Centrifugal Separator Ring Groove Oil Collection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing centrifugal separators allow some oil impurities to pass through the gas cushion and exit with the cleaned gas, requiring equidistant outlet holes for oil collection outside the casing, which complicates the separation process and can lead to remixed impurities.

Innovation Solution

A centrifugal separator design featuring a surrounding ring groove with outwardly extending outlet holes and an annular collecting channel, along with guide vanes and inclined limiting surfaces, ensures efficient collection and separation of liquid impurities, preventing them from mixing with the gas outlet.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If outlet holes are equidistantly located along the periphery of the casing, then oil can be collected outside the casing, but the construction becomes complex and oil may be remixed with gas before leaving the separator

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidconstruction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the oil collection function directly into the casing wall by creating a ring groove that extends into the wall and integrates outlet holes within the wall structure itself, rather than requiring separate external collection components. This integration simplifies the overall construction while maintaining effective oil separation and collection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If a shield element creates a gas cushion to stop oil flow, then oil discharge is controlled, but some oil passes through the gas cushion and exits with the cleaned gas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoil discharge controlVSAvoidseparation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent addresses the insufficient oil stopping capability by adding a radial dimension to the solution. The ring groove extends radially outwardly from the inner wall surface into the casing wall, creating a three-dimensional oil collection structure that intercepts oil flowing along the inner wall, preventing it from reaching the gas outlet.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If the ring groove extends outwardly from the inner wall surface into the casing wall, then oil collection efficiency is improved, but the casing wall structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoil collection efficiencyVSAvoidcasing manufacturing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The ring groove structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it collects oil flowing along the inner wall, directs oil toward the outlet holes, and integrates with the casing wall as a unified component. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate oil collection components, potentially simplifying manufacturing despite the extended groove structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effectively captures and separates liquid impurities, ensuring they are conveyed through a single conduit, resulting in a cleaner gas output with minimal remixed impurities, enhancing the separation efficiency and simplicity of the process.

Implementation Method 1

a rotating member 4 which is provided in the separation space 2 and arranged to rotate in a direction r of rotation around an axis x of rotation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

for separating, by means of centrifugal forces, the liquid impurities from the gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal separation: Centrifugal Separation

Implementation Method 3

The liquid impurities move at a relatively high speed in a rotating path along the direction of rotation. The liquid impurities will be collected in the ring groove and flow in the direction of rotation in the ring groove

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP1984093B1Centrifugal separator
Publication Date: 2014.08.20 ALFA LAVAL CORP AB
  • EP1984093B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1984093B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1984093B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention refers to a centrifugal separator for cleaning of a gas containing liquid impurities. A stationary casing (1) encloses a separation space (2) and has an inner wall surface (3) facing the separation space. An inlet (9) is provided for the gas to be cleaned. A rotating member (4) is provided in the separation space downstream the inlet and arranged to rotate in a direction (r) of rotation around an axis (x) of rotation. The rotating member brings the gas to rota- tion in the direction (r) of rotation for separation, by means of centrifugal forces, of liquid impurities from the gas. A gas outlet (10) is provided downstream the rotating member for discharge of the cleaned gas. A first liquid outlet (11) is provided upstream the gas outlet and downstream the rotating member for discharge of sepa- rated liquid impurities and comprises at least one outlet hole. A surrounding ring groove (19) extends outwardly from the inner wall surface in the stationary casing and has a surrounding bottom surface (20), wherein the outlet hole extends outwardly from the bottom surface.