Horizontal Gas-Liquid Separator Layout for Compact Low-Noise Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas-liquid separators are either too tall and difficult to mount, noisy, or too large in size, failing to meet the requirements for compactness and low noise in various applications.
Innovation Solution
A gas-liquid separator design featuring a housing with a separation cylinder assembly, including an outer and inner cylinder, a blocking member, and a liquid storage device, which employs centrifugal force and directional changes to enhance separation efficiency, reduce noise, and minimize size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a vertical gas-liquid separator is used, then separation is achieved through centrifugation, but the device becomes relatively high and difficult to mount
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a vertical configuration to a horizontal configuration, changing the primary dimension of separation from vertical height to horizontal length. This allows the separator to achieve centrifugal separation effectiveness while reducing mounting height requirements, making it suitable for installations with limited vertical space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an asymmetric structure with a conical bottom section and a cylindrical upper section, where the inlet is positioned at one end and outlets at the opposite end. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes flow patterns and separation efficiency while maintaining a compact horizontal footprint.
2Productivity
If a vertical gas-liquid separator is used, then separation is achieved through centrifugation, but the device produces noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a liquid seal chamber as an intermediary element between the separation chamber and the discharge system. This liquid seal acts as a dampener that absorbs and reduces noise generated during the separation process, while also preventing gas escape and maintaining separation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the kinetic energy and turbulence that would normally generate noise into useful centrifugal separation force. By designing the inlet to create controlled turbulence that drives liquid along the wall, the system transforms what would be harmful noise into beneficial separation action.
3Productivity
If a horizontal gas-liquid separator is used, then separation is achieved through a large space, but the device has a large size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where the outlet pipe is positioned within the liquid seal chamber, and the conical section is integrated within the cylindrical chamber. This nesting arrangement maximizes the use of internal space, allowing the separator to achieve effective separation volume while minimizing the overall external dimensions of the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes geometric parameters such as the cone angle, chamber diameter ratios, and inlet velocity to achieve high separation efficiency in a compact volume. By carefully selecting these parameters, the device maintains effective separation performance while reducing the overall size compared to conventional horizontal separators.
4Quantity of substance
If the liquid level is high in the housing accommodating cavity, then liquid storage capacity is increased, but agitation of the liquid by gas is enhanced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the gas-liquid mixing zone from the main liquid storage area by positioning the separation chamber at one end with outlets at the opposite end. This separation of zones prevents gas from agitating the liquid in the storage area, while the liquid seal chamber provides sufficient storage capacity without direct gas contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid seal acts as an intermediary barrier that prevents direct contact between gas and the liquid in the storage chamber. Gas passes through the liquid seal without agitating the main liquid body, thus maintaining liquid level stability and preventing unwanted agitation while still providing adequate liquid storage capacity.
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 design achieves high separation efficiency, low noise operation, and a compact size, suitable for diverse installation scenarios, including low buildings and integrated refrigerating units.
Implementation Method 1
separates the gas-liquid mixture through centrifugation
Implementation Method 2
the liquid drain downwards into a liquid phase zone of the cylindrical body
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
Provided in the present application is a gas-liquid separator. The gas-liquid separator comprises a housing and a separation cylinder assembly. The housing comprises a cylindrical housing side wall, and a first end plate and a second end plate that are located at opposite ends of the housing side wall. The housing comprises a housing inlet and an upper housing outlet, the housing inlet being provided on the first end plate, and the upper housing outlet being provided on an upper part of the housing side wall. The separation cylinder assembly is arranged in a housing accommodating cavity, and the axis of the separation cylinder assembly is arranged transversely to the axis of the cylindrical housing side wall, and the separation cylinder assembly comprises an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder arranged in the outer cylinder, with the outer cylinder being supported at the bottom of the housing side wall; and the separation cylinder assembly further comprises a separation space defined between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder and located at an upper part of the separation cylinder assembly, a lower space located at the lower part of the separation cylinder assembly and an upper outlet located at the upper part of the separation cylinder assembly, with the separation space being in communication with the housing inlet, and the upper outlet being in communication with the separation space and the housing accommodating cavity. The gas-liquid separator has advantages such as having a high separation efficiency, low noise and a small size.