Particle Separation in Curved Ducts Through Aggregate Formation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods are inadequate for efficiently reducing the concentration of suspended or dissolved substances in fluids, such as city sewage, industrial wastewater, and sea water, to produce fluids with lower and higher concentrations of these substances.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a pre-treatment module to form aggregates from particles in the fluid and a separation duct with specific geometry to separate these aggregates, producing fluids with different concentrations of the substance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional separation methods are used, then the separation process is simple, but the concentration reduction efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a pre-treatment module that forms aggregates from particles before the separation process. This pre-aggregation step enhances the efficiency of subsequent separation operations, allowing for more effective concentration reduction while managing system complexity through staged processing
Solution Approach 2:
The separation system is segmented into distinct functional modules: a pre-treatment module for aggregate formation and a separation duct for concentration reduction. This segmentation allows each module to specialize in specific tasks, improving overall productivity while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
2Manufacturing precision
If aggregation processes are applied, then particle size and mass increase improving separation, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by utilizing aggregation processes that increase particle size and mass. This transformation of physical parameters enhances separation precision by making particles more distinguishable and separable, while the controlled nature of the aggregation process manages the associated complexity
3Measurement precision
If multiple separation stages are used, then concentration separation is improved, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-treatment module performs preliminary aggregation action that enhances the effectiveness of the subsequent single-stage separation duct. This preliminary preparation allows achieving high concentration separation accuracy without requiring multiple complex separation stages, thereby reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The aggregate formation process acts as an intermediary step that bridges the input fluid and the separation duct. By transforming particles into aggregates with enhanced separability characteristics, this intermediary process enables high-precision concentration separation in a simplified single-stage configuration
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 system effectively reduces the concentration of substances in fluids by forming aggregates and utilizing a duct geometry that facilitates separation, achieving desired concentration ratios in the output fluids.
Implementation Method 1
Examples of aggregation processes suitable for forming the aggregate from said particles of the first fluid include, but are not limited to: deposition, flocculation, precipitation, coagulation (and any combinations thereof) of the particles of the first fluid.
Implementation Method 2
Examples of aggregation processes suitable for forming the aggregate from said particles of the first fluid include, but are not limited to: deposition, flocculation, precipitation, coagulation (and any combinations thereof) of the particles of the first fluid.
Implementation Method 3
Examples of aggregation processes suitable for forming the aggregate from said particles of the first fluid include, but are not limited to: deposition, flocculation, precipitation, coagulation (and any combinations thereof) of the particles of the first fluid.
Implementation Method 4
at least one bay portion comprising a main channel and at least one bay channel coextensive with the main channel; in a cross-section of the bay portion taken perpendicularly to said central line, the main channel has at least four channel walls and the bay channel protrudes from at least one of the channel walls
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are provided for producing from a first fluid having particles of a substance suspended or dissolved therein with a first concentration of the substance, a second fluid having a second concentration of the substance lower than the first concentration and a separated-fluid product, in which concentration of the substance is greater than that in the first fluid. The system comprises a pre-treatment module for processing the first fluid to produce aggregates from the substance and at least one separation duct in fluid communication with an outlet of the pre-treatment module, the duct having at least one bay portion having such design as to cause aggregates to accumulate along a pre-determined wall of the bay portion, thereby facilitating separation between the second fluid and the separated-fluid product.