Solid-Liquid Separation Device Gravity Heat Exchanger Arrangement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solid-liquid separation devices using substances that are gases at normal temperature and pressure face inefficiencies due to narrow optimal circulation amounts of the substance, requiring precise control and frequent maintenance, especially when using external heat sources which decrease efficiency and increase pollution risks.

Innovation Solution

A solid-liquid separation device utilizing a closed system with a compressor, two heat exchangers, and a treatment tank, where the first heat exchanger's center of gravity is lower than the second, and the substance B flow path is positioned below/above the liquid level in each, enabling efficient phase change and reducing maintenance needs by leveraging gravity for fluid flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a compressor is used to change phase of substance A (DME), then phase change can be achieved, but maintenance frequency increases and minimum processing amount becomes too large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance intervalVSAvoidminimum processing amount
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the compressor from the system entirely. Instead of using a compressor to change the phase of substance A, the system uses a different approach where substance B undergoes phase change to drive the separation process, eliminating the need for a compressor and its associated maintenance requirements while enabling operation at smaller processing amounts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces substance B as an intermediary that mediates the phase change process. Substance B undergoes phase change (evaporation and condensation) to transfer energy and drive the separation of substance A, replacing the direct compressor-based phase change approach and enabling more efficient operation with reduced maintenance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the amount of DME in the cycle is increased, then cycle operation is maintained, but liquid phase unfavorable for heat exchange occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecycle operation stabilityVSAvoidheat exchange efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the operating parameters of the system by using substance B with different physical properties than substance A. This allows the system to operate at optimal parameters for heat exchange while maintaining stable cycle operation, avoiding the unfavorable liquid phase conditions that occur when DME amount is increased

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by stationary object

If external heat source is used for phase change of DME, then heat supply is obtained, but heat exchange efficiency decreases and pollution occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat supplyVSAvoidpollution
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the potential harm of using external heat sources (pollution and inefficiency) into a benefit by using the phase change of substance B within a closed system. The heat required for phase change is obtained internally through the condensation of substance B, eliminating the need for external heat sources and their associated pollution and efficiency problems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The system becomes self-sufficient by using the condensation heat of substance B to provide the evaporation heat for substance A. This internal heat recycling mechanism eliminates dependence on external heat sources, achieving both high heat exchange efficiency and zero pollution from heat supply

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 configuration allows for efficient operation with extended maintenance intervals and precise control of the substance's amount, enhancing heat exchange efficiency and reducing pollution, while eliminating the need for compressors and external heat sources.

Implementation Method 1

a first heat exchanger that exchanges heat of condensation of the substance B and heat of evaporation of the substance A

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

heat of evaporation of the substance A

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

heat of condensation of the substance B

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 4

a second heat exchanger that exchanges heat of evaporation of the substance B and heat of condensation of the substance A

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 5

heat of evaporation of the substance B

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 6

heat of condensation of the substance A

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 7

a compressor that compresses the substance B

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 8

expansion means that decompresses the condensed substance B

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDecompression: Depressurisation

Implementation Method 9

a treatment tank in which the substance A is mixed with the object to be treated, the substance A having been evaporated while separated from the water or the oil in the first heat exchanger

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Data Source

PatentEP3248663B1Liquid solid separating device
Publication Date: 2020.09.23 HITACHI LTD
  • EP3248663B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3248663B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Among solid-liquid separation devices using a cycle of state change of a substance A capable of dissolving water and oil, a solid-liquid separation device that decreases maintenance frequency and facilitates control of a filling amount of a substance A in the cycle is provided. The present invention is a solid-liquid separation device that performs dehydration or deoiling from an object to be treated that is a mixture of water and a solid, a mixture of oil and a solid, or a mixture of water, oil, and a solid, as the object to be treated, using the substance A that is a gas at normal temperature and pressure and is capable of dissolving water and oil when liquefied, the solid-liquid separation device including a substance B that is circulated while generating phase change in a closed system, a compressor that compresses the substance B, a first heat exchanger A that exchanges heat of condensation of the substance B and heat of evaporation of the substance A, an expansion valve that decompresses the condensed substance B, a second heat exchanger B that exchanges heat of evaporation of the substance B and heat of condensation of the substance A, and a treatment tank in which the substance A is mixed with the object to be treated, the substance A having been evaporated while separated from the water or the oil in the first heat exchanger A, and condensed in the second heat exchanger B, wherein the center of gravity of the first heat exchanger A is installed in a lower portion than the center of gravity of the second heat exchanger B in a vertical direction.