Apparatus and method for optimizing hydro-cyclone separation in a filtering system

An apparatus for optimizing hydro-cyclone separation in a filtering system, comprising:

• a) a first storage tank, a second storage tank, a third storage tank and a fourth storage tank sequentially fluidly connected;
• b) a pump driven by a motor having a variable speed drive, said pump having an inlet and an outlet;
• c) a first fluid line connecting said fourth storage tank to said inlet of said pump;
• d) a hydro-cyclone having an inlet port, a first outlet port and a second outlet port, said hydro-cyclone being positioned downstream of said pump and generating a filtered fluid;
• e) a second fluid line connecting said outlet of said pump to said inlet port of said hydro-cyclone;
• f) a first pressure transducer positioned across said second fluid line for measuring pump pressure;
• g) a third fluid line connecting said first outlet port of said hydrocyclone to a mechanism dispensing the filtered fluid provided by said hydrocyclone;
• h) a flow transducer positioned across said third fluid line for measuring fluid flow;
• i) a second pressure transducer positioned across said third fluid line downstream of said flow transducer for measuring output pressure;
• j) a fourth fluid line intersecting said third fluid line between said flow transducer and said second pressure transducer, said fourth fluid line receiving excess fluid from said third fluid line and communicating with said second storage tank;
• k) a proportional flow control valve positioned across said fourth fluid line;
• l) a fifth fluid line connecting said second outlet port of said hydro-cyclone to said first storage tank for removing particles from said hydro-cyclone;
• and
• m) a controller electrically connected to said variable speed drive, said first pressure transducer, said flow transducer, said second pressure transducer, and to said proportional flow control valve, said controller continuously monitoring fluid pressure and fluid flow and generating a signal to operate said proportional flow control valve whereby the excess fluid can be routed from said fourth fluid line to said second storage tank.

A method for optimizing hydro-cyclone separation in a filtering system, said filtering system having a first storage tank, a second storage tank, and a third storage tank sequentially fluidly connected;

• a pump driven by a motor having a variable speed drive, said pump having an inlet and an outlet;
• a first fluid line connecting said third storage tank to said inlet of said pump;
• a hydro-cyclone having an inlet port, a first outlet port and a second outlet port, said hydro-cyclone being positioned downstream of said pump and generating a filtered fluid;
• a second fluid line connecting said outlet of said pump to said inlet port of said hydro-cyclone;
• a first pressure transducer positioned across said second fluid line for measuring pump pressure;
• a third fluid line connecting said first outlet port of said hydro-cyclone to a mechanism dispensing the filtered fluid provided by said hydro-cyclone;
• a flow transducer positioned across said third fluid line for measuring fluid flow;
• a second pressure transducer positioned across said third fluid line downstream of said flow transducer for measuring output pressure;
• a fourth fluid line intersecting said third fluid line between said flow transducer and said second pressure transducer, said fourth fluid line receiving excess fluid from said third fluid line communicating with said second storage tank;
• a proportional flow control valve positioned across said fourth fluid line;
• a fifth fluid line connecting said second outlet port of said hydro-cyclone to said first storage tank for removing particles from said hydro-cyclone;
• and a controller electrically connected to said variable speed drive, said first pressure transducer, said flow transducer, said second pressure transducer, and to said proportional flow control valve, said method comprising the steps of:
• a) routing outside fluid into said second storage tank;
• b) activating said variable speed drive to control said motor and operate said pump to route fluid from said third storage tank to said hydro-cyclone and past said first pressure transducer;
• c) using said hydro-cyclone to separate out heavier and/or larger size particles from said fluid;
• d) routing said filtered fluid through said flow transducer and said second pressure transducer to said mechanism dispensing filtered fluid;
• and
• e) using said controller to continuously control said variable speed drive, said first pressure transducer;
• said flow transducer, and said second pressure transducer, and to generate a signal to operate said proportional flow control valve whereby the excess fluid can be routed from said fourth fluid line to said second storage tank.