Apparatus and method for disposing liquid effluent from a liquid system

An apparatus for disposing liquid effluent which has been separated from a compressed air system, the apparatus comprising:

• a compressor means for supplying compressed air to the system, the compressor means having an inlet and an outlet;
• a means for driving the compressor means, the compressor drive means having an exhaust system which vents an exhaust fluid, having a predetermined exhaust temperature, to an atmosphere external to the compressed air system, the exhaust fluid flowing from the compressor drive means in a predetermined direction;
• a first reservoir flow connected in air receiving relation to the outlet of the compressor means;
• a first valve means for venting a predetermined volume of compressed air from the system to the atmosphere, the first valve means flow connected to the first reservoir and actuated to an open, compressed air venting position upon shut down of the compressor drive means;
• an aftercooler flow connected in air receiving relation to the first reservoir;
• a separating means for removing liquid effluent from the compressed air, the separating means flow connected in fluid receiving relation to the aftercooler and flow connected in fluid supplying relation to an object of interest, the separating means having a conduit through which the separated liquid effluent flows;
• a second reservoir for collecting the liquid effluent, the second reservoir flow connected in fluid receiving relation to the conduit of the separating means and flow connected in fluid supplying relation to the exhaust system of the compressor drive means;
• and
• a second valve means for draining the liquid effluent from the second reservoir to a predetermined location external to the compressed air system, the second valve means flow connected to the second reservoir, and wherein the collected liquid effluent flows from the reservoir into the exhaust system, in the direction of the exhaust fluid flow, whereupon entry therein, the exhaust fluid vaporizes the liquid effluent, and shutdown of the compressor drive means actuates the first valve means to the open position to vent a predetermined volume of the compressed air from the system.

In a compressed system having a compressor which is driven by an engine, the engine having an exhaust system which vents an exhaust fluid in a predetermined flow direction to an atmosphere, a method of disposing effluent condensate from the compressed air system, the method comprising:

• compressing air within the system;
• cooling the compressed air to a predetermined temperature to condense effluent from the compressed air;
• separating the effluent condensate from the compressed air;
• collecting the separated effluent condensate in a reservoir having a predetermined volume capacity;
• injecting a predetermined volume of effluent condensate into the exhaust system in the flow direction of the exhaust fluid;
• and
• vaporizing the predetermined volume of effluent condensate in the exhaust fluid.