Compact Separator Inlet Duct Design for Multiphase Fluid Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compression systems face inefficiencies and increased complexity due to the use of swirl tube arrays for multiphase fluid separation, which introduce head loss and require a large number of tubes, increasing size, cost, and maintenance requirements.
Innovation Solution
A compact static separator design with a process fluid inlet, outlet, and liquid outlet, featuring an inlet and outlet duct with a separating turn that maintains a constant cross-sectional flow area and utilizes a gas return channel to minimize head loss, allowing for efficient separation of multiphase fluids with reduced inertial force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an array of swirl tubes is used to separate multiphase fluid, then separation effectiveness is improved, but head loss increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The separator is divided into multiple turning sections (first turning section, second turning section, etc.) that process the fluid flow in sequential stages. Each turning section handles a portion of the separation task, allowing the system to achieve effective separation while using fewer components than a traditional swirl tube array would require.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a horizontal array of multiple swirl tubes to a vertical stacking arrangement of turning sections. By utilizing the vertical dimension, the separator achieves compactness and reduces the horizontal footprint while maintaining separation effectiveness through multiple sequential turning actions.
2Reliability
If an array of swirl tubes is used to separate multiphase fluid, then separation effectiveness is improved, but head loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cross-sectional flow area of the fluid passage is dynamically adjusted through the sequence of turning sections. The first turning section has a larger cross-sectional area that gradually decreases through subsequent turning sections, allowing the fluid to adapt to changing flow conditions and reducing turbulence-induced head loss while maintaining separation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the cross-sectional area parameter of the fluid passage progressively through each turning section. This parameter change allows the system to optimize flow characteristics at each stage, reducing energy loss while achieving the necessary separation effect through multiple incremental turns rather than a single sharp diversion.
3Volume of stationary object
If the cross-sectional flow area is reduced in turning sections, then separator size is reduced, but head loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reduction in cross-sectional area is segmented across multiple turning sections rather than occurring in a single location. Each turning section contributes to both size reduction and separation, distributing the area reduction gradually to minimize turbulence and head loss while achieving compact dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The separator achieves compact size by utilizing vertical stacking of turning sections rather than horizontal expansion. This dimensional change allows the cross-sectional area to be reduced in the vertical direction while maintaining adequate flow area in the horizontal plane, thereby reducing overall footprint without excessively increasing head loss.
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 compact separator effectively separates multiphase fluids with minimal head loss, reducing the size and complexity of the system while maintaining high separation efficiency, allowing for effective handling of contaminants and reducing maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
channeling a flow of multiphase fluid through a separating turn; wherein at least a portion of a higher-density component of the flow of multiphase fluid and a portion of a lower-density component of the flow of multiphase fluid are expelled through openings in the separating turn
Data Source
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AI summary
Apparatus and method for separating a fluid. The apparatus includes an inlet duct having an inlet flow entrance and an inlet flow exit, the inlet duct defining an inlet width that decreases between the inlet flow entrance and the inlet flow exit, and an inlet radius that increases between the inlet flow entrance and the inlet flow exit. The apparatus also includes a separating turn fluidly connected to the inlet flow exit of the inlet duct and including an outer surface defining an opening. The apparatus further includes a liquid outlet fluidly connected to the opening of the separating turn to allow a higher-density component of the flow to exit the separating turn, and an outlet duct having an outlet flow entrance connected to the separating turn, to allow a lower-density component of the flow to exit the separating turn.