Partition-Wall Oil Separator for Low-Loss Spiral Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oil separators for cooling oil from gas discharged by oil cooling type compressors are inefficient and complex, leading to high pressure loss and inadequate oil separation, particularly when the oil content exceeds a certain amount, which negatively impacts heat exchanger performance.
Innovation Solution
A compact oil separator design featuring a cylindrical container with a partition wall member and end members that create a controlled gap for gas flow, enhancing centrifugal separation by forming a downward spiral stream, ensuring the gap width is less than the introduction flow channel diameter and the partition wall length is between half and a third of the container's circumference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional oil separator with inner cylinder and partition plate is used, then oil separation capability is improved, but device complexity and pressure loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the inner cylinder component from the conventional oil separator structure. Instead of using an inner cylinder surrounding the separation element, the patent employs a partition wall member that divides the container into two chambers, achieving oil separation without the complex inner cylinder structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is segmented into a first chamber and a second chamber by the partition wall member. The introduction flow channel opens into the first chamber, and the separation element is positioned in the second chamber, creating a segmented flow path that simplifies the overall structure while maintaining separation effectiveness.
2Reliability
If a conventional oil separator with inner cylinder is used, then oil separation capability is improved, but pressure loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the inner cylinder component, the invention reduces flow resistance and pressure loss. The partition wall member creates a more open flow path between chambers compared to the constricted paths through inner cylinder structures, thereby reducing energy loss while maintaining separation capability.
3Temperature
If oil content in discharged gas exceeds certain amount, then compressor cooling function is maintained, but heat exchanger performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention is designed to handle and separate oil content that exceeds normal operating levels. The partition wall member and separation element configuration enable effective separation even when oil content in the discharged gas is high, preventing heat exchanger performance deterioration while maintaining compressor cooling function.
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 achieves oil separation efficiency, keeping oil content below 1,000 ppm, thereby maintaining heat exchanger performance and reducing maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
a gap between the partition wall member and the inner wall of the container main body has a width that is not more than an inner diameter of the introduction flow channel, and becomes the maximum at least at an open side end where the side end member is not provided
Implementation Method 2
length of an outer circumference of the partition wall member in the horizontal direction from a position facing a center of the introduction flow channel to the open side end is longer than a half of the inner diameter of the introduction flow channel and shorter than a half of circumferential length of the inner wall of the container main body
Data Source
AI summary
An oil separator has a container main body and an flow channel. A partition wall member faces the opening of the flow channel and extends along a wall of the container main body. An upper end member seals the space between the upper end of the partition wall member and the container main body. A side end member seals a space between one side end of the partition wall member and the wall of the container main body. A gap between the partition wall member and the wall of the container main body is narrower than an inner diameter of the flow channel and is largest at an open side end. An outer circumference of the partition wall member is longer than half of the inner diameter of the flow channel and shorter than half of the circumferential length of the inner wall of the container main body.