US 4,282,097 A · Dynamic oil surface coalescer

Abstract

Apparatus and method for separating and removing oil and particulate solids from a dispersion of oil and particulate solids in water or a water-based liquid. During separation, the dispersion is fed under pressure into the inlet end of a plurality of upright coalescer tubes made of a single-layer of flexible, water-permeable fabric and is prevented from exiting through the outlet end of the tubes. The water passes radially through the fabric walls into a stilling chamber surrounding the coalescer tubes and exits through a clean water outlet while the solid particulates are retained on the inner surface of the fabric. The oil particles coalesce on the inner surface of the tubes, forming a layer of oil which migrates through the fabric's pores due to the pressure differential between the inner and outer tube surfaces and forms an oil layer on the outer surface of the fabric. Buoyant forces cause the oil layer on the outside of the tubes to migrate upward along the outside of the fabric to form an easily removed oil layer on the surface of the water in the stilling chamber. The particulate matter which accumulates on the inner surface of the tubes may be removed by periodically permitting the oily waste water to flush rapidly through the inside of the tubes, dislodging the particles and carrying them away through a waste outlet.

Claims20

Dependent claims

Apparatus for treating water-based liquid waste mixtures comprising:

a stilling chamber for maintaining a volume of liquid within its boundaries in relatively still condition;
a water-permeable, fabric, tubular element having an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end coupled to receive said mixture under pressure;
means for introducing air into said liquid waste mixture prior to its input into said tubular element;
means for selectively controlling the passage of fluid through the outlet end of said element;
said means for controlling being capable of closing the outlet end of the element to prevent said mixture from flowing through said outlet end, the water in said mixture thereby being forced to pass through the fabric walls of said element, whereas solid particulates in said mixture are entrained on the inner surface of said fabric element;
said means for controlling being capable of opening said outlet end of the element to allow said mixture to flow through said outlet end to dislodge said particulates entrained on the inner wall of said element from said inner wall and to flush said particulates out of said element through said outlet end.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Dynamic oil surface coalescer

Life of this patent

Dynamic oil surface coalescer

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20