Centrifugal Separator Inlet Shaft Entrainment Means
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing centrifugal separators face issues with uneven gas distribution between separation discs, leading to suboptimal separation performance due to obstacles in the inlet space causing axial pressure gradients and uneven flow.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating entrainment means within the inlet shaft to rotate the gas before it enters the intermediate spaces, combined with a tubular wall and apertures to ensure even distribution and minimize flow pressure drops, allowing the gas to flow freely and be distributed evenly across the separation discs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If planar portions or spokes are provided in separation discs, then the gas can be led through the inlet space, but the gas distribution between intermediate spaces becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the planar portions or spokes from the separation discs, extracting the problematic element that caused flow disturbance. The gas inlet space is redesigned to be free of obstacles, allowing uniform gas distribution to all intermediate spaces without the need for solid structures in the separation discs.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of providing obstacles (planar portions or spokes) to guide the gas, the invention inverts the approach by creating a clear, obstacle-free inlet space and using the peripheral wall with apertures to control gas distribution. The gas flow is guided by the absence of obstacles rather than by presence of guiding structures.
2Loss of energy
If gas flows freely through the inlet shaft, then pressure drop is reduced, but gas distribution to intermediate spaces becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral wall with apertures acts as an intermediary element between the inlet shaft and the intermediate spaces. It allows free flow through the inlet shaft (minimizing pressure drop) while simultaneously controlling and distributing the gas evenly to all intermediate spaces through the strategically positioned apertures in the peripheral wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by creating different flow characteristics in different regions. The inlet shaft provides free, low-resistance flow, while the peripheral wall with its apertures provides controlled, distributed flow to each intermediate space. Each region has optimized flow properties suited to its function.
3Productivity
If entrainment means are added to rotate gas in inlet shaft, then separation performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The entrainment means is designed to be driven by the gas flow itself rather than requiring an external power source. The rotating elements in the inlet shaft are propelled by the incoming gas stream, which automatically generates the rotational motion needed for effective separation without adding complex drive mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The entrainment function is merged with the existing inlet shaft structure. The rotating elements are integrated into the inlet shaft assembly, combining the gas distribution function with the gas rotation function in a single integrated component rather than adding separate systems.
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 separation efficiency by ensuring all separation discs are utilized effectively, achieving a more even gas distribution and higher centrifugal force application, resulting in improved separation performance and reduced pressure drops.
Implementation Method 1
the particles are separated from the gas by the centrifugal force which arises in the rotating gas
Implementation Method 2
the body being connected to the rotor and comprising entrainment means for bringing the gas within the inlet shaft in the direction of rotation of the rotor
Implementation Method 3
the gas in the radially outer portions of the inlet shaft to have a higher rotation speed and hence a higher pressure than the gas in the radially inner portions of the inlet shaft
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a centrifugal separator (1) for removing participate contaminants from a gas, which centrifugal separator (1) comprises a stationary housing (2), which delimits a separation chamber (3), which has a gas inlet (4) and a gas outlet (5). Within the stationary housing (2), a rotor (6) is disposed for rotation about an axis of rotation R in the separation chamber (3). The rotor 6 comprises a stack of truncated conical separation (discs 7). An inlet shaft (9) is disposed centrally in the stack of separation discs (7). An annular (space 23) of the separation chamber 3 surrounds the rotor (6), is delimited radially by the stationary housing (2) and communicates with the intermediate spaces (8) between the separation (discs 7) and with the gas outlet (5). The centrifugal separator 1 comprises a body (10) arranged within the inlet shaft (9), connected to the rotor 6 and comprising entrainment means (11) for causing the gas within the inlet shaft (9) to rotate in the same direction as the rotor.