Single cell gas flotation separator with filter media
AssigneeUnicel, Inc.
InventorsJohn A. Cairo, Jr., John A. Young
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A simplified single cell apparatus and method for removal of suspended impurities in liquids using gas flotation and filtration is provided wherein the method and apparatus are preferably directed to induced gas flotation separation of suspended impurities in combination with a filter media for filtration removal of remaining suspended impurities. A filter media is contained within the single cell apparatus such that liquid exiting the vessel must pass through the filter media after having been subjected to flotation treatment.
Claims22
An apparatus for removing suspended particles from liquids by coalescing, flotation and filtering, comprising:
- a vessel defining a single chamber, said vessel having inlet and outlet means;
- means for introducing liquid containing suspended particles into said vessel via said inlet means;
- means for inducing gas into said liquid containing suspended particles;
- at least one riser tube located in the chamber defined by said vessel, said riser tube having an upper end in open communication with liquid contained in the chamber defined by said vessel;
- coalescer means located within the chamber defined by said vessel and positioned above the upper end of the at least one riser tube;
- means for introducing the gas-induced liquid containing suspended particles into said at least one riser tube;
- liquid level control means for maintaining and changing the liquid level in said vessel;
- means in an upper portion of the chamber defined by said vessel for collection and removal of a particle-laden froth from the surface of the liquid;
- means for removal of particle-laden froth from said vessel;
- means for collecting gas from the upper portion of the chamber defined by said vessel and means for recirculation of said gas to said means for inducing gas;
- filtration means located within the chamber defined by said vessel for filtering liquid after the liquid exits said riser tube and after the liquid is subjected to flotation;
- means for periodically cleaning said filtration means of filtered particles;
- means for removing liquid from a lower portion of the chamber defined by said vessel via said outlet means, after the liquid has been treated by said filtration means.
A method for removing suspended particles from liquids, comprising;
- providing a vessel defining a single chamber, said vessel having inlet and outlet means for fluid flow, at least one riser tube located in the chamber defined by said vessel, said riser tube having an upper end in open communication with liquid contained in the chamber defined by said vessel, and coalescer means located within the chamber defined by said vessel and being positioned above the upper end of the at least one riser tube;
- inducing gas into said liquid to be treated via means for inducing gas;
- introducing the liquid to be treated into said vessel via said inlet means;
- introducing the gas-induced liquid containing suspended particles into said at least one riser tube;
- contacting at least a portion of the gas-induced liquid to be treated with said coalescer means;
- floating the suspended particles to a collection zone in an upper portion of said vessel;
- removing particle-laden froth from said vessel;
- collecting gas from the upper portion of the chamber defined by said vessel and recirculating said gas to said means for inducing gas;
- controlling the liquid level in said vessel;
- filtering the liquid through filter means located within said vessel, after the suspended particles have been floated to a collection zone;
- periodically cleaning the filter means by backflushing said filter means with clean liquid;
- withdrawing the resulting clarified liquid from said vessel via said outlet means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.