Rotating Extractor Centrifugal Liquid Particulate Separation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for extracting liquid particulates from gaseous streams, such as wetted surface air samplers, face challenges in minimizing the loss of stripping liquid and effectively capturing target materials due to entrained particles, which can contain infectious agents and cause corrosion in equipment like steam turbines.

Innovation Solution

A liquid particulate extraction device with a rotating extractor that uses centrifugal force and a unique swirling flow pattern to separate and collect liquid particulates from the gaseous stream, enhancing the impingement of particulates on the extractor's surface and reducing re-aerosolization losses, while minimizing frictional losses and surface erosion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a rotating extractor is used to enhance impingement of liquid particulates, then extraction efficiency is improved, but frictional losses and surface erosion increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextraction efficiencyVSAvoidfrictional losses

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The extractor is designed to rotate at a speed that creates optimal impingement of liquid particulates while controlling frictional losses. The rotational motion dynamically adjusts the interaction between the extractor surface and particulates, enhancing extraction efficiency without excessive energy loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system optimizes parameters such as rotational speed, extractor surface characteristics, and flow conditions to achieve the desired balance between extraction efficiency and frictional losses. By carefully controlling these parameters, the system maximizes productivity while minimizing energy waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If a rotating extractor is used to enhance impingement of liquid particulates, then extraction efficiency is improved, but surface erosion increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextraction efficiencyVSAvoidsurface erosion

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating extractor creates dynamic impingement conditions that enhance extraction efficiency. The rotational motion ensures continuous contact and effective capture of liquid particulates while the design accommodates the mechanical stresses to minimize surface erosion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The extractor design incorporates features that preemptively protect against surface erosion by distributing mechanical stresses and reducing concentrated wear areas. This allows the system to operate at high extraction efficiency without excessive surface degradation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Productivity

If stripping liquid is used to extract target materials, then concentration of captured materials is improved, but loss of stripping liquid increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconcentration of captured materialsVSAvoidloss of stripping liquid

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms to monitor and control the loss of stripping liquid. By detecting changes in liquid levels and flow characteristics, the system adjusts operating parameters to maintain optimal concentration of captured materials while minimizing stripping liquid loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system recovers and reuses stripping liquid that would otherwise be lost. Through condensation and collection mechanisms, the stripping liquid is captured and returned to the extraction process, maintaining high concentration of captured materials while reducing overall liquid consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 effectively removes liquid particulates from gaseous streams, reducing water loss by up to seven times and improving the retention of target pathogens, thereby enhancing the concentration of captured materials and minimizing equipment damage.

Implementation Method 1

A liquid particulate extraction device with a rotating extractor that uses centrifugal force and a unique swirling flow pattern to separate and collect liquid particulates from the gaseous stream

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

A liquid particulate extraction device with a rotating extractor that uses centrifugal force and a unique swirling flow pattern to separate and collect liquid particulates from the gaseous stream

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSwirling flow: Vortex Ring

Data Source

PatentUS8012229B1Liquid particulate extraction device

Publication Date: 2011.09.06 RES INT INC

AI summary

Extraction devices are disclosed for extracting liquid particulates from a gaseous stream. The extraction devices may have a powered or free spinning rotating extractor that may be mounted in the extraction device's source or extraction duct. During operation, liquid particulates impinging on the rotating extractor form a thin film of extracted liquid that travels due to centrifugal force to the periphery of the extractor's exterior surface where the extracted liquid may be flung to the inner surface of the extraction duct and collected.