US 2015/0306528 A1 · SWIRL HELICAL ELEMENTS FOR A VISCOUS IMPINGEMENT PARTICLE COLLECTION AND HYDRAULIC REMOVAL SYSTEM

Abstract

A system and methods for separating liquids, aerosols, and solids from a flowing gas stream whereby gas flows through a helical path formed in a separator element. Partially separated gas exits the bottom of the separator element at a generally conical cavity. Clean gas exits through an inner tube that is axially aligned beneath the helical path. Separated materials exit through an annular space between the inner tube and an outer tube. Separation occurs in the helical channels which include radially diverging walls to provide an aerodynamically efficient flow, in a region of high swirl created in a generally conical cavity beneath the separator element. In higher liquid-loading or slug flow conditions, a passageway may be formed in the separator element for recirculating a portion of the gas flow exiting from the bottom of the outer tube, into an axial passage in the helical separator, and exiting from the bottom of the helical separator near the vertex of the conical cavity.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A system for particle collection and hydraulic removal comprising:

a vertically oriented outer tube with a top and a bottom;
a generally cylindrical separator element disposed within and near the top of the outer tube, the separator element having a central axis and forming a generally conical cavity at the bottom surface thereof;
a vertically oriented inner tube axially aligned within the outer tube and axially spaced apart beneath the separator element, the inner and outer tubes forming an annular space therebetween;
and
a plurality of helical gas flow paths formed by radially diverging fins extending from the separator element;
such that the annular space forms a flow path for liquid or particulate separated from the gas, and the inner tube forms a flow path for gas separated from the liquid or particulate;
and
a recirculating gas flow path extending from the annular space, into a transverse passageway extending from the outside of the outer tube to an axial passageway in the separator element, and exiting near the vertex of the conical cavity.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Swirl helical elements for a viscous impingement particle collection and hydraulic removal system

Life of this patent

Swirl helical elements for a viscous impingement particle collection and hydraulic removal system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15