WO2000027537A1 - Centrifugal separator apparatus - Google Patents

Centrifugal separator apparatus Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2000027537A1
WO2000027537A1 PCT/GB1999/003702 GB9903702W WO0027537A1 WO 2000027537 A1 WO2000027537 A1 WO 2000027537A1 GB 9903702 W GB9903702 W GB 9903702W WO 0027537 A1 WO0027537 A1 WO 0027537A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
centrifuge tube
centrifugal separator
separator apparatus
manifold
tube
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1999/003702
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Sergie Artemovich Khalatov
Nicholas Syred
Original Assignee
University College Cardiff Consultants Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by University College Cardiff Consultants Limited filed Critical University College Cardiff Consultants Limited
Priority to AU10596/00A priority Critical patent/AU1059600A/en
Publication of WO2000027537A1 publication Critical patent/WO2000027537A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B04—CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS OR MACHINES FOR CARRYING-OUT PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES
    • B04B—CENTRIFUGES
    • B04B1/00—Centrifuges with rotary bowls provided with solid jackets for separating predominantly liquid mixtures with or without solid particles
    • B04B1/02—Centrifuges with rotary bowls provided with solid jackets for separating predominantly liquid mixtures with or without solid particles without inserted separating walls
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D45/00—Separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours by gravity, inertia, or centrifugal forces
    • B01D45/12—Separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours by gravity, inertia, or centrifugal forces by centrifugal forces
    • B01D45/14—Separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours by gravity, inertia, or centrifugal forces by centrifugal forces generated by rotating vanes, discs, drums or brushes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B04—CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS OR MACHINES FOR CARRYING-OUT PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES
    • B04B—CENTRIFUGES
    • B04B5/00—Other centrifuges
    • B04B5/08—Centrifuges for separating predominantly gaseous mixtures

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a centrifugal separator apparatus for separating particles from a fluid.
  • a centrifugal separator apparatus which comprises a tube into which the fluid is introduced and which is driven into rotation around its own axis.
  • a drawback of such apparatus is that the centrifuge tube must be rotated at very high speeds, 60,000 r.p.m. or greater, in order to achieve a satisfactory degree of separation of particles from the fluid in which they are suspended or entrained.
  • We have now devised a centrifugal separator apparatus which is able to provide a satisfactory degree of separation when driven at substantially lower rotary speeds than prior art centrifugal separators.
  • a centrifugal separator apparatus which comprises a centrifuge tube which is closed at one end thereof, and mounted for rotation around its axis, drive means for rotating said centrifuge tube around its said axis, an inlet tube extending into said centrifuge tube from the second, opposite end thereof and to a point adjacent said closed end of said centrifuge tube, and a manifold coupled to said second end of the centrifuge tube and formed with a first outlet for dirty fluid and a second outlet for clean fluid.
  • particle-laden fluid is fed longitudinally through the inlet tube and into the centrifuge tube, the fluid accordingly entering the centrifuge tube adjacent the closed end of the latter.
  • the fluid now reverses its direction of flow, to pass longitudinally through the annular space between the inlet tube and the centrifuge tube towards the manifold. Owing to the rotation of the centrifuge tube, the fluid separates into two streams, a radially outer stream which is relatively heavily laden with particles and a radially inner stream which is relatively lightly laden with particles.
  • the manifold is formed with a longitudinal duct which forms a continuation of the centrifuge tube.
  • the outlets for dirty fluid and clean fluid comprise respective first and second frusto-conical passages which are formed in the manifold, communicating at their narrow ends with the longitudinal duct and at their wider ends with respective outlet ports.
  • the longitudinal duct in the manifold is of uniform diameter along its length and preferably of substantially the same diameter as the inner diameter of the centrifuge tube. In another embodiment, the longitudinal duct in the manifold is of larger diameter in the section between the end of the centrifuge tube and the first frusto-conical outlet passage, than in the section between the first and second frusto-conical outlet passages.
  • the inlet tube may be stationary. Alternatively, at least a part of the inlet tube, which is disposed within the centrifuge tube, may be arranged to rotate. It is expected that this modification should improve the separation performance of the apparatus .
  • FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a first embodiment of centrifugal separator apparatus in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a second embodiment of centrifugal apparatus in accordance with the present invention.
  • a centrifugal separator apparatus which comprises a base 10, a cylindrical casing 12 mounted on the base 10 and extending vertically upwards from the base, and a manifold 20 mounted on the top of the cylindrical casing 12.
  • a centrifuge tube 14 is positioned within the casing 10, the axes of the centrifuge tube 14 and casing 10 being coincident.
  • the centrifuge tube 14 is mounted on bearings, e.g. foil bearing assemblies one of which is shown at 16, for rotation around its axis at high speed.
  • the cylindrical casing 12 is split into upper and lower sections 12a, 12b: the stator part 18 of an air turbine is mounted between the two casing sections 12a, 12b and the rotor part 19 of the air turbine is fixed to the centrifuge tube 14.
  • the bottom end of the tube 14 is closed: optionally, and as shown, a cruciform 15 is fitted into the tube 14 at its bottom end.
  • the manifold 20 comprises a body having an axial duct 22 having a reduced-diameter section 22a at the upper end of the manifold.
  • An inlet tube 24 is fitted into the reduced- diameter duct section 22a of the manifold and extends axially along the duct 22 and the centrifuge tube 14 to terminate a short distance from the cruciform 15 at the bottom end of the centrifuge tube.
  • the manifold 20 comprises three sections 20a, 20b, 20c fitted one on top of another.
  • the lower two manifold sections 20a, 20b co-operate to define a first frusto-conical passage 26 extending radially outwardly from the duct 22 to an annular passage 27, from which an outlet tube (not shown) for dirty gas projects tangentially .
  • the upper two manifold sections 20b, 20c co-operate to define a second frusto-conical passage 28 extending radially outwardly from the duct 22 to an annular passage 29, from which an outlet tube (not shown) for clean gas projects tangentially. It will be noted that each of the frusto-conical passages 26,28 has its narrow end directed towards the centrifuge tube 14.
  • the passage 28 for clean gas is substantially wider than the passage 26 for dirty gas.
  • gas is fed under pressure into the top, projecting end of the inlet tube 24, this gas having particles entrained in it.
  • the inlet gas passes along the tube 24 to exit from the opposite, lower end thereof, following which the direction of gas flow is reversed and the gas passes upwards in the annular space between the outer surface of the inlet tube 24 and the inner surface of the centrifuge tube 14. Owing to the rotation of the centrifuge tube 14, the flow of gas forms into two streams, a radially outer stream which is relatively heavily laden with particles, and a radially inner stream which is only relatively lightly laden with particles.
  • the first stream, of dirty gas passes through the first frusto-conical passage 26 and out of the manifold 20 via the dirty gas outlet.
  • the second stream, of . clean gas passes through the second frusto-conical passage 28 and out of the manifold 20 via the clean gas outlet.
  • Figure 2 shows a centrifugal separator apparatus which differs from the apparatus of Figure 1 as regards the internal design of the manifold 20.
  • the duct 22 is larger in diameter than the centrifuge tube 14 and is also larger in diameter than in the second section 20b of the manifold.
  • the inlet tube 24 is stationary, in a modification of either embodiment, at least part of the inlet tube may be arranged to rotate: in particular, the part of the inlet tube which lies within the centrifuge tube 14 may be mounted to rotate with the centrifuge tube, a seal being provided between this part of the inlet tube and the remaining part, which is disposed within the manifold 20.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Centrifugal Separators (AREA)

Abstract

A centrifugal separator apparatus comprises a centrifuge tube (14) which is closed at one end, drive means (18, 19) for rotating the centrifuge tube (14) around its axis and an inlet tube (24) extending into the centrifuge tube (14) from its second, opposite end and to a point adjacent the closed end of the centrifuge tube. A manifold (20) is coupled to the second end of the centrifuge tube and is formed with a first outlet (26, 27) for dirty fluid and a second outlet (28, 29) for clean fluid.

Description

CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATOR APPARATUS
The present invention relates to a centrifugal separator apparatus for separating particles from a fluid.
A centrifugal separator apparatus is known which comprises a tube into which the fluid is introduced and which is driven into rotation around its own axis. A drawback of such apparatus is that the centrifuge tube must be rotated at very high speeds, 60,000 r.p.m. or greater, in order to achieve a satisfactory degree of separation of particles from the fluid in which they are suspended or entrained. We have now devised a centrifugal separator apparatus which is able to provide a satisfactory degree of separation when driven at substantially lower rotary speeds than prior art centrifugal separators.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a centrifugal separator apparatus which comprises a centrifuge tube which is closed at one end thereof, and mounted for rotation around its axis, drive means for rotating said centrifuge tube around its said axis, an inlet tube extending into said centrifuge tube from the second, opposite end thereof and to a point adjacent said closed end of said centrifuge tube, and a manifold coupled to said second end of the centrifuge tube and formed with a first outlet for dirty fluid and a second outlet for clean fluid.
In use, particle-laden fluid is fed longitudinally through the inlet tube and into the centrifuge tube, the fluid accordingly entering the centrifuge tube adjacent the closed end of the latter. The fluid now reverses its direction of flow, to pass longitudinally through the annular space between the inlet tube and the centrifuge tube towards the manifold. Owing to the rotation of the centrifuge tube, the fluid separates into two streams, a radially outer stream which is relatively heavily laden with particles and a radially inner stream which is relatively lightly laden with particles.
We have found that a satisfactory separation performance can be achieved at relatively low rotational speed (e.g. 30,000 r.p.m.) of the centrifuge tube.
Preferably the manifold is formed with a longitudinal duct which forms a continuation of the centrifuge tube. Preferably the outlets for dirty fluid and clean fluid comprise respective first and second frusto-conical passages which are formed in the manifold, communicating at their narrow ends with the longitudinal duct and at their wider ends with respective outlet ports.
In one embodiment, the longitudinal duct in the manifold is of uniform diameter along its length and preferably of substantially the same diameter as the inner diameter of the centrifuge tube. In another embodiment, the longitudinal duct in the manifold is of larger diameter in the section between the end of the centrifuge tube and the first frusto-conical outlet passage, than in the section between the first and second frusto-conical outlet passages.
The inlet tube may be stationary. Alternatively, at least a part of the inlet tube, which is disposed within the centrifuge tube, may be arranged to rotate. It is expected that this modification should improve the separation performance of the apparatus .
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a first embodiment of centrifugal separator apparatus in accordance with the present invention; and
FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a second embodiment of centrifugal apparatus in accordance with the present invention. Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a centrifugal separator apparatus which comprises a base 10, a cylindrical casing 12 mounted on the base 10 and extending vertically upwards from the base, and a manifold 20 mounted on the top of the cylindrical casing 12. A centrifuge tube 14 is positioned within the casing 10, the axes of the centrifuge tube 14 and casing 10 being coincident. The centrifuge tube 14 is mounted on bearings, e.g. foil bearing assemblies one of which is shown at 16, for rotation around its axis at high speed. The cylindrical casing 12 is split into upper and lower sections 12a, 12b: the stator part 18 of an air turbine is mounted between the two casing sections 12a, 12b and the rotor part 19 of the air turbine is fixed to the centrifuge tube 14. The bottom end of the tube 14 is closed: optionally, and as shown, a cruciform 15 is fitted into the tube 14 at its bottom end.
The manifold 20 comprises a body having an axial duct 22 having a reduced-diameter section 22a at the upper end of the manifold. An inlet tube 24 is fitted into the reduced- diameter duct section 22a of the manifold and extends axially along the duct 22 and the centrifuge tube 14 to terminate a short distance from the cruciform 15 at the bottom end of the centrifuge tube.
The manifold 20 comprises three sections 20a, 20b, 20c fitted one on top of another. The lower two manifold sections 20a, 20b co-operate to define a first frusto-conical passage 26 extending radially outwardly from the duct 22 to an annular passage 27, from which an outlet tube (not shown) for dirty gas projects tangentially . The upper two manifold sections 20b, 20c co-operate to define a second frusto-conical passage 28 extending radially outwardly from the duct 22 to an annular passage 29, from which an outlet tube (not shown) for clean gas projects tangentially. It will be noted that each of the frusto-conical passages 26,28 has its narrow end directed towards the centrifuge tube 14. Also, the passage 28 for clean gas is substantially wider than the passage 26 for dirty gas. In use, gas is fed under pressure into the top, projecting end of the inlet tube 24, this gas having particles entrained in it. The inlet gas passes along the tube 24 to exit from the opposite, lower end thereof, following which the direction of gas flow is reversed and the gas passes upwards in the annular space between the outer surface of the inlet tube 24 and the inner surface of the centrifuge tube 14. Owing to the rotation of the centrifuge tube 14, the flow of gas forms into two streams, a radially outer stream which is relatively heavily laden with particles, and a radially inner stream which is only relatively lightly laden with particles. The first stream, of dirty gas, passes through the first frusto-conical passage 26 and out of the manifold 20 via the dirty gas outlet. The second stream, of. clean gas, passes through the second frusto-conical passage 28 and out of the manifold 20 via the clean gas outlet.
We have built a centrifugal separator apparatus as shown in Figure 1, the centrifuge tube being 310 mm long. We tested the apparatus using 0.3 micron particles entrained in air, the centrifuge tube being driven at 30,000 r.p.m. Under these test conditions, only 5 to 6% of the air passed out of the dirty gas outlet, the remaining 95 to 94% passing out of the clean gas outlet. Typically 60% of the particles were separated into the dirty gas outlet. By increasing the rotational speed of the centrifuge tube to 60,000 r.p.m., an improvement in the separation performance was achieved, 70 to 80% of the 0.3 micron particles being separated into the dirty gas outlet.
Figure 2 shows a centrifugal separator apparatus which differs from the apparatus of Figure 1 as regards the internal design of the manifold 20. In particular, in the first section 20a of the manifold, the duct 22 is larger in diameter than the centrifuge tube 14 and is also larger in diameter than in the second section 20b of the manifold. We have built and tested an apparatus as shown in Figure 2. Using 0.3 micron particles entrained in air and driving the centrifuge tube at 30,000 r.p.m., we found approximately 15% of the air was separated into the dirty gas outlet stream. However, approximately 70% of the particles were carried in the dirty gas stream. When the centrifuge tube speed was increased to 60,000 r.p.m., 90% of the particles were carried in the dirty gas stream. We have also built and tested the apparatus of Figure 2 with a shorter centrifuge tube, 150mm in length instead of 310mm. At 30,000 r.p.m., still 15% of the air was separated into the dirty gas stream. 60% of the 0.3 micron particles were separated into the dirty gas stream. When the rotational speed of the centrifuge tube was increased to 60,000 r.p.m., approximately 80% of particles were separated into the dirty gas stream.
It will be appreciated from the above that a satisfactory separation performance can be achieved at the relatively low rotational speed of 30,000 r.p.m. and even with a relatively short centrifuge tube of 150mm. The separation performance can however be improved by increasing the rotational speed.
Whilst in the above-described embodiments the inlet tube 24 is stationary, in a modification of either embodiment, at least part of the inlet tube may be arranged to rotate: in particular, the part of the inlet tube which lies within the centrifuge tube 14 may be mounted to rotate with the centrifuge tube, a seal being provided between this part of the inlet tube and the remaining part, which is disposed within the manifold 20.

Claims

Claims
1) A centrifugal separator apparatus which comprises a centrifuge tube (14) which is closed at one end thereof, and mounted for rotation around its axis, drive means (18, 19) for rotating said centrifuge tube (14) around its said axis, an inlet tube (24) extending into said centrifuge tube from the second, opposite end thereof and to a point adjacent said closed end of said centrifuge tube, and a manifold (20) coupled to said second end of the centrifuge tube and formed with a first outlet (26,27) for dirty fluid and a second outlet (28,29) for clean fluid.
2) A centrifugal separator apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which said manifold (20) is formed with a longitudinal duct (22) which forms a continuation of the centrifuge tube (14) .
3) A centrifugal separator apparatus as claimed in claim
3, in which said first and second outlets comprise respective first and second frusto-conical passages (26,28) which are formed in said manifold and communicate at their narrower ends with the longitudinal duct (22) of the manifold and at their wider ends with respective outlet parts.
4) A centrifugal separator apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or 3 , in which the longitudinal duct (22) in the manifold
(20) is of uniform diameter along its length.
5) A centrifugal separator apparatus as claimed in claim
4, in which said longitudinal duct (22) is of substantially the same diameter as the inner diameter of the centrifuge tube
(14) . 6) A centrifugal separator apparatus as claimed in claim 4, in which the longitudinal duct (22) is of larger diameter in a first section, between the end of the centrifuge tube and the first outlet, than in a second section, between the first and second outlets.
7) A centrifugal separator apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the inlet tube (24) is stationary.
8) A centrifugal separator apparatus as claimed in claims 1 to 7, in which at least a section of said inlet tube (24), which is disposed within the centrifuge tube (14) , is arranged for rotation around its longitudinal axis.
PCT/GB1999/003702 1998-11-10 1999-11-08 Centrifugal separator apparatus WO2000027537A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU10596/00A AU1059600A (en) 1998-11-10 1999-11-08 Centrifugal separator apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9824507.9 1998-11-10
GBGB9824507.9A GB9824507D0 (en) 1998-11-10 1998-11-10 Centrifugal separator apparatus

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2000027537A1 true WO2000027537A1 (en) 2000-05-18

Family

ID=10842097

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1999/003702 WO2000027537A1 (en) 1998-11-10 1999-11-08 Centrifugal separator apparatus

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU1059600A (en)
GB (1) GB9824507D0 (en)
WO (1) WO2000027537A1 (en)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2576525A1 (en) * 1985-01-25 1986-08-01 Commissariat Energie Atomique Centrifugal extractor for liquid-liquid extraction in the presence of solid particles, and installation operating several of these extractors
WO1996009119A1 (en) * 1994-09-24 1996-03-28 Holger Gall Centrifuge for mechanically obtaining vegetable oil
WO1996016744A1 (en) * 1994-11-28 1996-06-06 Pulp Tech Pty. Limited Centrifuge
US5554343A (en) * 1991-01-29 1996-09-10 Wade; Brian Particle and light and heavy fluid separator
WO1996039254A1 (en) * 1995-06-03 1996-12-12 Kudos Centrifuge Limited Gas centrifuge

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2576525A1 (en) * 1985-01-25 1986-08-01 Commissariat Energie Atomique Centrifugal extractor for liquid-liquid extraction in the presence of solid particles, and installation operating several of these extractors
US5554343A (en) * 1991-01-29 1996-09-10 Wade; Brian Particle and light and heavy fluid separator
WO1996009119A1 (en) * 1994-09-24 1996-03-28 Holger Gall Centrifuge for mechanically obtaining vegetable oil
WO1996016744A1 (en) * 1994-11-28 1996-06-06 Pulp Tech Pty. Limited Centrifuge
WO1996039254A1 (en) * 1995-06-03 1996-12-12 Kudos Centrifuge Limited Gas centrifuge

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9824507D0 (en) 1999-01-06
AU1059600A (en) 2000-05-29

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5062955A (en) Rotating sleeve hydrocyclone
US5779619A (en) Centrifugal separator
RU2478416C1 (en) Plant and method for separation oil from gas mix
RU2424039C2 (en) Centrifugal separator
CA2388070C (en) Gas separator improvements
US6599422B2 (en) Separator for liquids containing impurities
US7717101B2 (en) Centrifugal oil mist separation device integrated in an axial hollow shaft of an internal combustion engine
EP2063975B1 (en) Separator drum and compressor impeller assembly
US7022163B2 (en) Method of treating air on board on a vehicle, and a device for use when performing the method
CA2117343C (en) Multiphase fluid treatment
JP6641002B2 (en) Separation means for purifying gas
ES2016120B3 (en) ROTATIONAL PARTICLE SEPARATOR
SE9902490D0 (en) Oil separator for small particles
US20050120685A1 (en) Centrifugal separator
WO2008111909A1 (en) A particle separator
CA1157784A (en) Apparatus for separating an entrained solid from a gas
SE500414C2 (en) Centrifugal separator with stationary discharge means
US5180493A (en) Rotating hydrocyclone separator with turbulence shield
AU656957B2 (en) Hydrocyclone separator with turbulence shield
KR0155956B1 (en) Centrifugal separator having a device for the transformation of kinetic energy to pressure energy
WO2000027537A1 (en) Centrifugal separator apparatus
CA1242678A (en) Outlet arrangement for a centrifugal separator
FI90358B (en) Method and apparatus for sorting a fiber suspension
US5709643A (en) Centrifugal separator for entraining a separated liquid with minimal air mixture
WO2005123261A1 (en) An arrangement in a centrifugal separator

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref country code: AU

Ref document number: 2000 10596

Kind code of ref document: A

Format of ref document f/p: F

AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AE AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY CA CH CN CR CU CZ DE DK DM EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VN YU ZA ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW SD SL SZ TZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase