Elements and methods for coalescing a discontinuous phase of a fluid from a continuous phase
AssigneePall Corporation
InventorsScott A. Whitney, Kenneth M. Williamson, Michael A. Clendenning, James R. Hibbard, Angela M. Griffin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A coalescing element is provided which is capable of separating a continuous phase fluid from a discontinuous phase fluid. The coalescing element includes a wrap structure which facilitates the coalescing process by conglomerating smaller droplets of the discontinuous phase fluid into larger droplets which may be of a size that will prevent them from being re-entrained.
Claims21
A coalescer element for separating a discontinuous phase from a continuous phase of a fluid which can be directed through the coalescer element, the coalescer element comprising:
- a coalescing medium having a downstream surface;
- a porous wrap structure cooperatively associated with the coalescing medium and disposed downstream of the downstream surface of the coalescing medium, the wrap structure including pores and a multiplicity of holes wherein the pores allow passage of the continuous phase but resist passage of the discontinuous phase, and the holes allow passage of both the continuous phase and discontinuous phase, the holes being substantially larger than the pores;
- and
- a final classifier interposed between the coalescing medium and the porous wrap structure.
A method of coalescing a discontinuous phase from a continuous phase of a fluid, the method comprising:
- directing a fluid through a coalescing medium, the coalescing medium forming droplets of a discontinuous phase portion of a fluid thereof and passing a continuous phase of the fluid therethrough;
- and
- directing the continuous phase through pores in a porous wrap structure and through a multiplicity of holes substantial larger than the pores formed in the porous wrap structure;
- and
- directing the discontinuous phase through the multiplicity of holes to resist re-entrainment of droplets of the discontinuous phase into the continuous phase portion of the fluid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.