Abstract:
A centrifugal separator separates mixture of fluid and particulate matter in a cylindrical tank. The mixture enters the tank tangentially though one passage. The mixture is swirled with in the tank the though the use of angled blades to guide flow rotation increasing centrifugal force on the mixture. Separated fluid flows into a discharge pipe and out of the tank. The flow of fluid into the discharge pipe may be provided by an opening along the length of the pipe, the fluid may enter and exit the tank at opposing ends, and the angled blades may be circumferentially offset from adjacent blades.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an apparatus for separating particulate matter from a fluid particulate mixture. Specifically, a centrifugal style fluid separation apparatus that utilizes a centrifugal or spiral fluid flow. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Centrifugal style separators have been used to separate particulate matter from a fluid mixture. Centrifugal style separators have useful advantages in particular applications. For example, when large amounts of particulate matter is present, mesh and screen type filters may become clogged and fail to allow the necessary or desired fluid flow rate through the separator. 
         [0003]    Centrifugal style separators take advantage of rotational forces and gravity to assist in separating suspended particulate matter from a particulate and fluid mixture. The mixture flows into a passage in a top of the separator where it is induced into a centrifugal flow pattern. Separated particulates are retained in the separator, and cleaned fluid flows out of another passage in top, or end of, the separator. The separated particulates are periodically purged from the separator through a port supplied for that purpose. An example of a centrifugal separator is found in US Patent Application Publication 2015/0328567, incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0004]    There is room for improvement in the known separator designs to increase their efficiency and performance, and to increase the various locations and applications in which they can be installed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    One aspect of the present disclosure is a separator comprising a tank having a first end and a second end. The second end of the tank is located opposite the first end. The tank includes an inlet port and an outlet port. The inlet port allows fluid to enter the tank. The inlet port is disposed proximate the first end of the tank. The outlet port allows fluid to exit the tank. A discharge pipe extends from the outlet port and into the tank. A discharge opening is disposed along a length of the discharge pipe. The discharge opening allows fluid to enter the discharge pipe from the tank. Sets of blades are spaced along an outer surface of the discharge pipe. 
         [0006]    Another aspect of the present disclosure is a separator comprising a tank having a first end and a second end. The second end of the tank is located opposite the first end. The tank includes an inlet port allowing fluid to enter the tank. The inlet port is disposed proximate the first end of the tank. The tank also includes an outlet port allowing fluid to exit the tank. The outlet port is disposed proximate the second end of the tank. A discharge pipe extends from the outlet port into the tank. Blades are disposed spirally along an outer surface of the discharge pipe. 
         [0007]    Another aspect of the present disclosure is a separator comprising a tank with an inlet port allowing fluid to flow into the tank, and an outlet port allowing fluid to flow out of the tank. A discharge pipe extends from the outlet port and into the tank. Sets of blades are spaced along an outer surface of the discharge pipe. A border of one blade in one set is circumferentially offset from a border of another blade in an adjacent set of blades. 
         [0008]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, as well as other embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1 . is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a separator; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the separator with a broken away portion; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the first embodiment of the separator; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the first embodiment of the separator; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a side view of internal components of the first embodiment of the separator; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a side view of a second embodiment of a separator; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the second embodiment of the separator. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0016]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
         [0017]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 through 5 , an embodiment of a fluid separator of the present disclosure is shown, and further described herein. 
         [0018]    The fluid separator comprises a tank  100 . The tank  100  has a generally cylindrical shape with a circular cross section extending between a first end  103  of the tank  100  and an opposite second end  105  of the tank  100 . The tank  100  includes an inlet port  107  and an outlet port  110 . The inlet port  107  and outlet port  110  allow fluid to enter and exit the tank  100 , respectively. 
         [0019]    The inlet port  107  is located proximate the first end  103 . The inlet port  107  may be configured to provide fluid flow into the tank  100  in a direction that is generally perpendicular to an axial direction A of the tank  100 . The inlet port  107  may have an inner diameter that is equal to or less than half of an inner diameter of the circular cross section of the tank  100 , and may be located off center of the tank  100  such that fluid flow into the tank is generally tangential to an inner surface of the tank  100  near the area of the tank  100  where fluid enters from the inlet port  107 . Location and sizing of the inlet port  107  in such a manner helps to induce a spiral or cyclone style flow as the fluid moves through the tank  100  from the inlet port  107  to the outlet port  110 . 
         [0020]    A discharge pipe  112  extends from the outlet port  110  into the tank  100 . The discharge pipe  112  extends generally parallel to the axial direction A of the tank  100 . The discharge pipe  112  is located along a center line of the tank  100  such that a distance between an outer surface  115  of the discharge pipe  112  is equidistant from an inner surface of the tank  100  around an entire circumference of the outer surface  115  of the discharge pipe  112 . The discharge pipe  112  may be made of standard piping, for example,  4  inch schedule  40  sized piping. The size of the piping used to form the discharge pipe  112  may be targeted to be the same size as the inlet pipe  107 , the size and dimensions of the tank  100  may be adjusted based on desired flow rates of fluid though the separator. 
         [0021]    A discharge opening  118  is disposed along a length of the discharge pipe  112 . The discharge opening  118  is spaced apart from a terminal end  120  of the discharge pipe  112 . The discharge opening  118  enables fluid flow into the discharge pipe  112 , thereby allowing flow to enter the discharge pipe  112  from the tank  100 . 
         [0022]    Blades  123  extend from the outer surface  115  of the discharge pipe  112 . The blades  123  are arranged into sets of blades  125  which are spaced along the outer surface  115  of the discharge pipe  112 . The blades  123  are angled, and the sets of blades  125  are arranged, in a manner such that the sets of blades  125  form a spiral configuration. 
         [0023]    In operation, a fluid and particle mixture is introduced into the tank  100  through the outlet port  107 . The orientation and position of the outlet port  110  relative to the tank  100  induces a spiral or cyclone type flow onto the fluid particulate mixture. As the fluid particulate mixture travels through the tank  100  towards the discharge opening  118 , the sets of blades  125  assist in maintaining and enhancing the centrifugal flow. Centrifugal forces draw the particulate away from the outer surface  115  of the discharge pipe  112 , proving fluid flow into the discharge opening  118  that has a lower amount of particulate matter, if any, as compared to the fluid mixture entering the inlet port  107 . From the discharge opening  118 , the separated fluid flows through the discharge pipe  118  to the outlet port  112 . The separated particulate matter remains in the lower portion of the tank  100 . 
         [0024]    To further assist in suspended particle separation the sets of blades  125  begin on a portion  127  of the discharge pipe  112  nearer to the first end  103  of the tank  100 , and extend past the discharge opening  118  to a portion  128  of the discharge pipe  112  nearer to the second end  105  of the tank  100 . Arrangement of the sets of blades  125  in such a manner provides that the spiral configuration extends from one side of the discharge opening  118  to an opposite side in the axial direction A, thus assisting in maintaining the centrifugal flow of the fluid in the area proximate the discharge opening  118 . 
         [0025]    One or more of the blades  123 c may partially cover the discharge opening  118 . Such covering may include: a blade extending from one edge of the discharge opening  118  to an adjacent edge of the discharge opening  118 ; a blade extending from one edge of the discharge opening  118  to an opposite edge of the discharge opening  118 ; and/or a blade extending from one edge of the discharge opening  118  and terminating in the area defined by discharge opening  118  before reaching any other edges. Providing one or more blades  123 c that partially cover the discharge opening assists in maintaining the centrifugal flow of the fluid in the area proximate the discharge opening. 
         [0026]    The discharge pipe  112  extends towards the second end  105  of the tank  100  beyond the sets of blades  125  at least as far as an outer diameter of discharge pipe  112 . The extension is provided by a portion  130  of the discharge pipe  112  having the outer surface  115  free of any blades. The extension of the discharge pipe  112  beyond the set of blades  125  gives a buffer area to the centrifugal flow as it dissipates without inducing turbulence in the fluid, helping to maintain the separation of the particulates from the fluid. Dimensioning of the extension based on the outer diameter of the discharge pipe  112  assists in providing sufficient buffer area for maintaining separation and reducing turbulence. 
         [0027]    The tank  100  may further include that the outlet port  110  is disposed proximate the first end  103  of the tank  100 . The discharge pipe  112  extending from the outlet port  110  towards the second end  105  of the tank  100 . The outlet port  110  and the linearly extending discharge pipe  112  are located generally along a centerline of the tank  100  running in the axial direction A. The discharge pipe  112  ends at the terminal end  120  opposite the outlet port  110 . The terminal end  120  of the discharge pipe  112  is spaced apart from the second end  105  of the tank  100 . The terminal end  120  of the discharge pipe  112  is sealed with an end cap  133 . The sealing of the terminal end, and the separation between the terminal end  120  and the second end  105 , provides an area within the tank  100  free of flow directing structures, for example the sets of blades  125  or the discharge pipe  112 , such that the cyclic flow of the fluid may be reduced, and particulate matter is enabled to settle out of mixture with the fluid. 
         [0028]    The separator may further include a plurality of discharge openings  118  disposed along the length of the discharge pipe  112 , with the discharge openings located along the length of the discharge pipe at a similar distance from the first end of the tank  100 . The discharge opening may all have a similar size and shape, and be equally spaced in a circumferential direction C around the discharge pipe  112 . Each discharge opening  118  may be generally rectangular in shape, have a long axis and a short axis. The long axis of the discharge openings  118  aligns with, or is generally parallel to, the axial direction A of discharge pipe  112 . Mathematical CAD analysis has shown that an ideal size of the discharge opening is where the long axis, or length, is the equal to the inner diameter of the pipe, and the short axis, or width, is adjusted provided the desired area the discharge opening  118 . 
         [0029]    The distance from the first end  103  to one of the discharge openings  118  may be determined by measuring the distance from the first end  103  to a point on the discharge opening  118  closest to the first end  103 . The distance between adjacent discharge openings  118  in the circumferential direction C may be determined by measuring the shortest distance between points on adjacent discharge opening  118 , with equally spaced discharge openings  118  having a similar distance between adjacent discharge openings  118 . 
         [0030]    Providing multiple discharge openings  118  spaced equally from each other in a circumferential direction, and/or equally spaced from the first end  103 , assists in allowing fluid flow into the discharge pipe  112  without creating unnecessary disruption in the centrifugal fluid flow. 
         [0031]    An area is defined by the size of each discharge opening  118 . When the discharge opening  118  is generally rectangular, the area is determined by multiplying the length of the long axis of the rectangle by the length of the short axis of the rectangle. A cross-sectional area of the discharge pipe  112  is defined by the size of an internal flow passage of the discharge pipe  112 . The cross-sectional area of the discharge pipe  112  may be determined by squaring one half of internal diameter and multiplying the result by pie. The method takes advantage of the following mathematical formula for determining the area of a circle, where A is the area and D is the diameter: 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             A 
             = 
             
               
                 
                   ( 
                   
                     D 
                     2 
                   
                   ) 
                 
                 2 
               
                
               π 
             
           
         
       
     
         [0032]    A sum of the areas of the plurality of discharge openings  118  is greater than or equal to the cross-sectional area of the discharge pipe  112 . The relationship between the sum of the areas of the plurality of discharge openings  118  and the cross-sectional area of the discharge pipe  112  regulates the velocity of the fluid entering at the discharge openings  118 , preventing unnecessary disruption in the centrifugal flow, and adding in maintaining separation of the particulate matter from the discharge openings. Mathematical CAD modeling has shown that an ideal relationship exists where the sum of the area of the plurality of discharge openings  118  is 1 to 1.5 times the cross-sectional area of the discharge pipe. 
         [0033]    With reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , an alternate embodiment of a fluid separator of the present disclosure is shown, and is further described herein. 
         [0034]    The fluid separator comprises a tank  200 . The tank  200  has a generally cylindrical shape with a circular cross section extending between a first end  203  of the tank  200  and an opposite second end  205  of the tank  200 . The tank  200  includes an inlet port  207  and an outlet port  210 . The inlet port  207  and outlet port  210  allow fluid to enter and exit the tank  200 , respectively. 
         [0035]    The inlet port  207  is located proximate the first end  203 . The inlet port  207  may be configured to provide fluid flow into the tank  200  in a direction that is generally perpendicular to an axial direction A of the tank  200 . The inlet port  207  may have an inner diameter that is equal to or less than half of an inner diameter of the circular cross section of the tank  200 , and may be located off center of the tank  200  such that fluid flow into the tank  200  is generally tangential to an inner surface of the tank  200  near the area of the tank  200  where fluid enters from the inlet port  207 . Location of and sizing of the inlet port  207  in such a manner helps to induce a spiral or cyclone style flow as the fluid moves through the tank  200  from the inlet port  207  to the outlet port  210 . 
         [0036]    The outlet port  210  is located proximate the second end  205  of the tank  200 . Providing the inlet port  207  proximate the first end  207  opposite the outlet port  210  proximate the second end  205  enables the separator to be installed in-line with the piping carrying the fluid particulate mixture to be separated, thus allowing increased installation options which can be taken advantage of when design a system incorporating a fluid separator. 
         [0037]    A discharge pipe  212  extends from the outlet port  210  into the tank  200 . The discharge pipe  212  extends generally parallel to the axial direction A of the tank  200 . The discharge pipe  212  is located along a center line of the tank  200  such that a distance between an outer surface  215  of the discharge pipe  212  is equidistant from an inner surface of the tank  200  around an entire circumference of the outer surface  215  of the discharge pipe  212 . The discharge  212  may be made of standard-piping, for example,  4 inch schedule  40  sized piping. The size of the piping used to form the discharge pipe  212  may be targeted to be the same size as the inlet pipe  207 , the size and dimensions of the tank  200  may be adjusted based on the desired flow rates of fluid though the separator. 
         [0038]    Blades  123  extend from the outer surface  215  of the discharge pipe  212 . The blades  123  are arranged into sets of blades  125  which are spaced along the outer surface  215  of the discharge pipe  112 . The blades  123  are angled, and the sets of blades  125  are arranged, in a manner such that the sets of blades  125  form a spiral configuration. 
         [0039]    The discharge pipe  212  extends from the outlet port  210  towards the first end  203  of the tank  200 . The outlet port  210  and the linearly extending discharge pipe  212  are located generally along a centerline of the tank  200  running in the axial direction A. The discharge pipe  212  ends at the terminal end  220  opposite the outlet port  210 . The discharge pipe  212  terminates before reaching the first end  203 . Specifically, the terminal end  220  of the discharge pipe  212  is spaced apart from the first end  203  of the tank  200 . The terminal end  220  of the discharge pipe  212  is sealed with an end cap. The sealing of the terminal end, and the separation between the terminal end  220  and the second end  205 , provides an area within the tank  200  free of flow directing structures, such as the sets of blades  125  or the discharge pipe  212 , so that the cyclic flow of the fluid may be reduced, and particulate matter is enabled to settle out of mixture with the fluid. 
         [0040]    A discharge opening  118  is disposed along a length of the discharge pipe  212 . The discharge opening  118  is spaced apart from a terminal end  220  of the discharge pipe  212 . The discharge opening  118  enables fluid flow into the discharge pipe  212 , thereby allowing flow to enter the discharge pipe  212  from the tank  200 . 
         [0041]    A purge port  240  is disposed on the tank  200  proximate the second end  205 . The purge port  240  is located generally 180 degrees around the tank  200  from the inlet port  207 . The purge port  240  is normally maintained in a closed condition, inhibiting flow of fluid or particulate through the purge port  240 . The purge port  240  may be placed in an open position, allowing fluid and particulate flow out of the tank  200 . Opening the purge port assists is removing separated particulate matter from the tank  200 . When the separator is installed such that the axial direction A of the tank is horizontal, the relative location of the purge port  240  to the inlet port  207  allows fluid to enter the tank  200  at a top location, but may be rotated at any angle, with the purge port  240  at a bottom location. Such configuration increases the effectiveness of the purge port  240  in removing particulate from the tank  200 , as separated particulate will collect at the bottom of the tank  200  near the second end  205 . 
         [0042]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , the sets of blades  125  may be configured such that a border  135 a of one of the blades  123  is circumferentially offset from a border  135 b of another blade  123  in an adjacent set of blades  125 . The sets of blades  125  may contain an odd number of blades  123 . Specifically, the sets of blades  125  may include three blades  123  to optimize the efficiency of inducing and maintaining a centrifugal flow in relation to production costs. Offsetting the borders  135  of blades  123  in adjacent sets of blades  125  blocks a flow path of fluid in line with the axial direction A, thereby helping to further induce and maintain the centrifugal fluid flow. 
         [0043]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.