US3615020A - Apparatus for separation and fractionation of material suspended in a liquid - Google Patents

Apparatus for separation and fractionation of material suspended in a liquid Download PDF

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Publication number
US3615020A
US3615020A US863847A US3615020DA US3615020A US 3615020 A US3615020 A US 3615020A US 863847 A US863847 A US 863847A US 3615020D A US3615020D A US 3615020DA US 3615020 A US3615020 A US 3615020A
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Prior art keywords
liquid
passageway
passageways
plug
separation
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US863847A
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English (en)
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Gunnar Olgard
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Rederi Nordstjernan AB
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Rederi Nordstjernan AB
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D43/00—Separating particles from liquids, or liquids from solids, otherwise than by sedimentation or filtration

Definitions

  • FIG/1A Nwe/vrou. Gunnar O/grd By Dov/s, Hex/19, Fa/'fhfu/l 8 Hapgood After/lays FIG.5
  • This invention relates to apparatus for separating and fractionating material carried or suspended in a liquid.
  • the invention is an improvement upon the invention disclosed in U.S. Letters Pat. 3,396,850 issued Aug. 13, 196,8. More particularly, this invention relates to such apparatus utilizing a concentrating effect obtained by relative motion between a liquid and its container or passageway walls.
  • plugs of the liquid pass along a passageway in spaced relation during which the suspended material becomes concentrated in the front portion (measured in the direction of flow) of each plug of liquid, with the larger particles nearest the front and progressively smaller particles toward the rear of plug, according to known phenomena.
  • the liquid plugs are spaced by another phase, e.g. a gas, which most commonly is air. When air is referred to herein it will be understood to include all equivalents of said other phase.
  • spaced plugs of the liquid to be treated pass along a passageway whose cross sectional area varies continuously at least along a substantial part of its length to enable control of the separation and fractionation from the liquid of particles of different sizes.
  • the passageway may converge from its feed end to its discharge end by having its cross sectional area gradually and progressively decrease in size, to facilitate separation of the greatest particles rst and separation thereafter of the smaller particles, and also to allow back-ilushing from the discharge end to loosen and flush rearwards 'any cloggings which might possibly have formed.
  • the area of the passageway may be abruptly decreased at a predetermined distance from the feed end to increase the effect of progressive concentration of different sized particles by inserting a partition wall in and parallel to, and between the helical walls of each passageway.
  • the cross sectional area of the passageway may be abruptly enlarged at a Patent ICC predetermined distance from its feed end to eliminate risk of clogging which may be more acute when some suspensions are being processed, by merging or combing one or more adjacent passageways at a predetermined distance from the entrance end, forming a joint or combined enlarged passageway from that point onward.
  • This arrangement is particularly suitable when longbred and short-bred particles are to be separated. The plug in passing into the enlarged section breaks up and ycauses separation of the long and shortuzes so that the short fibres can travel rearward.
  • the passageway preferably is in the form of a ilat helix or spiral and is rotated about an axis perpendicular to its plane and passing through its center, with the feed entrance near the axis of rotation and the discharge end located at the peripheral end of the helix in position to discharge into a fraction collector.
  • This arrangement enables the apparatus to be simple and compact and efficient.
  • Also 'a plurality of such units preferably are located side by side along the same axis, to increase the capacity and compactness of the installation.
  • FIG. 1 is a side elevation view partly broken away of apparatus embodying one form of the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is an end elevation of the apparatus of FIG. l.
  • FIG. 3 is a transverse vertical section view along line 3h-3 ⁇ of FIG. l showing diagrammati-cally one unit of the apparatus of FIG. l.
  • FIG. 4 is a radial section view of one half of the unit of FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3 of a second form of the passageways according to the invention, showing two passageways of one unit merging at a certain distance from the entrance end.
  • FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 of third form showing a partition inserted along the length of a passage.
  • the separation and fractionating apparatus comprises a hollow casing 10 of configuration to rotatably support a rotary assembly, designated generally by the numeral 20 made up of a plurality of identical flat units secured together in side by side relationship, the units being designated generally by numeral 30, and being described in detail below.
  • the casing may be made in generally circular or cylindrical shape with closed ends 12' and 14 having axial extensions 12a, 14a to accommodate a hydraulic motor 15 or some other drive in one extension 12a and a liquid inlet pipe or duct 16 in the other extension 14a.
  • a hydraulic motor is a convenient motive means
  • the casing may have several radially extending pockets or receptacles 17a, 17b, 17C formed in a lower quadrant (the lower right quadrant as viewed in FIG. 2 when the rotation of the rotary unit assembly is clockwise in FIGS. 2 and 3), to receive the different fractions of separated material issuing from the units, as more fully described below.
  • Three pockets 17a, 17b, 17C are shown in FIG. Z but a different number may be provided as different liquid suspensions and different usages require.
  • the individual units which make up the rotary assembly may each comprise a circular flat plate or disc 31 having mounted edgewise on one face a plurality of continuous concentric spiral walls 32a to 32f which are spaced apart equally and start their outward spiral courses at points which are spaced angularly around the periphery of a central circular aperture 31a in the disc 31.
  • six spiral walls are shown there may be more or less depending on the size of the apparatus, its intended usage and the composition of the liquids to be processed.
  • the distance that the Walls extend perpendicularly from the face of the plate may be from about 1/2 inch to two inches, in most cases.
  • each of the concentric spiral walls forms between itself and the next wall a spiral passageway; and a plurality of concentric spiral passageways A to F are thus formed equal in number to the number of walls.
  • Each passageway is bounded by two concentric spiral walls and by the disc on whichthey are mounted and by the disc of the adjacent unit.
  • the spirality of each individual wall is arranged so that each convolution of that spiral is slightly closer to the previous convolution than its predecessor was to the convolution that preceded it.
  • the cross sectional area of each spiral passageway decreases as the spiral proceeds from the center outwards.
  • each passageway is convergent in its outward course.
  • the cross section at the mid-point along the passageway will be square.
  • T'he areas of each of the six passageways measured at any radial angle and at any chosen convolution of the six is equal so that uniform actions and results will be obtained from each of the concentric spiral passageways of a unit, and likewise from all the units.
  • the central openings through the many side-by-side units of the rotary assembly combine to form a central tubular passage 312, for convenience called a tube herein, through all the units.
  • the diameter of the tube should be sufficient to contain an amount of incoming liquid at a substantially constant level, less than full capacity, as the liquid is withdrawn.
  • the liquid level is maintained at between 90 and slightly above 200 measured as a sector angle of the liquid level in the tube.
  • Vlt will be noted that as the assembly is rotated in a direction opposite to the outward course of the spiral passages, liquid is picked up as the inner end of a passageway goes down into the liquid in the central tube. This continues until that inner end rises above the surface of the liquid in the tube. The plug of liquid thus picked up moves along that passageway as the assembly rotates, until the inner end of the passageway again reaches the surface of the liquid in the tube. Meantime a plug of air has formed in the passageway. Then the process repeats itself providing in the passageway a series of plugs of liquid separated by plugs of air. The same happens in all passageways.
  • the length of the entering liquid plug will be approximately equal to the sector angle of the liquid level; and the length of the air plug will be 360 minus said sector angle. If the assembly were at rest the liquid plug would lie in the lower half of the passageway. When rotation clockwise (for example) starts, the liquid plug moves clockwise to a position determined by the liquid friction against the passageway walls.
  • the characteristic measure of the passageway can be said to be the so-called hydraulic diameter, i.e., the cross sectional area of the passageway divided by the circumference of the passageway. It has been found that the 4 greater the ratio between the particle size and the hydraulic diameter the better the separation.
  • the pressure in the air plugs remains constant during the transport of the liquid plugs, irrespective of whether the transport is directed radially outward as illustrated, or inwards as may be possible in an alternate practice of the principle of the invention.
  • the units 30 are assembled and secured between circular end plates 22, 24 which rotate in bearings 25, preferably cushion-mounted ball bearings supported from the casing, and are driven by motor 15 which is connected coaxially with the unit assembly.
  • motor 15 which is connected coaxially with the unit assembly.
  • a suitable membrane or closure plate 25 may be provided adjacent the motor connection to the rotary assembly, and suitable plates 26 and packing may likewise be provided at the opposite or liquid inlet side.
  • an overflow passage 27 may be provided in the end plate 14 with its mo'uth (not visible) at the desired level and its outlet 28 conveniently placed to return the liquid to the supply (not shown).
  • the three previously mentioned pockets 17a, 17b, 17C are provided. Although three pockets are shown in FIG. 2 a different number may be provided if ditferent liquid suspensions and different usages require.
  • the fractions are drained off through outlets, such as 18, from the individual pockets.
  • the convergence of the passageway has another advantage in that it allows back-flushing to loosen or remove possible cloggings within the passageways.
  • the passageways are so designed that within the boundaries of any sector, irrespective of where taken from the center of the tubular passage to the periphery rotary assembly, referring to FIG. l, the volume of every individual passageway will be constant and equal.
  • the plug lengthens with reduction of the area of the individual passageway as it proceeds from entrance to exit the same volume will be contained in all the convolutions within the boundaries of said sector.
  • a partition wall 46 may be inserted as shown in FIG. 6 in individual passageways 45 between the walls of each passageway at a predetermined point along its length, which has the effect of reducing the area and providing two smaller parallel passageways.
  • FIG. 6 only one passageway is shown for simplicity and convenience.
  • two adjacent passageways may merge as shown at ⁇ 43 in FIG. 5.
  • two adjacent passageways 42 and 44 are shown for simplicity and convenience. This arrangement is desirable when long-fibred and shortlibred particles are to be separated.
  • the liquid plug breaks up causing separation of the long and short fibers as the plug passes into the merged section allowing the short bred particles of lighter weight to disengage the longer ones and to travel rearward.
  • the two above described variations in area will preferably be located at least 1/2 a convolution to about 11/2 convolutions from the entrance and if repeated it will be no oftener than 1A. to 11/2 convolutions. Probably most often the positioning would be one convolution. Practical considerations may require greater distances for some liquids.
  • the discs 31 can not practically be altered from their planar form to vary the size of the passageways along their length. Hence any change in the area when merging two passageways or when inserting a partition will be by change of position of the helical walls as they proceed toward the outlet of the passageways. It is preferable to observe the limits of approximately 1/2 inch up to about 2 inches between the helical walls of a passage when making such variations.
  • the converging passageways need not be in planes perpendicular to the axis but may be helixes running spirally lengthwise of the axis of rotation as in PIG. 7 of Pat. 3,396,850.
  • the invention in its various forms, has the advantages of spacesaving compactness, ability to cleanse by back-flushing, control of the separation and fractionation effect, adaptability to processing suspensions containing different degrees of the different sizes of particles including long and short fibers, and basic simplicity in principle of operation.
  • Apparatus for the separation and fractionation of material suspended in a liquid comprising at least one rotatable unit which includes a passageway in the form of a helix having an inlet end and a discharge end, means t rotate said unit about the axis of said helix and to cause introduction through said inlet end of plugs of said liquid spaced apart by another phase, said passageway having cross sectional area to effectively cause concentration of particles of greater size in the front portion of the liquid plug considered with respect to the direction of movement of the liquid plug and concentration of the particles of lesser size toward the rear of the liquid plug, the cross sectional area of said passageway having a continuously varying area at least along a substantial part of its length to enhance the concentrating effect, and means to collect separately fractions of liquid containing concentrations of particles of progressively smaller size as said liquid plugs are discharged from the passageway of said rotating unit.
  • passageway is defined by plate means perpendicular to said axis, at least two wall means mounted edgewise on said plate means and curved to form between them a passageway in the form of a fiat spiral, and second plate means covering said passageway.
  • Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 having at least one abrupt increase in cross sectional area intermediately along the passageway.
  • Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 having two adjacent passageways merging into one common passageway at an intermediate point along their length, said common passage being of no greater area than the sum of the areas of the merging passageways.
  • each unit has a plurality of concentric interleaved spiral passage- Ways which have their inlet and discharge ends circumferentially spaced.
  • Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 having its inlet end near the axis of said spiral and the discharge end at the periphery of the spiral, and liquid containing means located at the center of said helix whereby a plug of liquid is picked up by the inlet end of said passageway on each rotation.
  • Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 having a plurality of said units secured together coaxially in side-by-side relationship, said fraction-collecting means being constructed and positioned to receive the liquid fractions discharging from all the passageways of all said units.
  • each unit has a plurality of concentric interleaved spiral passageways which have their inlet and discharge ends circumferentially spaced.
  • passageways are four walled, a series of plate means perpendicular to the axis 0f said helix with adjacent plate means forming two walls of a passageway, and at least two wall means mounted edgewise on said plate means and curved to form between them a passageway in the form of a flat spiral and forming the other two walls of a passageway.
  • Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 in which there are more than two of said edgewise mounted Wall means to produce a plurality of identical concentric spiral passageways having outlets equally spaced around the circumferences of said plate means.
  • Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 including casing means in which said apparatus is mounted, and means associated with said casing means to receive separately fractions of liquid discharging from said passageways.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Centrifugal Separators (AREA)
  • Separation Of Solids By Using Liquids Or Pneumatic Power (AREA)
  • Treatment Of Liquids With Adsorbents In General (AREA)
US863847A 1968-10-07 1969-10-06 Apparatus for separation and fractionation of material suspended in a liquid Expired - Lifetime US3615020A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

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SE13497/68A SE316147B (no) 1968-10-07 1968-10-07

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US3615020A true US3615020A (en) 1971-10-26

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US (1) US3615020A (no)
AT (1) AT302369B (no)
BE (1) BE739889A (no)
BR (1) BR6913082D0 (no)
CH (1) CH495766A (no)
DE (1) DE1950227A1 (no)
DK (1) DK127842B (no)
FR (1) FR2020065A1 (no)
GB (1) GB1275776A (no)
NL (1) NL6915162A (no)
NO (1) NO122914B (no)
SE (1) SE316147B (no)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4177148A (en) * 1978-03-03 1979-12-04 Hach Chemical Company Mechanical strainer
DE102010010709B3 (de) * 2010-03-08 2011-09-08 Tu Kaiserslautern Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Abtrennen von Partikelfraktionen

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4479790A (en) * 1983-04-22 1984-10-30 Texasgulf, Inc. Centrifugal separator and method of operating same
US5637215A (en) * 1995-10-18 1997-06-10 Purolator Products Company Fuel filter having improved communication with a contaminant container

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4177148A (en) * 1978-03-03 1979-12-04 Hach Chemical Company Mechanical strainer
DE102010010709B3 (de) * 2010-03-08 2011-09-08 Tu Kaiserslautern Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Abtrennen von Partikelfraktionen

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Publication number Publication date
GB1275776A (en) 1972-05-24
DK127842B (da) 1974-01-21
FR2020065A1 (no) 1970-07-10
BR6913082D0 (pt) 1973-01-09
AT302369B (de) 1972-10-10
NL6915162A (no) 1970-04-09
BE739889A (no) 1970-03-16
SE316147B (no) 1969-10-20
DE1950227A1 (de) 1970-06-04
NO122914B (no) 1971-09-06
CH495766A (de) 1970-09-15

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