# US 9,751,028 B2 · Two stage in-line separator > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,751,028 B2 - Document ID: US9751028B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/436,890 - Filed: 2012-10-19 - Published: 2015-10-08 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-10-19 - Assignees: FMC Separation Systems, BV - Applicants: FMC Separation Systems, BV - Inventors: Mohamed Reda Akdim - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9751028B2 ## CPC - B01D 19/0057: {the centrifugal movement being caused by a vortex, e.g. using a cyclone, or by a tangential inlet} - B01D 45/12: by centrifugal forces (centrifuges B04B; cyclones B04C) - B01D 45/16: generated by the winding course of the gas stream {, the centrifugal forces being generated solely or partly by mechanical means, e.g. fixed swirl vanes} - B04C 3/00: Apparatus in which the axial direction of the vortex {flow following a screw-thread type line} remains unchanged {; Devices in which one of the two discharge ducts returns centrally through the vortex chamber, a reverse-flow vortex being prevented by bulkheads in the central discharge duct (combined with other devices B04C9/00)} - B04C 3/06: Construction of inlets or outlets to the vortex chamber - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) - B04C: APPARATUS USING FREE VORTEX FLOW, e.g. CYCLONES ({centrifugal separation of water from steam B01D45/12;} jet mills B02C19/06; {wind sifters B07B7/00;} cyclonic type combustion apparatus F23; {vortex burners for cyclone-type combustion apparatus F23D1/02; cyclonic type combustion apparatus for gas turbines F23R3/00}) ## Abstract The present invention regards an inline separator with a first pipe element (10) comprising a rotation-generating element (11) for the fluid flow downstream of an inlet (13) in the first pipe (10), a second pipe element (20) arranged at least partly inside the first pipe element (10), downstream of the rotation-generating element (11) and forming an outlet (25) for lighter density fluids, the first and second pipe elements (10, 20) forming an annular space (27) between an inner surface (15) of the first pipe element (10) and an outer surface (22) of the second pipe element (20), which annular space (27) is connected to a first outlet section (30) for heavier density fluids, wherein the second pipe element (20) is provided with a number of through-going openings (26) over at least a part of its length, the openings (26) leading to a second outlet section (31) for heavier density fluids, and both the first outlet section (30) and the second outlet section (31) are connected to a common container (40) with an outlet (41) for the heavier density fluids. The invention also related to a method for separating a fluid flow. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for separation of a fluid flow, the fluid flow including at least two fluids of different densities, the apparatus comprising: a first pipe element comprising an inlet for the fluid flow and a rotation-generating element positioned downstream of the inlet; a second pipe element arranged at least partly inside the first pipe element downstream of the rotation-generating element, the second pipe element forming an outlet for lighter density fluids; the first and second pipe elements forming an annular space between an inner surface of the first pipe element and an outer surface of the second pipe element, which annular space is connected to a first outlet section for heavier density fluids; wherein the second pipe element is provided with a number of through-going openings over at least a part of its length, the openings extending through a wall of the second pipe element and leading to a second outlet section for heavier density fluids; and wherein both the first outlet section and the second outlet section are connected to a common container having an outlet for the heavier density fluids. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first outlet section and the second outlet section are in part formed by the first and second pipe elements and are separated by a divider plate extending into the container to a position below a normal liquid level in the container. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is arranged with a longitudinal axis of the first and second pipe elements in a horizontal direction. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is arranged with a longitudinal axis of the first pipe element and at least a part of the second pipe extending in a vertical direction. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the divider plate comprises a first part which encircles the second pipe element and extends between the second pipe element and the first pipe element to thereby form a barrier for separated fluids flowing in the annular region. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the divider plate comprises a second part as a continuation of the first part, which second part extends from the annular space and into the container to a position below a normal liquid level in the container to thereby form a barrier between the first and second outlet sections. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second pipe element is at least for a part of its length substantially coaxially arranged inside the first pipe element. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the through-going openings are arranged at least partly around the circumference of the second pipe element. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein openings each comprise a center axis which is oriented at an angle relative a radius of the second pipe element. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus according claim 1, wherein the openings are formed as slots. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the slots are arranged with their length parallel to a longitudinal axis of the second pipe element. ### Claim 12 A method of separating a multiphase fluid flow in a pipe, the method comprising the steps of: directing the fluid flow through an inlet in a first pipe element; bringing the fluid flow into rotation by means of a rotation-generating element arranged upstream downstream of the inlet, allowing the heavier density fluids to separate from the lighter density fluids of the fluid flow for a predetermined distance in a first separation stage, leading the separated lighter density fluids through a second pipe element, the second pipe element extending at least partly inside the first pipe element, separating the heavier density fluids of the fluid flow into a first outlet section of an outlet, separating entrained heavier density fluids from the separated lighter density fluids through a number of slots in the second pipe element, the slots extending through a wall of the second element, and leading the entrained heavier density fluids to a second outlet section of the outlet.