Cyclone Oil Separator Partitioning for Compact Refrigeration Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
The cyclone-type oil mist separators in refrigeration systems suffer from reduced separation performance due to decreased tangential velocity of the refrigerant, leading to lower centrifugal forces and inefficient oil separation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a partition plate that extends over at least part of the cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction within the oil separation means to inhibit axial fluid movement and promote swirling, thereby increasing centrifugal force and cyclone efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the refrigerant flows axially through the oil mist separator tank from the inlet pipe to the outlet pipe, then the结构简单 (structure is simple), but the tangential velocity decreases and centrifugal separation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The separator tank is divided into multiple functional zones using partition plates: a swirling flow generation zone near the inlet, a centrifugal separation zone in the middle, and an outlet zone. This segmentation allows the refrigerant flow to be transformed from simple axial flow to a complex multi-zone flow pattern with high tangential velocity, improving oil separation performance without significantly increasing structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The partition plates are arranged at different angular positions around the central axis, creating a three-dimensional flow path that converts axial flow into radial and tangential flow components. This dimensional transformation generates the necessary tangential velocity for effective centrifugal separation while maintaining a relatively compact tank structure
2Volume of stationary object
If the oil mist separator tank is made smaller to reduce device size, then the device footprint is reduced, but the separation effectiveness deteriorates due to insufficient centrifugal force
Solution Approach 1:
The partition plates are strategically positioned at specific angular intervals (e.g., 90° or 120° apart) and at specific axial locations to locally generate high tangential velocity zones. This localized flow control ensures that even in a compact tank volume, the refrigerant experiences sufficient centrifugal force in the separation zone to achieve effective oil separation
Solution Approach 2:
The partition plates are designed with specific geometric parameters (width, height, angular position, axial position) that are optimized to maximize tangential velocity generation within a limited tank volume. By carefully controlling these parameters, the system achieves high separation effectiveness in a compact configuration
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 improved cyclone efficiency enhances oil separation performance, allowing for a reduction in the size of the oil separation means while maintaining or improving separation effectiveness and reducing pressure loss.
Implementation Method 1
By rotating the oil mist separator tank 100 about this core 103, the lubricating oil that is mixed with the refrigerant is centrifugally separated
Implementation Method 2
cyclone-type oil separation means
Implementation Method 3
An oil-collecting demister is provided at an inner wall of the tank body 101, where the centrifugally separated lubricating oil is trapped
Data Source
AI summary
An oil separation device having an outer cylinder that extends in an axial direction; an inner cylinder that passes through the interior of the outer cylinder in the axial direction; a pair of end plates provided at both ends of the outer cylinder in the axial direction; an inlet port connected to the outer cylinder near one of the end plates and that introduces an oil-containing fluid discharged from a compressor into a space formed between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder so as to swirl about the axis; an outlet port connected to the outer cylinder near the other end plate and that expels the fluid, from which the oil has been centrifugally separated, out of the space; and an oil discharge port, provided in the outer cylinder, for discharging the separated oil out of the space. A partition plate that extends over at least part of a cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction to partition the space in the axial direction is provided in the space.