Separator Agitator for Automated Residue Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oil-water separators require laborious and time-intensive cleaning of oleophilic separation plates due to accumulated residue, which hampers their efficiency and necessitates frequent disassembly and reassembly.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an agitator, such as a reciprocator driven by a pneumatic or electric motor, to remove residue from the separation plates without disassembly, along with a flusher to facilitate cleaning and a sloping floor with a chute for residue removal, and a controller for automated cleaning processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If separation plates are fixed in the container, then structural stability is improved, but cleaning difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The separation plates are made movable rather than fixed, allowing them to be agitated by an agitator mechanism. This dynamic design enables the plates to move during operation, preventing residue buildup and facilitating automatic cleaning while maintaining structural stability through the container's support system.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If manual cleaning of separation plates is performed, then residue removal effectiveness is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates an automatic agitator that cleans the separation plates during operation without requiring manual intervention. The agitator moves the plates to prevent residue accumulation, enabling the system to self-maintain and eliminate the need for time-consuming manual cleaning while ensuring effective residue removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The agitator performs preliminary cleaning action by continuously agitating the separation plates during operation, preventing residue from accumulating to problematic levels. This proactive approach eliminates the need for subsequent manual cleaning operations, saving time and maintaining separation efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If separation plates are disassembled for cleaning, then cleaning accessibility is improved, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic agitator system performs cleaning functions while the plates remain installed in the container, eliminating the need for disassembly and reassembly operations. This self-service mechanism maintains cleaning accessibility through automated agitation while significantly reducing operational complexity by removing manual intervention requirements.
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
Reduces the frequency of plate removal and cleaning, enhancing the separator's cleanability and operational efficiency by allowing for automated residue removal and periodic cleaning without disassembling the plates.
Implementation Method 1
one or more oleophilic separation plates against which turbulent flow of an oil-water solution impacts to separate oil and water
Implementation Method 2
an agitator for agitating the separation plates to remove the residue
Implementation Method 3
The flusher may be arranged to generate a vortex within the base of the container
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a separator including one or more separation members upon which residue can accumulate. An agitator is provided for agitating the separation members to remove the residue. The agitator may clean residue from the members without removing the separation members from the separator. Advantageously, the frequency that the members need to be removed from the separator and thoroughly cleaned is reduced when compared with the known separator.