Hydrocyclone for the separation of fluids

A hydrocyclone having a capacity to process a fluid stream having a low oil content, the hydrocyclone comprising:

• a fluid feed section, the fluid feed section being substantially cylindrical and having at least one tangential fluid inlet, wherein
• the fluid feed section is closed in an upper circular surface thereof,
• the fluid feed section has an outlet orifice for overflow in a central region for a light phase outlet,
• the fluid feed section is partly closed at its lower circular surface whereon, in the central region, a seat for connecting a flange is disposed, and
• the fluid feed section houses a feed head having a cylindrical ring shape of smaller dimensions than the fluid feed section, such that there is an annular space between a side wall of the fluid feed section and an external surface of the feed head, and such that there are at least two equal channels, opposed diametrically and curved, extending from the external surface of the feed head to an internal surface of the feed head in a radial direction of the feed head,
• wherein a transversal cross sectional area of said two equal channels gradually diminishes and is configured to accelerate the fluid stream in a moderate manner and to introduce the fluid stream into the fluid feed section;
• a first light phase outlet control device being a hollow interchangeable device comprising at least two diameters, one of the at least two diameters being an external diameter suitable for insertion into the outlet orifice for overflow, the hollow interchangeable device being configured to permit a selection of hydrodynamic characteristics of the hydrocyclone and to adapt the hydrocyclone to a use thereof in accordance with the fluid stream;
• a second light phase outlet control device being an interchangeable part having a substantially rectangular base with a central hollow cylindrical prolongation wherein the cylindrical prolongation has an external diameter suitable for insertion into the outlet orifice for overflow, the second light phase outlet device being configured to permit a selection of hydrodynamic characteristics of the hydrocyclone and to adapt the hydrocyclone to a use thereof in accordance with a fluid stream;
• an acute conical section having
• a first flange with a first larger internal opening having a first diameter being connected to a seat of the fluid feed section, and
• a second flange with a second smaller internal opening having a second diameter, the second diameter being smaller than the first diameter, wherein
• the acute conical section is configured to initiate formation of a vortex of the accelerated fluid stream within the feed head;
• at least one moderate conical section having
• a third flange with a third larger internal opening having a third diameter, the third flange being connected to the second flange of acute conical section, and
• a fourth flange with a fourth smaller internal opening having a fourth diameter, wherein
• the at least one moderate conical section has a length in an axial direction of the hydrocyclone larger than a length of the acute conical section in the axial, and wherein the at least one moderate conical section is configured to propagate the vortex;
• a final cylindrical section having
• a fifth flange with a fifth internal opening having a fifth diameter, the fifth flange being connected to the fourth flange of the at least one moderate conical section, and
• a sixth flange with a sixth internal opening having a sixth diameter, wherein the fifth diameter is equal to the sixth diameters;
• and
• a needle valve connected by a seventh flange to the sixth flange of final cylindrical section, the needle valve being manually adjustable and configured to restrict an outlet flow through a lower outlet for underflow.