Grease Separator Floating Arm Self-Cleaning Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grease separators face inefficiencies and clogging issues due to fluctuating wastewater flow rates, leading to reduced separation efficiency and potential grease accumulation, especially during high flow rates in kitchen environments.
Innovation Solution
The immiscible liquids separation apparatus features a dual-chamber design with a vertical low-density liquid gap and a floating-ball valve system, allowing for efficient separation of grease and water across varying flow rates, including high flow conditions, and includes a coalescent filter for enhanced droplet agglomeration and a removable design for maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional grease separator is used, then grease separation occurs due to density difference, but the separator becomes prone to failure and clogging when not adequately maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The separator automatically removes accumulated grease using a floating arm mechanism that activates when grease reaches a certain level. The system self-cleans by pumping grease out through a discharge pump, eliminating the need for manual intervention and maintaining reliable operation without regular maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The manual maintenance process is replaced with an automated mechanical system consisting of a floating arm, pump, and control mechanism. This substitution transforms a system requiring human intervention into one that autonomously manages grease removal, improving reliability while reducing maintenance burden
2Ease of operation
If the grease separator is placed directly below the sink, then installation is convenient, but the fluctuating waste water flow rate reduces separation efficiency during high flow conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The separator pre-treats wastewater by removing gross solids and debris before the water enters the main separation chamber. This preliminary filtration action prepares the water for more effective grease separation even during high flow conditions, maintaining separation efficiency while keeping the unit compact for convenient installation
Solution Approach 2:
The separator is divided into multiple functional chambers: a pre-treatment chamber for solids removal, a main separation chamber for grease-water separation, and a grease storage chamber. This segmentation allows each section to handle specific tasks efficiently, maintaining overall separation performance in varying flow conditions
3Reliability
If a flow rate damper is installed to reduce maximum flow rate, then separation efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a floating arm that automatically rises with grease accumulation to activate the discharge pump when grease reaches a predetermined level. This self-regulating mechanism controls grease removal without requiring external flow rate dampers or complex control systems, maintaining separation efficiency while minimizing device complexity
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 solution ensures consistent and efficient separation of grease and water across a wide range of flow rates, reducing clogging and maintenance needs, and maintains high separation efficiency even during peak kitchen operations.
Implementation Method 1
a coalescent filter to promote agglomeration of droplets
Implementation Method 2
a floating-ball valve system
Implementation Method 3
The gravity grease separation occurs owing to a difference in specific gravity between FOG and water
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
An immiscible liquids separation apparatus (50) comprising: a vessel comprising a first separation chamber (66) and second separation chamber (72) being in first fluid communication with the first separation chamber (66), the first separation chamber (66) being situated above the second separation chamber (72); an inlet (52) arranged at the first separation chamber (66) to allow a liquid to flow into the vessel; a low-density liquid outlet (78) arranged on the second separation chamber (72) to allow low-density liquid separated from the liquid to be removed therefrom; and a high-density liquid outlet (60) arranged at the vessel to allow high-density liquid separated from the liquid to flow out of the vessel, and a corresponding method.