Fluid Inlet Device for Gas-Liquid Separators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas-liquid separation inlet devices face challenges in handling high liquid loads, with vane-based devices having low separation efficiency and cyclonic devices causing foam formation, liquid re-entrainment, and gas carryover, especially in scrubber applications where low liquid content is critical.
Innovation Solution
A fluid inlet device with a cyclonic separation section and guiding vanes that utilize centrifugal force for bulk liquid separation, capturing and draining liquid films, and directing gas flow to minimize gas impact on the liquid surface, featuring pocketed vanes and an anti-re-entrainment plate to enhance separation efficiency and prevent liquid re-entrainment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If cyclonic inlet devices are used to handle high liquid loads, then liquid handling capacity is improved, but gas velocities on the liquid surface increase causing foam formation, liquid re-entrainment and gas carryover
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet device is divided into multiple functional sections: a cyclonic separation section for bulk liquid removal and an upper guiding vane section for droplet separation. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function optimally - the cyclonic section handles high liquid loads while the guiding vanes control gas flow to prevent re-entrainment, thus resolving the contradiction between liquid handling capacity and harmful gas effects
Solution Approach 2:
The upper part with multiple guiding vanes acts as an intermediary between the cyclonic separation section and the separator body. It mediates the gas flow by directing it tangentially and controlling its velocity, preventing direct high-velocity gas impact on the liquid surface while maintaining effective liquid separation, thereby eliminating foam formation and gas carryover
2Device complexity
If vane-based inlet devices are used, then device simplicity is improved, but separation efficiency deteriorates for high liquid loads
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges two proven separation principles - cyclonic separation and vane-based separation - into a single integrated inlet device. The lower cyclonic section provides robust liquid handling capability while the upper guiding vane section ensures efficient droplet separation. This combination maintains relative structural simplicity while achieving high separation efficiency for both gas and liquid phases, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and separation efficiency
3Productivity
If gas flow velocity is increased to handle higher flow rates, then productivity is improved, but liquid re-entrainment and gas carryover increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding vanes are designed to dynamically control gas flow direction and velocity distribution. As flow rates increase, the vanes redirect the gas flow tangentially through multiple outlets, distributing the kinetic energy and preventing localized high-velocity impact on the liquid surface. This dynamic flow control allows higher overall flow rates while maintaining low liquid re-entrainment and gas carryover
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 device effectively handles higher flow rates and liquid loads, improving gas-liquid separation efficiency by minimizing foam formation and liquid re-entrainment, ensuring reliable operation in scrubber applications upstream of compressors.
Implementation Method 1
The multiple guiding vanes are arranged and curved such that a liquid phase of a fluid flow entering the upper part of the fluid inlet device will coalesce on the inner surface of the guiding vanes due to centrifugal force
Implementation Method 2
Each of the multiple guiding vanes comprises a pocket arranged to capture a liquid film migrating along the guiding vane during use
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4(A-A)~5(B-B)
AI summary
The present invention provides a fluid inlet device (1) for a separator, comprising a lower part (2) and an upper part (3), wherein the lower part (2) comprises an inner wall surface (4) having a horizontal cross-section comprising a circular arc, a top section (5) comprising a fluid outlet (6), a bottom section (7) comprising a liquid outlet (8), and a tangential fluid inlet (9) for introduction of a fluid flow to the inner wall surface (4); the upper part (3) comprises multiple guiding vanes (10) arranged to guide a fluid flow, entering the upper part through the fluid outlet (6), in a horizontal direction away from the fluid outlet.