Gas-liquid phase separator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional gas-liquid separators are ineffective in environments without gravitational forces, such as microgravity, or those subject to interference like motion on vehicles or aircraft, as they rely on gravity to separate phases.

Innovation Solution

A gas-liquid separator featuring a fluid guide member with an elongated spiral conduit and a coalescing medium on its exterior surface, utilizing centrifugal force and radial channels to separate gas and liquid phases, allowing effective separation without reliance on gravity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional gas-liquid separators utilize a coalescing medium oriented for gravitational separation, then liquid droplets can migrate downward to a collection point under gravity, but the separator becomes ineffective in microgravity environments or environments with interfered gravitational forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the separation mechanism from gravity-based to centrifugal force-based by rotating the coalescing medium at high speed. This parameter change in the separating force enables the separator to function effectively in microgravity environments where gravitational forces are absent or interfered with, while maintaining reliability in terrestrial applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the passive gravitational separation mechanism with an active centrifugal separation system. By substituting the mechanical principle from gravity-driven downward migration to centrifugal force-driven radial migration, the separator achieves versatility across different gravitational environments including space applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If the coalescing medium is oriented for gravitational separation, then liquid accumulates and droplets grow until gravity causes them to migrate downward, but this mechanism fails when gravitational forces are not available or are subject to interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidoperational environment range

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operational parameter from gravity-dependent to rotation-speed-dependent separation. By controlling the rotation speed of the coalescing medium, the separator can maintain high productivity across a wide range of operational environments, from terrestrial to microgravity conditions, expanding the operational environment range significantly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If a coalescing medium is used to separate gas and liquid phases, then liquid becomes engaged with the medium and droplets grow until gravity causes them to migrate downward, but the separator is not effective in microgravity or motion environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephase separation capabilityVSAvoidenvironmental condition range

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter driving phase separation from gravitational acceleration to centrifugal acceleration. This allows the separator to maintain reliable phase separation capability across diverse environmental conditions, including microgravity, by controlling the rotation speed to generate sufficient centrifugal force regardless of gravitational conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the gravity-based mechanical separation system with a centrifugal force-based system. By replacing the passive gravitational field dependency with an active rotation-generated centrifugal field, the separator achieves adaptability to a broader range of environmental conditions while maintaining separation reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 phase separation in various environments, including microgravity, by using centrifugal force to direct liquid radially outward and separate phases effectively, even in conditions where gravitational forces are absent or disrupted.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing centrifugal force and radial channels to separate gas and liquid phases, allowing effective separation without reliance on gravity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

as liquid accumulates on the coalescing medium, liquid droplets become larger until their mass becomes sufficiently high that the force of gravity acting on the droplets causes them to migrate downward

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCoalescence: Coagulation

Data Source

PatentUS10612824B2Gas-liquid phase separator

Publication Date: 2020.04.07 HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORP

AI summary

A device for separating gas and liquid from a mixture of gas and liquid phases includes a fluid guide member comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet connected by a conduit configured as an elongated spiral disposed about an axis. A liquid coalescing medium is disposed on an exterior surface of the fluid guide radially outward from the elongated spiral conduit with respect to the axis. The separator also includes a plurality of radial channels providing radial flow paths for fluid from the elongated spiral conduit to the coalescing medium.