Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D46/00—Filters or filtering processes specially modified for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours
  • B01D46/0027—Filters or filtering processes specially modified for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours with additional separating or treating functions
  • B01D46/003—Filters or filtering processes specially modified for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours with additional separating or treating functions including coalescing means for the separation of liquid
  • B01D46/0031—Filters or filtering processes specially modified for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours with additional separating or treating functions including coalescing means for the separation of liquid with collecting, draining means
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D50/00—Combinations of methods or devices for separating particles from gases or vapours
  • B01D50/20—Combinations of devices covered by groups B01D45/00 and B01D46/00

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a liquid separator provided with such filter element.
• the invention is intended for the separation of liquid in a gas-liquid mixture.
• a liquid-injected machine like for example a compressor or expander
• the compressed or expanded gas will contain a certain amount of liquid, like for example oil or water.
• a liquid separator may be installed after the machine to separate the liquid from the gas.
• liquid separators comprise a vessel with both an inlet for the liquid-gas mixture, whereby this vessel defines a space, and an outlet to carry away treated gas, whereby in said space a filter element is provided that extends around said outlet.
• the inlet is preferably placed at a tangent in the side wall of the vessel, so that the liquid-gas mixture follows a spiral-shaped trajectory in the vessel, allowing a first separation phase to take place whereby the centrifugal force causes the heavier liquid particles in the mixture to end up against the side wall of the vessel and subsequently flow downwards along said side wall.
• This is, however, not essential. It is not excluded that between the side wall of the vessel and the filter element a pipe or screen is provided that extends around the filter element, thus defining an inlet zone between the side wall of the vessel and the pipe, in which the first separation phase will take place.
• liquid-gas mixture will be forced to flow around the end of the pipe and thus change direction and flow towards the outlet.
• the separated liquid is typically collected in a reservoir in the vessel of the liquid separator, and this takes up space in the liquid separator which can then not be filled with other liquid separator components, such as the filter element .
• a nozzle in the drainage pipe will determine the discharge .
• the purpose of the present invention is to provide a solution to at least one of the aforementioned and/or other disadvantages.
• the present invention also aims to make the liquid separator in general as compact as possible without carrying away an unnecessary excess of gas with the separated liquid, yet still achieving a maximum separation of liquid from the gas-liquid mixture.
• the object involved in the present invention is a liquid separator with a vessel with an inlet for a liquid-gas mixture and an outlet to carry away treated gas,
• a filter element is provided in such a way that, after entering the vessel through the inlet, the liquid-gas mixture must pass through the filter element before being able to leave the vessel through the outlet, whereby a reservoir is provided in which the liquid that is separated by the filter element is collected,
• a drainage pipe is connected to said reservoir which can carry away the liquid collected in the reservoir, and whereby the reservoir is provided with means to close off the drainage pipe once the liquid level in the reservoir drops to or below a specific level
• liquid separator is provided with a screen that extends from a side wall of the vessel around the aforementioned outlet and that comprises a bottom wall with an inlet opening,
• a chamber is defined by the screen, the bottom wall and part of the side wall of the vessel,
• the aforementioned filter element is attached that extends around the inlet opening as from the bottom wall, and all this in such a way that between the screen and the filter element an outlet zone is defined which is connected with the aforementioned outlet .
• One advantage is that by using the reservoir, the separated liquid is isolated from the gas and collected in a specific location, i.e. in the reservoir.
• closing off the drainage pipe is understood to mean that no more liquid will be allowed to escape from the reservoir through the drainage pipe.
• One advantage is that at times when there i little liquid in the reservoir, which is typically the cas when starting the separation process before any liquid has been separated and collected, the drainage pipe can be closed off temporarily so that, also in this case, no gas or liquid- gas mixture is carried off.
• the removed liquid may for example be taken to the injection pipe, allowing the liquid to be reinjected in a machine .
• the invention is also suited to all types of liquid-gas mixtures, in other words there is no limit to the sort of gas or liquid.
• the invention is also suited to all types of pressure, and thus to both compressors and vacuum machines.
• a screen is provided in the liquid separator that extends around the outlet, the liquid-gas mixture that enters the vessel via the inlet must first follow a spiral or cyclone-shaped trajectory before reaching the filter element, whereby separation of the liquid from the liquid- gas mixture is encouraged. Under the influence of the centrifugal force affecting heavier liquid drops in the liquid-gas mixture as they follow this spiral-shaped trajectory, these drops of liquid indeed collide with the side wall of the vessel and subsequently flow along this side wall towards the bottom of the vessel where they can be removed from the vessel.
• the screen is provided with a bottom wall, with which a compact chamber is formed in combination with the screen and a part of the side wall of the vessel. The bottom wall of this chamber provides mechanical support for the filter element that is inserted therein.
• this compact chamber has an additional advantage that it contains space for the potential integration of a reservoir for separated liquid.
• the aforementioned means to close off the drainage pipe are made in the form of a flap or valve .
• the flap or valve may be mechanically self-operating or may be controlled electronically.
• the flap or valve may be powered by gravity, a spring, a magnetic force or the flap or valve may be powered electronically.
• the means are made like a float which can close off a drainage opening in the reservoir, whereby means are provided to keep the float in a position above the drainage opening.
• rainage opening' is understood to mean an opening in the reservoir, which is connected with the drainage pipe.
• the float can be made in such a way that, once the liquid level in the reservoir is too low, the float will close off the drainage opening, so that there is no further drainage of liquid and making it impossible for any gas to escape .
• the means to keep the float in a position above the drainage opening will ensure that the float cannot float about 'freely' in the reservoir, but instead will remain in a position, so that the float will close off the drainage opening once the liquid level drops in the reservoir.
• the reservoir is made as a separate reservoir that is connected with the filter element using a connection pipe.
• This separate reservoir may be placed outside the vessel of the liquid separator in order to save space in the vessel.
• the reservoir is integrated in or is part of the filter element.
• the drainage pipe is provided with a nozzle downstream from the reservoir to regulate the discharge of separated liquid out of the reservoir.
• the bottom wall is provided with several inlet openings around which several filter elements in the chamber extend.
• figure 1 schematically shows a known liquid separator
• figure 2 shows a liquid separator according to the invention
• figure 3 shows in more detail the part that is indicated in figure 2 with F3;
• figure 4 shows a variant of figure 3
• figure 5 schematically shows an alternative embodiment of a liquid separator according to the invention.
• the liquid separator 1 shown schematically in figure 1 comprises a vessel with an inlet for a liquid-gas mixture and an outlet to carry away treated gas.
• the vessel 2 defines a space 5 which is closed at the top 6 with a cover 7.
• This cover 7 may or may not be detachable from the vessel 2. It is also possible that no separate cover 7 is provided.
• a filter element 8 is provided that in this case extends around the outlet 4, so that the liquid-gas mixture that enters the vessel 2 via the inlet 3, must pass through the filter element 8 before being able to leave the vessel 2 via the outlet 4.
• the filter element 8 is provided with a reservoir 9, in which the liquid separated by the filter element 8 is collected .
• the reservoir 9 is made as a separate reservoir 9, which means that it is a separate component or part of the filter element 8.
• the separate reservoir 9 is connected with the filter element 8 using a connection pipe 10, whereby the connection pipe 10 will act to drain the liquid separated by the filter element 8 towards the reservoir 9.
• a drainage pipe 11 exits this reservoir 9, leading outside, whereby the drainage pipe 11 acts to drain the liquid in the reservoir 9 to the outside.
• FIG 1 the reservoir 9 is found inside the vessel 2 of the liquid separator 1.
• figure 5 shows the same liquid separator 1 as in figure 1, yet with the reservoir 9 placed outside the aforementioned vessel 2.
• connection pipe 10 is made longer, and will go through the side wall 12 of the vessel 2, before entering the reservoir 9. It is of course not excluded that the connection pipe 10 goes through the cover 7 or through the base of the vessel 2.
• a liquid-gas mixture for treatment enters the vessel 2 of the liquid separator 1 via the inlet 3.
• the inlet is placed at a tangent, so that the liquid-gas mixture follows a cyclone-shaped trajectory in the vessel 2.
• the centrifugal force causes a first separation to occur, because the heavier liquid particles are thrown against the inside of the side wall 12 of the vessel 2 and are collected at the bottom of the vessel 2 and removed. Subsequently, the liquid-gas mixture passes through the filter element 8. A further separation phase will take place here.
• the separated liquid particles will flow downwards through the filter element 8 and via the connection pipe 10 will be finally collected in the reservoir 9. From the reservoir 9 the liquid can be carried off via the drainage pipe 11 to another location.
• the nozzle 13 in the drainage pipe 11 can limit the maximum discharge of the liquid, so that more stable drainage of the liquid can be achieved.
• liquid separator 1 in figure 1 is provided with a screen that extends as from the cover 7 and around the filter element 8.
• the screen is located in the zone between the side wall 12 of the vessel 2 and the filter element 8.
• This screen in combination with an inlet placed at a tangent, causes a cyclone separation in the space between the side wall 12 of the vessel 2 and the screen.
• the screen may be made in a tubular form
• FIG. 2 shows a liquid separator according to the invention .
• the liquid separator 1 in figure 2 is provided with a screen 20 that extends from the aforementioned cover 7 around the aforementioned outlet 4 and that comprises a bottom wall 21 with an inlet opening 22, whereby a chamber 23 is defined by the screen 20, the bottom wall 21 and the cover 7, whereby in the thus formed chamber 23 the aforementioned filter element 8 is attached that extends around the inlet opening 22 as from the bottom wall 21, all this in such a way that between the screen 20 and the filter element 8 an outlet zone 24 is defined which is connected with the aforementioned outlet 4.
• the bottom wall 21 is provided with several inlet openings 22 and various filter elements 8 are provided in the chamber 23 all of which extend around an inlet opening 22.
• each filter element 8 is provided with its own reservoir 9.
• the reservoir 9 can be a separate reservoir, as shown in figure 2, but may also be an integrated reservoir 9.
• the reservoir 9 may for example be integrated in the aforementioned bottom wall 21.
• the operation of the liquid separator in figure 2 is similar to that of the liquid separator in figure 1.
• the liquid-gas mixture that enters the vessel 2 via the inlet 3 will first travel along a cyclone-shaped trajectory around the screen 20.
• a first separation phase will hereby take place.
• liquid-gas mixture will change direction in order to be able to flow through the filter elements 8 via the inlet openings 22 in the bottom wall 21 in order to end up in the outlet zone 24 and thus leave the vessel 2 via the outlet 4.
• a second separation phase occurs during the change of direction and a third as it flows through the filter element 8.
• the liquid separated by the filter elements 8 will be collected via the connection pipe 10 in the reservoir 9.
• FIGS. 3 and 4 show in a more detail the connection of the reservoir 9 to the drainage pipe 11 in figures 1 and 2.
• the reservoir 9 is provided with means 14 to close off the drainage pipe 11 once the liquid level in the reservoir 9 drops to or below a specific level, so that in this way gas can never be removed.
• This means 14 may be made in the form of a flap or a valve.
• these means 14 are made as a float 15 which can close off the drainage opening 16 in the reservoir 9, whereby means 17 are provided to keep the float 15 in a position above the drainage opening 16.
• the float 15 will float on the relevant liquid and once the liquid level drops to or below a specific level, close off the drainage opening 16 and thus close off the drainage pipe 11. Once the liquid level exceeds this level, the drainage opening 16 will not be closed off.
• the means 17 are made as a sort of perforated cage 18, which is attached over the drainage opening 16 and in which the float 15 is located. It is clear that when the liquid level in the reservoir 9 rises or drops, the float 15 will move up and down accordingly in the perforated cage 18.
• the means 17 are nade as a sort of lever arm 19 which is connected with the float 15 and with either the filter element 8, the bottom wall 21, the screen 20 or the edge of the reservoir 9.
• connections are hinged, but this is not necessarily so.
• the embodiment in figure 3 is also provided with a nozzle 13 as in figure 1, while the embodiment in figure 4 is not. Nevertheless, this could also be the other way round.
• FIG. 2 is provided with means 14 to close off the drainage pipe 11.
• means 14 can be made in the form of a flap or valve, or in the form of a float 15 as for example shown in figures 3 and 4.
• Figure 5 shows an example whereby a filter element 8 according to the invention is placed downstream from the vessel 2 of the liquid separator 1.
• the aforementioned first and second separation phases take place in the vessel 2 of the liquid separator 1, which is provided with a screen 20 like in figure 5.
• the liquid-gas mixture will leave the vessel 2 via the outlet 4 and be guided towards the filter element 8.
• this filter element 8 is provided with a separate reservoir 9, in which the separated liquid is collected. This is very similar to the previously described embodiments.
• the reservoir 9 can, as shown in figure 5, be located outside the aforementioned vessel.
• no nozzle 13 is present in the drainage pipe 11. It is, however, not excluded that the drainage pipe 11 is provided with such a nozzle 13.
• the reservoir 9 is provided with means 14 to close off the drainage pipe 11 once the liquid level in the reservoir 9 drops to or below a specific level .
• the reservoir can be further provided with a float 15 as in figures 3 and 4.

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• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
• Separating Particles In Gases By Inertia (AREA)
• Cyclones (AREA)
• Degasification And Air Bubble Elimination (AREA)

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Citations (6)

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• 2017
  • 2017-07-18 BE BE2017/5510A patent/BE1025405B1/nl active IP Right Grant
• 2018
  • 2018-07-12 WO PCT/IB2018/055148 patent/WO2019016651A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2018-07-18 CN CN201821137802.7U patent/CN208839267U/zh active Active
  • 2018-07-18 CN CN201810786948.2A patent/CN109260872B/zh active Active

Patent Citations (6)

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