Swirl Gas-Liquid Separator With Downstream Liquid Collection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas-liquid separators require a drain pipe upstream of the swirling flow generator to collect liquid, limiting arrangement flexibility and increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
A gas-liquid separator design with a communication portion between the pipe member and swirling flow generator, allowing liquid collection downstream of the swirling flow generator, regardless of flow rate, by providing a communication space through notches in the blades.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the blades of the swirling flow generator contact the inner circumferential surface of the pipe member along the entire length, then the swirling effect is enhanced, but the liquid flow is obstructed and an upstream drain pipe is required
Solution Approach 1:
The blade length is segmented into a specific range (0.15L to 0.85L of the pipe length) rather than extending the full length, creating gaps between the blade tips and the downstream end of the pipe. This segmentation allows liquid to pass through the gaps without obstruction while the blades still contact the inner circumferential surface to provide effective swirling.
Solution Approach 2:
The gaps between adjacent blade tips act as intermediary passages that mediate between the swirling function (blades contacting the pipe surface) and the liquid flow function (unobstructed passage). These gaps allow liquid to bypass the blade structure while the blades themselves maintain contact for swirling generation.
2Reliability
If an upstream drain pipe is provided to guide water droplets to a water storage tank, then liquid collection is enabled, but the arrangement freedom of components is reduced and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing an upstream drain pipe to remove liquid before the swirling flow generator, the invention inverts the approach by allowing liquid to pass through the generator itself via the gaps between blade tips. The water storage tank can then be positioned downstream to collect the liquid that naturally separates after swirling, eliminating the need for upstream drainage infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage function is extracted from the upstream region and relocated to the downstream region. By removing the requirement for upstream drain pipes and enabling liquid to pass through the generator, the system extracts the liquid collection function and places it downstream where it does not constrain component arrangement.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the distal ends of the blades are continuous around the entire circumference, then the swirling flow is stabilized, but liquid flow obstruction occurs at low flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The blade configuration applies local quality differentiation: the blades maintain continuous contact with the inner circumferential surface along their length to provide stable swirling, but the tips are positioned at a specific distance from the downstream end to create localized gaps. This allows the majority of the blade structure to stabilize flow while the tip region facilitates liquid passage.
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
Enables efficient liquid collection downstream of the swirling flow generator, reducing the need for upstream drain pipes, enhancing arrangement flexibility, and lowering costs.
Implementation Method 1
a swirling flow generator within the pipe member, the swirling flow generator being configured to swirl the gas-liquid two-phase fluid to separate the gas and the liquid therefrom
Data Source
AI summary
A gas-liquid separator comprises a pipe member through which a gas-liquid two-phase fluid flows, the gas-liquid two-phase fluid comprising gas and liquid, and a swirling flow generator within the pipe member, the swirling flow generator being configured to swirl the gas-liquid two-phase fluid to separate the gas and the liquid therefrom. The swirling flow generator comprises blades that extend spirally about a central axis of the pipe member. Each of the blades comprises a distal end in a pipe radial direction of the pipe member. The distal ends are continuous over an entire circumference of the pipe member when the pipe member is viewed from an axial direction thereof. A communication portion is provided between the pipe member and the swirling flow generator. The communication portion is configured to communicate a first space upstream of the swirling flow generator with a second space downstream of the swirling flow generator.