Patent ID: 6540926
Filing Date: 2003-04-01
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
The method of separating a first liquid from a second liquid under pressure comprising the steps of:passing a first liquid and a second liquid through a liquid inlet to a first downward flow region, said second liquid being lighter than said first liquid, subjecting said first liquid and said second liquid to a downward, non-circumferential, substantially laminar flow in a said first downward flow region, diverting said laminar fluid flow of said second fluid upwardly to a first upward flow region, said first upward flow regions being concentric with said first downward flow region, and diverting said laminar flow of said first fluid downward to a first fluid accumulation region, thereby separating said first liquid from said second liquid in the laminar flow region of the end of said first downward flow region, removing said first liquid from said first fluid accumulation region through a first liquid outlet, and flowing said second said second liquid though said first upward flow region and through a filter medium, said filter medium being coaxial and substantially coextensive with said first downward flow region and out of said first upward flow region through a second liquid outlet.