DE102022129902A1 - Impurity separator for separating impurities from a media flow - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a contaminant separator (10) for separating contaminants from a media flow, in particular from a biogas substrate flow, with a flow chamber (14), a media inlet (20) for introducing a media flow comprising contaminants of different contaminant categories into the flow chamber (14), a flow generator (22) arranged in the flow chamber (14) for generating a specific flow state in the flow chamber (14), in particular a vortex flow, a first contaminant outlet (24) for discharging the contaminants of a first contaminant category separated from the media flow from the flow chamber (14) and a media outlet (28) for discharging the media flow from the flow chamber (14) after contaminant separation has taken place.

Description

The invention relates to a contaminant separator for separating contaminants from a media flow, in particular from a biogas substrate flow, with a flow chamber, a media inlet for introducing a media flow comprising contaminants of different contaminant categories into the flow chamber, a flow generator arranged in the flow chamber for generating a specific flow state in the flow chamber, in particular a vortex flow, a first contaminant outlet for discharging the contaminants of a first contaminant category separated from the media flow from the flow chamber and a media outlet for discharging the media flow from the flow chamber after the contaminants have been separated.

The invention further relates to a method for separating contaminants from a media flow, in particular from a biogas substrate flow, by means of a contaminant separator, with the steps: introducing a media flow comprising contaminants of different contaminant categories into a flow chamber of the contaminant separator through a media inlet of the contaminant separator, generating a specific flow state in the flow chamber, in particular a vortex flow, by means of a flow generator of the contaminant separator arranged in the flow chamber, discharging the contaminants of a first contaminant category separated from the media flow from the flow chamber through a first contaminant outlet of the contaminant separator and discharging the media flow from the flow chamber after the contaminants have been separated through a media outlet of the contaminant separator.

A large number of media flows contain impurities from different impurity categories, which need to be separated from the media flow as part of a process. The known impurity separators are currently only suitable for separating impurities from a specific impurity category, so that several different impurity separators are required to separate all impurities from the media flow as part of the respective process. With some impurity separators, it is also necessary to switch off or shut down the system in which the impurity separator is integrated in order to remove the separated impurities, which leads to considerable losses in effectiveness and additional work.

In a biogas plant, impurities from different impurity categories also occur in the biogas substrate flow. The impurities in a first impurity category are, for example, suspended matter, such as shredded fibers or shredded cellulose material. The impurities in the second impurity category are, for example, granular minerals, such as sand. The suspended matter and the granular minerals cannot currently be separated from the biogas substrate flow by a single impurity separator during operation of the biogas plant.

The object underlying the invention is therefore to expand the separation properties of a contaminant separator.

The object is achieved by a contaminant separator of the type mentioned at the outset, wherein the contaminant separator according to the invention has a second contaminant outlet for discharging the contaminants of a second contaminant category separated from the media flow from the flow chamber.

It is therefore no longer necessary to shut down the system in which the contaminant separator is used in order to remove the contaminants of the second contaminant category. The operation of the system therefore no longer needs to be interrupted in order to remove the contaminants. Furthermore, the use of several contaminant separators for the different contaminants is no longer necessary, as the contaminant separator can separate both the contaminants of the first category and the contaminants of the second category from the media flow.

The plant in which the impurity separator is used is, for example, a biogas plant. The media flow from which the impurity separator separates the impurities is, for example, a biogas substrate flow. The flow generator preferably comprises a rotor and/or is drivable, in particular drivable in rotation.

The impurities are preferably solids. The impurities in the first impurity category are, for example, impurities whose material density falls within a first material density range. The impurities in the second impurity category are, for example, impurities whose material density falls within a second material density range. In this case, the first material density range differs from the second material density range. The first material density range and the second material density range can overlap in some areas. Alternatively, the first material density range and the second material density range do not overlap.

The contaminants in the first category of contaminants are, for example, suspended matter, such as shredded fibers or shredded pulp material. The suspended matter can include, for example, chopped leaves, chopped plastics and/or chopped pulp. The contaminants in the second category of contaminants are, for example, granular minerals, such as sand.

Preferably, the flow generator generates a vortex flow in the flow chamber, wherein the vortex flow has a comparatively high peripheral speed. Due to the vortex flow, a centrifugal force acts on the impurities, which moves at least the impurities of one impurity category outwards. In the outer region of the flow chamber there is then a impurity outlet for discharging the impurities moved outwards by the centrifugal force. Other impurities can accumulate in the region of the central axis of the vortex flow, so that another impurity outlet is arranged in the region of this central axis in order to be able to discharge the impurities accumulating along the central axis from the flow chamber.

The impurity separator according to the invention is further advantageously developed in that the flow chamber has a front chamber wall, wherein the first impurity outlet is preferably arranged on the front chamber wall. The flow chamber can have a cylindrical basic shape. Alternatively, the flow chamber can have a conical or frustoconical basic shape. If the flow chamber has a conical or frustoconical basic shape, the front chamber wall on which the first impurity outlet is arranged can be the front side with the larger end surface or the front side with the smaller end surface. The flow chamber preferably also comprises a circumferential chamber wall, which serves as an outer jacket surface.

In another preferred embodiment of the impurity separator according to the invention, the flow generator comprises a rotor that can rotate about a rotation axis, wherein the first impurity outlet preferably runs at least partially coaxially or parallel to the rotation axis of the rotor. Alternatively or additionally, the first impurity outlet preferably has an inflow opening and the rotation axis of the rotor runs through the inflow opening. The rotor can be a vortex impeller or comprise a vortex impeller. Alternatively, the rotor can comprise one or more blades or a blade ring. The rotor can be driven by a rotor drive. The rotor drive can be an electric, hydraulic or pneumatic drive device.

In a further preferred embodiment of the impurity separator according to the invention, the first impurity outlet comprises an outlet line that can be moved into the flow chamber and/or out of the flow chamber. By moving it in and out, the position of the inflow opening of the first impurity outlet in the flow chamber can be changed. The outlet line is preferably an axially displaceable pipe. The position of the inflow opening or the degree of extension of the outlet line into the flow chamber is to be selected depending on the type of media flow and its impurities. With some impurities, the arrangement of the inflow opening of the first impurity outlet in the vicinity of the front chamber wall is advantageous for discharging the impurities. With other impurities, a certain distance must be set between the inflow opening of the first impurity outlet and the front chamber wall in order to optimize the discharge of the impurities.

Furthermore, a contaminant separator according to the invention is advantageous in which the flow chamber has a circumferential chamber wall, wherein the second contaminant outlet is preferably arranged on the circumferential chamber wall. The flow chamber can have a cylindrical basic shape or a conical or frustoconical basic shape. The flow chamber preferably also comprises a front chamber wall. The second contaminant outlet can be connected to the circumferential chamber wall in a tangential direction.

Furthermore, a contaminant separator according to the invention is preferred in which the distance, in particular the axial distance, between the flow generator and the second contaminant outlet is greater than the distance, in particular the axial distance, between the flow generator and the media inlet. Alternatively or additionally, the distance, in particular the axial distance, between the flow generator and the second contaminant outlet is greater than the distance, in particular the axial distance, between the flow generator and the media outlet. If the flow generator is designed as a rotor or comprises a rotor, the second contaminant outlet is arranged further away from the rotor in the axial direction than the media inlet and/or the media outlet.

In an advantageous embodiment of the impurity separator according to the invention, the Media outlet arranged in the front chamber wall. Preferably, the first impurity outlet and the media outlet are arranged at a distance from one another in the front chamber wall.

In a further preferred embodiment of the impurity separator according to the invention, the flow chamber comprises a front chamber region and a rear chamber region. The front chamber region is arranged at the front of the rotor. The rear chamber region is arranged at the rear of the rotor. The front chamber region and the rear chamber region are preferably connected to one another via a media passage. Between the front chamber region and the rear chamber region there is preferably a separating diaphragm which has a diaphragm opening through which the media passage is formed. The diaphragm opening can have a circular cross-section. The separating diaphragm and/or the media passage are preferably located at the rear of the rotor. There is a flow gap between the rear of the rotor and the separating diaphragm. The media passage can be an annular gap. Alternatively, the media passage can also be formed by a passage opening in the rotor.

The impurity separator according to the invention is further advantageously developed in that the media inlet is arranged in the front chamber area and the media outlet in the rear chamber area. Alternatively, the media inlet is arranged in the rear chamber area and the media outlet in the front chamber area. In the front chamber area, the specific flow state generated by the flow generator is more pronounced, so that the arrangement of the media inlet in the front chamber area means that the desired flow state is quickly imposed on the introduced media flow. If the media outlet is arranged in the front chamber area, the specific flow state generated by the flow generator can be used to discharge the media flow after the impurity separation has taken place.

In a further preferred embodiment, the impurity separator according to the invention has a return path along which the impurities of the second impurity category can be separated from a separation flow comprising the separated impurities of the second impurity category and discharged from the flow chamber through the second impurity outlet. Alternatively or additionally, the impurity separator has a return connection for returning the separation flow to the flow chamber after the impurities have been separated along the return path. The return connection is located, for example, in the front chamber wall of the flow chamber. Alternatively, the return connection is located on an inlet nozzle that leads to the media inlet. In an alternative embodiment, the return path does not lead back into the flow chamber, but into an outlet line connected to the media outlet.

In another preferred embodiment of the impurity separator according to the invention, the return path comprises a closing device by means of which a removal opening for impurities separated from the separation flow can be closed. Alternatively or additionally, the return path comprises a centrifugal separator for separating the impurities of the second impurity category from the separation flow. The closing device can, for example, be part of a removal lock. The centrifugal separator can be a hydrocyclone. Impurities that are not separated by the centrifugal separator are fed back into the flow chamber and in this way fed to a further separation process.

The impurity separator according to the invention can further comprise an inlet flow adjustment device and/or an outlet flow adjustment device and/or a return flow adjustment device. The inlet flow adjustment device is designed to adjust the media flow flowing into the flow chamber through the media inlet. The outlet flow adjustment device is designed to adjust the media flow flowing out of the flow chamber through the media outlet. The return flow adjustment device is designed to adjust the separation flow flowing into the flow chamber through the return connection and/or the separation flow flowing out of the flow chamber through the second impurity outlet. The inlet flow adjustment device can be an inlet tap or an inlet pump. The outlet flow adjustment device can be an outlet tap or an outlet pump. The return flow adjustment device can be a return tap or a return pump. The inlet tap, the outlet tap and/or the return tap can each be designed as a ball valve. The return valve can, for example, function as a suction throttle.

In a further preferred embodiment, the impurity separator according to the invention has a control device. The control device is preferably an electronic control device. The control device is designed to control the operation of the flow generator, in particular its speed. Alternatively or additionally, the control device is set up to control the inlet flow adjustment device. Alternatively or additionally, the control device is set up to control the outlet flow adjustment device. Alternatively or additionally, the control device is set up to control the return flow adjustment device. The control device can be set up to control several or all devices selected from the group consisting of flow generator, inlet flow adjustment device, outlet flow adjustment device and return flow adjustment device depending on one another. If the inlet flow adjustment device is an inlet tap, the control device can be set up to control the blocking state of the inlet tap. If the inlet flow adjustment device is an inlet pump, the control device can be set up to control the delivery rate of the inlet pump. If the outlet flow adjustment device is an outlet tap, the control device can be set up to control the blocking state of the outlet tap. If the outlet flow adjustment device is an outlet pump, the control device can be configured to control the discharge capacity of the outlet pump. If the return flow adjustment device is a return valve, the control device can be configured to control the blocking state of the return valve. If the return flow adjustment device is a return pump, the control device can be configured to control the discharge capacity of the return pump.

The object underlying the invention is further achieved by a method of the type mentioned at the outset, wherein, within the scope of the method according to the invention, the impurities of a second impurity category separated from the media flow are discharged from the flow chamber through a second impurity outlet of the impurity separator. The method is preferably carried out with a impurity separator according to one of the embodiments described above. Thus, with regard to the advantages and modifications of the method according to the invention, reference is made to the advantages and modifications of the impurity separator according to the invention.

• 1 ein Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Störstoffabscheiders in einer perspektivischen Darstellung;
• 2 den in der 1 abgebildeten Störstoffabscheider in einer Schnittdarstellung;
• 3 ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Störstoffabscheiders in einer perspektivischen Darstellung; und
• 4 den in der 3 abgebildeten Störstoffabscheider in einer Schnittdarstellung.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained and described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

• 1 an embodiment of the impurity separator according to the invention in a perspective view;
• 2 the in the 1 shown contaminant separator in a sectional view;
• 3 another embodiment of the impurity separator according to the invention in a perspective view; and
• 4 the in the 3 shown contaminant separator in a sectional view.

The 1 and 2 show a contaminant separator 10 for separating contaminants from a media flow, namely from a biogas substrate flow.

The impurity separator 10 comprises a separator housing 12, wherein a flow chamber 14 is located in the separator housing 12. The flow chamber 14 has a front chamber wall 16, which is designed as a round cover plate. Furthermore, the flow chamber 14 has a circumferential chamber wall 18, which forms the circumferential surface of the conical or frustoconical separator housing 12.

The contaminant separator 10 comprises a media inlet 20, via which a media flow comprising contaminants of different contaminant categories can be introduced into the flow chamber 14.

In the flow chamber 14 there is a flow generator 22 for generating a vortex flow in the flow chamber 14. Impurities of a first impurity category separated from the media flow can be discharged from the flow chamber 14 via a first impurity outlet 24. Impurities of a second impurity category separated from the media flow can be discharged from the flow chamber 14 via a second impurity outlet 26. The impurity separator 10 further comprises a media outlet 28 for discharging the media flow from the flow chamber 14 after the impurities have been separated.

The flow generator 22 comprises a rotor 30 that can rotate about a rotation axis R. The rotor 30 is a vortex impeller. The first impurity outlet 24 runs coaxially to the rotation axis R of the rotor 30. The rotor 30 is driven by a rotor drive, wherein the rotor drive is an electric drive device 34, i.e. an electric motor. The electric drive device 34 is connected to the rotor 30 via the drive shaft 32. The flow chamber 14 has a front chamber area 36 and a rear chamber area 38. The front chamber area 36 is located at the front of the rotor 30. The rear chamber area 38 is located at the rear of the rotor 30. The front The front chamber area 36 and the rear chamber area 38 are connected to one another via a media passage 40 arranged at the rear of the rotor 30. Between the front chamber area 36 and the rear chamber area 38 there is a separating panel which has a panel opening through which the media passage 40 is formed. There is a flow gap between the rear of the rotor 30 and the separating panel.

The first impurity outlet 24 has an inflow opening 44, wherein the rotation axis R of the rotor 30 runs through the inflow opening 44. The first impurity outlet 24 comprises an outlet line 42 that can be moved into the flow chamber 14 and out of the flow chamber 14. The inflow opening 44 is part of the movable outlet line 42. By moving it in and out, the position of the inflow opening 44 of the first impurity outlet in the flow chamber 14 can be changed. In this way, the axial distance A between the front chamber wall 16 and the inflow opening 44 can be changed. The outlet line 42 is an axially displaceable pipe.

The second impurity outlet 26 is arranged on the circumferential chamber wall 18. The axial distance between the rotor 30 of the flow generator 22 and the second impurity outlet 26 is greater than the axial distance between the rotor 30 of the flow generator 22 and the media inlet 20. The media inlet 20 is arranged in the rear chamber area 38 of the flow chamber 14. The media outlet 28 is arranged in the front chamber wall 16 and thus in the front chamber area 36 of the flow chamber 14.

Due to the vortex flow generated by the flow generator 22 within the flow chamber 14, the impurities of the first impurity category collect in the area of the rotation axis R in the middle of the flow chamber 14, so that they can be led out of the flow chamber 14 through the first impurity outlet 24. The impurities of the first impurity category are suspended matter, such as shredded fibers or shredded cellulose material.

The impurities of the second impurity category are transported outwards and in the direction of the front chamber wall 16 due to the effect of centrifugal force. Due to the tangential orientation of the impurity outlet 26, a separation flow comprising the impurities of the second category can be discharged from the flow chamber 14. The impurities of the second impurity category are in this case granular minerals, for example sand.

The separation flow comprising the contaminants of the second contaminant category is introduced into a return path 46 via the second contaminant outlet 26. The return path 46 has a centrifugal separator 52 for separating the contaminants of the second contaminant category from the separation flow. The centrifugal separator 52 is a hydrocyclone. The return path 46 also comprises a closing device 48, by means of which a removal opening 50 for contaminants separated from the separation flow can be closed. The closing device 48 is a component of a removal lock, which is closed during operation of the contaminant separator 10.

Impurities that are not separated by the centrifugal separator 52 are fed back into the flow chamber 14 via the return line 54 designed as a return hose and the return connection 56 on the inlet nozzle 58.

In the 3 and 4 In the contaminant separator 10 shown, the media inlet 20 is located in the front chamber area 36 of the flow chamber 14 and is formed on the circumferential chamber wall 18 of the separator housing 12.

The media outlet 28, via which the media flow is discharged from the flow chamber 14 after the contaminants have been separated, is located in the rear chamber area 38 of the flow chamber 14.

The return path 46 comprising the centrifugal separator 52 and the closing device 48 is connected to a return connection 56 which is formed on the front chamber wall 16. The positions of the first impurity outlet 24 and the second impurity outlet 26 are unchanged compared to the 1 and 2 illustrated embodiments.

The 1 and 2 as well as the 3 and 4 The embodiments of the impurity separator 10 shown can be equipped with an inlet flow adjustment device, an outlet flow adjustment device and a return flow adjustment device. The media flow flowing into the flow chamber 14 through the media inlet 20 can be adjusted by means of the inlet flow adjustment device, which is for example an inlet tap or an inlet pump. The media flow flowing out of the flow chamber 14 through the media outlet 28 can be adjusted by means of the outlet flow adjustment device, which is for example an outlet tap or an outlet pump. The media flow flowing out of the flow chamber 14 through the media outlet 28 can be adjusted by means of the return flow adjustment device, which is for example a Return valve or a return pump, the separation flow flowing into the flow chamber 14 through the return connection 56 and/or the separation flow flowing out of the flow chamber 14 through the second flow outlet 26 can be adjusted.

The impurity separators 10 can also have a control device by means of which the operation of the flow generator 22, in particular its speed, and/or the inlet flow adjustment device and/or the outlet flow adjustment device and/or the return flow adjustment device can be controlled. The operation of the flow generator and one or more flow adjustment devices can be controlled by the control device in dependence on one another.

Reference symbols

10

Impurity separator

12

Separator housing

14

Flow chamber

16

Chamber walls

18

Chamber walls

20

Media entrance

22

Flow generator

24

Impurity outlet

26

Impurity outlet

28

Media outlet

30

rotor

32

drive shaft

34

Drive system

36

Front chamber area

38

Rear compartment area

40

Media passage

42

Outlet line

44

Inlet opening

46

Return path

48

Locking device

50

Removal opening

52

Centrifugal separator

54

Return line

56

Return connection

58

Inlet nozzle

A

Distance

R

Rotation axis

Claims (13)

Impurity separator (10) for separating impurities from a media flow, in particular from a biogas substrate flow, with - a flow chamber (14); - a media inlet (20) for introducing a media flow comprising impurities of different impurity categories into the flow chamber (14); - a flow generator (22) arranged in the flow chamber (14) for generating a specific flow state in the flow chamber (14), in particular a vortex flow; - a first impurity outlet (24) for discharging the impurities of a first impurity category separated from the media flow from the flow chamber (14); and - a media outlet (28) for discharging the media flow from the flow chamber (14) after the impurity has been separated; characterized by a second impurity outlet (26) for discharging the impurities of a second impurity category separated from the media flow from the flow chamber (14). Impurity separator (10) after Claim 1 , characterized in that the flow chamber (14) has a front chamber wall (16), wherein the first impurity outlet (24) is preferably arranged on the front chamber wall (16). Impurity separator (10) after Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the flow generator (22) comprises a rotor (30) rotatable about a rotation axis (R), wherein - the first impurity outlet (24) preferably runs at least partially coaxially or parallel to the rotation axis (R) of the rotor (30); and/or - the first impurity outlet (24) preferably has an inflow opening (44) and the rotation axis (R) of the rotor (30) runs through the inflow opening (44). Impurity separator (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first impurity outlet (24) comprises an outlet line (42) which can be moved into the flow chamber (14) and/or out of the flow chamber (14). Impurity separator (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flow chamber (14) has a circumferential chamber wall (18), wherein the second Impurity outlet (26) is preferably arranged on the circumferential chamber wall (18). Impurity separator (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance, in particular the axial distance, between the flow generator (22) and the second impurity outlet (26) is greater than the distance, in particular the axial distance, between the flow generator (22) and the media inlet (20) and/or between the flow generator (22) and the media outlet (28). Contaminant separator (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flow chamber (14) comprises a front chamber region (36) which is arranged at the front of the rotor (30) and a rear chamber region (38) which is arranged at the rear of the rotor (30), wherein the front chamber region (36) and the rear chamber region (38) are connected to one another via a media passage (40). Impurity separator (10) after Claim 7 , characterized in that - the media inlet (20) is arranged in the front chamber region (36) and the media outlet (28) in the rear chamber region (38); or - the media inlet (20) is arranged in the rear chamber region (38) and the media outlet (28) in the front chamber region (36). Impurity separator (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by - a return path (46) along which the impurities of the second impurity category can be separated from a separation flow comprising the separated impurities of the second impurity category and discharged from the second impurity outlet (26) from the flow chamber (14); and/or - a return connection (56) for returning the separation flow to the flow chamber (14) after the impurity has been separated along the return path (46). Impurity separator (10) after Claim 9 , characterized in that the return path (46) - comprises a closing device (48) by means of which a removal opening (50) for impurities separated from the separation flow can be closed; and/or - has a centrifugal separator (52) for separating the impurities of the second impurity category from the separation flow. Impurity separator (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by - an inlet flow adjustment device which is designed to adjust the media flow flowing into the flow chamber (14) through the media inlet (20); and/or - an outlet flow adjustment device which is designed to adjust the media flow flowing out of the flow chamber (14) through the media outlet (28); and/or - a return flow adjustment device which is designed to adjust the separation flow flowing into the flow chamber (14) through the return connection (56) and/or the separation flow flowing out of the flow chamber (14) through the second impurity outlet (26). Impurity separator (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a control device which is designed to control - the operation of the flow generator (22), in particular its rotational speed, and/or - the inlet flow adjustment device, and/or - the outlet flow adjustment device, and/or - the return flow adjustment device. Method for separating impurities from a media flow, in particular from a biogas substrate flow, by means of an impurity separator (10), in particular by means of an impurity separator (10) according to one of the preceding claims, with the steps: - introducing a media flow comprising impurities of different impurity categories into a flow chamber (14) of the impurity separator (10) through a media inlet (20) of the impurity separator (10); - generating a specific flow state in the flow chamber (14), in particular a vortex flow, by means of a flow generator (22) of the impurity separator (10) arranged in the flow chamber (14); - discharging the impurities of a first impurity category separated from the media flow from the flow chamber (14) through a first impurity outlet (24) of the impurity separator (10); and - discharging the media flow from the flow chamber (14) after the contaminants have been separated through a media outlet (28) of the contaminant separator (10); characterized by the step: - discharging the contaminants of a second contaminant category separated from the media flow from the flow chamber (14) through a second contaminant outlet (26) of the contaminant separator (10).

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