Dual-Walled Dynamic Phase Separator for Slugging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dynamic phase separators are inefficient during excessive or unstable flow conditions due to saturation of filter disks, leading to reduced separation efficiency, especially when the percentage of the phase to be separated increases, as they are designed for specific phase ratios and materials with affinity to water rather than oil.
Innovation Solution
A dual-walled dynamic phase separator with a gross separation region and a fine separation region, utilizing porous disks with varying pore sizes and a barrier layer to maintain adequate rotational velocity and dwell time for effective separation of lighter and heavier phases, even during severe slugging or flow imbalances, and made from materials like stainless screens or sintered metal particles to prevent clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional dynamic phase separators use filter disks made from materials with affinity to water, then they can effectively separate oil from water under normal flow conditions, but they become saturated and prewetted with excessive oil during severe slugging, reducing separation efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The separator is divided into two distinct regions: a gross separation region for initial phase separation and a fine separation region for final polishing. This segmentation allows the system to handle excessive oil flows in the gross separation region while maintaining effective separation in the fine separation region, preventing saturation of the filter disks with oil.
Solution Approach 2:
A barrier layer is introduced as an intermediary component between the influent and the filter disks. This barrier layer prevents direct contact between excessive oil and the filter disk surfaces, eliminating the prewetting problem while still allowing effective separation to occur.
2Manufacturing precision
If the separator is designed for specific phase ratios, then it achieves optimal separation efficiency under designed conditions, but it cannot handle varying concentrations and flow imbalances effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The dual-region design provides multi-functionality: the gross separation region handles high oil content flows and flow imbalances, while the fine separation region maintains optimal separation for various concentrations. This universal design allows the separator to effectively handle a wide range of operating conditions without sacrificing separation efficiency.
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 dual-walled design enables continuous and efficient separation of phases with minimal clogging, handling varying concentrations and flow imbalances, reducing the need for filter replacement and downtime, while maintaining high purity of effluent discharge.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of porous disks are mounted to a rotatable shaft and disposed in the fine separation region
Implementation Method 2
the outer and inner walls are separated by a predetermined distance sufficient to allow for adequate rotational velocity of incoming tangential flow of the influent and dwell time sufficient for natural separation of lighter phases from heavier phases
Data Source
AI summary
Separating a multi-phase mixture influent even during excessive flows of specific phases. The dynamic phase separator includes a chamber divided into two regions by an inner wall disposed radially inward relative to an outer wall. A gross separation region is defined between the inner wall and the outer wall, while a fine separation region lies inside an area defined by the inner wall and top of the chamber. Influent to be separated is fed through an inlet into the gross separation region. A plurality of porous disks are mounted to a rotatable shaft and disposed in the fine separation region. The outer and inner walls are separated by a predetermined distance sufficient to allow for adequate rotational velocity of incoming tangential flow of the influent and dwell time sufficient for natural separation of lighter phases from heavier phases within the gross separation region.