Dynamic Filtration Recycling Solid Fraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filtration systems require frequent washing cycles, leading to high 'dead times' and increased consumption of washing liquids, which reduces the average flow rate of filtered liquid and increases operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic filtration system with a recycling mechanism that collects and re-injects a portion of the solid fraction back into the filter chamber, allowing for extended filtration cycles and reduced washing frequency, while maintaining a constant filtration flow rate and high solid content in the retentate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If frequent washing cycles are performed to clean the filter, then the filter reliability is maintained, but the productivity decreases due to high dead times and reduced average flow rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the discarding and recovering principle by collecting the solid fraction that would normally be discarded during filtration and re-injecting it back into the filtration system. This allows the filter to be kept in productive operation longer by refreshing the feed stream with concentrated solids, thereby reducing the frequency of washing cycles while maintaining filtration effectiveness and productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuity of useful action by creating a closed-loop system where the solid fraction is continuously recovered and re-injected into the filtration process. This eliminates idle washing periods and maintains continuous productive operation, as the filter surface is constantly refreshed with concentrated solids without requiring shutdown for washing
2Reliability
If frequent washing cycles are performed, then the filter performance is maintained, but the loss of time increases due to dead time during washing
Solution Approach 1:
By recovering and re-injecting the solid fraction instead of discarding it, the system maintains filtration performance without requiring time-consuming washing cycles. The recovered solids refresh the filter surface continuously, eliminating the need for periodic shutdowns for washing and thus reducing dead time
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous re-injection of solid fraction maintains useful filtration action without interruption. The system operates continuously without the stop-start nature of frequent washing cycles, eliminating dead time while preserving filtration performance through constant refreshment of the solid-liquid mixture
3Reliability
If frequent washing cycles are performed, then the filter is kept clean, but the consumption of washing liquids increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of discarding the solid fraction and requiring washing liquids for cleanup, the system recovers and re-injects the solids. This eliminates the need for washing liquid consumption while maintaining filter cleanliness through continuous refreshment of the feed stream with concentrated solids
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by using its own solid fraction as the cleaning agent. The recovered solids are re-injected to refresh the filter surface, eliminating the need for external washing liquids and creating a self-sustaining filtration process that maintains cleanliness without additional consumables
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 approach reduces the frequency of washing cycles, increases production capacity, and maintains a constant filtration flow rate, enabling longer and more efficient filtration cycles with higher solid content in the retentate, thus optimizing filtration performance and reducing waste.
Implementation Method 1
a recycling group configured so as to collect at least a portion of the solid fraction stored in the tank and re-inject the portion of collected solid fraction successively in the first environment of the filter chamber
Implementation Method 2
a filter wall located in the filter chamber in such a way as to subdivide the internal volume thereof into two environments... filtering the fluid, by means of the filter wall, so as to separate the solid fraction from the filtered fluid fraction
Implementation Method 3
a shaker element located in the first environment and configured so as to create a turbulent motion in the fluid to be filtered... creating a turbulent motion in the fluid being filtered
Data Source
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AI summary
A separating group (10) of a solid fraction from a fluid containing the solid fraction, comprising: - a separating group (10) of a solid fraction of a fluid containing the solid fraction, comprising: a filter group (20) of a dynamic type comprising at least a filter chamber (30) associated to an inlet (212) for the fluid to be filtered, at least a first outlet (213) for the solid fraction separated from the fluid to be filtered and to a second outlet (214) for a filtered fluid fraction, at least a filter wall (40) located in the filter chamber (30) in such a way as to subdivide the internal volume thereof into two environments, of which a first environment (A) communicating with the inlet (212) and the first outlet (213) and a second environment communicating with the second outlet (214), - a tank (60) able to receive and store the separated solid fraction and accumulated in the first environment (A) of the filter chamber (30), so as to keep the separated solid fraction separated from the fluid to be filtered and from the filtered fluid fraction and - a recycling group (70) configured so as to collect at least a portion of the solid fraction stored in the tank (60) and re-inject the portion of collected solid fraction successively into the first environment (A) of the filter chamber (3).