Hourglass Double Cone Liquid Refiner with Helical Inclined Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid separators are inefficient and costly, often relying on active features, chemical reactions, or gravity, which fail to achieve a high level of separation effectively in industrial processes such as wastewater treatment and oil refining.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing an hourglass double cone structure with inclined plates that direct a liquid stream to separate heavy and light wastes based on specific gravity, creating a laminar flow condition without moving parts or flocculants, allowing for efficient collection of both components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional separators use active features, chemical reactions, or filters, then separation capability is improved, but device complexity and operational cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes active features, chemical reactions, and filter media from the separation system, relying exclusively on passive gravity-based mechanisms. The separator extracts only the essential gravitational field and geometric configuration (inclined plates at specific angles) to achieve separation without complex operational components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates equipotential flow conditions by designing the liquid stream to flow parallel to the inclined plates at controlled velocities. This equipotential approach ensures that liquid and solids move together without turbulence or mixing, maximizing separation efficiency through gravity alone while maintaining simple device architecture.
2Device complexity
If conventional gravity separators are used, then device complexity is reduced, but separation efficiency and speed deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces inclined plates positioned at specific angles (e.g., 30-60 degrees) relative to the horizontal, adding a dimensional element to the gravity separation process. This angular configuration creates optimized flow paths that enhance separation speed and efficiency while maintaining passive gravity-based operation without complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes critical parameters including plate inclination angles, liquid stream velocity, and chamber geometry to maximize separation efficiency. By carefully controlling these parameters, the system achieves high productivity through gravity alone, eliminating the need for complex active features while maintaining superior separation performance.
3Reliability
If conventional separators achieve high separation levels, then separation completeness is improved, but operational cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a self-service separation system where the liquid stream itself provides the separating force through its gravitational flow. The system requires no external energy input, chemical additives, or active control mechanisms—the liquid's own weight and the inclined plate geometry automatically achieve complete separation of solids and liquids.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains equipotential flow conditions throughout the separation chamber, ensuring that liquid and suspended solids move together at the same velocity parallel to the inclined plates. This eliminates turbulence and mixing, achieving complete separation through passive gravity-based mechanisms that are simple to operate and maintain.
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 provides a faster, more complete, and efficient separation of liquid streams, improving the ease and effectiveness of removing contaminants, reducing operational complexity and costs compared to conventional methods.
Implementation Method 1
The first flow chamber is shaped to direct the liquid stream gravitationally downward in a first direction at a first velocity
Implementation Method 2
The geometry of the inclined plate region directs the liquid carrier upwards in a second direction opposite the first direction at a second velocity less than the first velocity forming a laminar flow condition in the liquid stream to separate the heavy waste
Implementation Method 3
The inclined plates having a geometry radiating outward from the hourglass double cone structure in a helical pattern
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments disclosed herein relate to an apparatus for refining a liquid stream. The apparatus includes a first flow chamber, an inclined plate region, and a second flow chamber. The first flow chamber forms a first portion of an hourglass double cone structure and directs the liquid stream in a first direction at a first velocity. The inclined plate region includes inclined plates radiating outward from the hourglass double cone structure in a helical pattern. The inclined plate region directs the liquid carrier in a second direction opposite the first direction at a second velocity less than the first velocity forming a laminar flow condition in the liquid stream to separate heavy waste and light waste from the liquid stream. The second flow chamber forms a second portion of the hourglass double cone structure and directs the liquid stream to a liquid stream outlet.