Self-Cleaning Liquid Filter System with Centrifugal and Gas Pulse Action
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing bag filtration systems used in oil and gas production sites are costly, messy, and require frequent replacement, leading to environmental concerns and inefficiencies in removing solids from waste water.
Innovation Solution
A self-cleaning liquid filter system that uses centrifugal force and gas pulse nozzles to separate and remove solids from fluids without the need for bag filters, featuring a platform with filter housings, inlet and outlet piping, and a controller for automated operation and maintenance-free operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bag filters are used for filtering waste water, then solid and semi-solid contaminants are removed from the fluid, but the filters require frequent replacement and disposal which increases operational costs and creates environmental mess
Solution Approach 1:
The filter system automatically drains collected contaminants through a drain valve at the bottom of the cylindrical filter, eliminating the need for manual removal and disposal of bag filters. The system performs self-maintenance by allowing gravity drainage of accumulated solids and semi-solids directly from the filter housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the filtering function from disposable bag filters and implements it using a permanent cylindrical filter housing with a reusable element. This separates the filtering mechanism from the consumable bag, allowing the housing and filter element to remain in place while only requiring periodic draining of collected contaminants.
2Reliability
If bag filters are periodically replaced, then filtering capacity is maintained, but operational costs increase and environmental waste is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-cleaning by automatically draining collected contaminants through the drain valve, eliminating the need to discard used filter media. The filter housing and element serve indefinitely with periodic self-draining, converting a consumable system into a reusable one.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding entire used bag filters, the system recovers the filter housing and filter element for continued use, discarding only the liquid contaminants through controlled drainage. This recovers valuable filtering components and reduces waste.
3Reliability
If manual handling and disposal of used bag filters is performed, then contaminants are removed from the system, but the process becomes messy and hard to control from environmental standpoint
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-contained contaminant removal through the integrated drain valve, automatically draining solids and semi-solids from the filter housing into appropriate containment. This eliminates manual handling of messy contaminated bags and provides controlled, contained disposal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts contaminants from the filter through a controlled drainage system rather than requiring manual removal of entire contaminated bags. This separates the clean filter housing from the drained contaminants, enabling controlled environmental disposal.
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 system efficiently and cost-effectively removes solids from fluids, reducing maintenance and environmental impact while maintaining continuous operation without the need for filter consumables or manual handling, thus lowering operational costs and environmental waste.
Implementation Method 1
The nozzle is configured to impart a spin motion to the fluid in the tube. Such spin motion within the interior of the elongated tube imparts a centrifugal force to solid materials suspended in the fluid that is injected into the elongated tube.
Implementation Method 2
A filter media is disposed in the tube between the input nozzle and the output port.
Implementation Method 3
The gas pulse nozzle is configured to blow gas into the filter media to expel water and debris trapped in the filter media.
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed a liquid filter system that includes a liquid filter apparatus configured to self-clean without removal of the filter apparatus from the filter system. The filter apparatus uses both a filter media for filtering solids as well as a spin motion imparted to fluid being filtered so that centrifugal force can remove solids from the liquid being filtered. The liquid filter system also includes a gas pulse nozzle in fluid communication with the liquid filter apparatus and is configured to flow gas into the filter media to expel water and debris trapped in the filter media without removing the filter media from the filter system.