Patent ID: 7001448
Filing Date: 2006-02-21
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
1. A system for separating an entrained immiscible liquid component from a wet gas stream comprising: a vortex tube having an internal wall surface, a first end, an outlet end and a wet gas tangential inlet in and tangential to said internal wall surface, the tangential inlet being spaced from said first end and arranged so that wet gas entering said tangential inlet rotates within said vortex tube to cause at least some of the liquid components to be forced against said internal wall surface by centrifugal action; an orifice plate closing said vortex tube first end and having a concentric gas outlet opening therein; a vortex finder tube in communication with said orifice plate gas outlet opening and extending concentrically within said vortex tube in the direction towards said vortex tube outlet end, the vortex finder tube having an external cylindrical surface of diameter less than the internal diameter of said vortex tube internal wall providing an annular space therebetween; and a fluid deflector positioned within said annular space and in contact with said vortex tube internal wall surface and said vortex finder tube external cylindrical surface, the deflector having a downwardly spiraled upper and lower surfaces that diverts wet gas flowing through said tangential inlet downwardly in the direction towards said vortex tube outlet end.