Multiple Modular In-Line Rotary Separator Bundle
AssigneeDresser-Rand Company
InventorsH. Allan Kidd, William C. Maier
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for separating a higher-density component from a lower-density component of a mixed flow, with the apparatus including a pressurized casing with a plurality of rotary separators disposed in parallel therein. The casing includes a fluid entrance assembly, a fluid outlet assembly, and a drain. The rotary separators each include an inlet fluidly coupled with the inlet of the fluid entrance assembly, a discharge in communication with the fluid outlet assembly, and an outlet passage in communication with the drain.
Claims23
An apparatus for separating a flow into a higher-density component and a lower-density component, comprising:
- a casing having a fluid entrance assembly, a fluid outlet assembly, and a drain;
- and
- a plurality of rotary separators disposed in the casing, each having an inlet in fluid communication with the fluid entrance assembly, a discharge in fluid communication with the fluid outlet assembly, and an outlet passage in communication with the drain.
A modular fluid separator assembly, comprising:
- a pressurized casing having a fluid outlet assembly, a drain, and a fluid entrance assembly including a flow divider defining sections, distribution vanes disposed upstream the flow divider, and a ramp disposed upstream the flow divider, the distribution vanes and ramp being configured to distribute a mixed fluid flow;
- a plurality of flow guides fluidly coupled to the flow divider, each of the plurality of flow guides being configured to receive the mixed fluid flow from one of the sections of the flow divider;
- a plurality of rotary separators disposed in parallel in the pressurized casing, each of the plurality of rotary separators having a discharge and an inlet fluidly coupled to one of the plurality of flow guides, and defining an outlet passage in fluid communication with the drain, wherein each of the plurality of rotary separators is configured to separate the mixed flow and to expel a higher-density component thereof to the drain;
- and
- an outlet manifold extending from and fluidly coupling the discharge of each of the plurality of rotary separators to the outlet assembly.
A method for separating a higher density component of a mixed flow from a lower density component of the mixed flow, comprising:
- receiving the mixed flow through a fluid entrance assembly of a casing;
- dividing the mixed flow;
- introducing the divided mixed flow to a plurality of flow guides;
- receiving the mixed flow from the plurality of flow guides with a plurality of rotary separators disposed in parallel in the pressurized casing;
- centrifuging the mixed flow in the plurality of rotary separators to at least partially separate the higher-density component of the mixed flow from the lower-density component thereof;
- expelling at least a portion of the higher-density component of the mixed flow from the plurality of rotary separators via an outlet passage defined in each of the plurality of rotary separators;
- draining the at least a portion of the higher-density component of the mixed flow through a drain in the casing;
- receiving at least a portion of the lower-density component from the plurality of separators in an outlet manifold;
- and
- discharging the at least a portion of the lower-density component through a fluid outlet assembly of the pressurized casing.
23-41. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.