Oil Reclamation Unit With Indirect Heating And Separator Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oil reclamation devices face issues with high energy consumption, risk of superheating oil, and complex construction, leading to inefficient water and contaminant removal, as well as increased costs due to direct heat contact and heating of evaporation chamber walls.
Innovation Solution
A reclamation unit design with a separator plate directing liquid to the side walls of the evaporation chamber, where the heating unit protrudes without conductive contact, utilizing convective heat transfer to minimize energy consumption and prevent superheating, combined with a filter unit featuring hydrophobic and fine-mesh fibers for efficient contaminant removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the heating element is encased in a base element forming the evaporation chamber with direct heat contact to the oil, then the water evaporation efficiency is improved, but the risk of superheating the oil increases and energy consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary air gap between the heating element and the oil, preventing direct thermal contact. The heating element heats the air in the evaporation chamber, which then transfers heat to the oil indirectly through convection and radiation, eliminating superheating risk while maintaining evaporation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct thermal conduction (mechanical heat transfer through contact) with convective and radiative heat transfer through the air medium, fundamentally changing the heat transfer mechanism to avoid oil superheating
2Temperature
If the walls of the entire evaporation chamber are heated, then the desired temperature is obtained, but energy consumption increases due to high energy loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies heating locally only where needed - the heating element is positioned to heat only the oil film area, not the entire evaporation chamber walls. This localized heating approach reduces energy waste while maintaining the necessary temperature for water evaporation from the oil
3Temperature
If the heating unit protrudes into the evaporation chamber with conductive contact to side walls, then heat distribution is improved, but heat loss to the environment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heating element from direct contact with the evaporation chamber walls, positioning it to heat only the oil film. This separation prevents heat conduction to the walls and subsequent heat loss to the environment, while still achieving effective heat distribution to the oil through convective circulation
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 solution reduces energy consumption, minimizes the risk of superheating, and enhances the filter unit's capacity and service life while maintaining high oil quality, allowing for efficient removal of water and contaminants with reduced heat loss and operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the heating unit protrudes into the evaporator chamber with no conductive contact to the side walls
Implementation Method 2
for removal of water and solid contaminants
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a reclamation unit (1) for a liquid comprising a housing (4) with a detachable upper (2) and lower (3) part in which the lower part (3) is connected with a base part (13). The lower part (3) comprises at least one heating unit (17) and inlets (14) and outlets (15,34). The upper part (2) encloses at least one filter unit (8). The lower part (3) and the base part (13) form an evaporation chamber (27), wherein the connection between the lower part (3) and the base part (13) includes a separator plate (19) which guides the liquid from the filter unit (8) onto side walls (37) of the evaporator chamber (27). The heating unit (17) protrudes into the evaporator chamber (27) with no conductive contact to the side walls (37). The present invention also is a filter unit (8), preferable for use in a reclamation unit (1), wherein the filter unit (8) comprises a filter canister (9), wherein membranes (24,28), a first filter medium (25), and a second filter material (26) are arranged, to enclose an inlet tube (10), and where the first filter material (25) is formed of hydrophobic fibers, and the second filter (26) material is formed of fine-mesh fibers.