Multi-chambered Hydroclone with Vertical Segmentation and Flow Barriers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydroclone designs for fluid separation, while improved by combining cyclonic separation with cross-flow filtration, still lack efficiency in separating suspended particles from liquids, particularly in applications like wastewater treatment and oil-water mixtures.
Innovation Solution
The hydroclone design incorporates multiple vertically aligned chambers with a filter assembly and vortex and effluent barriers that direct fluid flow to enhance centrifugal separation, using a vortex flow barrier to maintain vortex flow and an effluent barrier to collect denser materials, along with a cleaning assembly to maintain filter efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a filter assembly is included within the hydroclone chamber, then separation efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydroclone is divided into multiple vertically aligned chambers (vortex chamber, effluent separation chamber, process fluid chamber) with the filter assembly occupying one segment. This segmentation allows the filter to be integrated without overwhelming complexity, as each chamber has a specific function and the filter is positioned to serve the vortex chamber while maintaining organized fluid flow paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter assembly is nested within the vortex chamber, with the filtrate chamber positioned inside the filter structure. This nesting allows the filtration function to be incorporated within the existing chamber volume without significantly increasing overall device complexity, as the filter assembly utilizes the available space efficiently.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple vertically aligned chambers are used, then separation efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into multiple vertically aligned chambers that handle different aspects of fluid separation: the vortex chamber for initial cyclonic separation, the effluent separation chamber for separating cleaned effluent, and the process fluid chamber for collecting process fluid. This segmentation improves separation efficiency by allowing specialized functions in each chamber while maintaining a modular structure that manages complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple chambers are arranged vertically aligned rather than horizontally, utilizing the vertical dimension to achieve multiple separation stages within a compact footprint. This vertical arrangement improves separation efficiency through staged processing while maintaining a space-efficient design that reduces overall device complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If vortex flow barrier is added to maintain vortex flow, then separation efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vortex flow barrier is extracted as a separate component positioned between the vortex chamber and effluent separation chamber. This extraction allows the barrier to be optimized specifically for maintaining vortex flow without compromising other chamber functions, improving separation efficiency while keeping the added complexity localized to a single interface rather than affecting the entire device.
4Manufacturing precision
If effluent barrier with centrally located opening is used, then separation efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The effluent barrier features a centrally located opening that creates asymmetric flow patterns, directing effluent through a specific pathway while allowing process fluid to be collected in the process fluid chamber. This asymmetric design improves separation efficiency by creating distinct flow zones while the simplicity of a single central opening minimizes the increase in device complexity.
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 significantly improved separation efficiencies, allowing for the effective separation of solid particles and liquid mixtures, including those with differing densities, by synergistically combining cyclonic and filtration processes, and enabling the recycling and reuse of process fluids.
Implementation Method 1
pressurized feed liquid (e.g. waste water) is introduced into a conically shaped chamber under conditions that create a vortex within the chamber. Centrifugal forces associated with the vortex urge denser particles towards the periphery of the chamber.
Implementation Method 2
Centrifugal forces associated with the vortex urge denser particles towards the periphery of the chamber.
Implementation Method 3
Separation efficiency can be improved by including a filter within the chamber such that a portion of the liquid moving to the center of the chamber passes through the filter. In such embodiments, cyclonic separation is combined with cross-flow filtration.
Implementation Method 4
An effluent barrier (36) is located below the effluent separation chamber (30) and directs fluid flow from the effluent separation chamber (30) to the process fluid outlet (20)
Implementation Method 5
A vortex flow barrier (34) is located between the vortex and effluent separation chambers (24, 30) and disrupts vortex fluid flow from the vortex chamber (24) to the effluent separation chamber (30)
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3D
AI summary
A hydroclone (10) having a tank (12) including a fluid inlet (14), a filtered fluid outlet (16), an effluent outlet (18), a process fluid outlet (20) and an inner peripheral wall (22) enclosing a plurality of vertically aligned chambers (24, 30, 32). In one embodiment the tank (12) includes three vertically aligned chambers including a vortex chamber (24) in fluid communication with the fluid inlet (14). A filter assembly (26) is located within the vortex chamber (24) and encloses a filtrate chamber (66). The vortex chamber (24) includes a fluid pathway (28) adapted for receiving incoming fluid and generating a vortex fluid flow about the filter assembly (26). The filtrate chamber (56) is in fluid communication with the filtered fluid outlet (16) such that fluid passing through the filter assembly (26) enters the filtrate chamber (56) and may exit the tank (12) by way of the filtered fluid outlet (16). An effluent separation chamber (30) is located below and in fluid communication with the vortex chamber (24) and is adapted for receiving unfiltered fluid from the vortex chamber (24). A process fluid chamber (32) is located below and in fluid communication with the effluent separation chamber (30) and is adapted for receiving a process fluid from the effluent separation chamber (30) wherein the process fluid chamber (32) is in fluid communication with the process fluid outlet (20) by which process fluid may exit the tank (12). A vortex flow barrier (34) is located between the vortex and effluent separation chambers (24, 30) and disrupts vortex fluid flow from the vortex chamber (24) to the effluent separation chamber (30). An effluent barrier (36) is located below the effluent separation chamber (30) and directs fluid flow from the effluent separation chamber (30) to the process fluid outlet (20), and wherein the effluent barrier (36) further comprises a centrally located effluent opening (38) in fluid communication with the effluent outlet (18) by which effluent may exit the tank (12). A hydrodone (10) having a tank (12) induding a fluid inlet (14), a filtered fluid outlet (16), an effluent outlet (18), a process fluid outlet (20) and an inner peripheral wall (22) endosing a plurality of vertically aligned chambers (24, 30, 32). In one embodiment the tank (12) includes three vertically aligned chambers including a vortex chamber (24) in fluid communication with the fluid inlet (14). A filter assembly (26) is located within the vortex chamber (24) and endoses a filtrate chamber (66). The vortex chamber (24) indudes a fluid pathway (28) adapted for receiving incoming fluid and generating a vortex fluid flow about the filter assembly (26).