Centrifugal Separator for Scrubber Fluid Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current exhaust gas cleaning technologies using scrubbers produce polluted scrubber fluid, which is environmentally harmful and costly to dispose of, and lead to equipment malfunctions due to soot scaling, requiring frequent maintenance and filter replacements.

Innovation Solution

A centrifugal separator with a disc stack rotor efficiently separates pollutant phases from scrubber fluid, reducing the need for filters and maintenance by agglomerating particles and allowing for chemical-free, concentrated pollutant removal, minimizing waste and fouling risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If scrubbers are used to clean exhaust gas, then SOx and NOx emissions are reduced, but polluted scrubber fluid is produced that is harmful to the environment and expensive to dispose of

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveemissionsVSAvoidpolluted scrubber fluid
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes pollutant particles from the scrubber fluid using a centrifugal separator, separating the harmful pollutants from the useful scrubbing fluid that can be recycled back to the scrubber

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent recovers cleaned scrubber fluid by discarding the separated pollutant phase and returning the cleaned fluid to the scrubber system for continuous reuse, eliminating the need to discard the entire scrubber fluid

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Object-generated harmful factors

If pollutant particles are removed from scrubber fluid, then environmental impact is reduced, but equipment malfunctions occur due to soot scaling requiring frequent maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepollutant particlesVSAvoidequipment malfunction
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by continuously removing pollutant particles from the scrubber fluid before they can accumulate and cause scaling on equipment surfaces, preventing malfunctions before they occur

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The centrifugal separator extracts and removes pollutant particles from the fluid stream, preventing these particles from depositing on equipment surfaces and causing soot scaling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If filter technology is used to remove pollutants, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but surveillance, service and replacement of filter components are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepollutant removalVSAvoidmaintenance needs
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces filter technology with a centrifugal separation system that uses centrifugal force to separate pollutants from fluid, eliminating the need for filter components and their associated maintenance requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The centrifugal separator continuously self-cleans the scrubber fluid without requiring manual intervention, filter replacements, or surveillance of filter components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 effectively reduces pollutant concentrations in scrubber fluid, minimizing environmental impact and maintenance needs, while maintaining efficient separation forces and reducing equipment malfunctions.

Implementation Method 1

A centrifugal separator with a disc stack rotor efficiently separates pollutant phases from scrubber fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal separation: Centrifugal Separation

Implementation Method 2

The centrifugal separator has a rotor enclosing a separation space with a stack of separating discs

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP2364760B1Cleaning equipment for gas scrubber fluid
Publication Date: 2014.05.21 ALFA LAVAL CORP AB
  • EP2364760B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2364760B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a cleaning equipment for polluted scrubber fluid from an exhaust gas scrubber (1), comprising a centrifugal separator (9) for separating at least a pollutant phase and a cleaned scrubber fluid from said polluted scrubber fluid. The centrifugal separator has a rotor (11) enclosing a separation space (12) with a stack of separating discs (13), a separator inlet (8) for polluted scrubber fluid extending into said separating space, a first separator outlet (14) for cleaned scrubber fluid extending from said separating space, and a second separator outlet (15) for the pollutant phase extending from said separating space. The cleaning equipment further comprises means for conducting polluted scrubber fluid from an exhaust gas scrubber to the separator inlet, and means for conducting cleaned scrubber fluid from the first separator outlet to the exhaust gas scrubber. The present invention further relates to a method for cleaning polluted scrubber fluid.