Gas-Liquid Separator Centrifugal Impeller Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas-liquid separators face challenges in achieving advanced defoaming or degassing performance without excessive agitation, shear, or property changes of the pumped liquid, and they often have insufficient cleanability and durability, especially when handling food materials or ultra-pure liquids, leading to issues with clogging and complex cleaning processes.

Innovation Solution

A gas-liquid separator design featuring a centrifugal separation mechanism with a separation impeller and discharge impeller parts, a suction inlet positioned inwardly from the casing's inner peripheral wall, and baffle members to prevent liquid penetration into the exhaust outlet, allowing for gentle separation and easy cleaning, while using a powerful vacuum device for efficient gas-liquid separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a powerful vacuum device is installed to achieve advanced defoaming or degassing performance, then gas removal capability is improved, but liquid penetration into the vacuum device occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas removal capabilityVSAvoidliquid penetration prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The impeller is divided into two functional parts: a separation impeller part for gas-liquid separation and a discharge impeller part for liquid discharge. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally, preventing liquid from reaching the vacuum device while maintaining high gas removal capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The separation impeller part acts as an intermediary between the liquid flow and the vacuum device. It creates a centrifugal field that separates gas from liquid, allowing gas to be drawn out while the liquid is directed toward the discharge outlet, thus protecting the vacuum device from liquid intrusion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If centrifugal force is used for gas-liquid separation, then separation performance is improved, but excessive agitation, fracture, shear, or property change of the pumped liquid occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas-liquid separation performanceVSAvoidexcessive agitation and shear

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the impeller are designed with different functional characteristics. The separation impeller part has a configuration optimized for gentle gas-liquid separation, while the discharge impeller part is optimized for liquid discharge. This local differentiation allows effective separation without excessive agitation or shear in the liquid

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The impeller design creates dynamic flow patterns that adapt to the gas-liquid mixture. The centrifugal force generated is sufficient for separation but distributed in a way that avoids excessive localized agitation, preventing property changes in the pumped liquid

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the structure is made complicated to improve gas-liquid separation performance, then separation capability is improved, but cleanability and ease of disassembly deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas-liquid separation capabilityVSAvoidcleanability and disassembly

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The impeller is segmented into functionally distinct parts (separation impeller part and discharge impeller part) that can be manufactured as an integrated unit but designed with cleanable surfaces and configurations. This segmentation maintains separation performance while ensuring that liquid contact surfaces are accessible for CIP cleaning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The discharge impeller part is designed to provide discharge force that helps move liquid through the system, reducing the need for additional complex components. The design allows the system to maintain itself with minimal intervention, and the impeller structure facilitates easy disassembly for maintenance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 enables advanced gas-liquid separation with reduced stress on the pumped liquid, facilitates easy CIP and disassembly cleaning, and supports various liquid types, including food materials, while preventing liquid intrusion into the vacuum device and ensuring durable operation.

Implementation Method 1

gas-liquid separation performed by centrifugal force of an impeller mounted on a shaft which rotates in a casing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

a vacuum device is connected to the exhaust outlet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum suction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS10675560B2Gas-liquid separator

Publication Date: 2020.06.09 YOKOTA SEISAKUSHO

AI summary

A gas-liquid separator with enhanced performance and easy operation, capable of performing gas-liquid separation, such as advanced defoaming or degassing, and with a structural arrangement that facilitates easy CIP cleaning and disassembly cleaning, allowing to meet sanitary specifications. The gas-liquid separator for gas-liquid separation performed by centrifugal force includes an impeller, a suction inlet, a discharge outlet, an exhaust outlet, a separation impeller part, a discharge impeller part, and a vacuum device.