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US 2010/0163498 A1Published application
Skim Tank Configurations And Methods
AssigneeFluor Technologies Corporation
InventorRafique Janjua
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A skim tank includes a flow-control structure that forces a solid-depleted phase of a mixed-phase feed into a toroidal motion within the container to thereby provide an up-flow movement within the structure. Most preferably, at least a portion of the solid-depleted phase is recirculated to further increase up-flow movement within the structure.
Claims20
A skim tank, comprising:
- a container comprising a flow-control structure disposed within the container, wherein the flow-control structure is configured to force flow of a first portion of a solid-depleted phase of a mixed-phase feed into a toroidal motion within the container and around the flow control structure;
- wherein the container is configured to allow withdrawal of a second portion of the solid-depleted phase;
- a fluid conduit coupled to the container and configured to allow recycling of at least some of the second portion of the solid-depleted phase back into the flow-control structure;
- and
- an overflow element arranged in the container and configured to allow removal of a solid-enriched phase separated from the mixed-phase.
2 more elements
A method of separating a mixed-phase feed into a solid-enriched phase and a solid-depleted phase, comprising:
- introducing the mixed-phase feed, optionally with a gas, into a container and using a flow control structure within the container to force a first portion of the liquid phase into a toroidal motion around the flow control structure;
- recycling a second portion of the liquid phase back to the flow control structure;
- and
- using an overflow element positioned above the flow control structure to remove the solid phase that is separated from the mixed-phase feed.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.