Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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A method _f a~ ap~aratus for separatin~ a medium into
components of different ~ticle masses.
This invention relates to a method and apparatus
for separating a medium into components having different
particle masses by means of centrifugal force in appara
tus, eOg. cyclones, operating with free vortex flow, by
means of a separating vortex in which separation into
different fractions takes place and from which the sep-
arated fractions can be discharged, in such a manner that
particles of greater mass concentra~e during the rotation
in the outer portions of the separating vortex and part-
icles having less mass concentrate in those parts of theseparating vortex which are closer to the axis of rotation.
The term "medium", as used hereinafter, is meant
to cover powdered and fibrous flowing solid substances,
flowing liquids, liquid drops and gases as well as mix-
tures thereof. In the same way the term "particle" ismeant to cover solid particles, li~uid drops, liquid
molecules, gas molecules or gas atoms. The term
"separation chamber" is meant to cover various vortex
chambers as well as flow pipes and flow chambers in
which the separation is effected by means of centrifugal
force.
Many different types of vortex separator, such as
cyclones ha~ing turbulance-limiting cylindrical and
conical surfaces are known~ Usually a vortex or whirl
chamber has a smooth surface and the wall of a chamber
is continuous in the direction of the vortex flow. By ~-
positioning such lndependently operated vortex separat_
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ors parallel to each other it haq been possible to build
up multicyclones. An example of such is disclosed in
US Patent 3 747 306. In addition, several Patent pub-
~ lications disclose vortex or cyclone separato~ in which
two vortices are tangentially connected to each otherpermitting the tangential passage of particles of certain
size from one vortex to another. Also known is a vortex
system in which a mediu~ to be separated is tangentially
fed in between two vortices. An example of this is
disclosed in US Patent 4 248 699.
A drawback with such prior vortex of cyclone
~eparators i5 that centrifugal force pushes the vortex
medium to be separated against the outside limiting sur-
faceq; Thus, friction will decelerate the running of a
vortex and re~ults in turbulence in the proximity of the
walls. Friction and the resulting turbulence create
considerable losses of energy. Due to the reduced rot-
ational speed, the centrifugal force and therefore the
separating power will be reduced. Furthermore, turbul
2~ ence will re-mix some of the separation already effected.
The prior art multicyclones require a lot of space and
their structures have great mass. Due to the losse~
caused by friction, it is difficult with the available
vortex qeparators to reach the high velocities that are
` 25 required for the separation of e.g. gases from gaseous
mixtures. Friction increases vigorously with the in
orease of velocity. Because of the braking ef~ect caused
by friction, a medium to be separated cannot stay in the
rotation and thus subjected to effective separation for
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very long.
According to the invention a vortex separator for
separating a mixture of different components having
different particle masq into fractions of lighter and
heavier particles comprises a ~eparating vortex in which
the fraction~ of heavier mass are concentrat~ in the
outer region of the vortex and the fractions of lighter
mass are concentrated in the inner region o~ the vortex,
the separated fractions being dischargeable from said
~ortex, comprising at least two separating vortex chamb-
ers arranged side by side the adjacent side walls of whi~
are provided with openings for forming a transfer zone
from one vortex chamber to the other, for the fractions
of heavier mass, wherein the separating vortex chambers
are disposed in relation to each other such that the
adjoining vortices partially overlap to form a vortex
collision zone which extends both upstream and downstream
of the direction of flow of each vortex with reference to
a line joining the axis of rotation of the overlapping
vortices.
The invention also provides a method for separating
the different components of a mixture having different
particlé ma~s by means of a separating vortex in which
particles of heavier mass are concentrated in the outer
region of said vortex and particles of lighter mass are
concentratedin the inner region of said vortex said
method comprising forming a plurality of separating
vortices, each having a direction of flow about an axis
of rotation, each vortex overlapping laterally at least
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one other separating vortex so a~ So ~orm a collision
zone which extend~ both upstream and downstream of the
flow dir~ction with reference to a line connectinæ the
axi~ of ration of ~aid overlapping vortices.
Embodiments of the inYention will now be illustrated
by way of example and with reference to the arranging
drawings in which:-
Fig. 1 shows a vortex system of the invention in
which the qeparating vortexes are disposed in such a
manner that each is in contact with at least two other
vortices,
Fig. 2 shows a vortex system of the invention in
which the vortices are in the shape of an ellipse;
Fig. 3 is a side view of a ~yclone system incorp-
orating the invention,
Fi~. 4 is a section along the line IV-IV in Fig. B,
Fig. 5 is an axial section of another form of a
cyclone system according to the invention,
Fig. 6 is a se~tion along the line VI-VI in Fig. 5 3
Fig. 7 Qhows one embodiment of a flow divider
viewed axoneometrically;.
. Fig. 8 shows another embodiment of a flow divider,
viewed axonometrically,
Fig. 9 shows a modified cross-sectional of the
flow divider illustrated in Fig. 8,
Fig. 10 is a qection ~long the axis of rotation on
line X-X in Fig~ B,
Fig. 11 is a side view o~ one arrangement of the
tangential supply means of Fig. 6,
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Figo ~2 is a perspective view of a cyclone system
of the invention in which the vortices are conical and
Fig. 13 shows, axonometrically flow dividers in a
cyclone system in which the vortices are conical.
The central subject matter of this invention is to
reduce the contact between a separating vortex and a
surface limiting said vortex on the outer periphery, the
drawback~ of such contact thus being eliminated. To this
end, a part of the surface which limits the vortex on the
outer periphery, or the entire surface 9 iS removed. The
support action o~ the surface urging the vortex inwards
is compensated for by running two adjacent vortexes into
each other during their rotation, whereby they urge each
other inwards. The vortexes running into each other at
a small angle do not create turbulence and the friction
therebetween is essentially zero providing that the rot-
ational speeds are equal,
A further object of the invention is to set a
medium to be separated in radial oscillatin~ motion in t~
2n vortex at the time the collisions occur. This radial
oscillating motion contributes to the separation of
particles having different masses. By arranging the
collision points at uniform distances from each other,
it is possible to develop~ in the vortex 9 a regular
wave motion which propagates essentially in the direction
of the radius of rotation and which alternately brings
the particles to be separated closer to and further
away from each other in the direction of the radius of
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rotation. An impact directed radially from the outer
periphery to the inner periphery i3 capable of giving the
lighter particle a higher speed towards the centre of
rotation than that given to the heavier particles, the
inertia as well as the centri~ugal force of which are
greater.
The following Figures show, by way of example, some
embodiments of the invention as well as illustrate the
mode of operation of the invention. In reality, a great
number of various embodiments are conceivable for the
invention. The shapes and dimensions of the equipment
according to the invention are ohosen according to a
given end use. Experimental researches and theoretical
studies oan be used for assistance.
The following terminology i~ used for the componen~
illustrated in the figures:
1. a surface defining the separation space towards
the outer periphery
2. the travelli~ path of a separating vortex generally
without oscillation effect
10. a separation space in which particles having dif~
ferent masse~ separate from each other, or a vortex
chamber
12. a tangential inlet. pipe through which the particl~
to be separated enter the separation space
13. an axial outlet pipe for the lighter particles
after separation
14. an axial outlet pipe for the heavier particles
a~ter separation
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39. a flow divider for separating various vortices
from each other
40. a collision area or zone where the separating
vortices run into each other or overlap
47. a lid for said turbulence chamber
49. the axis of rotation of a separating vortex
Figure 1 shows a vortex chamber system of the
invention, wherein the individual vortex chambers lie
side by ~ide in a regular square grid. Vortex chambers
or separation spaces 10 are laterally contacted with
each other o that approximately half of the wall sur-
face of central chambers is removed. At the area of a
removed wall surface there is formed a collision area
or zone 40 wherein the vortices or adjoining chamber
15 run ints each other. In the case ~hown in Figure 1 the
number of vortexes is 4 x 4 _ 16 but the vortex chamber
system can include an arbitary number of vortices 2 which
are contacted with each other in the lateral direction.
In the example of Figure 1 there will remain, between
the vortices flow dividers 39 having a 4-branched cross-
section and varying sizes. Also the shape of ~low
dividers 39 can varyO For example, a wave~like shape
enhances the separation e~fect.
Figure 2 shows a vortex system of the invention in
which the individual vortices 2 are elliptical for
intensifying the collision effect. In the case shown
in Fig. 2 the major axes of adjoining ellipses are
perpendicular to each other. Alternatively, the major
axes of the ellipses can be parallel to each other. A
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vortex ~y~tem of the invention can also be built up by
means of vortices of some other shape, e.g. those resem-
bling a rounded triangle, or resembling a rounded square.
In the elevation ~hown in Figure 3 there i5 depicted
a cyclone Aystem of the invention with 4 x 4 cyclones
combined into a sy~tem or array of cyclones. The figure
does not show any supply means for the cyclones. The
supply of a medium to be separated into the cyclones can
be effected axially or tangentially, In the embodiment
shown in Fig~ 3 the separated fractions exit in an axial
direction through ths outlets 14 but tangential outlet
arrangements are also possible.
The ~ectional view of the cyclone syYtem shown in
Figure 4 shows that the individual vortex chambers 1i
are of equal size. This is preferable in view of the
impact forces in various ~ortices becoming equal. In
this ca~e, the flow divider~ 39 consiqt of four smooth
section~ of a cylindrical surface.
The section shown in Figure 5 illustrates a
cyclonc system with tangential inlets 12 said inlets
being arranged between the individual vortices 2.
Figure 6 show~ the ar~angement of the tangential
inlets 12 from above.
Figure 7 shows a flow divider 39 which, in the
flow directions of ~aid vortices, is provided with
channel-shaped grooves with sharp ribs therebetween,
By means of ~uch a shape it i~ possible to modify the
~hape of an axial ~ection of vortex 2 at various
stages of the rotation. Within the collision zone or
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area 40 of the individual vortice 2 the interface of said
vortices is a plane, i.e. the axial section of vortex 2
is linear. As the particles arrive at a vortex divider
39 shown in Figure 7, said particles are forced to part-
ially move also in the axial direction. Thus t the part-
icles having different masses are more easily capable of
passing by each other in the desired directions of
separation. The cross-section~l shape of a flow divider
can also be e.g. a circle or an ellipse.
In the type of a flow divider 39 shown in Figures
8, 9 and 10 the axial section is wave-shaped. Between
the wave-shaped ridges there are recesses into which
vortices 2 are forced. The regular shaping of a vortex
2 in the axial and radial directions improves the separ-
ation.
Figure 11 shows a detail of one construction o~
B a tangential inlet 12 as~3~ R~ in Figures 5 and 6.
Figures 12 and 13 show one embodiment of the
invention having conical vortex chambers. The width of
a collision area or zone 40 can be chosen as de~ired.
Flow dividers 39 can be plane conical faces or they can
be made wavy or corrugated in the direction of travel of
vortex 2 or grooved in the axial direction.
