Triangular Spacing Members for Centrifugal Separator Disc Rigidity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Centrifugal separators face challenges in maximizing the number of separation discs within a given height, leading to uneven interspaces and reduced separation performance due to the use of thin discs, which can flex and deform under centrifugal forces.

Innovation Solution

The use of truncated conical separation discs with tip-shaped spot-formed spacing members on both surfaces to maintain equidistant interspaces, enhancing the separation capacity and reducing the risk of contamination by minimizing contact area and ensuring consistent separation performance across the disc stack.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the number of separation discs is increased to maximize separating capacity, then the separating capacity is improved, but the discs become thinner and lose rigidity causing uneven interspaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparating capacityVSAvoidrigidity of separation discs

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The spacing members are pre-formed with a triangular cross-section and attached to the separation discs before stacking. This preliminary formation of rigid spacing structures prevents the discs from deforming during operation, allowing thin discs to be used without losing rigidity. The spacing members are positioned to provide preliminary support that maintains uniform interspaces even when discs are made thinner to increase the number of discs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If thin separation discs are used to fit more discs in the stack, then the separating capacity is improved, but the discs flex and deform under centrifugal forces creating uneven interspaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparating capacityVSAvoiduniformity of interspaces

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The triangular cross-section spacing members act as intermediary elements between adjacent separation discs. These spacing members transfer and distribute the centrifugal forces uniformly across the disc stack, preventing direct contact and deformation between thin discs. The triangular geometry provides stable geometric support that maintains uniform interspaces, serving as a mediator that allows thin discs to function stably under operational loads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If separation discs are compressed to form a tight unit, then the structural integrity is improved, but the thin discs flex and provide uneven interspaces with inadequate height in certain areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrity of disc stackVSAvoiduniformity of interspace height

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The spacing members are strategically positioned at specific locations on the separation discs where support is most needed. The triangular cross-section provides localized rigid support at these positions, creating zones of enhanced structural integrity without requiring uniform thickening of the entire disc. This local quality approach allows the discs to be compressed into a tight unit while maintaining uniform interspace height at critical positions, preventing flexing and deformation in areas far from spacing members.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 allows for a greater number of thin separation discs to be used, increasing the separating capacity while maintaining rigidity and reducing the risk of uneven interspaces and contamination, thereby achieving closer to theoretical separation performance.

Implementation Method 1

During operation, fluid mixture that is about to be separated is introduced into a rotating bowl and due to the centrifugal forces, heavy particles or denser liquid, such as water, accumulates at the periphery of the rotating bowl

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

the separation disc has a truncated conical shape with an inner surface and an outer surface and a plurality of spot-formed spacing members extending from at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGeometric rigidity: Geometry

Data Source

PatentUS11660613B2Separation disc for a centrifugal separator having spacing members with a triangular shape

Publication Date: 2023.05.30 ALFA LAVAL CORP AB

AI summary

A separation disc for a centrifugal separator is adapted to be included in a stack of separation discs inside a centrifugal rotor for separating a fluid mixture. The separation disc has a truncated conical shape with an inner surface and an outer surface and a plurality of spot-formed spacing members extending from at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface. The spot-formed spacing members are for providing interspaces between mutually adjacent separation discs in a stack of separation discs, and the plurality of spot-formed spacing members are tip-shaped and taper from a base at the surface of the separation disc towards a tip extending a height from the surface. A stack of separation discs, a centrifugal separator and a method for separating at least two components of a fluid mixture are also disclosed.