Cyclone Separator with Multiple Inlet Ducts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cyclone separators for blast furnace gas cleaning systems face inefficiencies and design challenges, including poor separation efficiency and high maintenance costs due to complex and abrasive inlet connections in both tangential and axial designs.

Innovation Solution

A cyclone separator design featuring multiple inlet ducts connected to the side wall of the cyclone vessel at an intermediate position, with a tangential introduction of blast furnace gas to induce a swirling motion, reducing wear and eliminating the need for guide vanes, combined with a distribution device for simplified connection and reduced maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a single large tangential cyclone separator is used to replace the dustcatcher, then the separation efficiency is improved, but the connection difficulty and device complexity increase due to the large cross section of the downcomer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidconnection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single large tangential inlet is divided into multiple smaller inlet ducts (first inlet duct and second inlet duct) connected to the side wall of the cyclone vessel. This segmentation reduces the connection complexity while maintaining the tangential flow pattern needed for effective separation, directly resolving the contradiction between improved separation efficiency and connection difficulty.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of repair

If guide vanes are installed in the inlet ducts to facilitate removable replacement, then the ease of repair is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguide vane replacementVSAvoidinlet duct design
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide vanes are completely removed from the inlet duct design. Instead of using removable guide vanes, the invention relies on the natural tangential flow generated by the side wall inlet ducts themselves to create the swirling motion. This eliminates the complex removable guide vane structure while maintaining the necessary flow patterns for dust separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of manufacture

If a single large axial cyclone separator is used with a distribution device, then the connection problem is solved, but the guide vane complexity and abrasive wear increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinlet connectionVSAvoidguide vane structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The axial inlet distribution is segmented into multiple side wall inlet ducts that directly introduce gas tangentially. This eliminates the need for complex removable guide vanes while maintaining effective flow distribution, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If the inlet ducts are positioned to maximize centrifugal force, then the separation efficiency is improved, but the wear at the connection location increases due to frontal impacts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidabrasive wear
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The inlet ducts are positioned asymmetrically on the side wall of the cyclone vessel at specific heights, introducing gas at an angle that generates tangential flow without direct frontal impact on the connection location. This asymmetric positioning optimizes centrifugal force for separation while minimizing wear at the inlet duct connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 design achieves high separation efficiency with reduced wear and maintenance costs by ensuring a homogeneous gas inflow and optimized centrifugal force, while simplifying the connection process and eliminating the need for complex inlet domes and replaceable vanes.

Implementation Method 1

This introduces the blast furnace gas in a tangential direction into the cyclone vessel causing a whirling motion of the gas in the cyclone vessel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

causing a whirling motion of the gas in the cyclone vessel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSwirling motion: Vortex Ring

Implementation Method 3

Dust particles are thrown to the outer wall of the cyclone vessel by the centrifugal force and slide down

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal separation: Centrifugal Separation

Data Source

PatentEP1907125B1Cyclone separator for blast furnace gas
Publication Date: 2011.01.12 DANIELI CORUS TECHN SERVICES
  • EP1907125B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1907125B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a cyclone separator for blast furnace gas comprising: A cyclone vessel (5) having a central axis and including a side wall (5a), a top wall (5b) and bottom wall (5 c); an inlet duct (3) connected with an end (3a) to said side wall of said cyclone vessel at a predetermined position intermediate the top and bottom wall; and a central outlet duct (4) which traverses through the top wall of the cyclone vessel and extends into said cyclone vessel. According to the invention, the cyclone separator further comprises a further inlet duct (13) connected with an end (13a) to said side wall of said cyclone vessel in circumferentially spaced relationship to the inlet duct (3).