GB2195554A

GB2195554A - Ridged plate separator

Info

Publication number: GB2195554A
Application number: GB08617733A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Denis Waring
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-07-21
Filing date: 1986-07-21
Publication date: 1988-04-13
Also published as: GB2195554B; GB8617733D0

Abstract

A separator has a stack of plates which are arranged parallel and either horizontal or inclined thereto, for separation of oil and solids from water flowing between them. The upper and/or lower surfaces carry upstanding flanges which are generally V-shaped in plan and extend beyond the edges of the plates to guide separated oil and/or solids into side channels 44, 46, 65 out of the main flow. The flanges on upper and lower surfaces are oppositely oriented, with apices of the V's pointing up and down. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in ridged plate separator apparatus and separator plates thereof This invention relates to Plate Separator Apparatus.

This invention relates to Separator apparatus suitable for example for separating solids from liquids, two immiscible liquids such as oil and water.

This invention also relates to Separator plates for use in such apparatus.

In the case of Separating solid matter from liquid it is well known to cause the liquid to flow over a surface, which may be horizonatal or inclined to the horizontal, but the use of such surfaces means that large areas are required for the separating apparatus, particularly when large quantities are required to be treated, for example in the treatment of sewage or industrial effluents.

The need for such large areas is costly both in the terms of land required and in the construction of the equipment.

To reduce the size and cost of such equiptment separator apparatus has been devised in which a plurality of plates are arranged in parrallel, spaced in relation to each other and horizontal or inclined to the horizontaland liquid to be treated is caused to flow over the plates, the plates sybstancially increasing the settling area for the solids in the liquid for a given size of apparatus. The plates are generally planar but corrugated plates, and ridged plates where the ridges do not cover the full width of the plates leaving marginal areas down the edges of the plates have been proposed.In operation of such apparatus as the liquid to be treated flows upwards between the platesparticles of solid material entrained therein separate from the fluid stream and move towards the plate surface under gravity and then down the ridges by virtue of the tendency of the particles to move down the ridges out of the impeeding upward flow.

According to the invention there is a separator plate having parallel side edges and a pluraity of transverse channels formed on at least one surface thereof and extending obliquely with respect to said edges.

The channels may be parrallel to each other and may be non linear having a peak intermediate there ends. Preferably the channels are substancially V shaped.

Plates according to the invention may be provided separately or in the form of modules which can be installed in existing or new separator apparatus.

Further accoding to the invention there is provided separator apparatus comprising a plurality of plates according to the invention arranged in spaced substancially parallel relationship and inclined to the horizontal or hori zonal. Thus in use fluids to be treated can be caused to flow upwardly between the plates and solid particles having a density greater than the fluid in which they are entraned move as a result of gravity and/or by Virtue of the tendency of particles to move down the channel and then downwardly towards collectors situated at the side and below the plates.

This invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of an embodyment of a separator plate according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a thin sectional view of part of a stack of plates as shown in Fig. 1 drawn to a different scale.

Figure 3 is a thin, side sectional view of part of a stack of plate according to another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 is a front, schematic view of part of an embodiment of a separator apparatus according to the invention.

Figure 5 is a side sectional view of the separator apparatus of Fig. 4.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of part of a separator apparatus according to Fig. 4 and Figure 7 is a sectional view of another separator apparatus according to the invention, the section being taken parallel to a corresponding separator plate in each of the two banks of separator plates.

Figure 8 is a plan of plates in the Horizontal mode. This would be used for the Separator of Oil and Oily sludge from water.

Channels on the underside for Oil Separation and channels and channels on the top side for Oily Sludge Separation.

In the drawings like parts are given like references.

Refering to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings there is shown a separator plate 10 having a plurality of spaced, parrallel transverse channels 12 formed on one surface thereof. Each channel 12 is substancially V shaped and has limbs 12a, 12b extending obliquely towards a peak or apex 12c. The apexes 12c thus define a substancially straight line which bisects the plate 10 from the top edge 10a (in Fig. 1) to the bottom edge 10b. The limbs 12a and 12b terminate at the positions 10c, 10d respectively of the plate 10.

As shown in Fig. 1 the channels do not extend along the full length of the plate so that a planararea 18 devoid of channels 12 is left at one end.

In another embodiment, such as that shown at Fig. 4, the channels 12 could extend along the full length of the plate 10 and this would generally be the case if the plates were cut from preformed lenghts of material. In the former case the channels 12 would probably but not necessarily be formed on precut plate blanks although it would be seen that a length of material could be preformed with the channels 12 and the areas 18 interspersed at approximate intervals. As will be described herein after, the plates 12 shown in Fig. have the advantage that particles of material migrating along the channels pass through holes 63 in the side plates for collection in trough like collectors at the side and below the plates.

With the plate shown in Fig. 4 solid particles migrating along the channels which intersect the lower edge 10b of the plate may not reach the side plates and trough like collectors. and thus will re enter the main stream of inlet liquid where they may assist in flocculation of other particles contained in the main stream. The ridges 12 may take various forms in cross section such as shown in Fig. 2.

The plates 12 are made of metal such as stainless steel, or of plastic or any other suitable material and may typically be 39in (99cm) in lenght by 20 in (51cm) in width. In use plate 10 are arranged parrallel to each other inoone or more stackstand inclined to the horizontal or horizontal, The spacing between the plates and the angle of inclination of the plates, and the angle of the limbs 12a,12b, that is the apex angle of the channels should be arranged according to the application. Typically the plates may be spaced 2 to 4 in (5cm to 10 cm) apart and inclined at an angle between about 30 to SOC to the horizontal, and prefered angle being to the order of 60 to the horizontal. For the application of Oil Separation the plates can be in the true horizontal plane.

The plates may be supplied separately for installation into new or existing separator apparatus or may be provided in pre-assembled stacks or modules in a suitable supporting frame(not shown) Fig. 2 shows a thin, side sectional view of part of three separator plates according to the invention as they may be stacked in use.

Fig. 3 shows a thin sectional view of part of 5 separator plates 22 according to the invention provided with channels 24,26 on the two surfaces respectively of the plate 22.

With reference to Fig. 1 and in one embodiment, the channels 24 are oriented in a direction similar to that shown in Fig. 1 and the channels 26 are oriented in a direction through 1800. With such an arrangement it would be possible to separate from a liquid to be treated particles having a greater density than the liquid by means of the channels 26 and an immiscible liquid of lower density than that of the carrier liquid, such as oil from water by means of channels 24.

Refering now to Fig 4 to 6, there is shown a separator apparatus 30 for separating solids from liquids, the solids having a greater density than that of the liquid to be treated. As shown in Fig. 4, the separator apparatus 30 includes a single module 32 comprising a plurality of plates 10 mounted in a frame including wall members 34 and 35, the the plates being arranged in spaced, parallel relationship and inclined to the horizontal at an angle of about 600. The plates are so orientated that the limbs 12a and 12b of the channels 12 slope downwardly from there associated apices 12 c.

Liquid to be treated containing entrained solid particles is introduced into the apparatus 30 through inlets shown diagrammatically at 36 below the plates 12 and flows upwardly in the direction of the arrows 37 between the plates 10 and towards an outlet 38. As the fluid with entrained solid particles passes over the plates 10, the partic particles are caught by the channels 12 migrate along the channels towards the side plates 35, through holes 63 in the side plates and drop into collector troughs 44,46 which extend longitudinally of the apparatus below and to the side of the plates 12. Particles migrating down the two lower most channels 12 in Fig. 4 do not fall into the collectot troughs 44,46 but re-enter the main stream of inlet liquid where it is believe they assist in the flo flocculation of particles in the main stream.

The sludge in the collector troughs 44,46 can be removed by gravity for example, continuously or intermittently by operation of valves(not shown) in outlet pipes from the troughs and the sludge removal may be further assisted by the use of pumps(not shown) Thus if the liquid/solid mixture passes up between the plates 12 the solids are separated out and the clarified liquid flows into the outlet channel 38 over weirs 64 into channels 65 and can be led away in an convenient manner for reuse or discharge to further treatment.

Thus the use of the separator plates according to the invention provides the advantage that the separated solids matter is directed into the two troughs 44,46 at each side of the stack of plates 10 in a module with the added advantage that the liquid inlet to the plates covers a relatively large area defined by the lower edges of the plates 10 intermediate the troughs 44,46. The provision of plates 10, water inlet 36 and sludge collector 44,46 leads to a separator apparatus according to the invention which is both efficient and compact.

As shown the plates 10 are provided with V-shaped channels 12 but such channels could be obtained by the provision of two sets of plates side by side, one left hand set (in Fig. 4) having a plurality of channels extending obliquely upwards from left to right and another right-hand set having a plurality ofcchannels extended obliquily downwardly to the right. It was also to be realised that other shapes could be selected for the channels such that other shapes could be selected for the channels such as a continuous curve provided that solid particles caughtby the channels are caused to travel therealong towards an edge of the plate 10 to thus concentrate them for collection in a trough such as the troughs 44 and 46.

If two immiscile liquids, such as oil and -water and/or a liquid containing solid particles of lower density, are to separated, it is conve nient to arrange the channels 12 on the un derside of the plates and to invert there orien tation that is to arrange the channels so that there apexes are directed downwardly.

With such an arrangement, the lighter oil and/or particles of lower density will be caught by the channels and then migrate up wardly therealong on the undersurface of the plates, through the holes 63 in the sides of the plates 35, collected in channels 65 which in this application would be separated Oil col lector channels, from which it can be run off to be recovered or to be discharged into a safe and environmentally accepted manner.

If the liquid contains both solid particles of higher density and another immiscible liquid of lower density, then the separator apparatus 30 could be provided with plates having chant nels on both surface such as the plates 22 shown at Fig. 3 with their channels orientated as described with reference to Fig. 4 to 6 and to the next preceding paragraph so that solid particles would be collected in troughs 44 and 46 and the lighter liquid in the channels 65.

Refering now to Fig. 7, there is shown a front, sectional view of part of a separator apparatus 52 according to the invention in cluding two modules 54a to 54b each com prising a plurality of plates 10 according to the invention, sludge collectors each having an outlet pipe and an associated valve or pump for removing solid matter deposited in the co lectors.

As described with reference to Fig. 4. to 6, a liquid to be treated is supplied to the appa ratus a inlets depicted by arrows 62 and flows upwardly between the -plates 10 and the solid particles being caught by the chan nels 12 and causedas described, to migrate along the channels, through holes 63 and into the troughs 56 while clarified liquid enters the outlet above the plates 10 The outlet could be as described with refer ence to Figs. 4 and 6, that is an outlet de fined by walls 64 into outlet channels 65.

Refering now to Fig. 8 there is shown a true plan view on plates in the true horizontal plane. according to the invention. Comprising a plurality of plates 10. Oily water enters the separatot through inlet 66. As water flows between the plates, by the technology of plate separation Oil floats to and is coalesced on the upper surfaces of the plates. Flow of water takes the Oil along the channels 67 on the underside of the plates. Oil passes through holes 63 and rises into collectors 69.

Flow of water has Oily sludges, these fall onto the top surfaces of the plates, get en trained behing channels 68, pass along the channel by the flow of water through holes 63 and drop into the lower part of collector 69.

At weekly intervals or as found necessary sludge and Oil disposers empty collecting compartments 69.

The angle the plates make with the horizontal, the angles which the ribs with the direction of slope of the plates and thus with the direction of flow of fluid and the spacing between the plates are interdependant with each other and dependant on the properties of the material to be separated, the rates of flow and other factors. The results obtained are also affected by the dimensions and cross sectional shape shapes if the channels as well as by other factors which may affect the smoothness of flow and the way in which the deposited material is collected.

The shapes and dimensions of the various parts could be determined by calculation or empirically.

Claims

1. A Separator Plate having parallel side edges and a plurality of transverse channels formed on at least one surface thereof, each channel having a semi circular cross section and extending obliquely with respect to said edges.

2. A separator plate according to claim 1, in which said channels are substancially parallel.

3. A Separator plate according to claims 1 or 2, in which each transverse channel is non linear and has a peak intermediate its ends.

4. A separator plate according to claim 3, in which each channel is substancially V shaped.

5. A Separator Plate according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4 in which said channels extend across the width of the plate, extending beyond the side edges thereof.

6. A Separator Plate according to claim 1,2 3 or 4 in which the free ends of the channels terminate at positions spaced from the side edges of the plate to provide a substancially planar marginal area along each side of the plate.

7. A separator plate according to claim 3 or claim 4,5, or 6, as dependant upon claim 3 in which the ridges are arranged substancially parallel to each other with their apexes along a generally straight line which is substancially parrallel to the side edges of the plate.

8. A Separator plate according to claim 7 as dependant upon claim 6, in which each end of said channel is provided with a curvature which extends in a direction closer to a line drawn parallel with a line drawn through said apexes than do main portions of each said ridges intermediate its apex and associated ends.

9. A Separator plate according to any one of the preceding claims, having a plurality of transverse, obliquely extending channels on both surfaces thereof.

10. A Separator plate according to claim 9, as dependant upon claim 3, in which the channels on both surfaces of the p#late are so orientated that their peaks extend in opposite directions.

11. A Separator plate according according to any preceeding claim, in which the channels are of semi circular cross section and so arranged that in use, the open leading edge of the semi circular channel is perpendicular to the surface of the plate and uppermost.

12. A Separator plate according to any one of the preceding claims which is generally rectangular.

13. A separator plate according to any one of the preceding claims of metal.

14. A separator plate according to any one of claims 1 to 12 of a plastic, G.R.P. or other non metallic material.

15. A separator plate substancially as herein before described with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 or Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings.

16. A plurality of plates a#ccording to any one of the preceding claims assembled in a framework in spaced, substancially parallel relationship to form a module for incorporation in a Separator apparatus, the plates being so oriented in the module for incorporation in a Separator apparatus, they are inclined to the horizontal.

17. A plurality of plates according to any one of the preceeding claims assembled in a framework in spaced, substancially parallel relationship to form a module for incorporationin a Separator apparatus, the plates in use in the Separator apparatus in the Horizontal Mode.

18. Separator apparatus substancially as herein before described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.