Centrifugal Separator with Electrostatic Ionization for Particle Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current centrifugal separators are ineffective in separating very small and light particles from gas flows, while electrostatic filters struggle with larger particles and high particle quantities, leading to incomplete separation and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus combining electrostatic attraction forces with centrifugal forces to deposit small particles on surface elements, which are then ejected towards the casing outlet, allowing for concurrent separation of both small and large particles using a rotor with conical or flat sedimentation plates and ionization units to charge particles and create an electrostatic field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If centrifugal separators with surface elements are used, then larger and heavier particles can be separated effectively, but very small and light particles pass through without being separated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines centrifugal separation and electrostatic separation into a single apparatus. The centrifugal separator handles larger particles through centrifugal force, while the electrostatic separator captures very small particles through electrostatic attraction. Both separation mechanisms operate simultaneously in the same device, resolving the contradiction between effectiveness for large particles and small particles.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite separation system that integrates two different separation principles (centrifugal and electrostatic) into one unified apparatus. The rotor contains both centrifugal surface elements and electrostatically charged surfaces, creating a composite separation mechanism that addresses the full range of particle sizes.
2Reliability
If electrostatic filters are used, then very small particles can be separated, but larger particles and high particle quantities cause the filter to become coated and ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges electrostatic separation with centrifugal separation, where the centrifugal component handles larger particles and high particle quantities, preventing the electrostatic surfaces from becoming excessively coated. The centrifugal force directs larger particles to the outer wall, reducing their accumulation on the electrostatic surfaces and maintaining the electrostatic filter's effectiveness for small particles.
Solution Approach 2:
The centrifugal separation mechanism acts as an intermediary that pre-separates larger particles before they reach the electrostatic separation zone. This reduces the particle load on the electrostatic surfaces, allowing them to maintain effectiveness for small particle separation without becoming quickly coated and ineffective.
3Reliability
If stationary charged surfaces are used in electrostatic separators, then small particles can be separated, but the surfaces quickly become coated and electrostatic forces become ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the charged surfaces dynamic by mounting them on a rotating rotor. The rotation continuously renews the surface elements, preventing permanent coating buildup. As the rotor turns, freshly exposed surfaces maintain their electrostatic effectiveness, and coated areas are periodically moved to discharge positions, extending the operational duration before surfaces become ineffective.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating charged surfaces periodically bring coated areas to positions where particles can be discharged or removed, effectively discarding the accumulated coating and recovering the electrostatic surface effectiveness. This continuous renewal process extends the operational duration of the electrostatic separation mechanism.
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
Enables efficient separation of both small and large particles from gas flows, ensuring high cleanliness and handling large quantities, with the ability to adapt for counter-current separation methods.
Implementation Method 1
ionization units to charge particles and create an electrostatic field
Implementation Method 2
extremely small and light particles (smaller than approximately 1 μm), that are not able to be separated off using centrifugal force alone ('g-force separation'), are first caused to be deposited on the surface elements by electrostatic attraction forces
Implementation Method 3
the accumulations of the particles on the surface elements can be thrown out towards the surrounding wall of the casing by the rotation of the rotor
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A method and apparatus for the separation of particles from a flow of gas, where both large, heavy and small, light particles can be separated off from the gas by means of the combined effect of an electrostatic attraction force and a centrifugal force in a centrifugal separator (10) of the type that comprises a rotor (14) that has a plurality of adjacent surface elements (16) with intermediate gas flow gaps (48) and that is mounted in such a way that it can rotate in a surrounding casing (12), which casing has an inlet (18) for unclean gas and an outlet (22) for clean gas and an outlet (24) for separated-of f particles. A charging unit (44) ionizes the particles upstream of the rotor (14) . An electrical field is generated between adjacent surface elements (16) of the rotor in order to attract the ionized light particles towards a face of the surface elements by means of the electrostatic force. By means of the centrifugal force created by the rotor, the particles that have accumulated on the surface elements are thrown towards the inside of the casing and are led out through the outlet.