Liquid vapor separator
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Solution Overview
Problem
As compact liquid-vapor separators are miniaturized, increased fluid velocities lead to higher likelihoods of liquid carryover, degrading their effectiveness in applications like HVAC systems, where efficient vapor removal is crucial for reducing heat exchanger size and pressure drop.
Innovation Solution
A chamber design with a cylindrical body featuring multiple circular channels where the two-phase fluid flows, allowing liquid to coalesce on channel walls and drain through a specific outlet, while gas exits through another, with a configuration that includes an outer channel for gravitational flow and gap channels to guide coalescing fluid, maintaining low pressure drop and efficient separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of stationary object
If separator size is reduced to enable compact design, then weight and size of flash tanks and heat exchangers are reduced, but fluid velocities increase leading to higher likelihood of liquid carryover and degraded separation effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The separator channels are segmented into multiple parallel passages rather than a single large channel. This segmentation allows the device to maintain a compact overall size while providing sufficient flow path length for effective separation. The multiple channels distribute the fluid flow, maintaining appropriate velocities while achieving the required separation effectiveness in a reduced-size device.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from conventional horizontal or vertical separator orientations to a radial flow configuration where fluid moves through channels arranged in a circular pattern. This dimensional change allows the separator to achieve effective separation in a more compact footprint by utilizing radial space efficiently, maintaining separation effectiveness without requiring increased size.
2Volume of stationary object
If separator size is reduced, then compact design is achieved, but pressure drop increases due to higher velocities and smaller flow areas
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the flow path into multiple parallel channels, the pressure drop in each individual channel is reduced despite the compact overall size. The segmentation allows fluid to travel through shorter individual channel lengths while still achieving effective separation, thereby reducing the cumulative pressure drop across the separator.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes the geometric parameters of the channels including diameter, length, and arrangement to achieve the desired balance between compact size and acceptable pressure drop. By carefully selecting channel dimensions and configuration, the design achieves effective separation in a reduced volume while maintaining pressure drop within acceptable limits for the application.
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 enhances separation efficiency with reduced size and weight of flash tanks and heat exchangers, improved flow distribution, and effective flash gas bypass, particularly beneficial for lower pressure refrigerants.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid within the two-phase fluid coalesces on the walls of the plurality of channels as the two-phase fluid passes through the plurality of channels
Implementation Method 2
the inlet is gravitationally above the first outlet and gravitationally below the second outlet
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a separation system including: a chamber comprising: an inlet for receiving a two-phase fluid; a first outlet for draining liquid contained in the two-phase fluid; a second outlet for egress of gas contained in the two-phase fluid; a cylindrical body disposed in the chamber having a plurality of channels through which, during use, the two-phase fluid travels from the inlet to the second outlet, and wherein the liquid within the two-phase fluid coalesces on the walls of the plurality of channels as the two-phase fluid passes through the plurality of channels and the liquid drains through the first outlet.