Hydroclone Vortex Flow Barrier for Membrane Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydroclone systems, which combine cyclonic separation and cross-flow filtration, face limitations in separation efficiency and membrane wear due to high solids content in feed fluids, particularly in applications like wastewater treatment.
Innovation Solution
The hydroclone design incorporates a vortex chamber with a filter assembly and a vortex flow barrier to maintain vortex flow while reducing rotational velocity in the effluent separation chamber, along with a cleaning assembly and inlet flow shield to protect the membrane, and a recirculation loop with separate pumps for improved efficiency and reduced wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a filter assembly is included within the hydroclone chamber to improve separation efficiency, then separation efficiency is improved, but membrane wear increases due to high solids content in feed fluids
Solution Approach 1:
The hydroclone is divided into distinct functional chambers: a vortex chamber for high-speed separation and an effluent separation chamber for lower-speed filtration. This segmentation allows the filter assembly to operate in a protected environment with reduced solids exposure, decreasing membrane wear while maintaining separation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
A vortex flow barrier is introduced as an intermediary element between the vortex chamber and effluent separation chamber. This barrier disrupts the vortex flow, reducing rotational velocity and solids content before fluid reaches the filter assembly, thereby protecting the membrane from high-speed particle impact while still enabling effective filtration.
2Device complexity
If a single chamber design is used to simplify the device structure, then device complexity is reduced, but separation efficiency is limited due to inability to optimize different flow conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into multiple chambers (vortex chamber and effluent separation chamber), each optimized for specific separation functions. This allows different flow conditions to be maintained in different zones, improving overall separation efficiency while keeping each chamber relatively simple in design.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-chamber design enables the hydroclone to perform multiple separation functions simultaneously: high-speed cyclonic separation in the vortex chamber and low-speed filtration in the effluent separation chamber. This multi-functionality enhances separation efficiency without requiring complex external systems.
3Productivity
If high rotational velocity is maintained throughout the entire chamber to improve vortex separation, then vortex separation efficiency is improved, but particle deposition on membranes increases due to centrifugal forces
Solution Approach 1:
The chamber is segmented into a vortex chamber where high rotational velocity is maintained for efficient separation, and an effluent separation chamber where rotational velocity is reduced. This prevents excessive centrifugal forces from acting on the filter membrane, reducing particle deposition while maintaining separation productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The vortex flow barrier acts as an intermediary that transitions the flow from high-velocity vortex conditions to low-velocity filtration conditions. It disrupts the vortex and reduces rotational velocity before fluid enters the effluent separation chamber, preventing particle deposition on membranes while preserving vortex separation efficiency.
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 design enhances separation efficiency, reduces membrane wear, and allows for broader application in fluid treatment processes, including wastewater and industrial effluent treatment, by maintaining vortex flow and optimizing fluid flow paths for effective particle separation and recycling.
Implementation Method 1
a vortex flow barrier located between the vortex chamber and effluent separation chamber which is adapted to maintain vortex fluid flow in the vortex chamber, disrupt the vortex as fluid flows between chambers and allow a reduced rotational velocity fluid flow within the effluent separation chamber
Implementation Method 2
A filter assembly is located within the vortex chamber and encloses a filtrate chamber. A fluid treatment pathway extends from the fluid inlet and about the filter assembly
Implementation Method 3
Centrifugal forces associated with the vortex urge denser particles towards the periphery of the chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A hydroclone (10) including a tank (12) having a fluid inlet (14), a filtered fluid outlet (16), an effluent outlet (18), a process fluid outlet (20) and an inner peripheral wall (22) positioned about an axis (X) and enclosing a plurality of aligned chambers including: i) a vortex chamber (24) in fluid communication with the fluid inlet (14), a filter assembly (26) located within the vortex chamber (24) and enclosing a filtrate chamber (46), a fluid pathway (28) extending from the fluid inlet (14) and about the filter assembly (26) which is adapted to generate a vortex fluid flow about the filter assembly (26), wherein the filtrate chamber (46) is in fluid communication with the filtered fluid outlet (16) such that fluid passing through the filter assembly (26) enters the filtrate chamber (46) and may exit the tank (12) by way of the filtered fluid outlet (16), and ii) an effluent separation chamber (30) in fluid communication with the vortex chamber (24) and which is adapted for receiving unfiltered fluid therefrom, wherein the effluent separation chamber (30) is in fluid communication with the process fluid outlet (20) and an effluent outlet (18); wherein the hydroclone (10) further includes a vortex flow baffler (34) located between the vortex and effluent separation chambers (24, 30) which is adapted to disrupts vortex fluid flow as fluid flows from the vortex chamber (24) to the effluent separation chamber (30).