Hermetic Centrifugal Separator Outlet Pressure Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Hermetic centrifugal separators face challenges in maintaining high separation efficiency and reducing pressure drop, particularly at the outlet sealing, which increases the required inlet pressure and can lead to capacity issues and air entrainment, especially in sensitive applications like biotechnology and beer separation.
Innovation Solution
A pumping means is introduced between the separation space and the outlet sealing to increase pressure in the outlet channel, utilizing a non-rotating stationary arrangement with radially extended arc-formed teeth and a stem-like member to convert kinetic energy into pressure energy, compensating for the pressure drop caused by the narrow passage of the outlet sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the outlet sealing is placed in a narrow passage to prevent air entrainment, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
A pumping means is introduced as an intermediary element between the separation space and the outlet sealing. This pump actively manages the fluid flow and pressure, compensating for the pressure drop caused by the narrow outlet sealing passage. The pumping means creates a pressure increase that offsets the resistance introduced by the sealing, allowing both effective sealing and acceptable pressure conditions to coexist.
2Productivity
If inlet pressure is increased to overcome pressure drop, then flow capacity is maintained, but shear forces increase damaging the product
Solution Approach 1:
The pumping means performs a preliminary action by increasing pressure before the fluid reaches the outlet sealing. This proactive pressure management allows the system to maintain flow capacity without relying on high inlet pressure that would create damaging shear forces throughout the separation process. The pressure boost is applied at the optimal location to achieve the desired flow while protecting the product.
3Reliability
If the outlet channel passage is narrowed to improve sealing, then air entrainment is prevented, but flow capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pumping means serves as a mediator that decouples the relationship between outlet channel dimensions and flow capacity. By introducing active pressure management, the system can maintain narrow outlet channels for effective hermetic sealing while the pump compensates for the reduced flow capacity that would otherwise result from the narrow passage.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A hermetic centrifugal separator for centrifuging components, contained in a liquid mixture and having different density, comprises a rotating centrifuge rotor (11), which is arranged to rotate around a centre axis and comprises a casing which defines an inner separation space, a set of separation discs (15) which are provided in the inner separation space of the centrifuge rotor (11), at least two channels, which connect to the separation space and comprise at least one inlet channel (13) for supply of the liquid mixture of components to be separated to the separation space and at least one outlet channel (22) for discharge of a component separated during operation from the separation space, a torque transmitting part (12) around the centre axis and fixedly connected to the centrifuge rotor (11) adapted to be driven in such a way that the centrifuge rotor (11) is brought to rotate, outlet sealing means (23) arranged to seal between the outlet channel and the rotating centrifuge rotor (11) preventing entrainment of unwanted substances. To come to terms with the pressure drop in the separator, and especially in the area of the outlet sealing the invention is characterized in that between the separation space and said outlet sealing means (23) is a pumping means (19) arranged to provide pressure to feed the separated liquid through said outlet channel (22).