Cyclone Ramp Deflects Particles to Prevent Accumulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cyclones used for separating solid particles and liquids from fluids face inefficiencies due to particle accumulation in low energy zones near the housing cap, leading to compromised separation efficiency, particularly in modern designs with shorter feed channels that do not allow sufficient gravitational settling.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a ramp at the housing cap with a slope of 15° to 60°, preferably 25° to 45°, to deflect particles into a region where they can be efficiently separated from the fluid, preventing accumulation in the low energy zone and ensuring all particles follow a helical path to the discharge port.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the feed channel is made shorter to save space and costs, then device complexity and manufacturing costs are reduced, but separation efficiency deteriorates because particles do not have sufficient time to settle under gravity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeed channel lengthVSAvoidseparation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The ramp structure performs preliminary action by deflecting particles downward before they enter the main separation zone. This pre-positioning of particles prevents them from accumulating in the low-energy zone near the housing cap, ensuring they are properly positioned for centrifugal separation before the main separation process begins.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The ramp introduces a localized structural feature with specific geometric properties (slope angle of 15° to 60%) at a critical location (housing cap region). This local modification creates a downward deflection zone that specifically addresses particle accumulation without requiring changes to the entire feed channel geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If the feed channel is made longer to improve particle settling, then separation efficiency is improved, but device weight, space requirements, and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidcyclone weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The ramp structure performs preliminary action by deflecting particles downward before they enter the main separation zone. This pre-positioning of particles prevents them from accumulating in the low-energy zone near the housing cap, ensuring they are properly positioned for centrifugal separation before the main separation process begins.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The ramp introduces a localized structural feature with specific geometric properties (slope angle of 15° to 60%) at a critical location (housing cap region). This local modification creates a downward deflection zone that specifically addresses particle accumulation without requiring changes to the entire feed channel geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If particles are allowed to accumulate in the low energy zone near the housing cap, then the structure is simpler, but separation efficiency deteriorates because particles exit through the gas outlet instead of the discharge port

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidseparation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The ramp structure performs preliminary action by deflecting particles downward before they enter the main separation zone. This pre-positioning of particles prevents them from accumulating in the low-energy zone near the housing cap, ensuring they are properly positioned for centrifugal separation before the main separation process begins.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The ramp introduces a localized structural feature with specific geometric properties (slope angle of 15° to 60%) at a critical location (housing cap region). This local modification creates a downward deflection zone that specifically addresses particle accumulation without requiring changes to the entire feed channel geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 improves separation efficiency by 10 to 20% by preventing particle accumulation in the low energy zone and ensuring complete separation from the fluid stream, while maintaining low pressure loss and reducing material and space requirements.

Implementation Method 1

through the influence of gravitation the particles travel into the direction of the lower wall of the feed channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

the main portion of the volume stream of the fluid (about 90 %) is forced as a main stream onto a helical path, so that due to the centrifugal force the particles to be separated are thrown towards the wall of the housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP3463674B1Cyclone for the separation of particles from a fluid
Publication Date: 2020.03.04 OUTOTEC FINDLAND OY
  • EP3463674B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP3463674B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP3463674B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

The invention is directed to a cyclone (1) for the separation of solid particles and/or at least one liquid from a fluid. One ramp (10a) is arranged at the housing cap (5) and/or at an upper wall (9) of the feed channel (7), wherein the slope of the at least one ramp (10a) is in a range of 15° to 60°.