Liquid purification or separation – Processes – Separating
Patent
1991-03-15
1992-05-26
Jones, W. Gary
Liquid purification or separation
Processes
Separating
209144, 209211, 2105121, 210787, B01D 17038
Patent
active
051165198
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a separator. In particular it relates to a separator for separating a relatively small volume e.g. up to 20% of a liquid from a larger volume of another liquid of different density. For example the separator may be used for separating small volumes of oil from produced water from an oil production platform so that the separated water may be returned in a virtually clean condition to the sea. Alternatively the separator, with appropriate adjustments, may be used to separate small quantities of water from crude oil before the oil is subsequently processed.
2. Discussion of Prior Art
It is known to construct a separator for such use in tubular form of reducing circular cross-section from a wide end to a narrow end, having at least one tangentially-disposed inlet at or adjacent the wide end for introducing at relatively high velocity the mixture of liquids to be separated into the separator, and two outlets, the first disposed on the axis of the separator at the wide end for the removal of the less dense liquid component and the second disposed at or adjacent the narrow end for the removal of the more dense liquid component.
During use of such a separator the less dense component, for example oil, moves towards the axis and forms a core and this moves towards the wide end, while the more dense component, e.g. water, moves towards the wall of the separator and towards the narrow end. However it has been found that in some situations not all the less dense component in the central core moves towards the wide end; some of it remains stationary and some even more towards the narrow end where it mixes with and contaminates the more dense component.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a separator in which the above disadvantageous effects are substantially reduced or overcome.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention a separator for separating a mixture of liquids into a less dense component and a more dense component comprises an elongated tube of circular cross-section reducing from a wide end to a narrow end, at least one tangentially-disposed inlet at or adjacent the wide end for the introduction at relatively high velocity of a mixture of liquids to be separated, at least one outlet for the removal of the less dense component on the axis of the separator and at least one outlet for the removal of the more dense component characterised in that the outlet for the removal of the more dense component is in the form of a spiral groove formed within the wall of the tube and extending from a predetermined position between the two ends towards the narrow end, at least one outlet port being positioned in the base of the groove. Preferably a plurality of outlet ports is provided, each being controlled by a valve capable of varying the flow of liquid through the respective port. The or each valve may be controlled manually or automatically in order to control the pressure or flow of the liquid, under the influence of one or more sensors for detecting changes in various parameters such as liquid flow rate, mixture composition i.e. relative proportions of each component, or pressure at various positions.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention a method of separating a mixture of liquids into a less dense component and a more dense component comprises introducing the mixture to be separated at relatively high velocity into at least one tangentially-disposed inlet at or adjacent the wide end of an elongated separator tube of circular cross-section which reduces from a wide end to a narrow end, and removing the less dense component through an outlet on the axis of the separator tube, characterised in that the more dense component is removed through an outlet in the form of a spiral groove formed within the wall of the tube and extending from a predetermined position between the two ends towards the narrow end, at least one outlet port being positioned in the base of the groove.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF
REFERENCES:
patent: 2768745 (1956-10-01), Albertson
patent: 3399770 (1968-09-01), Salomon
patent: 3400770 (1968-09-01), Matson
patent: 4392950 (1983-07-01), Beery
patent: 4810382 (1989-03-01), Colman et al.
patent: 4820414 (1989-04-01), Carroll et al.
patent: 4995989 (1991-02-01), Carroll et al.
Jones W. Gary
Kim Sun Uk
Serck Baker Limited
LandOfFree
Separator with outlets in a spiral groove for separating a mixtu does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Separator with outlets in a spiral groove for separating a mixtu, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Separator with outlets in a spiral groove for separating a mixtu will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-417546