Patent ID: 7431166
Filing Date: 2008-10-07
Classification: B01D,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for separating a first fluid from a mixture of fluids in a container, the first fluid being substantially immiscible with respect to one or more other fluids in the mixture, the apparatus comprising: an endless flexible strip of material having an affinity for the first fluid: a first advancing member and a second advancing member for cooperatively advancing successive portions of the strip sequentially from a position out of contact with the first fluid to a position of contact with the first fluid and again to a position out of contact with the first fluid, the first and second advancing members having respective cooperating surfaces that positively engage a portion of the strip between the cooperating surfaces with sufficient force applied to that portion of the strip so that movement of the first and second advancing members relative to one another sequentially advances successive portions of the strip from an entry location where the strip enters between and is engaged by the cooperating surfaces of the first and second advancing members to an exit location where the strip exits from between the cooperating surfaces of the first and second advancing members; a guiding element located at the exit location and configured to direct the strip away from engagement with the cooperating surface of the first advancing member at the exit location and into continued engagement with the cooperating surface of the second advancing member at the exit location in a direction towards the mixture of fluids in the container; and means for maintaining the successive portions of the strip in contact with the first fluid in the container as the successive portions of the strip are sequentially advanced.