Multi-Rotor Centrifugal Separator with Shared Fan Housing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing centrifugal separators for large gas flows are costly and space-intensive, and they often suffer from poor flow-through and separation efficiency due to their design and the need for either large single units or multiple smaller units in parallel.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus employs two or more conical surface element rotors within a common casing, with a shared fan housing for improved gas flow and counter-current separation, allowing for reduced material usage and space requirements while enhancing separation efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a single large centrifugal separator is used to clean extremely large gas flows, then the separation capacity is sufficient, but the manufacturing costs and space requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation capacityVSAvoidspace requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the single large separator into multiple smaller centrifugal separators that operate in parallel within a common casing. Each separator handles a portion of the gas flow, and their combined capacity achieves the required total separation capacity. This segmentation reduces the space requirements and manufacturing costs compared to a single large separator while maintaining the necessary productivity for cleaning extremely large gas flows.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If multiple discrete smaller centrifugal separators are arranged in parallel to achieve the same total capacity, then the separation capacity is sufficient, but the material usage and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetotal cleaning capacityVSAvoidmanufacturing costs
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges multiple smaller centrifugal separators into a single integrated apparatus by placing them within a common casing and using a shared particle outlet. This combining approach maintains the total cleaning capacity of multiple parallel separators while reducing material usage and manufacturing costs compared to discrete separate units. The common structure eliminates redundant casings and components, achieving cost savings without sacrificing productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If a single large centrifugal separator is used, then the separation capacity is sufficient, but the flow-through and separation efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation capacityVSAvoidseparation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the gas flow into multiple streams, each processed by an individual centrifugal separator with conical surface elements. This segmentation allows each separator to operate more efficiently at optimized flow rates, improving the overall separation efficiency compared to a single large separator handling the entire flow. The multiple separators work in parallel to achieve the required total capacity while maintaining high separation performance for each stream.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 configuration significantly reduces manufacturing costs and space needs while improving flow-through and separation efficiency, enabling flexible assembly of modules to adapt to varying capacities and configurations.

Implementation Method 1

the particles can be trapped by means of centrifugal forces acting thereon and then be thrown out against the inside of the surrounding casing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal forces: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

cleaned gas can be discharged from the casing by means of a fan rotating together with each rotor for generating the flow of gas through the apparatus

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas flow generation: Fan

Data Source

PatentEP2629878B1Apparatus for centrifugal separation of solid and/or liquid particles from a flow of gas
Publication Date: 2018.03.14 3NINE AB
  • EP2629878B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2629878B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2629878B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Apparatus for centrifugal separation of solid and/or liquid particles from a flow of gas, wherein two or more rotors (12) provided with conical separation surface elements (16) are located in a surrounding stationary casing (14), which delimits a common chamber (15) for collecting particles separated in the rotors. Each rotor has a fan (26) rotating together therewith. The fans (26) of the rotors are located in a common fan housing (30) that is separate from and adjacent to the casing (14) defining the collection chamber (15).