Patent ID: 6514322
Filing Date: 2003-02-04
Classification: B01D,B04C

Abstract:
A method for separating an entrained immiscible liquid component from a wet gas stream comprising:(1) passing said wet gas stream through a vortex tube having an inlet end and an outlet end and tubular wall having an internal wall surface; (2) causing gas within said vortex tube to rotate to thereby cause at least some of said liquid component to be forced against said interior wall surface of said vortex tube by centrifugal action; (3) stripping liquid from said vortex tube interior wall surface; (4) diverting liquid stripped from said vortex tube interior wall surface along with bypass gas out through a circumferential outlet in said vortex tube wall in which said circumferential outlet is formed by an upstream beveled circumferential surface and a downstream beveled circumferential surface, the beveled surfaces being spaced apart from and parallel to each other; (5) recycling bypass gas back into said vortex tube; and (6) withdrawing liquid stripped through said vortex tube interior wall surface in which said circumferential outlet is formed by an upstream beveled circumferential surface and a downstream beveled circumferential surface, the beveled surfaces being spaced apart from and parallel to each other.