Curved Guide Plate Stabilization for Centrifugal Separator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Centrifugal separators face issues with flow resistance, material fatigue, and production costs due to existing guide device designs, which affect the separation efficiency and robustness, especially when handling abrasive particles and turbulent flows.

Innovation Solution

A guide device with curved guide plates and flow guides attached to the leading edge, which protrude into the flow path, stabilizing the inflow and reducing friction, and optionally incorporating flow guide vanes and calming means to enhance flow stability and separation performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the guide device is open at the front in the axial direction to improve flow behavior and avoid pressure losses, then the flow resistance is reduced, but the guide plates can oscillate freely without stabilization measures leading to material fatigue

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure lossVSAvoidmaterial fatigue
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide device is divided into a guide device proper and a separate closure element that can be attached to the front opening. This segmentation allows the guide device to remain open for optimal flow while the closure element provides stabilization when needed, resolving the contradiction between open design for low pressure loss and closed design for structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The closure element is designed to be attachable and detachable, allowing the system to dynamically switch between open and closed configurations. This dynamic capability enables optimization of both flow behavior (open) and structural stability (closed) depending on operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If a closing plate or base plate is fastened to the flow end to prevent flow medium from entering, then the guide plates are stabilized, but the end plate prevents an undisturbed flow against the guide device and an inflow in the form of a spiral flow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguide plate stabilityVSAvoidseparation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The closure element is segmented with openings that allow the flow medium to pass through while still providing stabilization. This segmentation enables the closure element to fulfill both functions: stabilizing the guide plates and allowing undisturbed spiral flow for efficient separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The closure element provides localized stabilization only where needed (at the front opening) while maintaining open flow paths elsewhere. This local quality approach ensures guide plate stability without compromising the overall flow behavior and separation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of energy

If the guide plates have increasing radii in the outflow direction to streamline the medium transfer, then the energy loss is reduced, but the guide plates are exposed to dynamic loads and thermal deformations causing oscillation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy lossVSAvoidflow behavior stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The closure element attached to the front opening provides preliminary stabilization that prevents oscillations before they can develop. This preliminary anti-action counteracts the destabilizing effects of dynamic loads and thermal deformations, maintaining flow behavior stability while preserving the energy-efficient geometry of the guide plates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 improves flow behavior, reduces pressure loss, increases separation efficiency, and enhances the robustness and cost-effectiveness of the guide device, allowing for efficient separation of particles with reduced material usage and maintenance needs.

Implementation Method 1

separating solid or liquid particles contained in a gaseous or liquid flow medium under the action of centrifugal forces

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

The flow medium, which is set in rotation, experiences not only a radial but also an axial acceleration in the guide device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadial acceleration:

Implementation Method 3

The flow medium, which is set in rotation, experiences not only a radial but also an axial acceleration in the guide device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAxial acceleration:

Data Source

PatentEP3184176B1Guiding device of a separating device
Publication Date: 2018.09.19 A TEC HOLDING GMBH
  • EP3184176B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3184176B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3184176B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a guide device (10) of a separation device (1), in particular a centrifugal separator, for separating solid or liquid particles contained in a gaseous or liquid flow medium (100) under the influence of centrifugal forces, wherein the guide device (10) comprises at least one inlet opening (15) and at least one outlet opening (25) for the flow medium (100), wherein in the direction of flow (110) of the flow medium (100) the inlet opening (15) and outlet opening (25) are arranged successively along at least one flow path (120), and wherein the guide device (10) further comprises at least one curved guide plate (30), the distance of which from a longitudinal axis (11) of the guide device (10) from the at least one inlet opening (15) decreases in the direction of flow (110) of the flow medium (100).From a leading edge (35) of the guide plate (30) in the direction of flow (110) at least one flow guide (40) is attached to the at least one guide plate (30) offset by an axial distance (h), which flow guide (40) projects into the at least one flow path (120).