet channels utilize overlapping portions with inlet openings and specific geometric arrangements in the longitudinal direction. This multi-dimensional approach allows the channels to achieve sufficient length for pressure loss reduction while compacting the overall element footprint through strategic spatial arrangement.
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
This design significantly reduces pressure losses and enhances the stability of the liquid interface between heavy and light phases, minimizing losses of desirable liquids and improving the separation process's robustness to flow rate changes.
Implementation Method 1
a decanter centrifuge may be used. Such decanter centrifuge utilizes centrifugal forces, whereby liquids can be separated from solids
Implementation Method 2
The liquids may comprise one or two phases, i.e. the liquids have different densities. When the slurry is subjected to the centrifugal forces, the denser solid particles are pressed outwards against a rotating bowl wall, while the less dense liquid phase forms a concentric inner layer
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a heavy phase liquid discharge element, a centrifugal separator comprising the element and to a method of separating two liquid phases. The heavy phase liquid discharge element comprises at least one inlet opening on a first side of the heavy phase liquid discharge element, the at least one inlet opening being adapted to face an interior of the centrifugal separator, and at least two separate outlet channels defining an outlet on the second side of the heavy phase liquid discharge element, wherein at least a portion of each of the outlet channels overlaps with the at least one inlet opening, thereby forming a liquid pathway between the at least one inlet opening and the outlet defined by the at least two outlet channels through which the liquid can pass. By this design, pressure losses in the heavy phase liquid outlets can be decreased.