Classifying – separating – and assorting solids – Fluid suspension – Liquid
Patent
1996-05-17
1998-10-13
Bucci, David A.
Classifying, separating, and assorting solids
Fluid suspension
Liquid
B04C 504
Patent
active
058199551
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to cyclone separators, components of such separators and a method of separating components of different densities in a feedstream by use of such separators.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A typical hydrocyclone includes an elongated conical separation chamber of circular cross-section which generally decreases in cross-sectional area from a large end to a small or apex end. An outlet for the more dense component is provided at the apex of the conical-shaped separating chamber while the less dense component of the feedstream exits through overflow outlet at the opposite end of the conical chamber.
In the prior art cyclones, the feed mixture is introduced into the separating chamber via one or more tangentially directed inlet adjacent the large end of the separating chamber. A fluid vortex is thereby created. The centrifugal forces created by the vortex throw the more dense component of the feed mixture outwardly toward the wall of the separating chamber while the less dense components are brought toward the centre of the chamber and are carried along by an inwardly located helical stream which surrounds the axially disposed "air core". The less dense components are discharged through the overflow outlet. The more dense components continue to spiral along (usually but not always down) the interior wall of the hydrocyclone and eventually exit by the underflow outlet.
Cyclone separators are used to separate a variety of materials from each other in accordance with their relative densities. For instance U.S. Pat. No. 2,377,524 references the use of cyclone separators to separate solid particles from liquids. Such separators are used in the purification of pulp during paper manufacturing. In particular, such separators are used to separate pulp from impurities such as "pitch", i.e., resinous and fatty materials, fine gritty materials and bark. During the purification of pulp, such impurities seriously hamper centrifugal separation. See further U.S. Pat. No. 4,203, 834.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,849,930 discloses the use of cyclone separators to separate gases as well as vapours from liquids. Air, carbon dioxide and water vapour often become dissolved in liquid, or partially adsorbed or occluded in fibres causing the fibres to flocculate and accumulate excessively. In addition to treating paper pulp suspensions, this patent further discloses the use of cyclone separators to remove gases and vapours and particulates from water or oil as well as ore suspensions and other liquid chemical mixtures.
Lately, cyclone separators have been used for solid/liquid separations in the mining and chemical processing industries as well as in sewage treatment plants.
Cyclone separators are further widely used in the separation of oil and water. One example of a cyclone with parameters for separating oil and water is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,994. Other examples of liquid/liquid separators designed for separating oil and water are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,237,006, 4,576,724, 4,721,565, 4,749,490, 4,876,016, 5,009,785 and 5,194,150.
Typically in such cyclone separators, the mixture to be separated is tangentially introduced into the tapered chamber at high velocity through a side or tangential entry feed inlet. Centrifugal forces are produced which separate the components by their density. The less dense material is concentrated in a core along the axis of the chamber and the heavier or more dense material is concentrated toward the outer wall. Generally, the lighter material is removed through the overflow outlet at the larger end of the chamber. The heavier material is removed through an underflow outlet at the smaller end.
Commercial cyclones while performing well under laboratory conditions often fail to perform satisfactorily in field conditions. For example, when used in oil fields and sewage treatment plants, numerous materials such as sand, scale, iron sulfide deposits, fibres, timber and paper pulp, plastic and rubber particles may clog the tangential inlets, overflow outlets, and u
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Bucci David A.
International Fluid Separation Pty Linited
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