Passive Phase Separator with Liquid Removal Chamber for Zero-Gravity Air
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Solution Overview
Problem
In zero-gravity environments, existing phase separators struggle to efficiently separate water droplets from air streams in multi-phase systems, leading to equipment malfunction and potential hazards due to residual moisture.
Innovation Solution
A passive phase separator with a liquid removal chamber utilizing hydrophobic and hydrophilic materials to separate water and air based on inertia, featuring a modular design with a liquid conduit and chamber that captures and directs liquid for reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional phase separators are used in zero-gravity environments, then water droplets can be separated from air streams, but residual moisture remains that causes equipment malfunction and hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The phase separator is divided into multiple functional sections: a hydrophobic section that repels water and directs it to collection chambers, a hydrophilic section that attracts and captures water droplets, and a liquid removal chamber that collects separated liquid. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function optimally, achieving thorough water separation while maintaining reliable gas flow.
2Device complexity
If passive phase separation is implemented, then equipment complexity is reduced, but separation effectiveness in zero-gravity conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the surface properties (parameters) of different sections within the phase separator. The hydrophobic section has water-repelling surface properties while the hydrophilic section has water-attracting properties. These parameter changes enable effective passive separation in zero-gravity conditions without requiring complex active control systems, maintaining simplicity while improving effectiveness.
3Reliability
If liquid capture chambers are added to improve water removal, then separation effectiveness increases, but device complexity and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid capture chambers are integrated directly into the phase separator structure, merging the separation function with the liquid collection function. The hydrophobic and hydrophilic sections are combined within a single unified device, and the liquid removal chambers are positioned to receive liquid directly from the separation process. This merging approach improves water removal effectiveness while avoiding the need for separate, complex liquid handling systems.
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
Effectively separates water from air in zero-gravity conditions with low pressure drop, preventing equipment damage and enabling water reuse, suitable for space applications.
Implementation Method 1
some or all of the input conduit or the gas conduit is formed from or coated with a hydrophobic material
Implementation Method 2
The liquid removal chamber is defined at least in part by a hydrophilic material and coupled to the liquid conduit
Implementation Method 3
A passive phase separator with a liquid removal chamber utilizing hydrophobic and hydrophilic materials to separate water and air based on inertia
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A passive phase separator (100) includes an input conduit (110) including an inlet (105) through which multi-phase flow enters the input conduit and a gas conduit (120) formed at an angle from the input conduit. A liquid removal chamber (140) is formed in line with the input conduit. The gas conduit is closer to the inlet than the liquid removal chamber. The liquid removal chamber holds liquid from the multi-phase flow, and the gas conduit carries gas from the multi-phase flow.