SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR THE SEPARATION OF MULTI-PHASE MIXTURES

Abstract: A combined feed head and overflow collection device (44) for a parallel flow multiple cyclone arrangement in a single closed tubular casing (2), the casing having a single inlet port (20) and outlet ports (22, 21) for the underflow and overflow. The head includes a major inlet passage (48) in communication with the inlet port (20) and leading to a plurality of tangentially directed feed inlets (50) each feeding to a separate cyclone unit (42). The head further includes an annular outlet passage (54) for the overflow fluid from the individual cyclones (42) and a tapered sealing portion to provide a seal with a similarly tapered portion of the casing (1). The outlet passage (54) may be located in this portion.

Description: "SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR THE SEPARATION OF MULTI-PHASE MIXTURES" This invention relates generally to the separation of multi phase mixtures and more particularly though not exclusively, to the separation of oil/water mixtures. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved system and apparatus for use in the system which is more-efficient and more compact than the prior art devices. According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for separating multi-phase mixtures or at least partially separating a more dense component of the mixture from a less dense component thereof, the apparatus comprising an outer casing having a cavity therein, an intake port through which, in use, the mixture is fed to the apparatus, a first outlet.port from which a more dense component can be discharged from the apparatus and a second outlet port from which a less dense component can be discharged from the apparatus, the apparatus further including a cyclone separating means which is locatable within said cavity and comprises a plurality of separating chambers each chamber having a primary portion which has a greater cross-sectional dimension at one end than at its other end and comprises an inlet at least two outlets one of said outlets of each separating chamber being in communication with said first outlet port and the other of said outlet being in communication with said second outlet port, and said inlets being in communication with said intake port. Preferably the cyclone separating means is removable from the cavity. Preferably, one of the outlets comprises an overflow outlet at the end of the separating chamber of greater cross sectional dimension and the other outlets comprises an under flow outlet 22 at the other end of the separating chamber. It is to be understood, however, that other arrangements are envisaged. For example, both outlets could be disposed at the downstream end with suitable arrangements for removing the separated phases. In one arrangement, the separating means includes , a head portion operatively connected to or formed integral with the aforementioned one end of each of the separating chambers. The head portion includes a major inlet passage in fluid communication with the intake port of the apparatus and the plurality of tangentially directed feed inlets communicating with the major inlet passage and directing fluid to respective ones of the separating chambers. The underflow outlets are preferably in communication with the cavity, so that the more dense component can pass into the cavity and then be discharged through the second outlet port. Preferably, the outer casing comprises an elongated tubular member having its ends closed by plugs or caps. Furthermore, the intake port and a second outlet port are preferably disposed adjacent the head portion and the first outlet port is spaced from the head portion. Preferably, the head portion comprises a major inlet passage in fluid communication with the intake port when the device is disposed within the cavity. The head portion may also comprise a block like element having the major inlet passage formed therein and a series of tangentially directed feed inlets associated therewith which feed the mixture to respective primary portions of the separating chamber. Preferably, four separating chambers are provided, each having one of the feed inlets which is of involute form. Preferably, the head portion includes an outlet passage for discharge of the less dense component through the first outlet port, the outlet passage comprising a groove in the outer surface of the block like element from which the less dense component is discharged, the annular outlet passage being disposed near the end of the block, adjacent the separating chambers. Collecting passages may be provided for receiving the separated component from the overflow end of each chamber and transferring it to the outlet passage. The head portion may further comprise a tapered forward end which is adapted to seat in a complementary tapered portion on the outer casing, the outlet passage being provided on this tapered portion sealing means. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for separating multi-phase mixtures comprising an input line through which the multi-phase mixture is delivered, an output line through which at least one of the separated phases of the mixture is discharged and a plurality of apparatus according to any preceding claim arranged in parallel between the input and output lines, valve means being provided so that each apparatus can be selectively operable or inoperable. Preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings and in those drawings: Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of the apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a sectional side elevation of the outer casing of the apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 3 is a sectional side elevation of the cyclone separating device; Figures 4 to 7 are more detailed views of the head portion of the apparatus; and Figure 8 is a schematic view of a system according to the invention. Referring to the drawings, the apparatus generally indicated at an outer casing 2 having a cavity 4 therein. An intake portion 20 is provided through which, in use, the mixture is fed to the apparatus, and a first outlet port 21 from which a more dense component can be discharged from the apparatus and a second outlet port 22 from which a less dense component can be discharged from the apparatus. The apparatus further includes a cyclone separating device 40 which comprises a plurality of separating chambers 42 each chamber having a primary portion which has a greater cross sectional diameter at one end than at its other end and further having an overflow outlet 45 at one end thereof, and an underflow outlet 46 at the other end thereof. The separating device further includes a head portion 44 operatively connected to or formed integral with the overflow outlet end of each of the separating chambers 42. The head portion 44 includes a major inlet passage 48 in fluid communication with the -5- intake portion of the apparatus and the plurality of tangentially directed feed inlets, communicating with the major inlet passage and directing fluid to respective ones of the separating chambers, 5 the underflow outlets being in communication with the cavity, so that the more dense component can pass into the cavity and then be discharged through the second outlet port. As shown, the outer casing 3 comprises an elongated 10 tubular member 6, having its ends closed by suitably fitting plugs or caps 10 and 11. The intake port may be in a form of an intake pipe at one end of the elongated member and the second outlet port may be in the form of a pipe also at the aforementioned 15 one end or spaced therefrom. The intake port, in use, is adapted to deliver to the apparatus the mixture required to be separated and the second outlet port is adapted to discharge the more dense component from the apparatus. Preferably the first 20 outlet port which is adapted to discharge the less dense component from the apparatus is also disposed at the aforementioned one end. As mentioned, the cyclone separating device comprises a plurality of separating chambers which 25 conveniently may be of the type described in applicant's .many co-pending patent applications relating to cyclone separators. The primary portions are preferably operatively connected to or formed integral with the head portion which has a major inlet passage 30 in fluid communication with the intake port when the device is disposed within the cavity. The head portion comprises a block like element having the major inlet passage formed therein and a series of tangentially directed feed inlets associated 35 therewith which feeds the mixture to respective primary portions of the separating chambers. Preferably where four separating chambers are provided, four feed inlets are provided and desirably these feed inlets are of involute form. The head portion further includes an outlet passage for discharge of the less dense component (e.g. the oil) through the first outlet port. Preferably the outlet passage is defined by a groove in the outer surface of the block like element from which the oil is discharged. Preferably, the annular outlet passage is disposed near the end of the block, adjacent the separating chambers for reasons which will hereinafter become apparent. Collecting passages may also be provided for receiving the separated component from the overflow end. of each chamber and transferring it to the outlet passage. Preferably the head portion comprises a tapered forward end which is adapted to seat in a complementary tapered portion on the outer casing. Preferably' the outlet passage is provided on this tapered portion and suitable sealing means such as O-rings are disposed on either side of the groove. As this groove is disposed at the forward end of the head portion, the pressure of the incoming fluid mixture into the head portion, tends to force the tapering sides together to assist in sealing of the two parts. As shown in Figure 8, a system for separating multi-phase mixtures comprising an input line through which.the multi-phase mixture is delivered, an output line through which at least one of the separated phases of the mixture is discharged and a plurality of apparatus as described above arranged in parallel between the input and output lines. Preferably, valve means is provided so that each apparatus can be made selectively operable or inoperable.

Claims: CLAIMS:- 1. Apparatus for separating multi phase mixtures or at least partially separating a more dense component of the mixture from a less dense component thereof, the apparatus comprising an outer casing (2) having a cavity therein, an intake port (20) through which, in use, the mixture is fed to the apparatus, a first outlet port (22) from which a more dense component can be discharged from the apparatus and a second outlet port (21) from which a less dense component can be discharged from the apparatus, the apparatus further including ' a cyclone separating means (40 ) locatable within said cavity and which comprises a plurality of separating chambers (42), each chamber having a primary portion which has a greater cross-sectional dimension at one end than at its other end and comprises an inlet (50), at least two outlets (44) (46), one of said outlets (46) of each separating chamber being in communication with said first outlet port (22) and the other of said outlet (44) being in commuπLcation with said second outlet port (21), and said inlets (50) being in communication with said intake port (20). 2. .Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one of said outlets comprises an overflow outlet (21) at the end of the separating chamber of greater cross sectional dimension and the other said outlets comprises an under flow outlet (22) at said other end of said separating chamber. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said separating means includes a head portion (44) operatively connected to or formed integral with said one end of each of the separating chambers, the head portion including a major inlet passage (48) in ' fluid communication with the intake port (20) of the apparatus and the plurality of tangentially directed feed inlets) (50), communicating with the major inlet passage (48) and directing fluid to respective ones of the separating chambers, the underflow outlets (46) being in communication with the cavity, so that the more dense component can pass into the cavity and then be discharged through the second outlet port (21). 4. Apparatus according to c laim 3 wherein the outer casing comprises an elongated tubular member (6), having its ends closed by plugs or caps (10, 11). 5 . . Apparatus according to claim 3 or claim 4 wherein said intake port (20) and said second outlet port (21) are disposed adjacent said head portion (44) and said first outlet port (22) is spaced from said head portion (44). 6. Apparatus according to claim 3,4 or 5 wherein said head portion (44) comprises a major inlet passage (48) in fluid communication with the intake port (20)when the device is disposed within the cavity. 7. Apparatus according to claim 3,4,5 or 6 wherein said head portion (44) comprises a block like element having said major inlet passage (48) formed therein and a series of tangentially directed feed inlets associated therewith which feed the mixture to respective primary portions of the separating chambers. 8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein four separating chambers are provided, each having one said feed inlets which is of involute form. 9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the head portion (44) includes an outlet passage (52) for discharge of the less dense component through the first outlet port, the outlet passage comprising a groove in the outer surface of the block like element from which the less dense component is discharged, the annular outlet passage being disposed near the end of the block, adjacent the separating chambers. 10. Apparatus according to claim 9 including collecting passages (54) for receiving the separated component from the overflow end of each chamber and transferring it to the outlet passage. 11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein head portion (44) comprises a tapered forward end which is adapted to seat in a complementary tapered portion on the outer casing, the outlet passage being provided on this tapered portion sealing means. 12. A system for separating multi phase mixtures comprising an input line through which the multi phase mixture is delivered, an output line through which at least one of the separated phases of the mixture is discharged and a plurality of apparatus according to any preceding claim arranged in parallel between the input and output lines, valve means being provided so that each apparatus can be selectively operable or inoperable.

Inventors: WEBB DAVID ANDREW, WEBB, DAVID, ANDREW
Applicants: CARROLL NOEL, CARROLL, NOEL
Application year: 1986
Main classification: B04C5
IPC codes: B01D17, B04C3, B04C5