Magnetic Bearing Axial Pump for Separating Solids and Liquids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices fail to efficiently separate particulate solids, liquids, and gases from liquids without a pressure drop and with a small footprint, which is crucial for industries like petroleum and manufacturing, as they often require costly and time-consuming re-transportation and refinement of contaminated fuels.
Innovation Solution
An axial flow pump with magnetic bearings and a rotatable impeller mechanism that generates high centrifugal force through swirling action, allowing for adjustable separation of fluids and solids, and a discharge manifold for efficient separation and collection of immiscible fluids and solids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional centrifugal separators are used to separate immiscible fluids and solids, then separation function is provided, but significant pressure drop occurs and device footprint is large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical centrifugal separation with a magnetic field-based separation system. Magnetic bearings create rotational motion and centrifugal force without mechanical contact, eliminating the need for traditional mechanical separators that cause pressure drop. The magnetic field directly acts on paramagnetic particles to achieve separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the separation mechanism from mechanical centrifugal force to magnetic field interaction. By utilizing the paramagnetic properties of certain particles and applying controlled magnetic fields, the system achieves separation based on magnetic susceptibility differences rather than density differences alone, reducing energy loss.
2Reliability
If conventional centrifugal separators are used to separate immiscible fluids and solids, then separation function is provided, but device footprint is large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces bulky mechanical centrifugal separators with a compact magnetic field-based system. The magnetic bearings and magnetic field generation components occupy significantly less space than traditional mechanical separators while achieving comparable or superior separation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic bearing system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides rotational support, generates centrifugal force for separation, and creates the magnetic field for particle manipulation. This multi-functionality reduces the overall device footprint compared to dedicated mechanical separators.
3Speed
If magnetic bearings are used to support the impeller, then rotational speed increases and mechanical wear reduces, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact bearings with magnetic bearings that use magnetic fields for contactless support. This substitution enables higher rotational speeds without mechanical wear while the integrated magnetic field generation reduces overall system complexity despite the advanced bearing technology.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the bearing operation mode from mechanical contact to magnetic field interaction. This parameter change enables speeds exceeding 10,000 RPM without the wear and tear limitations of conventional bearings, and the magnetic field can be precisely controlled through electrical parameters.
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 solution enables efficient separation of immiscible fluids and solids with reduced mechanical wear, increased rotational speeds, and minimal pressure loss, enhancing separation efficiency and extending apparatus lifespan, while reducing maintenance costs and preventing contamination.
Implementation Method 1
employing a rotatable impeller mechanism to generate high centrifugal force through swirling action
Implementation Method 2
causing the fluid having the lighter specific gravity to migrate to the center of the rotating mass, and the fluid having the heavier specific gravity to migrate to the perimeter
Implementation Method 3
employing magnetic bearings to support the impeller mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
An axial flow-type pump apparatus with magnetic bearings for separating immiscible flowable materials having different specific gravities and a discharge manifold connected to the fluid pump for drawing off the flowable separated materials with greatly improved efficiency, and pump and apparatus longevity.