Sweeper Header and Centrifugal Separator for Low-Pressure Basin Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling tower systems face inefficiencies due to turbulence introduced by eductors and centrifugal separators, leading to increased operational costs and power requirements for particulate removal.
Innovation Solution
The use of sweeper headers with drilled holes for gentle water flow and air-bleed centrifugal separators with curved velocity plates and reversal mechanisms to reduce turbulence, allowing for effective particulate removal with lower system pressure and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If eductors are used to amplify fluid discharge for sweeping particulate matter, then the cleaning coverage is improved, but system pressure requirements and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the eductor component from the system. Instead of using eductors to amplify fluid discharge, the patent uses a centrifugal separator that directly discharges separated fluid onto the basin floor, removing the need for pressure-intensive amplification devices while maintaining cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical eductor-based fluid amplification system with a centrifugal separation system that uses centrifugal force and gravity to separate particulates from fluid, then directly applies the separated fluid for sweeping without requiring additional pressure amplification
2Reliability
If conventional vortex-based centrifugal separators are used to separate particulate matter, then separation function is achieved, but turbulence is introduced increasing power requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the conventional vortex separator design by using a spin plate that reverses the axial direction of flow rather than relying on continuous vortex action. This reversal mechanism reduces turbulence by controlling flow direction changes, thereby lowering power requirements while maintaining effective particulate separation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the flow parameters within the separator by using a spin plate to reverse axial flow direction, transforming the flow pattern from high-turbulence vortex to controlled reverse flow, which reduces the horsepower requirement for the suction pump
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
Significant energy savings are achieved while maintaining cleaning effectiveness, reducing system pressure requirements and operational costs without degrading cleaning ability.
Implementation Method 1
Conventional centrifugal separators (such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,335,313, incorporated herein by reference) utilize centrifugal force and gravity to achieve varying degrees of separation of particulate from particulate/fluid mixtures
Implementation Method 2
Conventional centrifugal separators (such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,335,313, incorporated herein by reference) utilize centrifugal force and gravity to achieve varying degrees of separation of particulate from particulate/fluid mixtures
Implementation Method 3
Some conventional separators employ a vortex system where the particulate/fluid mixture is introduced into a cylindrical chamber at a tangential angle generating centrifugal action in the mixture
Implementation Method 4
a plurality of holes drilled in a sweeper header producing a steady, gentle flow of water with sufficient force to keep sand and debris rolling along the bottom of the basin
Data Source
AI summary
A sweeper assembly can include a plurality of holes drilled in one or more sweeper headers that can be angled downwards towards the basin floor to produce a gentle flow of fluid to keep particulate matter rolling along the basin floor. A centrifugal separator can include a curved velocity plate for smoothly directing flow from an inlet pipe to an inner wall of the separator and creating a downward vortex of particulate-laden fluid within the centrifugal separator. The centrifugal separator can include one or more reversal mechanisms for transferring particulate matter to a collection chamber and reversing the direction of particle-free fluid, which may upwardly exit through a discharge pipe. The centrifugal separator can include a bleed valve in the discharge pipe for automatically bleeding accumulated air in the “dead zone” between the inlet pipe and the top of the centrifugal separator.