# US 9,751,092 B2 · Electrostatic coalescer and method for electrostatic coalescence > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,751,092 B2 - Document ID: US9751092B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/370,160 - Filed: 2013-01-02 - Published: 2014-11-20 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-01-02 - Assignees: Sulzer Chemtech AG - Applicants: Sulzer Chemtech AG - Inventors: Mika Kristian Sulevi Tienhaaraa; Frederik Albert Lammers - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9751092B2 ## CPC - B03C 11/00: Separation by high-voltage electrical fields, not provided for in other groups of this subclass - B01D 17/045: {with coalescers} - B01D 17/06: Separation of liquids from each other by electricity - C02F 1/46104: {Devices therefor; Their operating or servicing} - C02F 1/48: with magnetic or electric fields (C02F1/46 takes precedence) - B03C 2201/02: Electrostatic separation of liquids from liquids - C02F 2101/325: {Emulsions} - B03C: MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS (separating isotopes B01D59/00; combinations of magnetic or electrostatic separation with separation of solids by other means B03B, B07B) - 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) - C02F: TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE (separation in general B01D; special arrangements on waterborne vessels of installations for treating water, waste water or sewage, e.g. for producing fresh water, B63J; adding materials to water to prevent corrosion C23F; treating radioactively-contaminated liquids G21F9/04; regeneration of reactants for recirculation into processes, see the relevant places for the processes) ## Abstract The invention relates to a device for electrostatic coalescence of liquid particles in a flowing fluid mixture, comprising: a tube having an feed opening located at the front side of the tube and a discharge opening located on the opposite side of the tube and a least one arrangement with flow guide vanes arranged in the tube, positioned in between the opened infeed side and an opposite opened outfeed side, for reducing the turbulence or for imparting a rotating movement to the fluid mixture flowing through the tube. The invention also relates to a method for electrostatic coalescence of liquid particles in a flowing fluid mixture. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for electrostatic coalescence of liquid particles in a flowing fluid mixture, comprising: an outer tube having a wall, a feed opening located at a front side of the outer tube, a discharge opening located on an opposite side of the outer tube, and an intermediate discharge opening located between the feed opening and the discharge opening; power means for providing a current; and at least two electrodes located inside the outer tube electrically connected to the power means; wherein the device also comprises a least one arrangement with flow guide vanes arranged in the outer tube, positioned in between the feed opening and the discharge opening located on the opposite side of the outer tube, for reducing the turbulence or for imparting a rotating movement to the fluid mixture flowing through the outer tube, and a co-centric inner tube arranged in the outer tube and located, as seen in the direction of the fluid flow, behind the at least one arrangement with flow aide vanes, wherein the co-centric inner tube has a diameter less than the diameter of the outer tube and is positioned to provide a space between the inner tube and the wall of the outer tube, wherein the intermediate discharge opening connects to the space between the co-centric inner tube and the wall of the outer tube. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power means are AC power means to provide an alternating current. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the electrodes is an arrangement with flow guide vanes. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the arrangement with flow guide vanes comprises at least one helical blade. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least two electrodes are electrically insulated from the outer tube. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein two different electrodes are two cooperating helical blades. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein plural arrangements with flow guide vanes are provided in co-centric tubes. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a feed pipe is connecting to the feed opening such that the axial direction of the feed pipe at the connection with the outer tube has at least a component that is in line with the axial direction of the outer tube. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the feed pipe at the connection with the outer tube is in line with the axial direction of the outer tube. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer tube substantially is in the form of a cylinder jacket. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one arrangement with flow guide vanes arranged in the outer tube has a length of 0.1-2 meters. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein over a least 80% of the length of the outer tube arrangements with flow guide vanes are provided. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for providing an alternating current located outside the outer tube. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power means provide an alternating current of 50-600 Hz at 2-6 kV/cm. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the arrangement with flow guide vanes is at least partially covered with an electrically insulating coating. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A method for electrostatic coalescence of liquid particles in a flowing fluid mixture, comprising the steps of: A) providing the device of claim 1; B) feeding the fluid mixture to the feed opening located at the front side of the outer tube so that the fluid mixture flows through the outer tube; C) providing an electric field to act on the fluid mixture flowing through the outer tube; D) reducing the turbulence or imparting a rotating movement to the fluid mixture flowing through the outer tube; and E) discharging an at least partially coalesced mixture from the outer tube. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein steps C) and D) are combined. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the duration of steps C) and D) is 0.1-10 seconds. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the electrical field is provided by an alternating current of 50-600 Hz at 2-6 kV/cm. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the at least partially coalesced mixture discharged from the outer tube is provided to a subsequent separation processing step.