Segmented Flow Device for Exhaust Gas Purification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flow devices for exhaust gas purification in internal combustion engines, particularly those using heavy oil or solid-loaded fuels, face challenges in simplicity, reliability, and energy efficiency, especially in separating soot particles and handling thermal expansion.

Innovation Solution

A flow device comprising multiple separation segments with a regeneration device and a docking mechanism, allowing for automated movement and regeneration of flow segments, which are designed as circular cylinders with radially projecting flow bodies and a rotor device for rotation, enabling efficient cleaning and regeneration while minimizing thermal expansion impacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a flow device uses a single large separation unit, then the separation capacity is sufficient for heavy oil exhaust gases, but the device becomes complex and difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation capacityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flow device is divided into multiple flow segments (first flow segment, second flow segment, etc.), each containing separate flow bodies that can be independently regenerated. This segmentation maintains high separation capacity while reducing overall device complexity and improving maintainability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a regeneration system that recovers the separation capability of flow bodies by removing accumulated soot particles. The docking device enables selective regeneration of individual flow segments, allowing the system to maintain productivity while simplifying maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Reliability

If the flow device includes a regeneration system, then the operational reliability improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The regeneration system is designed to work with segmented flow bodies, allowing selective regeneration of individual segments rather than requiring regeneration of the entire flow device. This reduces the complexity of the regeneration system while maintaining high operational reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The docking device serves as an intermediary mechanism that connects the regeneration system to specific flow segments. This intermediary enables controlled regeneration operations, improving reliability while keeping the overall system complexity manageable through modular interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If flow segments are made stationary, then the structural simplicity is maintained, but the ability to handle thermal expansion is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidthermal expansion handling
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The flow segments are designed to be rotatable rather than completely stationary, allowing them to move into different positions (operation position, regeneration position). This dynamic capability enables the system to accommodate thermal expansion while maintaining relatively simple structural design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the positional parameter of flow segments through rotation, allowing them to adapt to thermal expansion conditions. By changing the position parameter rather than the physical dimensions, the system handles thermal expansion while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If multiple flow bodies are used per flow segment, then the separation efficiency increases, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The flow device uses multiple flow bodies within each flow segment, with each flow body containing multiple separation elements (flow body receptacles). This hierarchical segmentation increases separation efficiency while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular, repeatable structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flow bodies are designed with homogeneous, repeating structural elements (cylindrical flow body receptacles arranged in arrays). This homogeneity simplifies manufacturing by allowing standardized production of identical components that can be assembled in various configurations to achieve the required separation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

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 allows for reliable, energy-efficient operation by continuously cleaning exhaust gases while regenerating flow segments individually, maintaining system performance and compactness, even in large ship engines.

Implementation Method 1

Each flow segment comprises a plurality of flow bodies (118), all designed at least approximately in the form of circular cylinders, for separating soot particles from a raw gas flow (106)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a hot gas stream is fed to a heating device (162) to one or more flow segments (112) to be regenerated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal heating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

the hot gas stream can be fed to a heating device (162) to one or more flow segments (112) to be regenerated... in such a way that a flow direction in one or a flow direction in a cleaning mode corresponds to the plurality of flow segments to be regenerated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentEP3528922B1Particulate filter and process of using same
Publication Date: 2021.03.31 HUG ENG
  • EP3528922B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3528922B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3528922B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The aim of the invention is to provide a flow device with a simple design which is reliable and energy efficient to operate. To achieve this, the flow device comprises the following: multiple flow segments, each of which has one or more flow bodies and through which the uncleaned gas stream can flow in a cleaning mode in order to remove pollutants, wherein said uncleaned gas can be supplied to the flow segments via an uncleaned gas supply and wherein a clean gas stream that has been cleaned by means of the flow segments can be discharged by means of a clean gas discharge; a regeneration device for regenerating the flow segments, the regeneration device having a docking device for producing a temporary connection between one or more flow segments to be regenerated and a heating device and/or a flushing device of the regeneration device.