Separator for Pressurized Fluid Solid-Liquid Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing extraction devices require high-pressure gas compression to transport solid materials from the seabed to the surface, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to the need for large compressors, and they struggle to continuously separate pressurized fluids into solid-rich and gas-rich flows without interrupting circulation.
Innovation Solution
A separator system that continuously separates pressurized fluids into a solid-rich flow for depressurization and a gas-rich flow for recycling, using a speed reducer, pressurized box, and depressurization tanks to manage the fluid flow and maintain pressure, allowing for efficient recycling and storage of materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-pressure gas is compressed and injected into the transport pipe to lift solid material, then the solid material can be transported to the surface, but the compressor becomes large and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The separator device divides the pressurized fluid into separate flows (solid-rich and gas-rich) allowing the gas to be recycled rather than requiring continuous high-pressure compression. This segmentation enables the system to maintain productivity while reducing compressor requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers the gas-rich flow from the separator and recycles it back into the transport pipe, eliminating the need for continuous high-pressure gas injection. This recovery approach reduces the compressor size and operational costs while maintaining solid material transport capability.
2Productivity
If the pressurized fluid is continuously treated to separate solid-rich and gas-rich flows, then productivity is maintained, but the separation process becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The separator extracts and removes the solid-rich flow from the pressurized fluid, separating it from the gas-rich flow. This extraction function is achieved through a simple centrifugal separation mechanism that divides the flows without requiring complex processing steps, thereby maintaining productivity while keeping the separation process manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The separator acts as an intermediary device between the pressurized fluid input and the separated outputs. It uses centrifugal force as a mediating mechanism to divide the fluid into solid-rich and gas-rich streams, simplifying the overall separation process while enabling continuous operation.
3Productivity
If the solid-rich flow is depressurized for storage, then the material can be stored at atmospheric pressure, but the depressurization process must be continuous without interrupting circulation
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the depressurization process by separating the solid-rich flow from the main pressurized circulation. The solid-rich flow can be depressurized independently in storage tanks while the main circulation continues uninterrupted, achieving continuous operation without requiring complex coordinated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically manages pressure differentials between the pressurized transport pipe and the atmospheric storage tanks. The separator maintains the pressure barrier while allowing controlled depressurization of the solid-rich flow, enabling continuous circulation with dynamic pressure management.
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
Enables continuous treatment and recycling of pressurized fluids, reducing the need for large compressors and improving operational efficiency by maintaining fluid pressure during separation and storage, while allowing for the recovery of solid materials at atmospheric pressure.
Implementation Method 1
a separator for receiving a pressurized fluid containing as a minimum a solid material and a liquid and for separating said pressurized fluid into a flow rich in solid material and into a flow poor in solid material
Implementation Method 2
a speed reducer for slowing down said solid material present in said pressurized fluid
Implementation Method 3
a pressurized box for continuous reception of said pressurized fluid to obtain said flow rich in solid material, said liquid flow and said gaseous flow
Implementation Method 4
a plurality of tanks for recovering and depressurizing said flow rich in solid material
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
This separator comprises a pressurized vessel (62) and at least one first and one second tank (64A, 64B) for depressurizing a pressurized flow rich in solid material produced in the vessel (92). It comprises a directional control valve (66) connecting the vessel (92) and each depressurizing tank (64). The directional control valve (66) is movable between a first configuration in which it directs the pressurized flow to the first tank (64A) and depressurizes the second tank (64B), and a second configuration in which it directs the pressurized flow to the second tank (64B) and depressurizes at least the first tank (64A).