Patent ID: 6261462
Filing Date: 2001-07-17
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
A separator for processing an immiscible or insoluble fluid mixture into a less-dense component and a denser component, the separator comprising:(a) a vessel having a top portion, a bottom portion, and a sidewall therebetween;(b) a first inlet in fluid communication with the vessel, the first inlet for providing an immiscible or insoluble fluid mixture to the vessel;(c) a conduit having a top end and a bottom end, the conduit in fluid communication with the vessel such that the bottom portion and top end are contiguous;(d) a first outlet in fluid communication with the bottom end of the conduit, the first outlet for draining a denser component of the immiscible or insoluble fluid mixture from the vessel after a separation stage of a segregation cycle;(e) a second outlet in fluid communication with the bottom end of the conduit, the second outlet for draining a less-dense component of the immiscible or insoluble fluid mixture from the vessel after a separation stage of a segregation cycle;(f) a probe in at least a portion of the conduit, the probe adapted for determining whether the composition of a fluid in contact therewith is one of the less-dense component and the denser component of the immiscible or insoluble fluid mixture;(g) a first valve in fluid communication with the first inlet, the first valve for starting and stopping the flow of at least the immiscible or insoluble fluid mixture to the vessel;(h) a second valve in fluid communication with the first outlet and the conduit, the second valve for starting and stopping the flow of a fluid from the vessel and through the conduit to the first outlet; and(i) a third valve in fluid communication with the second outlet and the conduit, the third valve for starting and stopping the flow of a fluid from the vessel and through the conduit to the second outlet.