Vibratory Screening Apparatus with Stacked Screens
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in offshore oil drilling is to enhance the efficiency of vibratory screening apparatus while minimizing its physical size due to restricted and expensive platform real estate.
Innovation Solution
A vibratory screening apparatus with a static outer housing and a floating basket that accommodates a stack of screen assemblies separated by flow directing trays, utilizing a flow distributor to divide the feed into multiple streams and direct them through screens with varying mesh sizes, allowing for increased effective screen surface area with minimal size increase, and configurable to optimize processing based on feed characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional single-screen apparatus is used, then the apparatus structure is simple, but the effective screen surface area is limited and apparatus size must be increased to process given volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a horizontal single-screen configuration to a vertical stacked multi-screen configuration. Multiple screen assemblies are arranged vertically within a single basket, utilizing the vertical dimension to increase effective screen surface area without proportionally increasing the apparatus footprint. The flow distributor directs feed streams to different screens in the stack, enabling parallel processing through multiple screens simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple screen assemblies are nested within a single vibrating basket, with each screen assembly contained within the same structural envelope. The flow distributor and flow directing trays are nested within the basket structure, creating a compact integrated system where multiple functional elements are housed within a single apparatus volume.
2Productivity
If multiple screens are stacked in parallel configuration, then processing efficiency increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The feed stream is segmented into multiple parallel streams by the flow distributor, with each stream directed to a different screen assembly in the stack. This segmentation enables simultaneous processing of multiple portions of the feed through different screens, increasing overall productivity. The flow directing trays also segment the filtrate flows from different screens for separate collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow distributor serves multiple functions: it distributes feed to different screens, directs filtrate collection, and can be configured in different modes (parallel or series operation). The vibrating basket simultaneously supports multiple screen assemblies and provides vibration to all screens. This multi-functionality increases productivity without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If intensive screening configuration is used with all feed through first screen and all filtrate through second screen, then separation efficiency increases, but screen consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow distributor is designed with movable or reconfigurable elements that allow switching between different operational configurations. The system can dynamically adjust between intensive screening mode (all feed through first screen, all filtrate through second screen) and restricted feed capacity mode (feed distributed to different screens). This dynamic reconfigurability allows optimization of screen consumption based on processing requirements.
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 reduces the apparatus size required to process a given volume, achieves efficient solids separation, and lowers operating costs by allowing flexible screening configurations, thereby improving processing efficiency and reducing the number of screens in use.
Implementation Method 1
at least one floating basket mounted so as to be vibratable, in use of the apparatus, by a vibrator device formed and arranged for vibrating said basket
Implementation Method 2
said basket mounting a stack of screen assemblies, with superposed screen assemblies separated from each other by a respective flow directing tray
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a vibratory screening apparatus (1) for use in removing solids from a liquid feed, and a basket (4) therefore. The apparatus comprises a static outer housing (2), and a floating basket vibratable by a vibrator device (10). The basket mounts a stack (7) of screen assemblies (8) provided with respective flow directing trays (9) for receiving filtrates from the screen assemblies. A flow distributor (15) divides the feed into at least first and a second feed streams and directs them onto respective screen assemblies, and receives from the flow directing trays, filtrates from respective screen assemblies.