Patent GB-419712-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to separators for liquids having different specific gravities
IPC: B01D17/02
Filed: 1934-04-16
Abstract: 419,712. Gravity-separation apparatus. THOMPSON, H. A., Eastfield Lodge, Eastfield Road, Benton, Northumberland. April 16, 1934, No. 11476. [Class 46.] In apparatus for separating liquids of the type described in Specification 377,670 comprising a number of quiescence chambers of ovate vertical cross-section and a dome or chamber in which separated liquid collects, the mixed liquid on entering the apparatus is subjected to a swirling action which causes globules of one liquid to coalesce and the globules are lead away through a pipe which connects the swirl chamber to the remote end of the collecting dome. Mixed liquids, e.g. oil and water, from an inlet 9, Fig. 1, are subjected to a swirling action in a compartment 11 and pass thence through a compartment 5, fitted with baffles 20, 21, 23, 24, through an aperture 7 and through a compartment 6, fitted with baffles 27, 28, 29, 35, the heavier liquid being discharged through an outlet 10. Lighter liquid separating in the compartments 5, 6 is led to a dome 8 through pipes 19, 26, 33, 34. The compartment 11 is fitted with a deflector 12, Fig. 6 forming nozzles 13 with the base, and curved side walls 14 which give movement to the liquid which causes oil globules to coalesce, so that much of the oil separates on entry to the compartment 5 and passes round a horizontal baffle 17 to the pipe 19. The baffles 23, 28 are each formed of a number of narrow horizontal strips arranged at an angle so as to direct upward the liquid passing therethrough. The oil is discharged from the dome 8 through a valve controlled by a float 42 operating by means of a lever 43. To counteract the effect of viscous oil clinging to the float the float is arranged to move vertically with a constant movement on the lever but a counterweight 44 is fixed to the lever so that its movement decreases as the lever moves away from the horizontal. The float is connected to the lever by ropes or chains 47 passing round quadrants on the end of the lever and is guided vertically by wheels 51. In order that the device can be regulated in accordance with the specific gravity of the main body of liquid the counterweight or a part thereof can be adjusted relatively to the fulcrum of the lever. Such adjustment may be made manually or automatically by a pilot float. As shown in Fig. 2 the adjustment is made by means of a shaft 61 extending through the fulcrum of the lever which shaft has right-andleft handed screw threads with traversing nuts 63, 64 connected by toggle links 65 with the movable portion 44<a> of the counter-weight. In the preferred arrangement the fulcrum shaft of the lever is connected, with lost motion, to the moving part of an oscillating multi-way valve which controls the connection to pressure and exhaust of either end of a piston cylinder, the piston operating a valve in the oil outlet pipe from the dome 8. The last-mentioned valve may be connected to and operated with a valve on the main water outlet. The float may control an oil-discharge pump instead of a valve, and the control in either case may be exercised by electrical means. Steam heating pipes 88, 89 or electrical heaters may be arranged in the dome 8 and around the baffle 17. The baffles 23, 28 may also be formed as hollow tubes to serve as heating elements. Apparatus as shown in Fig. 1 is suitable, when inverted, for the collection of the heavier liquid of a mixture. The separating apparatus may be constructed in the form of a barge or may be built into a ship as part of its structure.