Sludge Separator Cyclone Flow and Particle Separation Chamber

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sludge separators face inefficiencies and high pressure losses, with a need for a more compact and economical design that optimizes particle separation while minimizing disruptions to the cyclone effect.

Innovation Solution

A sludge separator design featuring a particle separation chamber with a particle separator, such as a filter or magnet, arranged outside the separating container, allowing for efficient cyclone guidance and complete liquid flow through the filter or magnet for enhanced particle removal, along with a decentralized drain valve and adaptable tank configurations for flexible installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the particle separator is arranged inside the separation vessel, then the device complexity is reduced, but the cyclone effect is disrupted and separation efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural complexityVSAvoidseparation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into two distinct chambers: a separation vessel for cyclone-based coarse separation and a particle separation chamber for fine separation. This segmentation allows each chamber to optimize its function without interfering with the other, maintaining cyclone effectiveness while enabling particle removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The particle separator is positioned in a separate spatial dimension (the particle separation chamber) rather than within the separation vessel's three-dimensional flow path. This dimensional separation allows the particle separator to function without disrupting the cyclone flow pattern in the separation vessel.

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

2Device complexity

If the particle separator protrudes into the separation vessel, then the device complexity is reduced, but the cyclone flow pattern is disrupted causing pressure losses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidpressure loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into two distinct chambers: a separation vessel for cyclone-based coarse separation and a particle separation chamber for fine separation. This segmentation allows each chamber to optimize its function without interfering with the other, maintaining cyclone effectiveness while enabling particle removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The particle separation chamber acts as an intermediary space that receives liquid from the separation vessel and performs additional particle removal without the separator interfering with the main cyclone flow. This intermediary chamber protects the cyclone flow pattern from disruption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If only cyclone separation is used, then the device complexity is low, but residual fine particles remain in the liquid stream

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidparticle removal efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into two distinct chambers: a separation vessel for cyclone-based coarse separation and a particle separation chamber for fine separation. This segmentation allows each chamber to optimize its function without interfering with the other, maintaining cyclone effectiveness while enabling particle removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A filter element with porous structure is used in the particle separation chamber to remove fine particles from the liquid stream. The porous material provides high surface area for particle capture while maintaining low pressure drop, achieving fine particle removal without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

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 achieves efficient particle separation with minimized pressure losses, flexible installation options, and extended filter service life by ensuring all liquid flows through the filter or magnet, effectively removing residual particles and adapting to various orientations.

Implementation Method 1

liquid introduced into the separator flows downwards along the container wall in a cyclone-like motion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCyclone separation: Cyclone Separation

Implementation Method 2

The filter is arranged, in particular, within the particle separation chamber such that the liquid flowing from the outlet of the separation vessel during operation can pass through the filter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

at least one particle separator is a magnet. The magnet is arranged, particularly within the particle separation chamber, such that magnetic particles carried along in the liquid during operation can be at least partially separated by the magnet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic separation: Magnetism

Implementation Method 4

Solid particles separated by the cyclone action sink downwards along the container wall into a sludge settling chamber provided at the lower end of the container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3222357B2Sludge separator
Publication Date: 2022.02.23 IMI HYDRONIC ENG INT SA
  • EP3222357B2 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3222357B2 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3222357B2 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Sludge separator comprising a vessel (100) with a separation vessel (200) having a side vessel wall (202), a vessel bottom (201) and a vessel axis (A), which has an inlet (210) and an outlet (220) as well as an interior space, and with a particle separation chamber (300) which is arranged at the outlet (220) of the separation vessel (200) and is in fluid communication with the separation vessel (200), an inlet (110) for supplying liquid into the vessel (100) and an outlet (120) for discharging the liquid from the vessel (100), wherein the sludge separator is designed such that liquid introduced into the separation vessel (200) flows downwards along the vessel wall (202) in a cyclone-like motion and then upwards within the cyclone-like downward-flowing liquid to the particle separation chamber (300). flows, and the sludge separator has at least one particle separator (310; 311;312) comprises, which is arranged in the particle separation chamber (300).