Patent ID: 6383367
Filing Date: 2002-05-07
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
A method of separating water from oil, comprising:heating the oil having the water therein; drawing a vacuum in a container; introducing the heated oil into a first section of the container subjected to the vacuum such that the oil flows upward through the first section due to the vacuum; introducing a gas into the oil in the first section of the container such that gas bubbles rise through the oil so as to absorb water vapor from the oil; removing the gas having the water vapor from a top portion of the container; introducing the oil into a second section of the container from the first section of the container, the second section having an obstruction component therein, wherein the oil is introduced into the second section so as to flow downward through the second section and spread around the obstruction component such that the surface area of the oil is increased; and collecting the oil in a bottom portion of the second section of the container.