Liquid/gas separator and slug flow eliminator and process for use
AssigneeOhio University
InventorWilliam P. Jepson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method for separating the liquid phase and the gas phase of a liquid/gas mixture and for substantially eliminating slug flow is provided. The apparatus includes a housing containing a separation table positioned in an inclined position within the housing. The liquid/gas mixture flows into the housing through an inlet and spreads over the surface of the separation table. As the mixture spreads over the table, entrained gas is released and the liquid is decelerated. The separated liquid and gas then pass through orifices in the separation table and are separately discharged from the housing. In a second version, a plurality of separation tables may be contained in the housing.
Claims18
An apparatus for separating gas and liquid in a liquid/gas mixture flowing through a pipeline, comprising:
- a housing connected to said pipeline and including at least one inlet for receiving said liquid/gas mixture from said pipeline, at least one liquid outlet for discharging said liquid from said housing, and at least one vapor outlet for discharging said gas from said housing;
- and
- at least one separation table in said housing for separating said gas and said liquid in said liquid/gas mixture, each of said at least one separation table having upper and lower surfaces, a first end positioned toward said inlet, a second end opposite said first end, and a plurality of orifices through which said liquid and said gas from said liquid/gas mixture passes, and said at least one separation table extending substantially longitudinally along said housing in an inclined position such that said first end is below said second end and said second end is above the level of liquid in said housing.
A method for separating a liquid and a gas in a liquid/gas mixture flowing through a pipeline, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a housing having at least one separation table therein, each of said at least one separation table having upper and lower surfaces, a first end positioned toward said inlet, a second end opposite said first end, and a plurality of orifices through which said liquid and said gas from said liquid/gas mixture passes, said at least one separation table extending substantially longitudinally along said housing in an inclined position such that said first end is below said second end and said second end is above the level of liquid in said housing;
- directing said liquid/gas mixture from said pipeline onto said at least one separation table for separating said liquid and said gas of said liquid/gas mixture;
- discharging said gas through at least one vapor outlet in said housing;
- and
- discharging said liquid through at least one liquid outlet in said housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.