EP2946837A1

EP2946837A1 - Arrangement for separating liquid mixtures

Info

Publication number: EP2946837A1
Application number: EP14168851.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Juhani Pylkkänen; Mikael Seppälä
Original assignee: Sansox Oy
Current assignee: Sansox Oy
Priority date: 2014-05-19
Filing date: 2014-05-19
Publication date: 2015-11-25
Also published as: WO2015177408A1

Abstract

An arrangement (100) for separating liquid mixtures. The arrangement (100) comprises a cylinder (1) having an open first end (1a), a closed second end (1b), an inner surface (2) and an inner diameter (D1). The arrangement (100) further comprises an inner shaft (3) arranged concentrically and stationary within the cylinder (1), the inner shaft (3) comprising a cone (4) expanding conically towards the second end (1b), the cone (4) being hollow, having an open end (9) and comprising perforations (5) through the wall of said cone (4). The perforations (5) allow a first flowing passage (F1) from the cylinder (1) to the open end (9) and out of said cylinder (1). The arrangement (100) still further comprises a screw (6) arranged between the inner surface (2) and the inner shaft (3), the screw axis (X) being concentric with the cylinder (1). The screw (6) constitutes a helix-shaped flow path (P) between the cylinder (1) and the inner shaft (3). The arrangement (100) still further comprises an exit opening (7) in the second end (1b) generating a second flowing passage (F2) from the cylinder (1) to the outside of said cylinder (1).

Description

Background

The invention relates to an arrangement for separating liquid mixtures. The demand for separating liquid mixtures has been known for centuries. Plenty of solutions to the job have been presented. However, there is still demand for simple and durable solutions for separating liquid mixtures.

Brief description

Viewed from a first aspect, there can be provided an arrangement for separating liquid mixtures, comprising a cylinder having an open first end, a closed second end, an inner surface and an inner diameter, an inner shaft arranged concentrically and stationary within the cylinder, the inner shaft comprising a cone expanding conically towards the second end, the cone being hollow, having an open end and comprising perforations through the wall of said cone, said perforations allowing a first flowing passage from the cylinder to the open end and out of said cylinder, a screw arranged between the inner surface and the inner shaft, the screw axis being concentric with the cylinder, the screw constituting a helix-shaped flow path between the cylinder and the inner shaft, and an exit opening in the second end generating a second flowing passage from the cylinder to the outside of said cylinder.
Thereby a simple and durable solution for separating liquid mixtures may be achieved.
The arrangement is characterised by what is stated in the independent claim. Some other embodiments are characterised by what is stated in the other claims. Inventive embodiments are also disclosed in the specification and drawings of this patent application. The inventive content of the patent application may also be defined in other ways than defined in the following claims. The inventive content may also be formed of several separate inventions, especially if the invention is examined in the light of expressed or implicit sub-tasks or in view of obtained benefits or benefit groups. Some of the definitions contained in the following claims may then be unnecessary in view of the separate inventive ideas. Features of the different embodiments of the invention may, within the scope of the basic inventive idea, be applied to other embodiments.

Brief description of figures

Some embodiments illustrating the present disclosure are described in more detail in the attached drawing, in which

Figure 1 is a schematic side view of an example arrangement in partial cross-section.

In the figure, some embodiments are shown simplified for the sake of clarity.

Detailed description

Figure 1 is a schematic side view of an example arrangement for separating liquid mixtures in partial cross-section. The arrangement 100 comprises a cylinder 1 that has an open first end 1 a, a closed second end 1b and an inner surface 2 having an inner diameter D1. The diameter of the first end 1 a may be equal to the inner diameter D1 of the cylinder as shown in Figure 1. However, this is not necessary. The cylinder may be manufactured from metal, plastic, composite or any other manufacturing material known per se.
The arrangement 100 further comprises an inner shaft 3 arranged concentrically within the cylinder 1. The inner shaft 3 comprises a cone 4 that expands conically towards the second end 1 b. The inner shaft 3 and said cone 4 therewith are arranged stationary in relation to the cylinder 1. The length of the cone 4 may vary. The length of the cone 4 of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 is essentially equal to half length of the cylinder 1 but, alternatively, it can be shorter or longer. The dimensions of the arrangement 100 depend on e.g. characteristics of the liquid mixture L and the desired resolution of the separation process. Basically, the length of the cylinder 1 is selected so that the component(s) of the liquid mixture L to be separated has/have enough time for being separated. The flow rate is preferably as fast as possible, but, on the other hand, a laminar flow is striven because it is usually a prerequisite for a successful separation process.
The cone 4 is hollow and comprises plurality of perforations 5 that extend through the wall of the cone 4. The perforations 5 generate or create a first flowing passage F1 for flow from the cylinder 1 to the open end 9 of the cone and thus out from the arrangement 100. The inner shaft 3 may be hollow in its entirely length, or hollow just in the cone 4. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the inner shaft 3 extends outside the cylinder 1 in the first end 1 a, but this is not necessary.
The arrangement 100 further comprises a screw 6 being arranged between the inner surface 2 of the cylinder and the inner shaft 3. The axis X of the screw is preferably concentric with the cylinder 1. The screw is immovable in relation to the cylinder 1 and the inner shaft 3.
The screw 6 establishes a helix-shaped flow path P between the cylinder 1 and the inner shaft 3. According to an idea, the screw 6 is made of a non-perforated plate. The screw 6 is preferably arranged to the inner shaft 3, including the cone 4, so that there is a closed surface therebetween, i.e. there is no holes or openings between the screw 6 and the inner shaft 3.
According to an idea, the outer diameter of the screw 6 is selected so that it has a tight sliding fit to the inner surface 2 of the cylinder. This way there is also a closed surface between the screw 6 and the inner surface 2.
The arrangement 100 still further comprises an exit opening 7 in the second end 1b. The exit opening 7 generates a second flowing passage F2 from the cylinder 1 to the outside of the said arrangement 100.
The exit opening 7 may be arranged through the inner surface 2 of the cylinder, preferably tangentially to the inner surface 2 and directed parallel with the direction of liquid flow. An advantage is that liquid or liquid mixture flown in the second end 1 b of the cylinder between the cylinder 1 and the inner shaft 3 exits the arrangement 100 as easily as possible.
The operation of the arrangement 100 may take place as discussed next.
Liquid mixture to be separated, classified or sorted is fed in the first end 1 a as shown by arrow N. Said liquid mixture comprises two or more components, e.g. mixture of two or more liquids, or mixture of liquid(s) and solid particles. Said component may be e.g. water.
The separation is based on the ratio of said components centrifugal force. Due to the centrifugal force, components settle down in a circumferentially organized sedimentary order where component having higher density tends to move in outer layers of sedimentary order whereas component having lower density moves over to inner layers of said sedimentary order. In the embodiment where the cylinder 1 is arranged in a horizontal position, the centrifugal force should be greater than the force of gravity.
Said circumferentially organized sedimentary order in liquid mixture is created by the screw 6 that constrains the liquid mixture to flow in a helical flow path P.
The force constraining the liquid mixture to flow in the arrangement 100 may be created various ways. The cylinder 1, i.e. its axis, is arranged parallel with a line of direction L. According to an embodiment, the line of direction L is arranged in a horizontal position. In this embodiment there may be one or more pump(s) connected to the arrangement 100 which are arranged to pump the liquid mixture through the arrangement 100. According to another embodiment, the line of direction L is arranged in a vertical position so that earth gravity may constrain the liquid mixture to flow through the arrangement 100. There may also be, of course, one or more pump(s) connected to the arrangement 100 for boosting the flow. According to still another embodiment, the line of direction L is arranged in a position between horizontal and vertical position. In this embodiment earth gravity and/or pumps may be used.
Due to the centrifugal force, component(s) having higher density moves gradually closer and closer to the inner surface 2 of the cylinder. Said component(s) exit(s) from the arrangement 100 via second flowing passage F2 through the exit opening 7 in the second end 1 b. The inner shaft 3 may have a non-perforated cylindrical or conical (as shown in Figure 1) section 8 in the proximity of the second end 1b for ensuring that the component(s) having higher density do(es) flow in the exit opening 7.
Component(s) having lower density moves gradually closer and closer to the inner shaft 3. The lower density component(s) flow(s) via first flowing passage F1 through perforations 5 in the cone 4 and exits the arrangement 100 through open end 9 of the cone.
The ratio of the inner diameter D1 of the cylinder and the maximum diameter of the inner shaft D2 determines which components will exit via first flowing passage F1 and which components via second flowing passage F2. According to an embodiment, the ratio of D1/D2 may be modified by an additional ring or sleeve that is arranged on the non-perforated section 8.
The arrangement may have one or more of the next advantages:

The energy consumption is low, especially when the earth gravity is utilized.
There are no moving components in the arrangement, therefore the operating life is long.
The structure of the arrangement is simple, durable and inexpensive to manufacture and to maintain.
The arrangement is easy to maintain and keep clean.
The arrangement is easy to install.
Use of environmentally harmful fuels and lubricants can be avoided.

The invention is not limited solely to the embodiments described above, but instead many variations are possible within the scope of the inventive concept defined by the claims below. Within the scope of the inventive concept the attributes of different embodiments and applications can be used in conjunction with or replace the attributes of another embodiment or application.
The drawings and the related description are only intended to illustrate the idea of the invention. The invention may vary in detail within the scope of the inventive idea defined in the following claims.

Reference symbols

1: cylinder
1a: first end of the cylinder
1b: second end of the cylinder
2: inner surface of the cylinder
3: inner shaft
4: cone
5: perforation
6: screw
7: exit opening
8: non-perforated section
9: open end of the cone
100: arrangement

D1: inner diameter of the cylinder
D2: maximum diameter of the inner shaft
N: liquid
F1: first flowing passage
F2: second flowing passage
L: line of direction
P: flow path
X: screw axis

Claims

An arrangement (100) for separating liquid mixtures, comprising
a) a cylinder (1) having an open first end (1 a), a closed second end (1 b), an inner surface (2) and an inner diameter (D1),

b) an inner shaft (3) arranged concentrically and stationary within the cylinder (1), the inner shaft (3) comprising

c) a cone (4) expanding conically towards the second end (1b), the cone (4) being hollow, having an open end (9) and comprising

d) perforations (5) through the wall of said cone (4), said perforations (5) allowing a first flowing passage (F1) from the cylinder (1) to the open end (9) and out of said cylinder (1),

e) a screw (6) arranged between the inner surface (2) and the inner shaft (3), the screw axis (X) being concentric with the cylinder (1), the screw (6) constituting

f) a helix-shaped flow path (P) between the cylinder (1) and the inner shaft (3), and

g) an exit opening (7) in the second end (1b) generating a second flowing passage (F2) from the cylinder (1) to the outside of said cylinder (1).
The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cylinder (1) is arranged in a horizontal position.
The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cylinder (1) is arranged in a vertical position.
The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cylinder (1) is arranged in a position between horizontal and vertical position.
The arrangement as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the screw (6) is made of a non-perforated plate.
The arrangement as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the screw (6) is arranged to the inner shaft (3) so that there is a closed surface therebetween.
The arrangement as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the screw (6) is arranged to the inner surface (2) of the cylinder so that there is a closed surface therebetween.
The arrangement as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the cone (4) has a non-perforated section (8) in the proximity of the second end (1 b).
The arrangement as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the diameter of the first end (1 a) is equal to the inner diameter (D1) of the cylinder.
The arrangement as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the exit opening (7) is arranged through the inner surface (2) of the cylinder.