Liquid Separator Diverting Element Low-Flow Region
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid separators face challenges in achieving high separation efficiencies at low pressure differentials, often resulting in residual moisture being entrained by the gas flow, particularly in applications like fuel cells and compressed air systems.
Innovation Solution
A liquid separator design featuring a diverting element that creates a low-flow region, forcing the gas-liquid mixture to divert and allowing liquid droplets to settle by gravity, preventing re-entrainment, and utilizing a fabric separator with angled fabric sections for enhanced separation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a centrifugal separator is used with tangential inlet, then liquid collects by centrifugal force, but residual moisture is entrained by the outlet line and separation efficiency is capped
Solution Approach 1:
The separator is divided into distinct functional zones: an inlet region for high-velocity gas-liquid mixture entry, a low-flow region for gravity-driven liquid separation, and an outlet region for purified gas discharge. The partition wall creates physical segmentation that forces the flow path to pass through the low-flow region, preventing direct coupling between inlet and outlet and eliminating moisture entrainment.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow velocity parameter is dramatically reduced in the low-flow region compared to the inlet region. This parameter change from high velocity to low velocity allows liquid drops to settle by gravity rather than being carried along by the gas flow, achieving effective separation without requiring high centrifugal forces.
2Reliability
If fabric sections are used for separation, then high separation efficiency is achieved, but pressure differential increases
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful function of the fabric sections that causes high pressure differential is extracted and replaced. Instead of using fabric sections that restrict flow, the patent uses a partition wall with a low-flow region that achieves separation through gravity and flow rate reduction, eliminating the pressure differential penalty while maintaining separation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical filtration mechanism of fabric sections is replaced with a gravitational settling mechanism in the low-flow region. This substitution eliminates the resistance to gas flow that fabric sections create, achieving separation without increased pressure differential.
3Volume of moving object
If the flow path is shortened for compact design, then device size is reduced, but liquid droplets are re-entrained by gas flow
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall creates a preliminary anti-action by blocking the direct flow path between inlet and outlet. This forces the gas-liquid mixture to pass through the low-flow region where liquid drops are removed by gravity before the gas can reach the outlet, preventing re-entrainment even in a compact configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall introduces a vertical dimension to the flow path, forcing the gas to move upward through the low-flow region rather than flowing horizontally in a straight line. This dimensional change allows adequate separation distance to be achieved within a compact overall device volume.
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 achieves high liquid separation efficiency at low pressure differentials by reducing gas flow rate and ensuring liquid droplets are collected effectively, reducing residual moisture entrainment and maintaining a compact design.
Implementation Method 1
liquid drops in the liquid separator pass downwards due to gravity
Implementation Method 2
a gas-liquid mixture is introduced tangentially into the separator via an inlet line, wherein liquid collects by centrifugal force influences on the inner wall of the separator
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid separator (10) for separating liquid from a gas-liquid mixture has a housing (12), an inlet (14), an outlet (16), a flow path (18) connecting the inlet (14) to the outlet (16), and a separation device (20), arranged in the flow path (18), for liquid separation, wherein a diverting element (22) is arranged adjacent to the separation device (20). Said diverting element separates an inlet region (24) of the housing (12), into which the inlet (14) opens, and an outlet region (26) of the housing (12), from which the outlet (16) opens, from one another, wherein the flow path (18) extends from the inlet region (24) via a low-flow region (46) into the outlet region (26).