Gas-Liquid Separator Deflector Panel Inertia Separation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas-liquid separation technologies, such as cyclone and impact separators, face inefficiencies in separating carbon dioxide and co-solvents like methanol in supercritical fluid chromatography, leading to sub-optimal separation rates and high operational costs due to the need for pressurized environments and large vessel sizes, which hinder automated fractionation and increase cross-contamination risks.
Innovation Solution
A gas-liquid separator with a chamber design featuring a deflector panel that narrows the flow channel, inducing increased axial flow velocity and separating gaseous and liquid components through inertia-based separation, allowing for efficient collection at atmospheric pressure and minimizing cross-contamination, while enabling large-scale automated fractionation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If cyclone-type separators are used for gas-liquid separation, then separation of CO2 and solvent can be achieved, but the separation rate becomes sub-optimal when aerosol composition varies from 10% to 60% methanol fraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the separation mechanism from cyclone-based (dependent on composition) to impact-based with a deflector plate, operating at atmospheric pressure. This parameter change allows the system to handle varying methanol fractions (10-60%) effectively while maintaining high separation rates, as the impact separation mechanism is less sensitive to composition variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the cyclone-type mechanical separation system with an impact separation system using a deflector plate. This substitution enables more consistent performance across varying aerosol compositions by relying on direct impact forces rather than cyclonic flow patterns that are highly sensitive to composition changes.
2Extent of automation
If impact separators are operated at atmospheric pressure, then large scaled automated fractionation can be realized, but the rate of separation is not as good as with impact separators operating at pressurized environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the deflector plate geometry and chamber dimensions to achieve effective separation at atmospheric pressure. By carefully selecting the deflector angle, plate position, and chamber volume, the system compensates for the lower density and momentum of gases at atmospheric pressure, maintaining high separation rates while enabling automated fractionation collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension to the separation process by using a tilted deflector plate that directs the liquid phase downward into collection vessels. This dimensional approach allows gravity to assist the separation process at atmospheric pressure, compensating for the reduced inertial forces and achieving both high separation rates and automated collection capability.
3Volume of stationary object
If pressurized environment is used for separation, then smaller vessel size can be achieved, but only limited amount of test tubes can be automatically processed and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent operates the impact separator at atmospheric pressure rather than pressurized conditions. This parameter change increases the volume required for effective separation but enables the use of multiple large collection vessels that can be automatically processed. The system trades compactness for scalability in automated fractionation, allowing many more test tubes to be processed simultaneously.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If large vessel size is used for separation, then cross contamination may occur, but self-cleaning effects are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the collection system into multiple separate collection vessels or test tubes positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows each vessel to be processed and cleaned independently, reducing cross-contamination risk. The aerosol flow pattern ensures that each collection point receives relatively pure deposits, and vessels can be automatically exchanged or cleaned without affecting the entire 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
The solution achieves separation rates above 98% for CO2 and 97-99% for methanol, reducing operational costs and complexity by allowing efficient separation and collection of varying CO2-methanol mixtures with minimal space requirements and low cross-contamination, facilitating automated fractionation in SFC applications.
Implementation Method 1
separating gaseous and liquid components through inertia-based separation
Implementation Method 2
Gas-liquid mixtures can be generally separated into a gaseous and into a liquid component by making use of inertia separators which operate according to the cyclone principle
Implementation Method 3
CO2 abruptly expands and forms an aerosol with the additional solvent
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a gas-liquid separator, comprising: - a chamber (12) extending in an axial direction (z) and having at least a flow chamber portion (62) extending into a collecting chamber portion (64), - a deflector (16; 160; 170) arranged in the flow chamber portion (62), the deflector (16; 160; 170) having a deflector panel (17; 161; 171) extending radially outwardly (r) and in axial direction (z) to form a narrowing flow channel (15) between the deflector (16; 160; 170) and a side wall (14) of the chamber (12), wherein the deflector panel (17; 161; 171) has a free edge (20; 169; 179), - at least one gas outlet (36) shielded by the deflector panel (17; 161; 171) and being arranged axially offset from the free edge (20; 169; 179).