Drain Separator With Motor-Driven Fan For Steam Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas/liquid separators face challenges in reliably separating steam and water at low flow rates due to reduced rotation of the revolving vane, leading to inefficient centrifugation and potential clogging issues with complex liquid discharge passages.
Innovation Solution
A drain separator with a simple structure featuring a rotating fan driven by a DC motor, a cylindrical separating wall with holes for gas passage, and a shielding section for efficient liquid discharge, ensuring consistent centrifugal separation of gas and liquid components regardless of flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a revolving vane is used for centrifugal separation, then separation efficiency is improved, but the device becomes unreliable at low flow rates due to reduced rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the flow-rate-dependent mechanical rotation of the revolving vane with an electric motor-driven rotation system. The electric motor provides consistent rotational force independent of flow rate, ensuring reliable centrifugal separation under all operating conditions. This substitution of the mechanical rotation mechanism resolves the contradiction by decoupling separation reliability from flow rate variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the driving parameter from flow rate (which varies with operating conditions) to electric motor rotation speed (which can be controlled independently). By using an electric motor, the rotation speed can be maintained at optimal levels regardless of flow rate, ensuring consistent centrifugal separation efficiency and reliability across different operating conditions.
2Ease of operation
If a complex liquid discharge passage is provided, then liquid discharge capability is improved, but clogging occurs due to dust or contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the liquid discharge function from a complex internal passage system and implements it through a simple external discharge port. The liquid discharge passage is simplified to a direct opening on the outer circumference of the casing, eliminating complex internal channels that could be clogged by dust or contaminants while maintaining effective liquid discharge capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of designing a complex internal passage system to guide liquid discharge, the patent inverts the approach by providing a simple external discharge port. The liquid discharge function is achieved through minimalistic design, reducing the risk of clogging while maintaining discharge effectiveness.
3Reliability
If the rotor structure is complicated with integral fin and discharge passage, then separation function is improved, but the structure becomes too complex and prone to clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the rotor structure by separating the rotating fan blades from the liquid discharge function. The fan blades are provided as a separate rotating component, while the liquid discharge port is provided as a separate static feature on the casing. This segmentation simplifies the overall structure, reducing complexity and clogging risks while maintaining effective separation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the liquid discharge function from the rotor structure and places it in the static casing. The rotor consists only of the rotating fan blades, while the liquid discharge port is provided on the outer circumference of the casing. This extraction simplifies the rotor structure, eliminating the need for complex integral discharge passages within the rotor.
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 solution enables reliable and stable separation of steam and water with reduced load on the driving mechanism, minimizing clogging risks and maintaining high separation efficiency, while allowing for a compact and efficient design.
Implementation Method 1
the gas-water mixture fluid is separated into the steam and the water under the centrifuging action
Implementation Method 2
The rotor 14, which is connected to a rotary shaft 13 of the electric motor 12, is rotated under the driving action of the electric motor 12
Data Source
AI summary
A driving section is provided for a housing. A fan is rotated in the housing by the driving section. Saturated steam, which is supplied to the housing, is separated into a liquid component and a gas component by applying the centrifugal force to the saturated steam by the fan to make the saturated steam pass through a cylindrical separating wall. The liquid component is discharged from an outlet port of the housing by the separating wall and a shielding section. On the other hand, the gas component is discharged from a discharge port formed at an upper portion of the housing.