Centrifugal Separator Hydraulic Spindle Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Centrifugal separators face challenges in introducing hydraulic fluid at a small radius from the rotational axis, which limits the force exerted on the sliding bowl bottom, affecting the efficient opening and closing of discharge ports and potentially leading to incomplete separation and discharge of sludge.
Innovation Solution
A centrifugal separator design that allows both the feed and hydraulic fluid to be introduced at a small radius, utilizing a hollow spindle with a hermetic seal and an inlet channel for hydraulic fluid that extends through the spindle, enabling thermal contact with the seal and increased hydraulic pressure for efficient port operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If hydraulic fluid is introduced at a small radius from the rotational axis, then the hydraulic pressure on the sliding bowl bottom is increased, but it becomes difficult to introduce the hydraulic fluid in separators with a hollow spindle feed system
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet channel for hydraulic fluid is nested within the hollow spindle structure. The hydraulic fluid flows through the hollow interior of the spindle itself, allowing introduction at a small radius without requiring external piping or compromising the compact feed system design.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from introducing hydraulic fluid from the external periphery to introducing it through the internal hollow space of the spindle. This dimensional reconfiguration allows simultaneous achievement of small radius introduction and ease of operation.
2Force
If the hydraulic fluid is introduced through the hollow spindle at a small radius, then the force on the sliding bowl bottom is enhanced, but the hermetic seal at the spindle end may overheat due to lack of cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic fluid serving the primary function of actuating the sliding bowl bottom is simultaneously used for cooling the hermetic seal. This multi-functional use of the same fluid stream resolves the contradiction by providing both mechanical force and thermal management without requiring separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic fluid system serves itself by using the same fluid that provides actuation force to also provide cooling function. The fluid naturally flows past the hermetic seal during normal operation, automatically removing heat without additional cooling infrastructure.
3Productivity
If a larger diameter spindle is used to increase flow rate, then the productivity is improved, but the ability to introduce hydraulic fluid at a small radius becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic fluid inlet channel is nested within the hollow spindle, allowing the spindle diameter to be increased for higher flow rates without compromising the ability to introduce hydraulic fluid at a small radius. The internal hollow space accommodates the hydraulic fluid pathway regardless of external spindle dimensions.
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
This design enhances the force on the sliding bowl bottom, allowing for more efficient opening and closing of ports, improving the separation and discharge of sludge, and enabling the use of larger diameter spindles for higher flow rates while maintaining effective cooling of the hermetic seal.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of peripheral ports extending from the separation space through the rotor casing to a surrounding space for discharging a phase from the periphery of the separation space, wherein the centrifuge rotor comprises a sliding bowl bottom movable between a closed position, in which the peripheral ports are closed, and an open position, in which the peripheral ports are open, an inlet channel for supplying hydraulic fluid to a closing chamber between the sliding bowl bottom and the rotor casing in order to hold the sliding bowl bottom in the closed position
Implementation Method 2
the inlet channel for supplying hydraulic fluid to the closing chamber extends through the hollow spindle and is further arranged such that the hydraulic fluid is in thermal contact with the at least one hermetic seal when the hydraulic fluid is being supplied to the closing chamber
Implementation Method 3
Centrifugal separators are generally used for separation of liquids and/or solids from a liquid mixture. During operation, liquid mixture that is about to be separated is introduced into a rotating bowl and due to the centrifugal forces, heavy particles or denser liquid, such as water, accumulates at the periphery of the rotating bowl whereas less dense liquid accumulates closer to the central axis of rotation
Data Source
AI summary
A centrifugal separator for separation of at least two components of a fluid mixture of different densities includes a centrifuge rotor with a sliding bowl bottom movable between a closed position, in which the peripheral ports are closed, and an open position, in which the peripheral ports are open, an inlet channel for supplying hydraulic fluid to a closing chamber between the sliding bowl bottom and the rotor casing in order to hold the sliding bowl bottom in the closed position. The centrifugal separator includes at least one hermetic seal at a second end, other than the first end, of a hollow spindle and the inlet channel for supplying hydraulic fluid to the closing chamber extends through the hollow spindle and is arranged such that the hydraulic fluid is in thermal contact with the at least one hermetic seal when the hydraulic fluid is supplied to the closing chamber.