Solid-Liquid Separation System with Dimethyl Ether Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solid-liquid separation systems using dimethyl ether for dewatering and deoiling face issues with fluid loss and increased running costs due to the need for frequent replacement of solid substances and the risk of compressor damage from oil contamination, leading to environmental and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A solid-liquid separation system incorporating a refrigerating cycle with a high-temperature-side and low-temperature-side heat exchanger, a filling tank, and a recovery operation mode that vaporizes the working fluid to minimize fluid loss and utilize a compressor without hydraulic oil, ensuring continuous operation with stabilized temperature and reduced chemical substance release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the dehydrator is opened to remove the solid substance after dewatering, then the solid substance can be discharged, but dimethyl ether is lost and running costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies phase transition by heating the working fluid in the dehydrator to vaporize dimethyl ether before discharge. The vaporized dimethyl ether is then condensed in a condenser and collected in a collection tank, preventing loss during the discharge operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a condenser and collection tank as intermediary components between the dehydrator and the external environment. These components serve as a recovery system that captures dimethyl ether vapor during the discharge process, preventing direct release and loss of the working fluid
2Productivity
If dimethyl ether is used for dewatering and deoiling, then moisture and oil can be removed from solid substances, but the compressor may be damaged by oil contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts oil from the system by using a separator that removes oil from the working fluid before it enters the compressor. This extraction process prevents oil contamination of the compressor while maintaining the dewatering and deoiling functionality of the system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a separator as an intermediary component between the dehydrator and the compressor. This separator acts as a protective barrier that removes oil from the working fluid, preventing oil from reaching and damaging the compressor while allowing the dewatering and deoiling process to continue
3Productivity
If the dehydrator is opened frequently to replace solid substances, then continuous processing can be maintained, but dimethyl ether is repeatedly lost and environmental pollution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses phase transition (vaporization and condensation) to recover dimethyl ether during each discharge operation. By heating to vaporize and then condensing the vapor, the system prevents repeated losses of dimethyl ether that would otherwise occur with frequent opening of the dehydrator
Solution Approach 2:
The condenser and collection tank serve as intermediary recovery systems that capture dimethyl ether vapor during each discharge cycle. This intermediary system prevents direct release to the environment, reducing environmental pollution while allowing continuous processing operations to proceed
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 system effectively reduces the loss of dimethyl ether, lowers operational costs, and enhances environmental and safety performance by minimizing the release of the working fluid, allowing for efficient and continuous dewatering and deoiling of substances containing moisture and oil.
Implementation Method 1
a low-temperature-side heat exchanger that cools the working fluid by the refrigerant to liquefy the working fluid
Implementation Method 2
the working fluid is vaporized to precipitate the moisture or oil
Implementation Method 3
a high-temperature-side heat exchanger that heats the working fluid by a refrigerant to vaporize the working fluid
Implementation Method 4
a compressor, a condenser that performs heat exchange with a heat source other than the working fluid
Implementation Method 5
a condenser that performs heat exchange with a heat source other than the working fluid
Implementation Method 6
The liquid is then decreased in pressure by an expansion mechanism to be converted into liquid of low pressure and low temperature
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a solid-liquid separation system in which a stable operation can be continuously conducted and the introduction cost and the running cost can be suppressed, in cases where moisture or oil are separated from a substance containing moisture or oil by using changes in phase of a working fluid having a nature of dissolving moisture or oil in a liquid phase. Provided is a solid-liquid separation system in which a working fluid that dissolves moisture or oil in a liquid phase is liquefied and brought into contact with a solid substance to thereby allow the working fluid to contain moisture or oil that has been contained in the solid substance, and then the working fluid is vaporized to precipitate the moisture or oil, characterized in that the solid-liquid separation system is provided with a fluid circuit in which a high-temperature-side heat exchanger that vaporizes the working fluid by a refrigerant, a low-temperature-side heat exchanger that liquefies the working fluid by the refrigerant are connected to circulate the working fluid, and a refrigerating cycle in which a compressor, a condenser that exchanges heat with a heat source other than the working fluid, the high-temperature-side heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism, and the low-temperature-side heat exchanger are sequentially connected to circulate the refrigerant, and that the solid-liquid separation system includes a recovery operation mode in which the working fluid in a filling tank is vaporized, besides the solid-liquid separation. For performing the recovery operation mode, a second expansion mechanism is provided between the condenser and the high-temperature-side heat exchanger. The system is also characterized in that the fluid circuit is provided with a heating unit that does not use the refrigerant as a heat source.