US 6,309,553 B1 · Phase separator having multiple separation units, upflow reactor apparatus, and methods for phase separation

Abstract

A phase separator, upflow reactor apparatuses and methods for separating phases are provided. The phase separator includes a first separation unit and a second separation unit, each of which has walls defining a coagulation area. One of the walls adjoins a deflector inclined to the horizontal and vertical. The separator also includes a plurality of parallel plates spaced from each other and vertically and horizontally inclined which each have a lower edge. The other wall of the separator adjoins one of the parallel plates and the deflector extends below and across the lower edges of the parallel plates. Each of the first and the second separation units is capable of separating a gas from a liquid by diverting the gas around one wall of each of the separation units and by creating a circulation of the liquid around at least one of the parallel plates such that liquid is directed into the coagulation area. The upflow reactor apparatus includes phase separators having multiple units alone or in combination with a further separator in series arrangements. The methods include providing an upflow of gas and liquid within an upflow reactor apparatus having phase separators as noted herein, providing a liquid circulation around at least one of the parallel plates of the separator by diverting gas flow to one or more gas collecting areas such that the liquid circulation provides a downwardly directed flow around the parallel plates and liquid is directed to one or more coagulation areas. Gas from the gas collecting area or areas is directed from the upflow reactor apparatus through a gas outlet.

Claims46

Dependent claims

A phase separator capable of being used with an upflow reactor apparatus and comprising a first separation unit and a second separation unit, each of the first and the second separation units comprising

(a) a first wall having a first side and a second side and a second wall having a first side and a second side, the second side of the first wall and the first side of the second wall defining a coagulation area, wherein the first wall adjoins a deflector inclined to the horizontal and vertical;
and
(b) a plurality of parallel plates spaced from each other and vertically and horizontally inclined, each of the parallel plates having a lower edge, wherein the second wall adjoins one of the parallel plates and the deflector extends below and across the lower edges of the parallel plates, wherein each of the first and the second separation units is capable of separating a gas from a liquid by diverting the gas to the second side of the second wall of each separation unit and by creating a circulation of the liquid around at least one of the parallel plates such that liquid is directed into the coagulation area.

A method of separating a liquid and a gas within an upflow reactor apparatus having a reaction zone, comprising

(a) providing an upflow of liquid and gas within the upflow reactor apparatus such that the liquid and gas flow upwardly from the reaction zone into a phase separator having a first separation unit and a second separation unit, wherein each of the first and the second separation units have (i) a first wall having a first side and a second side and a second wall having a first side and a second side, the second side of the first wall and the first side of the second wall defining a coagulation area, the first wall adjoining a deflector inclined to the horizontal and vertical and (ii) a plurality of parallel plates spaced from each other and vertically and horizontally inclined, each of the parallel plates having a lower edge, the second wall adjoining one of the parallel plates and the deflector extending below and across the lower edges of the parallel plates;
(b) providing a liquid circulation around at least one of the parallel plates by diverting gas flow to a gas collecting area between the second side of the second wall of the first separation unit and the first side of the first wall of the second separation unit such that the liquid circulation provides a downwardly directed flow around the parallel plates of each of the first and the second separation units and liquid is directed toward the coagulation area;
and
(c) directing the diverted gas from the gas collecting area out of the upflow reactor apparatus through a gas outlet.

1 more element

A method of separating a liquid and a gas within an upflow reactor apparatus having a reaction zone, comprising

(a) providing an upflow of the liquid and the gas within the upflow reactor apparatus such that the liquid and gas flow upwardly from the reaction zone into a first phase separator having a first wall having a first side and a second side and a second wall having a first side and a second side, the second side of the first wall and the first side of the second wall defining a coagulation area, the first wall adjoining a deflector inclined to the horizontal and vertical, and a plurality of parallel plates spaced from each other and vertically and horizontally inclined, each of the parallel plates having a lower edge, the second wall adjoining one of the parallel plates and the deflector extending below and across the lower edges of the parallel plates;
(b) providing a liquid circulation around the parallel plates by diverting gas away from the coagulation area to a gas collecting area, wherein the liquid circulation provides a downwardly directed flow around the parallel plates of the first phase separator and liquid is directed toward the coagulation area;
(c) directing the diverted gas from the gas collecting area out of the upflow reactor apparatus through a gas outlet;
(d) directing liquid from the coagulation area into a second separator which may be the same or different from the first phase separator and which is located above the first phase separator;
and
(e) removing liquid from the upflow reactor apparatus through an outlet above the at least one second separator.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Phase separator having multiple separation units, upflow reactor apparatus, and methods for phase separation

Life of this patent

Phase separator having multiple separation units, upflow reactor apparatus, and methods for phase separation

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims46