Centrifugal flotation separator
OwnerRaymond Jonesinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A highly versatile fluids and particulate separator that can be used in a centrifugal mode or centrifugal with gas flotation mode without the use of rotating apparatus within the cell. A pump and recirculation system provide the means for centrifugal force and gas flotation. A buoyant self adjusting discharge assembly with a vortex of fluids surrounding it provide the exit path for separated light fluids and light particles. In oil and water separation the buoyant assembly allows self discharge of the oil and can be used with high oil to water ratios at high volume. Oil spill cleanup is possible. Conversely gas flotation may be used for low volume separating applications.
Claims14
An apparatus for separating intermixed fluids and particulates containing high specific gravity fluid and low specific gravity fluid including fluid containing particulate of varying density including those of high density and those of low density comprising:
- (a) a vertically oriented elongate vessel, wherein the shape of said elongate vessel is selected from the group consisting of cylindrical, conical and frusto-conical;
- (b) at least one tangential inlet tube means fixedly attached to the lower portion of the vessel wall for receiving fluids supplied to said elongate vessel;
- (c) a pump means for supplying said fluids into said tangential inlet tube means with sufficient velocity to create a centrifugal force field of said fluids, including the formation of a vortex of said fluids within said elongate vessel;
- (d) a gas intake means for admittance of gas into said pump means, said gas forming foam for collection of said particulate and said low specific gravity fluid contained in said elongate vessel;
- (e) a vertically oriented annular discharge assembly having buoyancy means for self adjustment in the height of said annular discharge assembly in accordance with the depth of a vortex formed of said fluids surrounding the discharge assembly and being located substantially along a vertical axis defined by said vessel, said annular discharge assembly penetrating the bottom out to the exterior of said elongate vessel;
- (f) said discharge assembly further comprising conduit means connected to said buoyancy means for transporting said low specific gravity fluid, said foam and said low density particulate;
- (g) collection means at the top of the elongate vessel and above said annular discharge assembly for receiving said high specific gravity fluid and said high density particulate being discharged directly from the upper outer periphery of said elongate vessel.
A method of separating high specific gravity liquid and high density particulate from low specific gravity liquid and low density particulate existing in a liquid mixture, comprising the steps of:
- (a) pumping said mixture into a vertical elongate vessel thru a tangential inlet tube means, thereby forcing the mixture into a circulating mass, thereby producing a centrifugal force field of liquid within said vertical elongate vessel, said pumping means having means for charging said liquid mixture with gas bubbles resulting in a foam mixture on the surface of said liquid mixture, said foam mixture containing said low density particulate and said low specific gravity liquid therein, said pumping means operating at sufficient pressure to create sufficient velocity of the said liquid mixture to create a vortex within said vertical elongate vessel;
- said vertical elongate vessel having a vertically oriented annular discharge assembly having buoyant means for self adjustment in the height of said annular discharge assembly in accordance with said liquid mixture surrounding said annular discharge assembly;
- (b) having the top of said discharge assembly achieve a position in said vortex wherein the top of said annular discharge assembly is slightly above the said high specific gravity liquid;
- (c) having the higher specific gravity liquid and higher density particulate migrate to the outer periphery of said elongate vessel where said high specific gravity liquid and said high density particulate are removed directly through an outlet which is at the upper outer periphery of said elongate vessel and above said annular discharge assembly;
- (d) having said low specific gravity liquid and said foam mixture migrate toward the bottom of the vortex where they are discharged into said annular discharge assembly.
A method of separating high specific gravity liquid from a lower specific gravity liquid existing in a liquid mixture and having a centrifugal force field of said liquid mixture be the separating means comprising the steps of:
- (a) pump means pumping said mixture into a vertical elongate vessel thru a tangential inlet tube means, thereby forcing the liquid mixture into a circulating mass, thereby producing a centrifugal force field of liquid mixture within said elongate vessel, said pump means having means for operating at sufficient pressure to create sufficient velocity of the said liquid mixture to create a vortex within said vertical elongate vessel, said elongate vessel having a vertically oriented annular discharge assembly having buoyant means for self adjustment in the height of said annular discharge assembly in accordance with said liquid mixture surrounding said annular discharge assembly;
- (b) having the top of the discharge assembly achieve a position in said vortex wherein the top of said annular discharge assembly is slightly above the said high specific gravity liquid;
- (c) having said high specific gravity liquid migrate to the outer periphery of said vertical elongate vessel where said high specific gravity liquid is removed directly through an outlet which is at the upper outer periphery of said elongate vessel and above said annular discharge assembly;
- (d) having said low specific gravity liquid migrate toward the bottom of the vortex where they are discharged into said annular discharge assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.