Centrifugal Separator Negative Pressure Gas Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Centrifugal separators experience high energy consumption and thermal warming due to aerodynamic losses, which can damage sensitive fluids and require cooling systems, while also generating noise and creating an unsanitary environment.

Innovation Solution

A centrifugal separator with a second outlet for discharging higher density components to the outer periphery of the rotor, maintaining negative pressure in the separation space to reduce friction and heat transfer, using a medium to regulate rotor temperature, and employing a pump device to remove gas and vaporization heat, thereby reducing energy consumption and noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a conventional centrifugal separator operates with rotating parts in contact with surrounding gas, then separation function is achieved, but aerodynamic losses cause high energy consumption and thermal warming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidaerodynamic losses
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the gas from the separation space by maintaining negative pressure, removing the source of aerodynamic losses. This eliminates the harmful interaction between rotating parts and surrounding gas, directly reducing energy consumption and aerodynamic losses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates an inert environment by maintaining negative pressure in the separation space, effectively removing the gas medium that causes aerodynamic friction. This inert environment (vacuum-like condition) eliminates the harmful aerodynamic interactions while preserving the centrifugal separation function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

2Temperature

If a conventional centrifugal separator operates with rotating parts in contact with surrounding gas, then separation function is achieved, but thermal warming occurs causing damage to sensitive fluids

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal warmingVSAvoidthermal damage to sensitive fluids
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the gas from the separation space, removing the medium through which heat is transferred to the fluid. By maintaining negative pressure, thermal warming is prevented, protecting sensitive fluids from thermal damage while maintaining separation functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Temperature

If a centrifugal separator is provided with a water-cooled casing to dispose of heat, then thermal management is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat disposalVSAvoidcooling device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the gas from the separation space, eliminating the source of heat generation. This removes the need for complex cooling systems like water-cooled casings, as there is no more aerodynamic friction to generate heat, thereby reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Object-generated harmful factors

If a centrifugal separator operates at atmospheric pressure, then discharge of separated components is achieved, but noise generation and noise propagation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise generationVSAvoidnoise propagation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains negative pressure in the separation space, creating an inert environment that suppresses noise generation and propagation. The absence of gas reduces aerodynamic noise from rotating parts and simplifies sludge outlet configuration, eliminating a major noise source.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

5Object-generated harmful factors

If a centrifugal separator operates at atmospheric pressure, then discharge of separated components is achieved, but deposits and scaling form creating unsanitary environment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeposits and scalingVSAvoidhygienic environment
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains negative pressure in the separation space, creating conditions that prevent discharged sludge phase from adhering to surfaces. The negative pressure environment reduces deposit formation and scaling, maintaining a cleaner, more hygienic environment around the rotor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

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 decreases energy consumption, minimizes thermal warming, reduces noise, and maintains a cleaner environment by reducing deposits and scaling, allowing for easier maintenance and handling of the sludge phase with less volume and improved hygiene.

Implementation Method 1

a pump device for removal of gas from said space, thereby maintaining negative pressure in said space

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

supplying a medium to said space, which medium is brought into heat-transferring contact with the rotor in order to regulate the temperature of the rotor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP2403650B2Centrifugal separator
Publication Date: 2019.11.20 ALFA LAVAL CORP AB
  • EP2403650B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2403650B2 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2403650B2 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a centrifugal separator comprising a casing which delimits and seals off a space in which a rotor is arranged. The rotor forms a separation space which is sealed or isolated from the space, and in which separation space centrifugal separation of a higher density and a lower density component from a fluid takes place. An inlet extends into the rotor for introducing fluid to the separation space, and a first outlet extends from the rotor for discharge of a component separated from the fluid. The space is connected to a pump device which is arranged to remove gas, thereby maintaining negative pressure in said space. The rotor comprises at least one second outlet extending from the separation space to the space for discharge of at least one higher density component separated from the fluid. The invention also relates to a method in such a centrifugal separator.