Rotating Conduit Fluid Separator for Low Pressure Separation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid separation devices, such as hydrocyclones and centrifuges, face limitations in efficiency and cost due to high pressure requirements, mechanical complexity, and limited throughput, especially in the upstream oil and gas industry where efficient separation of oil, gas, water, and solid particles is necessary.
Innovation Solution
A separation device comprising a rotating conduit with vanes and an electrostatic field generation capability, which utilizes centrifugal forces and electrostatic coalescence to separate fluid mixtures into components, optimizing performance with available system pressure and reducing the need for external power sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If hydrocyclones use tapered walls to maintain acceleration forces, then separation efficiency is improved, but pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the separation chamber rotatable instead of static. The rotation creates centrifugal forces that maintain separation efficiency without requiring tapered walls, thereby reducing pressure drop. The dynamic rotation allows the chamber to generate the necessary acceleration forces through its motion rather than through static geometric shaping.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by introducing rotation speed as a variable. By controlling the rotation speed of the separation chamber, the system can adjust the centrifugal forces to achieve optimal separation efficiency without the need for tapered geometry, thus maintaining low pressure drop while improving separation performance.
2Manufacturing precision
If centrifuges rotate the separation chamber to achieve higher gravitational acceleration, then separation efficiency is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the self-service principle by designing the separation chamber to rotate autonomously without requiring external motors or complex drive mechanisms. The rotation is self-generated, likely through fluid-driven or gravity-driven mechanisms, eliminating the need for external power sources and reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining high separation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the complex motorized drive system from the centrifuge design. By removing the external motor, bearings, seals, and lubrication systems typically required for centrifugal separation, the invention achieves centrifugal separation through a simplified mechanism that relies on the fluid's own motion or gravity to rotate the separation chamber.
3Productivity
If cyclones operate at high pressure to maintain throughput, then productivity is maintained, but system design problems arise due to insufficient pressure availability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter by enabling the system to operate effectively at lower pressures. The rotatable separation chamber generates sufficient centrifugal forces at reduced pressure levels to maintain separation efficiency and throughput, eliminating the need for high-pressure operation and associated system design complexities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamic rotation to compensate for lower operating pressure. By rotating the separation chamber, the system generates the necessary centrifugal acceleration forces that would otherwise require high static pressure, thereby maintaining productivity while operating at more favorable pressure conditions.
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 device achieves high separation efficiency with lower pressure drop and reduced mechanical complexity, enabling higher throughput and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional cyclones and centrifuges, while maintaining or exceeding separation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The rotational spin at the inlet causes the fluid flow profile to form a free vortex in the separation chamber, where centrifugal forces act to separate the fluid into components of different densities
Implementation Method 2
A separation device comprising a rotating conduit with vanes and an electrostatic field generation capability, which utilizes centrifugal forces and electrostatic coalescence to separate fluid mixtures into components
Data Source
AI summary
According to the present invention there is provided a separation device for separating a fluid, said fluid comprising multiple components, into at least two components comprising: a support structure; at least one conduit mounted on or within said support structure for rotation about an axis; at least one inlet for introducing a flow of said fluid into said at least one conduit; and at least one outlet for outputting at least one of said components therefrom; wherein the said at least one conduit is configured such that, in use, when said flow of said fluid is applied thereto, said conduit is thereby caused to rotate on or within said support structure about said axis, thereby separating said fluid into at least two components.