JP6850238B2 - Gas-liquid separator and oil-cooled compressor - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gas-liquid separator and an oil-cooled compressor.

Patent Document 1 discloses an oil separator which is an example of a gas-liquid separator. This oil separator has a container that first separates the oil contained in the discharged air of the oil-cooled compressor by centrifugal force, and an oil separation element that captures the oil contained in the discharged air after the primary separation and secondarily separates it. To be equipped.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-41920

If the efficiency of primary oil separation in the container is improved, the amount of oil that needs to be captured by the oil separation element can be reduced, the service life of the oil separation element can be extended, and problems such as clogging of the oil separation element occur. The risk of

However, in the oil separator of Patent Document 1, the improvement of the efficiency of the primary separation of the oil component in the container is not particularly considered.

The present invention relates to a gas-liquid separator comprising a container for primary separation of a liquid contained in a gas by centrifugal force and a liquid separation element for capturing the liquid from the gas after the primary separation and secondary separation. The challenge is to improve. Another object of the present invention is to provide an oil-cooled compressor provided with such a gas-liquid separator (oil separator).

The first aspect of the present invention is a bottomed tubular shape, which is arranged in a first space defined by a container into which a gas containing a liquid is introduced from an introduction port, and the container and a partition plate portion. A tubular portion having openings at both ends, which extends downward from the partition plate portion and is provided apart from the side wall of the container, and projects from the tubular portion toward the side wall, and along the side wall in a plan view. A guide flow path through which the gas introduced from the introduction port flows is defined together with the side wall, the cylinder portion, and the partition plate portion, and the guide flow path is the side on which the introduction port is located. A rectifying section having an outlet that opens to the first space on the opposite side, a closing section that closes the side of the guide flow path where the introduction port is located, and a partition plate portion are provided above the partition plate portion. A casing that defines a second space together with the partition plate portion, a liquid separation element that is arranged in the second space with a gap between the peripheral surface of the casing, and a liquid separation element that is formed in the partition plate portion and described above. A connection flow path that directly and fluidly connects the inside of the cylinder and the second space, an outlet that allows the gas that has passed through the liquid separation element from the outside to the inside to flow out to the outside, and one end of the connection flow path. To the first space and the second space on the upstream side of the liquid separation element via the air release port formed in the partition plate portion so as to be directly and fluidly connected to the liquid separation element. It is fluidly communicated, and if the pressure of the gas at the communicating position is less than the threshold value, the valve is closed, and when the pressure is equal to or higher than the threshold value, the valve is opened to open the connecting flow path to the atmosphere . A gas-liquid separator is provided.

The gas introduced into the first space from the introduction port flows downward as a swirling flow along the side wall of the container. The liquid contained in the gas is separated by centrifugal force, adheres to the side wall, falls along the side wall, and is collected under the container (primary separation). After reaching the lower part of the container, the gas rises in the cylinder portion and flows into the second space through the connecting flow path. The gas flowing into the second space passes through the liquid separation element from the outside to the inside, and the liquid contained in the gas is separated from the gas by being captured by the liquid separation element (secondary separation). The gas after the secondary separation is derived from the outlet.

The gas in the initial stage of introduction from the introduction port to the first space is sufficiently smaller than the cross-sectional area of the guide flow path defined by the side wall, the cylinder part, the partition plate part, and the rectifying part, that is, the cross-sectional area of the container. Since it passes through a flow path having a cross-sectional area, it is possible to avoid a decrease in the speed of the air flow due to a rapid expansion of the cross-sectional area of the flow path. In other words, the flow velocity of the swirling flow in the initial stage of the inflow from the introduction port to the first space becomes faster than in the case where the rectifying unit is not provided. Further, the direction of the swirling flow is guided by passing through the guide flow path defined by the side wall, the tubular portion, the partition plate portion, and the rectifying portion. By these factors, that is, the improvement of the flow velocity of the swirling flow and the induction of the direction of the swirling flow, the efficiency of liquid separation by the primary separation can be improved. By improving the efficiency of the primary separation, the amount of liquid to be separated by the secondary separation by the liquid separation element can be reduced. As a result, the service life of the liquid separation element can be extended, and the possibility of problems such as clogging of the liquid separation element can be reduced.

The cross-sectional area of the guide flow path in the direction orthogonal to the gas flow direction is smaller than the cross-sectional area in the direction orthogonal to the gas flow direction in the cylinder portion, and is orthogonal to the gas flow direction in the cylinder portion. The cross-sectional area in the direction of gas is preferably smaller than the cross-sectional area of the cross section of the container.

With this configuration, in a gas-liquid separator of a type in which a liquid separation element is not provided inside the cylinder, the cross-sectional area in the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the gas flows in the cylinder is relatively large, so that the inside of the cylinder rises. The increase in the flow velocity of the gas flow (rising flow) is suppressed. By keeping the flow velocity of the ascending flow low, the liquid contained in the gas is likely to fall below the container due to gravity, and the efficiency of the primary separation is further improved.

As described above, the swirling flow passes through the guide flow path having a limited flow path cross-sectional area defined by the rectifying section, thereby improving the efficiency of the primary separation. Further, the gas-liquid separator of the type in which the liquid separation element is not provided inside the cylinder keeps the flow velocity of the ascending flow low. Therefore, when the safety valve that fluidly communicates with the connection flow path, that is, the safety valve that is connected upstream of the liquid separation element is opened, the amount of liquid discharged into the atmosphere together with the gas is effectively reduced. Can be reduced.

The safety valve is provided upstream of the liquid separation element in the path through which the liquid flows. Therefore, when the safety valve is opened, it is possible to avoid a sudden decrease in pressure downstream of the liquid separation element and a sudden increase in the flow velocity of the gas passing through the liquid separation element. A sudden increase in the flow velocity of the gas passing through the liquid separation element may cause a decrease in the efficiency of the liquid separation by the liquid separation element, a liquid outflow, and a failure of the liquid separation element itself. These problems can be prevented by avoiding a rapid increase in the flow velocity of the gas passing through the liquid separation element.

The cross-sectional area of the guide flow path in the direction orthogonal to the flow direction of the gas may be constant from the introduction port to the outlet. Further, the cross-sectional area of the guide flow path in the direction orthogonal to the flow direction of the gas may be gradually increased from the introduction port to the outlet. As the cross-sectional area of the guide flow path gradually increases toward the outlet, the flow velocity of the swirling flow flowing through the guide flow path becomes relatively high on the introduction port side, and is more effectively centrifuged on the introduction port side of the guide flow path. A liquid can be separated from a gas by force. As a result, the amount of liquid contained in the ascending current inside the cylinder, that is, the gas used for secondary separation by the liquid separation element and the amount of liquid contained in the gas discharged into the atmosphere when the safety valve is opened, is more reliable. Can be reduced.

The rectifying portion is preferably provided so that the outlet of the guide flow path is located behind the tubular portion when viewed from the introduction port.

This configuration, that is, the configuration in which the rectifying unit has a sufficient length in the direction of the swirling flow, ensures the improvement of the flow velocity of the swirling flow in the above-mentioned guide flow path and the improvement of the efficiency of the primary separation by guiding the direction of the swirling flow. Can be realized.

It is preferable that the inner edge of the rectifying portion is connected to the tubular portion and the outer edge has a gap between the rectifying portion and the side wall.

With this configuration, the liquid separated in the guide flow path during the primary separation and adhering to the side wall moves to the lower side of the container through the gap between the outer edge of the rectifying portion and the side wall and is collected. That is, it is possible to prevent the liquid separated by the primary separation from remaining in the guide flow path.

The rectifying portion may be inclined downward from the tubular portion toward the side wall.

With this configuration, the liquid adhering to the rectifying section during the primary separation flows toward the gap between the outer edge of the rectifying section and the side wall due to gravity, and moves downward to the lower part of the container through this gap to be collected. That is, it is possible to more reliably avoid the residual liquid separated by the primary separation in the guide flow path.

A second aspect of the present invention comprises an oil-cooled compressor body, an oil separator that separates oil from the gas compressed by the compressor body, and a safety valve that can open the inside of the oil separator to the atmosphere. The oil separator has a bottomed tubular shape, and is defined by a container into which a gas containing oil compressed by the compressor main body is introduced from an introduction port, and the container and the partition plate portion. A tubular portion with openings at both ends, which is arranged in the first space, extends downward from the partition plate portion, and is provided apart from the side wall of the container, and protrudes from the tubular portion toward the side wall. At the same time, the guide flow path extending along the side wall in a plan view, defining the guide flow path through which the gas introduced from the introduction port flows together with the side wall, the cylinder portion, and the partition plate portion, is defined. Has an outlet that opens into the first space on the side opposite to the side where the introduction port is located, a rectifying unit, and a closing portion that closes the side of the guide flow path where the introduction port is located. A casing provided above the partition plate portion and defining a second space together with the partition plate portion, and an oil separation element arranged in the second space with a gap between the peripheral surface of the casing. , A connection flow path that fluidly connects the inside of the cylinder and the second space, an outlet that allows the gas that has passed through the oil separation element from the outside to the inside to flow out to the outside, and one end of the connection flow path. To the first space and the second space on the upstream side of the liquid separation element via the air release port formed in the partition plate portion so as to be directly and fluidly connected to the air. fluid communication is closed if the pressure is less than the threshold of the gas at the position through the communication, obtain Preparations and safety valve in which the pressure is atmospheric release the connecting channel to open it becomes equal to or larger than the threshold value , Provides an oil-cooled compressor.

According to the present invention, the present invention provides a primary separation in a gas-liquid separator comprising a container for primary separation of a liquid from a gas by centrifugal force and a liquid separation element for further secondary separation of the liquid from the gas after the primary separation. Efficiency can be improved.

The system diagram of the compressor provided with the oil separator (gas-liquid separator) which concerns on embodiment of this invention. Longitudinal section of the oil separator. Enlarged view of Part III of FIG. Sectional drawing along line IV-IV of FIG.

FIG. 1 shows an oil-cooled compressor 2 provided with an oil separator (gas-liquid separator) 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The oil-cooled compressor 2 includes a compressor main body 3 which is an oil-cooled compressor (screw compressor in this embodiment).

The compressor main body 3 compresses the air sucked from the suction port 3a and discharges it from the discharge port 3b. Liquid oil for lubrication and cooling is supplied to the compressor main body 3 via the oil supply passages 4 and 5. Therefore, the compressed air discharged from the discharge port 3a contains oil. The discharge port 3a is fluidly connected to one end of the discharge flow path 6, and the other end of the discharge flow path 6 is fluidly connected to the introduction port 21c of the oil separator 1.

The compressed air discharged from the discharge port 3b of the compressor main body 3 is introduced into the oil separator 1 from the introduction port 21c via the discharge flow path 6. The air introduced into the oil separator 1 is led out from the outlet 41a through a primary separation by centrifugal force in the container 21 and a secondary separation by subsequent capture by the oil separation element 35. One end of the supply flow path 7 is fluidly connected to the outlet 41a. The other end of the supply flow path 7 is fluidly connected to a demand facility (for example, a pneumatic device) (not shown). The air after oil separation led out from the outlet 41a of the oil separator 1 is sent to the demand equipment via the supply flow path 7. The supply flow path 7 is provided with a pressure-holding check valve 8 and an air cooler (heat exchanger) 9.

The oil primary separated in the oil separator 1 is temporarily stored in the oil sump 24. The oil sump 24 is fluidly connected to the compressor main body 3 via the oil supply flow path 4. The oil in the oil sump 24 is returned to the compressor main body 3 through the oil supply flow path 4 by the differential pressure between the compressor main body 3 and the oil separator 1. The oil supply flow path 4 is provided with an oil cooler (heat exchanger) 10 and an oil filter 11 for removing foreign matter and the like. Further, a bypass flow path 12 that bypasses the oil cooler 10 is provided. The three-way valve 13 can switch between a state in which the oil from the oil sump 24 passes through the oil cooler 10 and a state in which the oil passes through the bypass flow path 12 without passing through the oil cooler 10. By this switching, the temperature of the oil supplied to the compressor main body 3 is controlled.

The oil secondarily separated in the oil separator 1 is temporarily stored in the oil sump 40. The oil sump 40 is fluidly connected to the compressor main body 3 via the oil supply flow path 5. The oil in the oil sump 40 is returned to the compressor main body 3 through the oil supply flow path 5 by the differential pressure between the compressor main body 3 and the oil separator 1. A check valve 14 is provided in the oil supply flow path 5.

Hereinafter, the structure of the oil separator 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4.

The oil separator 1 includes a container 21. The container 21 in the present embodiment has an elongated cylindrical shape with one end opening as a whole, and includes a circular bottom wall 21a and a cylindrical side wall 21b extending from the bottom wall 21a. The upper end opening of the side wall 21b is closed by the partition plate portion 22. An air introduction port 21c (the discharge flow path 6 is connected as described above) compressed by the compressor main body 3 is provided on the upper side of the side wall 21b (a position relatively close to the partition plate portion 22). ing.

The first space 23, which is a closed space, is defined by the side wall 21b of the container 21, the bottom wall 21a of the container 21, and the partition plate portion 22. The lower part of the first space 23, that is, the space near the bottom wall 21a of the container 21, constitutes the oil sump 24.

A cylindrical body (cylinder portion) 25 having openings at both ends is arranged in the first space 23. The upper end of the cylindrical body 25 is fixed to the partition plate portion 22, and extends downward toward the bottom wall 21a of the container 21. The lower end of the cylindrical body 25 is located above the bottom wall 21a of the container 21 sufficiently apart from the bottom wall 21a. As most clearly shown in FIG. 4, the cylindrical body 25 is arranged so as to be separated from the side wall 21b of the container 21 and coaxial with the side wall 21b. A space 26 is provided between the cylindrical body 25 and the side wall 21b. No member or element (for example, an element such as the oil separation element 35 described later) is arranged inside the cylindrical body 25.

A rectifying plate (rectifying section) 27 is arranged in the first space 23, more specifically, in the space 26 between the cylindrical body 25 and the side wall 21b of the container 21. The straightening vane 27 in the present embodiment has a strip-like shape curved in a substantially arc shape in a plan view. The curvature of the inner edge 27a of the straightening vane 27 in a plan view is set to be substantially the same as the curvature of the cylindrical body 25 in a plan view. Further, the curvature of the outer edge 27b of the straightening vane 27 in a plan view is set to be substantially the same as the curvature of the side wall 21b of the container 21 in a plan view. The inner edge 27a of the straightening vane 27 is fixed to the cylindrical body 25, and there is no gap between the inner edge 27a of the straightening vane 27 and the cylindrical body 25. On the other hand, the outer edge 27b of the straightening vane 27 is located adjacent to the side wall 21b of the container 21. That is, the straightening vane 27 protrudes from the cylindrical body 25 toward the side wall 21b. The straightening vane 27 in the present embodiment projects substantially horizontally from the cylindrical body 25 toward the side wall 21b, and the upper surface of the straightening vane 27 has substantially no inclination with respect to the horizontal plane. A slight gap 28 is provided between the outer edge 27b of the straightening vane 27 and the side wall 21b of the container 21.

As shown in FIG. 4, in a plan view, the straightening vane 27 extends along the side wall 21b in the direction in which air is introduced from the introduction port 21c (see arrow F). A partially annular guide flow path 29 is defined in a plan view by the inner surface of the side wall 21b of the container 21, the lower surface of the partition plate portion 22, and the upper surface of the rectifying plate 27.

One end side of the guide flow path 29, that is, the end portion 27c side of the straightening vane 27 on the introduction port 21c side is a closing plate at a position opposite to the direction in which air is introduced into the introduction port 21c (see arrow F). It is closed by (closed part) 30. The closing plate 30 is in contact with the outer surface of the cylindrical body 25, the inner surface of the side wall 21b, the lower surface of the partition plate portion 22, and the upper surface of the straightening vane 27. At the other end side of the guide flow path 29, that is, at the end portion 27d opposite to the introduction port 21c of the straightening vane 27, the guide flow path 29 has an outlet 29a that opens into the first space 23. As shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, the closing plate 30 extends in the tangential direction of the cylindrical body 25 in a plan view. As shown by the alternate long and short dash line in the figure, the closing plate 30 may extend in the radial direction of the cylindrical body 25 in a plan view.

Referring to FIG. 4, the positions of the end portion 27c on the introduction port 21c side and the end portion 27d on the outlet 29a side of the straightening vane 27 in the present embodiment are such that these end portions 27c and 27d are cylindrical bodies in a plan view. The angle θ1 formed around the common center or axis Ax between the 25 and the side wall 21b is set to be 180 degrees.

The cross-sectional area of the guide flow path 29 in the direction orthogonal to the air flow direction (conceptually indicated by reference numeral A1 in FIG. 3) is the cross-sectional area of the cross section of the container 21 (conceptually indicated by reference numeral A3 in FIG. 3). Is set sufficiently smaller than. Further, the cross-sectional area A1 of the guide flow path 29 is set to be smaller than the cross-sectional area in the direction in which air flows in the cylindrical body 25 (conceptually indicated by reference numeral A2 in FIG. 3). Further, the cross-sectional area A2 in the cylindrical body 25 is set to be smaller than the cross-sectional area A3 of the container 21. That is, the cross-sectional areas A1, A2, and A3 have the following relationship.

A1 <A2 <A3

The casing 31 is fixed to the upper part of the partition plate portion 22. A second space 32, which is a closed space, is defined by the casing 31 and the partition plate portion 22. The partition plate portion 22 is provided with a through hole (connection flow path) 22a, and the inside of the cylindrical body 25 and the second space 32 are fluidly communicated with each other through the through hole 22a.

An oil separation element (liquid separation element) 35 is arranged in the second space 32. The oil separation element 35 in the present embodiment has an elongated cylindrical shape with openings at both ends as a whole, and a gap 36 is provided between the peripheral surface thereof and the casing 31. The upper and lower ends of the oil separation element 35 are closed by the upper end plate portion 37 and the lower end plate portion 38, respectively. The upper end plate portion 37 and the lower end plate portion 38 are connected by a rod 39 inserted through the oil separation element 35. The inner portion of the oil separation element 35 on the upper surface of the lower end plate portion 38 constitutes the oil sump 40. Further, the lower end plate portion 38 is formed with a recess 41 in the inner portion of the oil separation element 35. The lower end of the lead-out pipe 42, which is a circular pipe with both ends open in the present embodiment, is tightly fitted in the recess 41. Further, the recess 41 is provided with the above-mentioned outlet 41a (the supply flow path 7 is connected as described above).

The partition plate portion 22 is provided with an air release port 22b whose one end is fluidly connected to the through hole 22a. A safety valve 45 is fluidly connected to the other end of the air exhaust port 22b. The safety valve 45 opens and closes according to the pressure of the air release port 22b, that is, the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 46 that detects the pressure in the through hole 22a (connection flow path). Specifically, the safety valve 45 maintains the closed state when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 46 is less than the threshold value, opens the valve when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 46 exceeds the threshold value, and opens the through hole 22a (connection). Open the flow path) to the atmosphere.

Next, the function of the oil separator 1 will be described.

The air introduced from the introduction port 21c into the first space 23 in the container 21 flows downward as a swirling flow along the side wall 21b of the container 21. The oil contained in the air is separated by centrifugal force, adheres to the side wall 21b, falls along the side wall 21b, and is collected in the oil sump 24 below the container 21 (primary separation). After reaching the lower part of the container 21, the air rises and enters the cylindrical body 25 from the lower end of the cylindrical body 25. The air rises in the cylindrical body 25 and flows into the second space in the casing 31 through the through hole 22a. The gas that has flowed into the second space 32 rises through the gap 36 and then passes through the oil separation element 35 from the outside to the inside. At the time of this passage, the oil contained in the air is separated from the air by being captured by the oil separation element 35 (secondary separation). The oil captured by the oil separation element 35 is collected in the oil sump 40. The air that has passed through the oil separation element 35 from the outside to the inside enters the outlet pipe 42 from the upper end of the outlet pipe 42, and is further sent out from the outlet 41a to the supply flow path 7 through the recess 41.

The air in the initial stage of introduction from the introduction port 21c to the first space 23 has a cross-sectional area A2 in the cross section of the guide flow path 29 defined by the side wall 21b, the partition plate portion 22, and the straightening vane 27, that is, the container 21. It passes through a flow path having a cross-sectional area A1 that is sufficiently smaller than that. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a decrease in the speed of the air flow due to the rapid expansion of the cross-sectional area of the flow path when the introduction port 21c is introduced into the first space 23. In other words, the flow velocity of the swirling flow in the initial stage of the inflow from the introduction port 21c to the first space 23 becomes faster than in the case where the straightening vane 27 is not provided. Further, the direction of the swirling flow is guided by passing through the guide flow path 29 having the limited cross-sectional area A1. By these factors, that is, the improvement of the flow velocity of the swirling flow and the guidance of the direction of the swirling flow, the efficiency of oil separation by the primary separation can be improved. By improving the efficiency of the primary separation, the amount of oil to be separated by the secondary separation by the oil separation element 35 can be reduced. As a result, the service life of the oil separation element 35 can be extended, and the possibility of problems such as clogging of the oil separation element 35 can be reduced.

As described above, between the inner surface of the side wall 21b of the outer edge 27b and the container 21 of the current plate 27, a gap 28 is provided. Therefore, the oil separated in the guide flow path 29 during the primary separation and adhering to the side wall 21b moves to the lower side of the container 21 through the gap 28 and is recovered in the oil sump 24. That is, by providing the gap 28, it is possible to prevent the oil separated by the primary separation from remaining in the guide flow path 29.

As described above, the cross-sectional area A2 in the cylindrical body 25 is set to be smaller than the cross-sectional area A3 of the container 21, but is set sufficiently larger than the cross-sectional area A1. Therefore, the flow velocity of the air flow (upward flow) rising in the cylindrical body 25 is significantly lower than the flow velocity of the air flow in the guide flow path 29. Further, since the gas-liquid separator is of a type in which a liquid separation element is not provided inside the cylinder, an increase in the flow velocity of the air flow entering the cylindrical body 25 is suppressed, and the flow velocity of the ascending flow is kept low. Dripping. Since the flow velocity of the ascending flow is low, the oil contained in the air tends to fall below the container 21 due to gravity, and the efficiency of the primary separation is further improved.

When the safety valve 45 is opened, the air in the oil separator 1, specifically, upstream of the oil separation element 35, is discharged to the atmosphere. However, the swirling flow passes through the guide flow path 29 having the limited cross-sectional area A1 as described above, thereby increasing the efficiency of the primary separation. Therefore, the amount of oil discharged into the atmosphere together with the air when the safety valve 45 connected upstream of the oil separation element 35 is opened can be effectively reduced.

Since the safety valve 45 is provided upstream of the oil separation element 35, the pressure downstream of the oil separation element 35 drops sharply when the safety valve 45 is opened, and the flow velocity of air passing through the oil separation element 35 increases. You can avoid a surge. A sudden increase in the flow velocity of air passing through the oil separation element 35 can cause problems such as a decrease in the efficiency of oil separation by the oil separation element 35, an accompanying oil spill, and a failure of the oil separation element 35 itself. By avoiding a sudden increase in the air flow velocity passing through the oil separation element 35 when the safety valve 45 is opened, these problems can be prevented.

In the present embodiment, the cross-sectional area A1 of the guide flow path 29 is constant from the introduction port 21c to the outlet 29a. The cross-sectional area A1 of the guide flow path 29 may be gradually increased from the introduction port 21c toward the outlet 29a. By gradually increasing the cross-sectional area A1 of the guide flow path 29 toward the outlet 29a, the flow velocity of the swirling flow flowing through the guide flow path 29 becomes relatively high on the introduction port 21c side, and the introduction port 21c of the guide flow path 29 The oil can be separated from the air by centrifugal force more effectively on the side. As a result, the amount of oil contained in the ascending flow in the cylindrical body 25, that is, the amount of oil used for secondary separation by the oil separation element 35 and the amount of oil contained in the air discharged into the atmosphere when the safety valve 45 is opened. Can be reduced more reliably.

Referring to FIG. 4, as described above, in the present embodiment, the position of the end portion 27c on the introduction port 21c side and the end portion 27d on the outlet 29a side of the straightening vane 27 in a plan view is such an end portion. The angle θ1 formed by 27c and 27d is set to be 180 degrees. The position of the end portion 27d of the straightening vane 27, that is, the outlet 29a of the guide flow path 29 is preferably set to at least a position P hidden behind the cylinder 25 when viewed from the introduction port 21c (the end portion 27c in this case). , 27d conceptually indicated by the symbol θ2). By setting the end portion 27d of the rectifying plate 27 at such a position, that is, the rectifying plate 27 has a sufficient length in the direction in which the swirling flow flows, the flow velocity of the swirling flow in the guide flow path 29 is improved and the swirling flow is improved. It is possible to more reliably improve the efficiency of primary separation by guiding the orientation.

Referring to FIG. 3, as described above, the straightening vane 27 in the present embodiment projects substantially horizontally from the cylindrical body 25 toward the side wall 21b. As shown by the alternate long and short dash line (reference numeral δ) in FIG. 3, the straightening vane 27 has a configuration in which the straightening vane 27 is inclined downward from the cylindrical body 25 toward the side wall 21b, that is, the outer edge 27b of the straightening vane 27 is located below the inner edge 27a. It may be a configuration. In the case of such a configuration, the oil adhering to the upper surface of the straightening vane 27 during the primary separation flows toward the gap 28 between the outer edge 27b and the side wall 21b of the straightening vane 27 by gravity, passes through the gap 28, and is filled with oil. Descend to 24. That is, with this configuration, it is possible to more reliably prevent the oil separated by the primary separation from remaining in the guide flow path 29. The distance of the gap 28 is preferably set in the range of 2 mm or more and 5 mm or less. Since it is difficult for liquids (for example, oil) to pass through minute gaps of less than 2 mm, they tend to remain in the guide flow path 29, and gaps of more than 5 mm have a large amount of gas leakage, so the guide flow path 29 It is not desirable because it causes a problem that the flow velocity is reduced. Considering the balance between eliminating the residual liquid in the guide flow path 29 and avoiding the decrease in the flow velocity, it is more desirable to set the distance of the gap 28 in the range of 2 mm or more and 4 mm or less. The gap 28 set within the above desirable range may be provided at least at a position in the guide flow path 29 where the liquid is likely to remain, and at a position where the problem of liquid residue does not occur, the gap 28 may be provided. Installation may be omitted.

Although specific embodiments of the present invention and variations thereof have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.

1 Oil separator (gas-liquid separator)
2 Oil-cooled compressor 3 Compressor body 3a Suction port 3b Discharge port 4, 5 Oil supply flow path 6 Discharge flow path 7 Supply flow path 8 Pressure-holding check valve 9 Air cooler 10 Oil cooler 11 Oil filter 12 Bypass flow Road 13 Three-way valve 14 Check valve 21 Container 21a Bottom wall 21b Side wall 21c Introductory port 23 First space 24 Oil pool 22 Partition plate 22a Through hole (connection flow path)
22b Air exhaust port 25 Cylindrical body (cylinder part)
26 Space 27 Rectifier plate (rectifier)
27a Inner edge 27b Outer edge 27c, 27d End 28 Gap 29 Guide flow path 29c Exit 30 Closure plate (closed part)
31 Casing 32 Second space 35 Oil separation element (liquid separation element)
36 Gap 37 Upper end plate 38 Lower end plate 39 Rod 40 Oil pool 41 Recess 41a Outlet 42 Outlet pipe 45 Safety valve 46 Pressure sensor

Claims (8)

A bottomed tubular container into which gas containing liquid is introduced from the inlet,
A tubular portion having an opening at both ends, which is arranged in a first space defined by the container and the partition plate portion, extends downward from the partition plate portion, and is provided apart from the side wall of the container.
A guide that projects from the tubular portion toward the side wall and extends along the side wall in a plan view, and the gas introduced from the introduction port flows together with the side wall, the tubular portion, and the partition plate portion. A rectifying unit that defines a flow path, and the guide flow path has an outlet that opens into the first space on a side opposite to the side where the introduction port is located.
A closing portion that closes the side of the guide flow path where the introduction port is located, and a closing portion.
A casing provided above the partition plate portion and defining a second space together with the partition plate portion.
A liquid separation element arranged in the second space with a gap between it and the peripheral surface of the casing.
A connection flow path formed in the partition plate portion and directly and fluidly connecting the inside of the cylinder portion and the second space,
An outlet that allows the gas that has passed through the liquid separation element from the outside to the inside to flow out to the outside .
An air release port formed in the partition plate portion so that one end is directly and fluidly connected to the connection flow path.
It is fluidly communicated with the first space and the second space on the upstream side of the liquid separation element via the air release port, and if the pressure of the gas at the communicating position is less than the threshold value, the valve is closed. A gas-liquid separator comprising a safety valve that opens the connection flow path to the atmosphere when the pressure exceeds a threshold value. The cross-sectional area of the guide flow path in the direction orthogonal to the gas flow direction is smaller than the cross-sectional area in the tubular portion in the direction orthogonal to the gas flow direction.
The gas-liquid separator according to claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area in the cylinder portion in a direction orthogonal to the flow direction of the gas is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the cross section of the container. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the cross-sectional area of the guide flow path in a direction orthogonal to the flow direction of the gas is constant from the introduction port to the outlet. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the cross-sectional area of the guide flow path in a direction orthogonal to the flow direction of the gas gradually increases from the introduction port to the outlet. The gas according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the rectifying portion is provided so that the outlet of the guide flow path is located behind the tubular portion when viewed from the introduction port. Liquid separator. The gas-liquid separator according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the rectifying portion has an inner edge connected to the tubular portion and an outer edge having a gap between the rectifying portion and the side wall. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 6 , wherein the rectifying section is inclined downward from the tubular portion toward the side wall. Oil-cooled compressor body and
An oil separator that separates oil from the gas compressed by the compressor body,
Equipped with a safety valve that can open the inside of the oil separator to the atmosphere
The oil separator
A container with a bottomed cylinder into which a gas containing oil compressed by the compressor body is introduced from the introduction port.
With a tubular portion having both ends open, which is arranged in a first space defined by the container and the partition plate portion, extends downward from the partition plate portion, and is provided apart from the side wall of the container. ,
A guide that projects from the tubular portion toward the side wall and extends along the side wall in a plan view, and the gas introduced from the introduction port flows together with the side wall, the tubular portion, and the partition plate portion. A rectifying unit that defines a flow path, and the guide flow path has an outlet that opens into the first space on a side opposite to the side where the introduction port is located.
A closing portion that closes the side of the guide flow path where the introduction port is located, and a closing portion.
A casing provided above the partition plate portion and defining a second space together with the partition plate portion.
An oil separation element arranged in the second space with a gap between it and the peripheral surface of the casing.
A connection flow path that fluidly connects the inside of the cylinder and the second space,
An outlet that allows the gas that has passed through the oil separation element from the outside to the inside to flow out to the outside .
An air release port formed in the partition plate portion so that one end is directly and fluidly connected to the connection flow path.
It is fluidly communicated with the first space and the second space on the upstream side of the liquid separation element via the air release port, and if the pressure of the gas at the communicating position is less than the threshold value, the valve is closed. , Bei El and safety valve for atmosphere release the connecting channel and opens when the pressure is equal to or greater than a threshold, the oil-cooled compressor.

Images