Prefiltration Device with Flow Rate Sensor for Obstruction Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional prefiltering systems face issues with solid particle accumulation leading to obstruction, inability to accurately detect obstruction, and inefficient cleaning processes, which result in reduced efficacy and increased labor.
Innovation Solution
A prefiltering device with a recirculation circuit and a centrifugal pump, equipped with a flow rate sensor and control unit that automatically detects and manages the concentration of solids, allowing for controlled discharge and cleaning without using previously filtered liquid, and featuring a system to prevent complete obstruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If revolving blades continuously remove solid material from the filtering cylinder, then solid accumulation is reduced, but particles with insufficient specific weight are pushed back towards the walls and accumulate, causing obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by monitoring the flow rate of liquid passing through the filter. When the flow rate decreases below a threshold, indicating solid accumulation and potential obstruction, the system automatically activates the discharge valve to remove accumulated solids, restoring normal flow. This closed-loop control prevents obstruction while maintaining continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-maintenance by automatically detecting when solids need to be discharged and executing the discharge operation without external intervention. The control unit monitors flow rate continuously and triggers the discharge valve based on predetermined criteria, enabling the filter to clean itself and maintain optimal performance.
2Reliability
If discharge valve is opened frequently to prevent obstruction, then filter efficiency is maintained, but operational time is lost and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses flow rate monitoring to determine the precise moment when discharge is necessary. By establishing a threshold flow rate that indicates significant solid accumulation, the control unit opens the discharge valve only when needed, minimizing interruptions while preventing obstruction. This optimized timing balances filter efficiency with productivity.
3Ease of operation
If discharge valve is opened to remove solids, then solid material can exit, but the packed solid material makes exit complicated and laborious
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs hydraulic pressure from the liquid flow itself to facilitate solid discharge. When the discharge valve opens, the accumulated solids are pushed out by the pressurized liquid passing through the filter, eliminating the need for complex mechanical ejection systems. This simple hydraulic mechanism effectively removes packed solids without adding device complexity.
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 enables efficient and automatic detection of obstruction, timely discharge of solids, and simplified cleaning, maintaining filter efficiency and reducing labor, while avoiding the use of backwashed liquid.
Implementation Method 1
a prefiltering device with a recirculation circuit and a centrifugal pump, equipped with a flow rate sensor
Implementation Method 2
equipped with a flow rate sensor and control unit that automatically detects and manages the concentration of solids
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An improved prefiltering method, in particular for prefiltering organic liquid products in the food processing sector, of the type comprising a filtering module (3), in which the product to be treated is radially pushed outwards against the perforated walls of a filtering element (6), so as to separate the filtrate, which is thus collected and extracted through at least one outlet, from the retentate, which is then reintroduced into the filtering module (3) itself by means of a recirculation circuit (18), characterized in that: - the speed/flow rate of the product to be treated is detected by means of a speed/flow rate sensor (22) positioned in the recirculation circuit (18), in which a centrifugal pump (20) for recirculating said product to be treated is also provided, - the speed/flow rate detected by means of said sensor (22) is compared at predetermined frequency with a predetermined value and, when said predetermined value is reached, said centrifugal pump is deactivated and the opening of a discharge valve is controlled (30) to make the solid fraction of the product to be treated, which accumulated in said filtering element (6) during the prefiltering treatment, exit from said filtering element (6).