Method and system for solid particle removal
AssigneeCalandra Resources, Inc.
InventorsChris Denton, Federico Carlos Resio
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed is a system and method to separate solid particle components from a fluid that includes a spherical vessel with a tangential inlet to introduce the fluid and a fluid exhaust and filter arranged on the center line of the interior of the vessel. A combination of pressurized fluid and solid particles enter at the tangential inlet and move primarily in a circular path around the interior of the vessel. The circular path results in the larger mass particles settling at the vessels lower region. Less massive particles may be entrained in the exiting fluid flow toward a filter element where they are removed from the exiting fluid. The vessel has an opening to remove the trapped separated particles.
Claims20
An apparatus for separating solid particles from a moving fluid comprising:
- at least one vessel comprising:
- an outer surface;
- an internal surface that defines an interior volume, wherein a substantially horizontal cross-section of the internal surface is round;
- an inlet port in the at least one vessel aligned tangential to the internal surface;
- an outlet port above the inlet port in an upper region of the at least one vessel allowing exit of the moving fluid, the outlet port defining an outlet opening;
- a drain port in a lower region of the at least one vessel;
- wherein the internal surface extends continuously and uninterrupted from the inlet port to the drain port and from the inlet port to the outlet opening;
- wherein the round horizontal cross-section and the uninterrupted extension of the internal surface and the tangential alignment of the inlet port cause at least some of the solid particles to follow a trajectory that spirals downward along the internal surface from the inlet port to the drain port;
- and
- wherein the uninterrupted extension of the internal surface causes at least some of the moving fluid to follow an uninterrupted trajectory from the inlet port to the outlet opening.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.