Plate Settler Bottom Section With Fluidly Separated Channels
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Inclined plate settlers face efficiency issues due to the mixing of separated solid components with newly supplied fluid, leading to reduced separation process efficiency, as the separated components can be carried back upwards along the settler, causing turbulences and flow disturbances.
Innovation Solution
A bottom section is designed with fluidly separated inlet and collection channels that are connected to the inclined plate settler, preventing direct fluid communication between them, which reduces turbulences and allows for better control over fluid flows, thereby increasing the separation process efficiency by minimizing the mixing of separated components with the newly supplied fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the bottom end of the plate settler is used for both fluid supply and separated component collection, then the device structure is simplified, but the separated component mixes with newly supplied fluid causing reduced separation efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom section is segmented into separate inlet channels and collection channels that are fluidly separated. Each channel has its own dedicated opening at the bottom end of the plate settler, preventing mixing between supplied fluid and collected separated components while maintaining structural organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The bottom section acts as an intermediary component between the plate settler and the external fluid supply/collection systems. It provides separate fluid pathways that interface with the plate settler's bottom end, allowing independent control of fluid supply and separated component collection without direct mixing.
2Productivity
If fluid is supplied with high pressure to flow upwards along sedimentation plates, then the separation process is enhanced, but turbulences and flow disturbances increase causing reduced separation efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom section provides localized fluid distribution at the bottom end of the plate settler. By distributing fluid through separate inlet channels that open at the bottom end, the system achieves local control over fluid entry, reducing turbulence generation while maintaining effective upward flow along the sedimentation plates.
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 implementation of the bottom section with fluidly separated channels enhances the separation efficiency by reducing turbulences and flow disturbances, ensuring that the separated components are effectively collected without being reintroduced into the supply, thus improving the overall efficiency of the separation process.
Implementation Method 1
The sedimentation plates, on which the component to be separated can settle, of an inclined plate settler extend in an oblique rather than in the vertical direction
Implementation Method 2
the component to be separated may, e.g., already be present in the supplied fluid in solid form. Alternatively, the component to be separated may, e.g., precipitate under the influence of gravity
Implementation Method 3
A bottom section is designed with fluidly separated inlet and collection channels that are connected to the inclined plate settler, preventing direct fluid communication between them
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
This disclosure relates to a bottom section for being connected to an assembly for separating a solid component from a fluid. The assembly includes an inclined plate settler with at least one sedimentation channel for letting a solid component to be separated settle, said plate settler comprising a lower portion and an upper portion, wherein said at least one sedimentation channel extends from the lower portion to the upper portion. The bottom section is configured to be connected to the lower portion of the inclined plate settler. The bottom section comprises at least one inlet channel for feeding a fluid comprising the solid component to be separated to the plate settler, and at least one collection channel for collecting a settled solid component descending from the at least one sedimentation channel. Said at least one inlet channel and said at least one collection channel are fluidly separated from each other, said inlet channel and said collection channel being connectable to said at least one sedimentation channel, to form fluid connections between said at least one inlet channel and said at least one sedimentation channel and between said at least one collection channel and said at least one sedimentation channel, respectively.