Patent ID: 7942162
Filing Date: 2011-05-17
Classification: F17D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A flow splitter for use in dividing into equal and substantially balanced parts a two-phase (gas-liquid) inlet stream or a one-phase (liquid-liquid) inlet stream, said flow splitter comprising: a horizontally oriented manifold having an open inlet end, a closed end, at least two opposing radially extending and substantially equally sized outlet openings each communicating with an oppositely extending horizontally arrayed outlet pipe and a wedge-shaped spreader housed within said manifold between said outlet openings; said spreader having a leading edge and two opposing, substantially equally sized faces, said faces being contiguous to each other at said leading edge, said leading edge being vertically oriented along a center line of said manifold and toward said open inlet end, said faces each being oriented at substantially the same deflection angle; said spreader extending in height at least substantially equal to the inside diameter of said manifold at said leading edge, said spreader extending in length from adjacent said open inlet end to beyond a portion of said outlet openings; said spreader forming an end chamber and substantially equal and opposing split chambers, said faces of said spreader each having at least one opening for providing fluid communication between said split chambers and said end chamber so that said end chamber fills with fluid and supports said spreader against impact forces exerted on said spreader by said inlet stream and maintains substantially even pressure in said split chambers; and wherein said manifold further includes at least one vent connection communicating with said end chamber.