# US 5,346,631 A · Phase separator

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- Number: US 5,346,631 A
- Document ID: US5346631A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 07/986,324
- Filed: 1992-12-07
- Granted: 1994-09-13
- Earliest claimed: 1992-12-07
- Assignees: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
- Inventors: Patrick H. Terry
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5346631A

## CPC

- B01D 45/00: Separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours by gravity, inertia, or centrifugal forces
- B01D 21/267: {by using a cyclone}
- B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28)

## Abstract

The present invention provides an improvement in separating a mixture of two distinct fluid phases of the same or different materials, one dispersed in the other, by ejecting a flowing stream of the mixed fluid phases from a conduit and then deflecting the ejected stream radially outwardly whereby centrifugal and gravitational forces cause the flowing stream to separate with the less dense phase of the two phases forming a top layer and the more dense phase forming a bottom layer and thereafter directing the more dense phase to flow into a conduit leading to a separate chamber.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of separating a mixture of two distinct fluid phases, one dispersed in the other, comprising:
ejecting a stream of the mixed fluid phases from a conduit;
deflecting the ejected stream radially outwardly by means of a substantially flow streamlining deflector, thereby imparting centrifugal and gravitational forces to the stream of mixed fluid phases to form a stream having a less dense phase top layer and a more dense phase bottom layer;
hydrodynamically preventing the less dense phase from penetrating the more dense phase; and
directly the less dense phase to flow upwardly into a first chamber and the more dense phase to flow downwardly into a second chamber.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the mixture of distinct fluid phases comprises fluidizable solids in a carrier gas and wherein the mixed phases are ejected downwardly from the conduit.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the mixture of distinct fluid phases comprises fluidizable solids in a carrier gas and wherein the mixed phases are ejected upwardly from the conduit.

### Claim 4

An apparatus for separating a mixture of two distinct fluid phases comprising:
a vessel having a first chamber and a second chamber;
conduit means for introducing a flowing stream of a mixture of two distinct fluid phases into the vessel;
a flow streamlining deflector for directing the flowing stream introduced into the vessel radially outwardly to form a stream having a top layer of a less dense phase and a bottom layer of a more dense phase;
a sealing ring which hydrodynamically seals the less dense from more dense phase and which directs the more dense phase to flow downwardly into the second chamber; and, a baffle which directs the less dense phase to flow into the first chamber.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the flow streamlining deflector has an apex and a base, is substantially conical in shape and has concave sidewalls which face radically outwardly at the base.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the apex of the deflector is coaxially aligned with the centerline of the conduit and positioned at the opening of the conduit and wherein the diameter of the base of the deflector is equal to or 20% greater than the diameter of the conduit.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the deflector is mounted on a horizontally disposed platform having a diameter less than the vessel diameter and equal to or about three times greater than the diameter of the conduit, and wherein a baffle ring extends downwardly and outwardly from the platform to a concentric cylindrical member within the vessel.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The apparatus of claim 7 including a baffle ring extending upwardly and outwardly from a first end positioned at a point spaced above the base of the cone to a point spaced from the body of the vessel and wherein the sealing ring extends downwardly and outwardly from the first end of the baffle ring for a predeterminate distance.

### Claim 9 (depends on 4)

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the flow streamlining deflector is an annular ring with a top and a base and which extends from the top downwardly and outwardly from the conduit means and in substantially concave fashion and facing radially outwardly at the base.

### Claim 10

An apparatus for separating a mixture of two distinct fluid phases comprising:
a vessel having a cylindrical body including a first chamber and a second chamber;
a conduit introducing a flowing stream of a mixture of two distinct fluid phases into the vessel;
a flow streamlining lining deflector for directing the flowing stream radically outwardly to form a stream having a top layer of a less dense phase and a bottom layer of a more dense phase, the deflector being substantially conical in shape and having an apex, concave side walls and a base, the apex positioned at the opening of the conduit at the centerline thereof, the base having a diameter equal to or 20% greater than the diameter of the conduit;
a horizontally disposed platform on which the deflector is mounted, the platform having a diameter equal to or up to three times the diameter of the conduit but less than the diameter of the vessel;
a concentrical cylindrical member within the vessel below the platform;
a first baffle ring extending downwardly and outwardly from the platform to the cylindrical member;
a second baffle ring extending upwardly and outwardly from a first end positioned at a point spaced above the base of the deflector to a point spaced from the cylindrical body of the vessel;
a sealing ring extending downwardly and outwardly from the first end of the second baffle ring to a point beyond the platform and defining a passageway therebetween.

### Claim 11

An apparatus for separating a mixture of two distinct fluid phases comprising:
a vessel having a cylindrical body including a first chamber and a second chamber;
a cylindrical conduit vertically disposed in the vessel for introducing a flowing stream of a mixture of two distinct phases upwardly into the vessel;
means for reversing the flowing stream to a downward direction;
a flow streamlining deflector for directing the downwardly flowing stream radially outwardly to form a stream having a top layer of a less dense phase and a bottom layer of a more dense phase, the deflector being an annular ring with a top and a base, the ring extending from the top downwardly and outwardly from the conduit in substantially concave fashion and facing radially outwardly at the base, the base having a diameter of from about 10% to about 20% greater than the diameter of the conduit;
a horizontally disposed platform below the streamlining deflector through which the conduit passes, the diameter of the platform being less than that of the vessel diameter;
a concentrical cylindrical member within the vessel below the flow streamlining deflector;
a first baffle ring extending downwardly and outwardly from the platform to the cylindrical member;
a second baffle ring extending upwardly and outwardly from a first end positioned at a point spaced above the base of the deflector to a point spaced from the cylindrical body of the vessel;
a sealing ring extending downwardly and outwardly from the first end of the second baffle ring to a point beyond the platform and defining a passageway therebetween.