Water and dirt separator

Abstract

A separator comprises a housing and a separator chamber contained within the housing, an inlet and outlet to the separator chamber and a dividing member for substantially dividing the separator chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber. A flow path is provided between the first and second chambers for allowing flow to circulate between the first and second chambers, and guide means for creating opposing flow paths in the second chamber for slowing flow through the second chamber.

Claims

1. A magnetic separator for separating particles from central heating system water, the separator comprising a housing, a separator chamber contained within the housing, an inlet and outlet to the separator chamber, a dividing member substantially dividing the separator chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber, a magnet provided in the first chamber, a flow path provided between the first and second chambers for allowing flow to circulate between the first and second chambers, and a flow guide disposed in the flow path between the first chamber and the second chamber for creating opposing flow paths in the second chamber from flow entering the second chamber via the flow guide, the opposing flow paths including a first flow portion flowing in a first direction and a second flow portion flowing in a second direction opposite the first direction, the opposing flow paths meeting in an area of the second chamber where the flow in each flow path is substantially towards opposing flow in the other flow path for slowing flow through the second chamber.

2. The separator of claim 1, in which a tubular sleeve is provided around the magnet.

3. The separator of claim 2, in which the tubular sleeve is mounted to the dividing member and extends longitudinally along a central axis of the first chamber.

4. The separator of claim 3, in which the dividing member and tubular sleeve are removable for cleaning.

5. The separator of claim 1, in which co-operating locating formations are provided on the dividing member and housing respectively, for positioning the dividing member within the housing.

6. The separator of claim 1, in which an aperture is provided through the dividing member and a flow guide is positioned adjacent the aperture for directing flow through the aperture from the first chamber to the second chamber.

7. The separator of claim 6, in which the aperture is a substantially radial slot.

8. The separator of claim 6, in which a guide wall is provided in the second chamber for directing flow entering the lower portion through the aperture in the dividing member.

9. The separator of claim 8, in which a space is provided between the upper end of the guide wall and the underside of the dividing member, in use, flow passing in one direction over the top of the wall and being directed in the opposite direction by the wall.

10. The separator of claim 6, in which at least a second aperture is provided through the dividing member, the second aperture being around 120 degrees angularly displaced from the first aperture, behind the flow guide.

11. The separator of claim 10, in which the second aperture is smaller than the first aperture.

12. The separator of claim 1, in which arrestor elements are provided in the second chamber for slowing flow.

13. The separator of claim 12, in which the arrestor elements include a plurality of pins.

14. The separator of claim 13, in which the pins extend parallel with a central longitudinal axis of the separator.

15. The separator of claim 12, in which the arrestor elements include one or more walls.

16. The separator of claim 15, in which the arrestor elements further include a plurality of pins and in which the one or more walls extend from one of the pins.

17. The separator of claim 1, in which a bleed valve for releasing pressure from the separator and a dosing point for adding liquid to the separator are provided in a single fitting.

18. The separator of claim 1, in which flow in the first chamber is substantially unrestricted.

19. A magnetic separator for separating particles from central heating system water, the separator comprising a housing, a separator chamber contained within the housing, an inlet and outlet to the separator chamber, a dividing member substantially dividing the separator chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber, a flow path provided between the first and second chambers for allowing flow to circulate between the first and second chambers, and a flow guide disposed in the flow path between the first chamber and the second chamber for creating opposing flow paths in the second chamber from flow entering the second chamber via the flow guide, the flow guide including a reversing portion adapted to change the direction of a portion of the flow entering the second chamber and impinging on the flow guide for providing a first flow portion flowing in a first direction within the second chamber, and a bypass portion allowing passage past the flow guide of a further portion of the flow entering the second chamber, without change of direction of the further portion for providing a second flow portion flowing in a second direction opposite the first direction within the second chamber, the second chamber configured wherein the first flow portion and the second flow portion flow away from the flow guide and then against each other for slowing the flow through the second chamber.

20. A separator comprising a housing, a separator chamber contained within the housing, a dividing member substantially dividing the separator chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber, an inlet and outlet to the first chamber, a flow path provided between the first and second chambers for allowing flow to circulate from the first chamber to the second chamber and from the second chamber to the first chamber, and a flow guide for creating opposing flow paths in the second chamber by directing a portion of the flow into the second chamber and directing the flow in the second chamber against itself, the opposing flow paths meeting in an area of the second chamber where the flow in each path is substantially towards opposing flow in the other path for slowing flow through the second chamber, wherein flow in the first chamber between the inlet and the outlet thereof is substantially unrestricted.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a separator according to the present invention in an upright position for installation;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a perspective exploded view of the separator of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3A shows a plan view from above of the dividing member and lower housing;

(5) FIG. 3B shows a cross-sectional view through FIG. 3A along line A-A;

(6) FIG. 4 shows a perspective underside view of the separator of FIG. 1; and

(7) FIG. 5 shows a plan view from above of the inside of the lower portion of the housing of the separator of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(8) Referring firstly to FIGS. 1 and 2, a separator is indicated generally at 10. The separator 10 includes a housing 12 having an upper and a lower portion 14, 16. Each housing portion 14, 16 is substantially dome shaped and the lower portion is provided with an external screw thread 18, which engages with an internal screw thread provided in the lower part of the upper portion 14. A circumferential flange 20 is provided around the lower portion 16 and is scalloped to facilitate grip when tightening and un-tightening of the two portions 14, 16 when the screw threads are engaged. A circular seal 22, for example an O-ring, is pinched between facing surfaces of the upper and lower portions 14, 16 as the portions are tightened together.

(9) The upper and lower portions 14, 16 together define an internal chamber, indicated generally at 24, where particles held in suspension in a liquid passing through the separator 10, are separated. An inlet 26 is provided in the wall of the upper portion 14 of the housing 12, which is substantially tangential to the side of the housing and is part-way down the housing in the dome shape. An outlet 28 is provided substantially extending from the top of the upper portion 14, but is also set marginally to one side of the dome shaped upper portion 14, such that liquid leaving the outlet 28 follows a substantially tangential path. The tangential arrangements of the inlet 26 and outlet 28 serve to set up a swirling flow within the internal chamber 24. Furthermore, the positioning of the outlet 28 at the top of the separator 10 means that the separator is self bleeding.

(10) The internal chamber 24 is substantially divided into an upper chamber 30, indicated generally on FIGS. 2 and 3B a lower chamber 32. A dividing member 34 substantially in the form of a circular flat plate divides the internal chamber 24 and is mounted on a tubular sleeve member 36 which extends internally of the separator 10 from top to bottom. In practice, the dividing member 34 may be provided in one or two parts which may be connected together around the tubular sleeve 36. Various apertures are provided through the dividing member 34 as will be described in detail below, and flow is able to circulate between the upper and lower chambers 30, 32. A magnet or stack of magnets is provided in a hermetically sealed cylindrical magnet pack 37 and is arranged to extend through the tubular sleeve member 36. Magnetic particles are attracted out of the flow in the upper part of the separator and collect on the tubular sleeve member 36, which can easily be wiped clean when the magnet pack 37 is removed.

(11) Referring in particular to FIGS. 3A and 3B, a radial slot 38 is provided through the dividing member 34 and an angled guiding surface 40 is provided adjacent the radial slot 38 for guiding flow impacting the guiding surface 40 through the radial slot 38 from the upper chamber 30 to the lower chamber 32. A further aperture is located through the dividing member 34 approximately 110 degrees beyond the radial slot 38 in the clockwise direction, when viewed as in FIG. 2, and a shroud 42 is provided over the aperture with a closed end of the shroud facing in the direction of the radial slot 38, i.e. in an anticlockwise direction. A plurality of other circular apertures 44 are provided through the dividing member 34, thirteen of which are shown in FIG. 2. A notch or cutaway 46 is provided in the periphery of the dividing member 34 for engagement with an inwardly facing protrusion 48 disposed on the internal wall of the lower portion 16. In use, the notch 46 locates on the protrusion 48 and determines the in-use position of the dividing member 34.

(12) Referring also to FIG. 5, a plurality of arrestor elements in the form of pins or posts 50 are mounted to the base of the lower chamber 32 and extend upwardly, substantially parallel to a vertical central axis of the separator 10. Each pin 50 is provided with a plurality of axially extending side members or fins 52, which when viewed from above, form a crucifix. Some of the pins 50 are connected by walls 54, and some of the walls extend towards and up to the tubular sleeve member 36. The walls 54 provide further obstruction mean to flow in the second or lower chamber 32.

(13) A radially extending guide wall 56 is positioned in the lower chamber 32, substantially directly underneath the radial slot 38. The guide wall 56 is shaped on its surface to provide two parallel channels 58. The top of the wall 56 does not contact the underside of dividing member 34, but rather there is a gap for allowing the passage of flow, as described further below.

(14) Referring now to FIG. 4, a fitting 60 is provided centrally at the bottom of the lower housing 16. The fitting 60 is similar to that described in the applicant's granted patent GB 2402894, which is incorporated herein by reference. The fitting 60 serves both as a bleed point and a dosing point.

(15) The fitting 60 has an axial bore extending there-through which is sealed at its outer end by a screw-in plug 62. A valve seating is provided part way along the axial bore which seats a substantially spherical valve member. The valve member is biased into contact with the valve seating by means of a spring.

(16) When it is desired to dose the separator with, for example, an inhibitor, then the screw-in plug 62 can be removed and the spherical valve member is biased into contact with the valve seating thereby sealing the axial bore and preventing fluid from leaving the separator 10. A fluid dosing dispenser can then be attached to the threaded axial bore and pressurized, thereby forcing fluid through the axial bore into the separator 10 by lifting the spherical valve member off the valve seating. Once sufficient fluid has been pumped into the separator 10, then the spherical valve member returns to its rest position against the valve seating and seals the axial bore.

(17) The fitting 60 is generally not used as a bleed valve in this application, because the valve is positioned at the bottom of the separator 10 and the separator is self bleeding. However, the bleed valve aspect can be used to release fluid pressure from within the separator for unscrewing the two parts of the housing 14, 16. To release the pressure, the screw-in plug 62 can be screwed into the fitting 60 such that a projection on the end of the plug contacts the spherical valve member and lifts it from the valve seating against the bias of the spring. The internal pressure forces any air or liquid contained in the base of the separator to flow freely through the axial bore and past the plug 62 to atmosphere.

(18) The operation of the separator 10 will now be described. The separator is suitable for use with all central heating systems and can be fitted anywhere in the main circuit. However in order to achieve the best protection for the boiler it is recommended that the separator be fitted after the last radiator in the circuit before the boiler. The return flow pipe to the boiler should be connected to the inlet 26 and the outlet 28 is then connected back to the return pipe for connection to the boiler. The inlet and outlet 26, 28 are unrestricted, and therefore there should be minimal restriction to the flow by installation of the separator. The inlet 26 is provided substantially tangentially to the wall of the upper chamber 30 directly above the dividing member 34. The outlet 28 is also tangentially disposed at the top of the first chamber 30.

(19) Once installed, the housing portions 14, 16 are screwed together with the seal 22 between them. The hermetically sealed magnet pack 37 is disposed within the sleeve 36. Conveniently it can be moved in and out of the tubular sleeve by sliding. Any air in the separator 10 passes through the outlet 28, which as previously described, is at the top of the separator, when installed.

(20) As the system water flows through the inlet 26, swirl is set up in the first chamber 30 around the magnet pack 37 and any magnetite is attracted to the external wall of the sleeve 36, where it collects. As the flow passes over the top of the dividing member 34, the flow is marginally slowed by virtue of the tips of the pins 50. A portion of the flow is directed down through the radial slot 38 by the guiding surface 40 into the second chamber 32. Some of the flow passes over the top of the wall 56 and the rest of the flow impinges on the wall 56 and is forced to change direction, as indicated in FIG. 3B. The flow in the second chamber 32 is slowed further by the pins 50, wings 52 and walls 54, to such an extent that particles fall out of suspension and collect in the bottom of the separator. Build up of particles tends to occur close to the arrestor elements and walls, where the flow is slowest.

(21) Flow is able to pass out of the second chamber 32 back into the first chamber through the apertures 44 and also through the aperture under the shroud 42. This aperture is relatively restricted and acts as a venturi, speeding up flow passing through the aperture and drawing it through.

(22) For cleaning, the inlet and outlet 26, 28 of the separator 10 can be isolated, the pressure inside the housing released by the bleed valve fitting 60, and the lower portion 16 of the housing removed for cleaning. The sealed magnet pack 37 can be removed from the tubular sleeve 36 and the sleeve also cleaned.

(23) The separator can be re-commissioned after cleaning, by re-assembly, connection to the system. The separator is highly effective at removing magnetic and non-magnetic contaminant particles held in suspension, and helps maintain optimum heating system performance.