Plate Separator Device with Rotating Coupling Members

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing plate packs for gravitational separators are costly, bulky, and labor-intensive to assemble, with limited useful throughflow surface area, making them inefficient and expensive for large-scale separation processes such as oil extraction and processing.

Innovation Solution

A plate separator device with elongate coupling members that can be inserted and rotated to fix the distance between plates, facilitating easier assembly and increasing the effective throughflow surface area, while using lighter frames and profile parts to enhance structural strength and reduce costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional plate packs are used to increase separating surface area, then separation efficiency is improved, but manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The plate pack is divided into modular sections with standardized plates that can be independently manufactured and assembled. Each plate is a separate component with openings that receive coupling members, allowing for segmented construction that reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining high separating surface area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling members serve multiple functions: they connect adjacent plates, maintain precise plate spacing, and provide structural support for the entire plate pack. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying manufacturing and assembly while achieving the desired separating surface area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If traditional plate packs are used to increase separating surface area, then separation efficiency is improved, but assembly labor intensity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidassembly labor intensity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling members are designed with features that guide their insertion into plate openings and automatically position plates at the correct spacing. The asymmetric cross-section of coupling members ensures proper orientation during assembly, reducing the skill level and time required for assembly while maintaining high separating surface area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling members are designed to self-align and self-lock into the plate openings without requiring additional fastening operations. The elongate shape with specific cross-sectional features allows the coupling member to automatically maintain plate spacing and connection once inserted, reducing assembly labor intensity while achieving efficient separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Strength

If heavier frames are used to support plate packs, then structural strength is improved, but the relative active separating surface area decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidrelative active separating surface area

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The plate pack structure uses thin plate components with optimized opening patterns that provide sufficient structural strength while minimizing material usage. The coupling members distribute loads efficiently across the plate assembly, allowing the use of lighter frame structures that do not compromise strength but maximize the relative active separating surface area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The combination of plates, coupling members, and frame creates a composite structure where each component contributes to overall strength. The coupling members act as structural connectors that distribute mechanical loads, allowing the use of lighter materials and thinner plate sections while maintaining required structural integrity and maximizing separating surface area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 manufacturing and operational costs, simplifies assembly, and increases the effective separating surface area by up to 10-20%, allowing for more efficient separation of fluid fractions with reduced chance of incorrect assembly, thus improving the overall efficiency and compactness of the separation process.

Implementation Method 1

The separation of fractions by means of sedimentation requires time and makes it necessary when processing larger volumes of medium mixture to make use of voluminous reservoirs

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitational sedimentation: Sedimentation

Implementation Method 2

These are so-called gravitational separators which make use of the difference in density between the fractions for separating

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDensity difference: Density Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP2393567B1Device for separating a flowing medium comprising mixture into fractions, throughflow tank and method for manufacturing a plate separator device

Publication Date: 2016.05.18 SULZER CHEMTECH AG

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AI summary

The invention relates to a device for separating a flowing liquid mixture into at least two fractions with differing mass density, comprising: a plurality of plates disposed substantially parallel to each other and a frame engaging at least substantially round the plates. The invention also relates to a through flow tank provided with such a plate separator device and a method for manufacturing a plate separator device.