Inertial Air Filtration Reducer Vortex Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inlet filtration systems in air-ingesting machines, such as gas turbines, face challenges in efficiently removing undesirable particles while minimizing pressure drop, which affects efficiency and power output due to their inherent resistance and size requirements.
Innovation Solution
An inertial filtration system comprising a tube with a swirler generating a vortex, a separation region, a central region, a reducer increasing angular momentum, and an expander recovering pressure loss, effectively separates particles from the airstream by centrifugal force, reducing pressure drop and increasing filtration efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If inlet filtration systems use larger system components to accommodate given volume flow rate at lower velocities, then particle removal capability is improved, but system size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the flow velocity parameter by using a diverging section to reduce velocity and increase residence time, allowing particles to separate from the airstream. This enables effective filtration in a more compact size by optimizing the velocity parameter rather than simply increasing component size
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs curved streamlines through the diverging section and swirler design to create centrifugal forces that separate particles from the airstream. The curved flow path enables particle removal without requiring large linear dimensions, reducing overall system size while maintaining filtration effectiveness
2Reliability
If inlet filtration systems add resistance to the airstream entering the compressor, then particle separation is improved, but pressure drop increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of flow resistance into a beneficial separation mechanism. The diverging section creates controlled flow expansion that generates centrifugal forces for particle separation, transforming what would be energy loss into useful particle removal without excessive pressure drop
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the flow into different regions: a central core for clean airstream and an outer region for particle separation. This segmentation allows the filtered air to proceed to the compressor while separated particles are removed, achieving particle separation with minimal impact on overall pressure drop
3Power
If inlet filtration systems are designed for higher volumetric flow rates, then power output potential is improved, but system component size must increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the flow velocity and residence time parameters within the diverging section to maximize particle separation efficiency for high volumetric flow rates. By controlling these parameters, the system can handle higher flow rates (enabling greater power output) without proportionally increasing component size
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 system achieves high filtration efficiency with reduced pressure drop, allowing for a smaller system design and increased power output by effectively separating particles based on density, thereby enhancing the performance of air-ingesting machines.
Implementation Method 1
a swirler configured for generating a vortex on the airstream entering the tube
Implementation Method 2
as the airstream flows through the tube, particles separate from the airstream
Implementation Method 3
a reducer configured for increasing angular momentum associated with the airstream
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide an inertial filtration system for air-ingesting machines. The inertial filter 100 may comprise a reducer 133 downstream of a vortex generator. The reducer 133 decreases the area that the airstream flows through, which may increase the angular momentum and the centrifugal forces acting on the particles of the ingested airstream. This may increase the cleaning performance and a decrease in the pressure drop across the inertial filter 100. Generally, the inertial filter functions such that flow components of higher density are separated from the rest of the airstream. The higher density flow components are bled out of the inertial filter 100 via an outlet 135. The remaining flow components flow downstream to compressor section 535.