Gas-solids separation device and method
AssigneeExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
InventorsJeffrey Smith, James Beech, Nicolas Coute, Jesse Goellner, Kenneth Clem
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A multi-stage gas-solids separator is configured so that the higher density (solids) output flows of two or more of the separator stages are merged together. The multi-stage separator is preferably composed of cyclone separators, with the diplegs of at least two of the cyclone separator stages merged together.
Claims32
An apparatus for separating solids from a gas-solids flow, comprising:
- a plurality of separator stages, each having an input conduit, a high density output conduit, and a low density output conduit, the plurality of separators being operably connected so that:
- the low density output conduit of an earlier separator stage is in fluid communication with the input conduit of a subsequent separator stage;
- and
- the high density output conduit of the earlier separator stage is merged with the high density output conduit of the subsequent separator stage.
A method for separating solids from a gas-solids flow, comprising:
- separating a gas-solids flow into a first flow portion and a second flow portion, the first flow portion having a higher density than the second flow portion;
- feeding the second flow portion into a separator;
- separating the second flow portion into a third flow portion and fourth flow portion, the third flow portion having a higher density than the fourth flow portion;
- merging the first flow portion with the third flow portion;
- flowing the merged flow portions into a location for receiving solids separated from the gas-solids flow.
An apparatus for separating solids from a gas-solids flow, comprising:
- at least 3 separator stages, each having an input conduit, a high density output conduit, and a low density output conduit, each of the separators being operably connected so that the low density output conduit of an earlier separator stage is in fluid communication with the input conduit of a subsequent cyclone separator stage,
- wherein the separator stages are further connected so that the high density output conduit of the penultimate separator stage is merged with the high density output conduit of the last separator stage.
An apparatus for separating solids from a gas-solids flow, comprising:
- a plurality of separator stages, each having an input conduit, a high density output conduit, and a low density output conduit, each of the separators being operably connected so that the low density output conduit of an earlier separator stage is in fluid communication with the input conduit of a subsequent cyclone separator stage,
- wherein the high density output conduits of two or more separator stages are merged together into common conduit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.