Liquid Separator Outlet Channel to Prevent Moisture Re-Entrainment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid separators face challenges in achieving high separation efficiency at low pressure differentials, with liquid droplets being entrained by the gas flow and accumulating in corner regions, leading to incomplete separation.
Innovation Solution
A liquid separator design featuring a wall body surrounding an annular collar that defines a flow channel and gap, allowing liquid to drain via a separate flow channel due to gravity, combined with a drainage gap before the separating device to prevent liquid from entering the main gas flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a centrifugal separator is used with tangential inlet, then liquid collects by centrifugal force on the inner wall and flows downwards, but residual moisture is entrained by the outlet line and separation efficiency is capped
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet region is segmented into a separate liquid discharge path (flow channel) and gas outlet path. The wall body creates a distinct liquid collection zone separated from the main gas flow, allowing liquid to drain through the gap and flow channel independently from the gas outlet line, preventing re-entrainment of separated liquid droplets.
Solution Approach 2:
The gap between the wall body and annular collar acts as an intermediary liquid discharge path. This gap allows liquid to flow from the interior housing to the flow channel without mixing with the high-speed gas flow at the outlet, serving as a mediator that separates the liquid and gas discharge paths.
2Productivity
If gas flow speed is high to maintain mass flow, then liquid separation efficiency decreases as liquid accumulates in corner regions adjoining the outlet
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid discharge function is extracted from the main gas outlet path and placed into a separate flow channel. The wall body creates a dedicated liquid collection and discharge system that is physically separated from the gas flow path, allowing liquid to be removed from the system independently of the high-speed gas flow that would otherwise cause re-entrainment.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid discharge is moved to a different spatial dimension by creating a flow channel that extends towards the liquid outlet, separate from the horizontal gas outlet direction. This dimensional separation allows liquid to drain downward and outward through the flow channel while gas exits horizontally, preventing liquid accumulation in corner regions.
3Reliability
If a compact separator design is used with baffles, then high separation efficiency is achieved, but pressure differential increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gap between the wall body and annular collar creates a low-resistance liquid discharge path that equalizes pressure between the interior housing and the flow channel. This pressure equalization allows liquid to drain efficiently without creating high pressure differentials, as the liquid can flow through the gap and flow channel with minimal pressure drop compared to baffle-based 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
The design achieves efficient liquid separation with reduced gas flow speed in the flow channel, preventing liquid re-entrainment and ensuring complete drainage, even at high liquid contents.
Implementation Method 1
A gap, and in particular an annular gap, which connects the interior of the housing to the flow channel, remains at the outlet between the wall body and the annular collar. As a result, liquid collected at the outlet can be discharged from the interior through the gap and the flow channel via the liquid outlet to the outside
Implementation Method 2
DE 10 2014 013 372 A1 shows a centrifugal water separator for a fuel-cell system, in which a gas-liquid mixture is introduced tangentially into the separator via an inlet line, wherein liquid collects by centrifugal force influences on the inner wall of the separator
Implementation Method 3
Liquid separators are known from the prior art. These can operate according to different functional principles—for example, via condensation, centrifugal force (cyclone), sorption (use of a sorbent), or via baffles.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a liquid separator for separating liquid from a gas-liquid mixture, having a housing, an inlet, an outlet, a flow path connecting the inlet to the outlet, and a separating device, arranged in the flow path, for liquid separation, wherein a wall body is attached to the inner side of a housing portion adjoining the outlet, surrounds an annular collar projecting into the housing from the outlet, and extends towards a liquid outlet, wherein the wall body, together with a wall of the housing, defines a flow channel so that liquid collected at the outlet can be discharged through the flow channel via the liquid outlet.