Separator, compressor with a separator and refrigeration system with a separator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing separation devices for separating a liquid phase from a gaseous phase, such as lubricant from refrigerant, require large installation spaces, are inefficient in partial load conditions, and suffer from high pressure losses and re-entrainment of separated components, leading to suboptimal performance and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A vertically oriented cyclone separator with a cyclone chamber, dip tube, and flow guide means that utilizes gravity and centrifugal forces to separate the liquid phase efficiently, minimizing installation space and reducing pressure losses, while maintaining high separation efficiency across varying operating conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mass force separator with wire mesh is used to separate liquid phase from gaseous phase, then separation efficiency is achieved, but installation space requirement increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wire mesh structure with a cyclone separator that uses centrifugal force generated by rotating flow to achieve separation. This substitution eliminates the need for large wire mesh assemblies while maintaining effective separation of liquid and gaseous phases, directly resolving the contradiction between separation efficiency and installation space requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The cyclone separator divides the separation process into distinct functional zones: an inlet region for introducing the two-phase mixture, a separation region where centrifugal separation occurs, and outlet regions for separated phases. This segmentation allows compact arrangement of components while maintaining effective separation performance, addressing the space efficiency issue
2Area of stationary object
If a counter-current cyclone separator is used to reduce installation space, then separation efficiency improves, but pressure losses increase due to flow reversal
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using counter-current flow with direction reversal, the patent employs a direct-current cyclone separator where the flow moves continuously in one direction through the cyclone chamber. This inversion of the flow pattern eliminates the harmful pressure losses associated with flow reversal while maintaining compact dimensions and effective separation
3Reliability
If a counter-current cyclone separator with flow reversal is used, then separation efficiency is achieved, but re-entrainment of separated liquid phase occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the problematic counter-current flow approach by implementing a direct-current flow pattern where the separated phases exit through outlets positioned to prevent mixing. The continuous unidirectional flow avoids the creation of reverse vortices that cause re-entrainment, while still achieving high separation efficiency through centrifugal forces
4Strength
If housing for mass force separator is made robust to withstand high pressure loads, then structural strength is ensured, but device weight and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The cyclone separator utilizes the inherent strength of the rotating gas flow to contain and drive the separation process, eliminating the need for heavy, robust housings required by mass force separators. The cyclone chamber can be constructed with lighter materials while withstanding operating pressures, directly reducing device weight and associated costs
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 enables a compact design with high separation efficiency, reduced weight, and lower costs, effectively separating lubricant from refrigerant even in partial load conditions by utilizing gravity and centrifugal forces, thus optimizing space utilization and performance.
Implementation Method 1
Cyclone separators are centrifugal separators that separate the liquid medium from the gaseous medium, typically through a rotating flow, using centrifugal forces
Implementation Method 2
Larger droplets form, which, due to gravity, drain downwards through an outlet into a sump
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4b
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a separator device (1), in particular a lubricating-medium separator device, for the separation of a liquid phase of a second medium L, in particular a lubricating medium, from a mixture with a gaseous phase of a first medium (G), in particular a refrigerant, comprising a housing (10) which configures a cyclone chamber (20), is arranged along a centre axis (Z), and has an upper end region (11) and a lower end region (12) on opposite sides in relation to the centre axis (Z), a dip pipe (40), and flow guide means (28) for forming a helical flow in the cyclone chamber (20) about the centre axis (Z), wherein an inlet (21) into the cyclone chamber (20) for the mixture of the first and second medium is provided in the upper end region (11), and a first outlet (22) for the first medium (G) and a second outlet (23) for the separated second medium L are provided in the lower end region (12), wherein the dip pipe (40) protrudes from the lower end region (12) in the centre axis (Z) into the cyclone chamber (20) and is connected fluidically to the first outlet (22) and forms a first recess (50) between the housing (10) and the dip pipe (40), and wherein the separated second medium (L) can flow through the second outlet (23) out of the first recess (50) in the lower end region (22). Furthermore, the present invention relates to a compressor, in particular a refrigerant compressor, and to a refrigeration system.