Flow Spreader Filtration Layout for Lower Pressure Drop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid filter systems experience significant pressure drop due to uneven fluid distribution, leading to increased energy consumption and mechanical wear, as fluid flow is directed towards a single point of contact with the filter element.
Innovation Solution
A flow spreader is arranged at the upper end of the filter element to receive and distribute liquid flow evenly around the filter element, reducing pressure drop by providing an annular flow through an annular gap between the filter wall and the chamber lateral wall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If liquid flow is directed towards the side of the filter element from the inlet, then filtration is achieved, but pressure drop increases and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the single-point liquid flow into multiple flow paths by introducing a flow distributor with multiple outlets. This distributes the liquid flow across different sections of the filter element, preventing concentration of pressure at one location and reducing overall pressure drop while maintaining filtration effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow distributor creates locally optimized flow conditions by directing liquid to specific regions of the filter element. This ensures more uniform pressure distribution across the filter surface, reducing the high-pressure zones that cause excessive pressure drop and energy consumption.
2Reliability
If liquid flow is directed towards a single point of contact with the filter element, then filtration is achieved, but mechanical wear on the filter and attachments increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow is segmented into multiple streams that contact different portions of the filter element simultaneously. This distributes the mechanical stress and wear across multiple attachment points and filter regions, preventing excessive wear at the single contact point while maintaining effective filtration.
3Loss of energy
If pressure of liquid flow against the filter is higher at the initial point of contact, then filtration occurs, but pressure drop of liquid passing through the filter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow distributor creates locally optimized flow conditions at multiple points across the filter element. This ensures more uniform pressure distribution across the filter surface, preventing the concentration of high pressure at the initial contact point while maintaining effective filtration across the entire filter area.
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 configuration achieves a 40% reduction in pressure drop compared to traditional systems, leading to reduced energy consumption and increased reliability of the filter output.
Implementation Method 1
a flow spreader having an inclined surface forming an apex, the flow spreader arranged at the upper end of the filter element to receive a columnar liquid flow from the inlet of the chamber at the apex of the inclined surface and to provide an annular liquid flow past the upper end of the filter element into an annular gap between the filter wall of the filter element and the lateral wall of the chamber
Data Source
AI summary
Liquid filter systems, flow spreaders and filter elements for improving flow are provided. A liquid filter system can comprise: a chamber having an inlet at its upper end and an outlet at its lower end; a filter element having a hollow interior volume, the filter element arranged in the chamber to filter the liquid flow by passage into the low interior volume to the chamber outlet; and a flow spreader having an inclined surface forming an apex, the flow spreader arranged at the upper end of the filter element to receive a columnar liquid flow from the inlet of the chamber at the apex of the inclined surface and to provide an annular liquid flow past the upper end of the filter element into an annular gap between the filter wall of the filter element and the lateral wall of the chamber.