Oil Separator Dual Gas Inlets High Flow Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional oil separators face limitations in managing high gas flows, particularly blow-by gases from internal combustion engines, due to restricted gas flow through clearances between discs, leading to inadequate separation of oil mist and droplets.
Innovation Solution
An oil separator design with a second gas inlet in the housing wall, allowing additional gas to be introduced into the clearance between the rotor and housing, which is set in rotation and separated on the housing walls, along with optional valves to manage flow and pressure differences, enhancing separation efficiency at high volume flows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If gas flow through the clearances between discs is increased, then gas flow capacity is improved, but separation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the gas flow path into two separate channels: a first gas inlet channel leading through the clearances between disc separators for oil-mist-laden gas, and a second gas inlet channel leading into the separation chamber for additional clean gas. This segmentation allows each channel to serve its specific function optimally - the first channel maintains separation efficiency while the second channel increases overall gas flow capacity without compromising the separation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a second gas inlet that supplies additional gas into the separation chamber as an intermediary measure. This additional gas acts as a mediator that increases the total gas flow through the separator without directly interfering with the oil separation process in the first channel, thereby resolving the contradiction between flow capacity and separation efficiency.
2Loss of energy
If pressure drop across the oil separator is limited, then energy loss is reduced, but gas flow capacity is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The gas flow system is segmented into two independent inlet channels with different pressure requirements. The first gas inlet maintains the pressure drop necessary for effective oil separation, while the second gas inlet introduces additional gas at potentially different pressure conditions into the separation chamber. This segmentation enables the system to handle higher total gas flows without proportionally increasing the pressure drop across the separation elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The separation chamber serves multiple functions: it receives oil-mist-laden gas from the first inlet, receives additional gas from the second inlet, and provides the space where centrifugal separation occurs. This multi-functionality allows the system to accommodate varying gas flow rates and pressure conditions while maintaining effective separation, thereby increasing gas flow capacity without excessive pressure loss.
3Device complexity
If a single gas inlet is used, then device complexity is reduced, but gas flow capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The gas inlet system is segmented into two distinct channels: a first gas inlet for oil-mist-laden gas and a second gas inlet for additional gas supply. Each inlet has its own dedicated passage leading to the separation chamber, allowing independent control and optimization of each gas source. This segmentation enables increased gas flow capacity while maintaining relatively simple device architecture through straightforward structural implementation.
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 enables reliable separation of oil droplets and mist even at high gas flows, maintaining operational reliability and efficiency by allowing additional gas to be cleaned without increasing pressure loss, effectively handling high volume flows and pressure differences.
Implementation Method 1
a rotor (3) which is arranged in the oil separating chamber (7) and can be set in rotation by means of a shaft (4), having a stack of plates arranged on top of one another, having clearances between the individual plates through which the gas to be cleaned flows
Implementation Method 2
The oil droplets and the oil mist are flung outwards owing to the centrifugal force which occurs and thereby separated on impact surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
An oil separator for separating oil droplets and/or oil mist from gases, in particular from blow-by gases of an internal combustion engine is described.