DE29904406U1 - Gravity separator with free mirror - Google Patents

Description

GRÜNECKER, KINKELDEY«

i.SCJltfV^NHÄUSSER

A N SOC? *E TAT

LAW FIRM MAXIMILIANSTRASSE 58 D-80S38 MUNICH GERMANY

Applicant:

KESSEL GMBH

BAHNHOFSTRASSE 85101 LENTING LAWYERS

MUNICH

OR. HELMUT EICHMANN

GERHARD BARTH

DR. ULRICH BLUMENRÖDER, LL. M.

CHRISTA NIKLAS-FALTER

DR. MICHAEL SCHRAMM, DIPL.-PHYS.

DR. MAXIMILIAN KINKELDEY, LL.M.

OF COUNSEL

PATENT ATTORNEYS

AUGUST GRÜNEECKER
DR. GUNTER BEZOLD
DR. WALTER LANGHOFF

DR. WILFRIED STOCKMAIR (-1996)

PATENT ATTORNEYS

EUROPEAN PATENT ATTORNEYS

MUNICH

DR. HERMANN KINKELDEY

DR. KLAUS SCHUMANN

PETER H. JAKOS

WOLFHARD MEISTER

HANS HILGERS

DR. HENNING MEYER-PLATH

ANNE EHNOLD

THOMAS SCHUSTER

DR. KLARA GOLDBACH

MARTIN AUFENANGER

GOTTFRIED KUTZSCH

DR. HEIKE VOGELSANG-WENKE

REINHARD KNAUER

DIETMAR KUHL

DR. FRANZ-JOSEF ZIMMER

BETTINA K. REICHELT

DR. ANTON K. PFAU

DR. UDO WEIGELT

RAINER BERTRAM

JENS KOCH, MS (UofPA) MS (ENSPM)

COLOGNE

DR. MARTIN DROPMANN

YOUR REF. OUR REF.

DATE

KK030

G 4086-25/Sü

10.03.99

Gravity separator with free surface

MAXIMILIANSTRASSE 58 D-80538 MUNICH

TEL 089 / 21 23 50 FAX (Gr. 3) 089 / 22 02 87, (Gr. 4) 089 / 21 86 92 http://www.grunecker.de - e-mail: postmaster@grunecker.de KAISER-WILHELM-RING 13 D-50672 KÖLN

TEL 0221 / 94 97 22 0 FAX (Gr. 3) 0221 / 94 97 22 2

e-mail: dropmann@grunecker.de

DEUTSCHE BANK MUNICH NO. 17 51734 BLZ 700 700 10 SWIFT: DEUT DE MM

, ••»••••it!»

Gravity separator with free surface

The invention relates to a gravity separator according to the preamble of claim 1.

In such a gravity separator, known from DE-A-421 55 65, the immersion pipe is arranged off-center and close to the inner wall of the housing, so that the horizontal flow path to the outlet is as short as possible. A partition wall with an overflow option for the waste water is provided between the inlet and the outlet. Although this design principle is intended to achieve the longest possible flow paths for the waste water into the immersion pipe, practice shows that the actual flow is hindered or influenced by the structural measures and the off-center immersion pipe in such a way that undesirable dead zones arise and the flow moves relatively uncontrolled. In the dead zones, a good separation effect occurs because the flow is practically completely calm; however, the flow components that move directly to the immersion pipe inlet take a lot of contaminants with them, so that both light materials and suspended matter pass through the outlet to an unsatisfactory extent. Not only is the available cross-section used for separation, but also the available height, i.e. the entire available separation volume.

In order to improve the separation effect, according to DE-U-90 05 311, a vertical, also eccentric hollow cylinder with a filter fabric in the cylinder wall is provided with an immersion tube positioned close to the inner wall of the housing. This means considerable additional construction work and makes maintenance more difficult. In addition, the eccentric hollow cylinder and the eccentric immersion tube form obstacles in the flow path, which prevent the creation of a harmonious and uniform flow using the entire separation volume.

In a separator known from DE-A-38 20 142, the housing is double-conical with a cylindrical middle section, and a

The pipe leading to this positioned drain is only placed in the tank floor area in such a way that it runs downwards from its inlet opening and then laterally and through the tank wall to the outside. The housing concept and the course of the immersion pipe are complex and expensive structural measures that nevertheless do not allow satisfactory use of the entire separation volume.

DE-C-241 369 describes a double-conical gravity separator with a cylindrical middle section, in which the immersion pipe is arranged centrally in the housing axis, but is surrounded on the outside by a spiral-shaped sheet metal casing. Stationary vertical guide walls dip into the free surface from above. Stationary vertical guide walls are also provided in the base area and at the lower entry into the two-part immersion pipe. Due to the complex fittings, a harmonious, calm and uniform flow cannot develop in the separator, as would be appropriate for pure gravity separation. Rather, this known separator works like a cyclone with a separation effect forced by centrifugal force and the fittings.

In general, it can be said that the flow conditions are difficult to control in round separators, especially grease separators, with a free surface and relatively small diameters. The flow is difficult to expand and to manage harmoniously. The separation volume is not used sufficiently because a dominant surface flow is created, on the sides and below which there are dead spaces with extremely calm flow, in which there is increased rotting. As a rule, baffles or flow guide elements are therefore installed to prevent short-circuit flows, but this increases the construction effort in an inappropriate way. The Euronorm 1825, which applies to such round separators with a free surface, which are used in large numbers, poses a problem with regard to the separation effect.

The invention is based on the object of creating a gravity separator, in particular a grease separator, of the type mentioned at the beginning in a free-surface design,

in which high requirements regarding the separation effect can be met without expensive structural measures, for example in accordance with Euronorm 1825, and in which essentially the entire separation volume in the housing is used for gravity separation.

The stated problem is solved with the features of claim 1.

According to the invention, the flow is guided along the container wall by the flow guide element. The centrally arranged, circular immersion pipe avoids short-circuit flows and stabilizes the tangential flows. This creates a long flow path for a harmonious flow. The separation volume is utilized as far as possible. The residence time of the wastewater is standardized. The size and disposal volume can thus be reduced. The stabilized tangential flow also results in a spiral-shaped downward flow within the circular circulation area to the inlet openings of the immersion pipe, which uses the entire separation volume. The separation time made available to the wastewater is thus maximized. Each fat particle has essentially the same separation time available. The flow speed is moderate so that no turbulence occurs. Heavy particles are not brought to the container wall, but sink to the bottom. Light materials such as grease or oil do not flow to the center of the container, but to the free surface. This positive effect is a surprising result of the central position of the round immersion tube and its interaction with the inner wall of the housing. Dead zones and turbulence are reliably avoided. A pronounced, harmonious spiral flow is created around the immersion tube, which gradually continues downwards to the inlet openings of the immersion tube. The overall separation effect is significantly better than with conventional gravity separators of the same size with a free surface. In particular, the Euronorm 1825 can be met without any problems.

According to claim 2, favorable flow conditions arise when the inner diameter of the immersion tube is approximately 15% of the inner diameter of the housing.

According to claim 3, the immersion tube is fixed stably in the container, although it is located at a relatively large horizontal distance from the inner wall of the housing. The support part is located in the area of the separator in which the solids are separated.

According to claim 4, the supporting part is a pipe socket which is fixed to the housing base and forms a stable foundation for the immersion tube.

According to claim 5, several inlet openings distributed in the circumferential direction in the dip tube are provided so that the flow can penetrate into the dip tube uniformly from all sides.

According to claim 6, air inclusions are avoided because the immersion tube is open above the free surface.

According to claim 7, the positioning of the overflow line is also stable.

According to claim 8, the overflow line can be easily connected to the immersion tube.

In order to avoid disposal problems with solids in the pipe socket on the bottom of the container, the pipe socket should be closed by a cover plate according to claim 9.

A decisive factor for the favorable separation effect is a controlled start of the tangential flow along the inner wall of the container. According to claim 10, the flow guide element at the inlet is responsible for this. This is a cost-effective

adjustable molded part that forces the incoming wastewater to flow upwards along the inside wall of the tank and towards the free surface from the beginning, so that the desired harmonious spiral flow is created. With only one lateral outlet of the flow guide element, a very harmonious circulation in the housing is achieved. If two outlets pointing to opposite sides are provided, then overlapping spiral flows are created.

The individual components of the separator are made of plastic molded parts, preferably HDPE.

The inlet and outlet can be diametrically opposite each other. However, it is also conceivable to arrange the outlet at any point on the circumference of the housing.

Embodiments of the subject matter of the invention are explained using the drawing. They show:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section of a gravity separator, in particular a grease separator,

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section to Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 a current conducting element in a vertical section in the section plane III-III

of Fig. 4, and

Fig. 4 is a view of the current conducting element of Fig. 3 in viewing direction IV.

A gravity separator F, in particular a grease separator, has an approximately barrel-shaped, round housing B with a maintenance and disposal cover 1 on the top. An inlet Z and, for example, diametrically opposite an outlet A are formed in the housing wall. The outlet A is slightly lower than the inlet Z and determines the height of a free surface S for the

Waste water in the separator F. Inside the housing B, a current conducting element L is installed in front of the inlet Z and is positioned, for example, using a clamp 5. The current conducting element L can be seen in detail in Figs. 3 and 4.

An overflow line in the form of a substantially horizontal pipe 4 leads to the outlet A, which is in flow connection with a vertical immersion pipe T and is expediently connected by means of a plug-in sleeve 9 to the immersion pipe T, which is open at the top at 8.

The immersion tube T has a circular cross-section and runs upwards from the inlet openings 7 at the bottom along the Y axis of the container B. The immersion tube T is positioned by a support part 6, preferably a pipe socket fixed to the bottom of the housing B, which can be covered on the top by a cover plate 10. The support part 6 is preferably glued or welded to the bottom of the housing. The lower end of the immersion tube T is either placed outside over the support part 6 or inserted into it. A clamp 11 can provide additional positioning assistance.

Light materials, especially fats, can separate in an upper area below the free surface S, which area is limited downwards by the dashed line 2. At the bottom of the container B there is a type of sludge trap for sinking sediment, which can collect up to a level 3 indicated by the dashed line. If the limits 2, 3 are reached, then it is time to dispose of the separator F in the usual way by suction.

A circular circulation area ZB is created around the immersion pipe T, which is free except for the flow guide element L and extends downwards to the height of the inlet opening 7. The flow guide element L can direct the incoming waste water either tangentially to both sides along the inner wall of the housing and slightly upwards, or (indicated by dashed lines at X in Fig. 2) only in a single direction.

The waste water guided by the flow guide element L along the inner wall of the tank is transformed into a harmonious, even circular flow in the circular circulation area ZB (indicated by dash-dotted lines at S), which then gradually and spirals downwards and moves towards the inlet openings 7. This avoids inappropriate short-circuit flows, but instead the waste water travels optimally long distances, so that floating and settling matter are separated with high efficiency by the effect of gravity. The clean water rising in the immersion pipe T and finally exiting at the outlet A is only slightly contaminated. The separator F thus meets the requirements of Euronorm 1825, for example.

The flow-conducting element L can be a one-piece plastic molded part according to Fig. 3 and 4. It has a horizontal pipe socket 12 that is inserted into the inlet Z and sealed therein. A substantially vertical downpipe 13 runs downwards from the horizontal pipe socket 12 and is open at the top at 17. An L- or T-distributor 14 is molded onto the lower end of the downpipe 13 and has one or two side outlets 15. The outlet 15 bends upwards relative to a horizontal connecting piece 16 and also at an angle in the direction of the housing axis Y in order to hug the waste water against the inner wall of the housing and direct it upwards in the direction of the free surface F. The inclination of each outlet upwards can be approx. 30°, while the inclination of each outlet 15 inwards can be approx. 15° according to Fig. 2. The outlet 15 or the two outlets 15 are arranged slightly below the level 2, up to which a layer of grease may form before the separator F has to be disposed of.

Claims (11)

Expectations 1. Gravity separator with free surface (S), in particular grease separator (F), with a circular, almost barrel-shaped housing (B), an inlet arranged above the free surface on the side of the housing wall, an outlet (A) determining the height of the free surface on the side of the housing wall, and an immersion pipe (T); which has at least one inlet opening 7 well below the free surface, runs approximately parallel to the housing axis (Y) upwards to above the free surface and is connected to the outlet (A) via an essentially horizontal overflow line, wherein in the housing (B) at the inlet (Z) a flow conducting element (L) which is open below the free surface (S) and has a conducting direction which is approximately tangential to the inner wall of the housing is mounted, characterized in that the immersion tube (T) is designed with a round outer circumference and is arranged centrally in the housing axis (Y) and below the overflow line with the inner wall of the basin delimits a circular ring-shaped circulation region (ZB) which is free except for the flow conducting element (L) and extends downwards to at least the height of the inlet opening (7). 2. Separator according to claim 1, characterized in that the immersion tube (T) has an inner diameter which is between 10 and 30%, preferably about 15%, of the housing diameter. 3. Separator according to claim 1, characterized in that the dip tube (T) is mounted on a support part (6) provided on the housing bottom, which preferably has approximately the same round outer contour as the dip tube (T). 4. Separator according to claim 3, characterized in that the supporting part (6) is a pipe socket glued or welded to the housing bottom, onto or into which the lower immersion pipe end is inserted. 5. Separator according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of inlet openings (7) are provided in the immersion tube (T) on the tube wall side, e.g. five circular openings each with a diameter of approximately 45% of the immersion tube inner diameter. 6. Separator according to claim 1, characterized in that the dip tube (T) is open above the overflow line. 7. Separator according to claim 1, characterized in that the overflow line is a pipe (4) inserted laterally into the dip pipe (T) and into the drain (A). 8. Separator according to claim 7, characterized in that a plug-in sleeve (9) is fastened to the overflow pipe (4) inserted into the dip pipe (T). 9. Separator according to claim 4, characterized in that the pipe socket is covered by a cover plate (10). 10. Separator according to claim 1, characterized in that the flow conducting element (L), preferably in one piece, consists of a horizontal pipe socket (12) inserted into the inlet (Z) and a vertical downpipe (13) with an open upper end (17) and one or two lateral outlets (15), each outlet being directed both obliquely upwards and obliquely towards the inner wall of the housing. 11. Separator according to claim 1, characterized in that the separator (F) is entirely composed of plastic molded parts in a modular manner, preferably of HDPE plastic molded parts.