Cyclone Separator Guide Vanes for Particle Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cyclone separators face inefficiencies in separating particles due to particles entering at the central axis not having enough time to hit the wall, leading to incomplete separation, and increasing the vane angle to improve separation results in higher pressure drop.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating guide vanes in the inlet and separator chambers with adjustable angles (1-90 degrees) to direct gas flow towards the wall, and straightening vanes in the discharge connection to reduce swirling, enhancing separation efficiency while minimizing pressure drop.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the angle of the vane is increased to improve separation, then a larger proportion of particles hits the wall and separation is improved, but the pressure drop increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidpressure drop
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by positioning guide vanes at specific locations (inlet connection and separator chamber wall) with different angles optimized for their respective positions. The first guide vane has a different angle than the second guide vane, allowing each to perform its local function optimally - directing particles from the central axis region toward the wall while controlling pressure drop.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the guide vane function into multiple separate vanes (first guide vane and second guide vane) rather than using a single vane. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each vane's angle and position, enabling better separation efficiency while managing pressure drop by distributing the flow direction change across multiple stages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If particles enter at the central axis, then they travel a longer distance to the wall compared to particles entering near the wall, but they do not have enough time to hit the wall and pass through without separation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation completenessVSAvoidresidence time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by using guide vanes to pre-direct particles from the central axis region toward the separator chamber wall before they complete their full trajectory. The guide vanes intercept particles early in their path and redirect them toward the wall, giving particles that entered at the central axis sufficient time to reach the wall and be separated, rather than allowing them to pass through the separator chamber without separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If guide vanes are added to direct gas flow towards the wall, then separation efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide vanes serve multiple functions simultaneously: they direct gas flow toward the separator chamber wall to improve particle separation, they control the angle of flow direction to manage pressure drop, and they are positioned to specifically address particles from different entry regions (central axis vs. near-wall). This multi-functionality achieves improved separation efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Improves particle separation by directing particles towards the wall effectively and reducing pressure drop, preventing gas and particles from passing through the central axis, and maintaining separation efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a guide vane in the inlet connection and/or separator chamber to direct the gas flow towards the wall of the cyclone separator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

The guide vane has a first surface and a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to it, and a base portion by means of which the guide vane is arranged in conjunction with the central axis of the inlet connection and/or that of the separator chamber, from where the first surface and the longitudinal axis are arranged radially so that they protrude towards the wall of the separator chamber and/or that of the inlet connection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSwirling motion: Vortex Ring

Data Source

PatentEP2167236B1Cyclone separator and method for separating matter from a gas flow
Publication Date: 2014.05.14 VALMET TECH INC
  • EP2167236B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2167236B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~5b
  • EP2167236B1 patent drawingFigure 6a~6b

AI summary

The invention relates to a cyclone separator (1) for separating material to be separated from the gas flow. The cyclone separator comprises a separator chamber (2), an inlet connection (3) for feeding gas into the separator chamber (2), and a discharge connection (4) for discharging gas from the separator chamber (2). The separator chamber, the inlet connection and the discharge connection have a central axis and a wall. The cyclone separator also comprises a separation opening (7) for discharging separated material from the separator chamber (2), and in the inlet connection (3) and/or the separator chamber (2) at least one guide vane (8a) for directing the gas flow towards the wall (11 ) of the separator. The guide vane has a first surface (12) and a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to it, and a base portion by means of which the guide vane is arranged in conjunction with the central axis of the inlet connection and/or that of the separator chamber, from which conjunction the first surface and the longitudinal axis is arranged radially so that they protrude towards the wall of the separator chamber and/or that of the inlet connection. At least a portion of the first surface of the guide vane is arranged, by turning it around its longitudinal axis or in a similar way, at an angle (a) which is 1-90 degrees, preferably 5-70 degrees, very preferably 10-60 degrees in relation to the main direction (10) of the gas flow. The invention also relates to a method for separating material from a gas flow.