Patent EA-002874-B1 (EA)
Title: Multi-stage vessel and separator/coalescer filter element
Inventor: PERRY MARNEY DUNMAN JR
IPC: B01D46/00
Filed: 2000-01-19
Abstract: 1. An apparatus for simultaneously filtering solids from a gas stream, separating liquids from the gas stream, pre-coalescing liquids from the gas stream, and coalescing liquids from the gas stream, the apparatus comprising: a closed vessel having a length and an initially open interior; a partition disposed within the vessel interior, the partition dividing the vessel interior into a first stage and a second stage; at least one opening in the partition; an inlet port in fluid communication with the first stage; an outlet port in fluid communication with the second stage; at least one tubular separator/coalescer filter element having a filter wall and a hollow core, each tubular separator/coalescer filter element being disposed within the vessel to sealingly extend from within the first stage through one of the openings into the second stage; an annular seal holder permanently affixed around each tubular separator/coalescer filter element, the annular seal holder being selectively located along the extent of the tubular separator/coalescer filter element; and an annular seal disposed between each annular seal holder and each tubular filter guide to prevent the gas stream from flowing from the first stage into the second stage without flowing through the tubular separator/coalescer filter element. 2. The apparatus according to Claim 1, further comprising: a tubular filter guide coupled to the partition and aligned with each opening, each tubular filter guide extending into the first stage, each tubular filter guide facilitating disposal of one of the tubular separator/coalescer filter elements through one of the openings, each tubular filter guide being disposed in the first stage such that the gas stream from the inlet port impinges thereupon, thereby causing free liquids in the gas stream to fall out. 3. The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the input port, the vessel interior, the tubular separator/coalescer filter element, and the output port together defining a flow passage within the apparatus, whereby the gas stream flows into the first stage through the input port and through the filter wall, thereby separating solids out of the gas stream, separating liquids from the gas stream, and pre-coalescing liquids in the gas stream, whereby the gas stream then flows along the hollow core past the partition and back through the filter wall into the second stage, thereby coalescing liquids out of the gas stream, and whereby the gas stream then flows out of the second stage through the outlet port. 4. The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the annular seal is a chevrontype seal having an annular base portion adapted to be received by the annular seal holder, and a frusto-conical portion having a small-diameter end and an opposing large-diameter end, the small-diameter end being connected to the annular base portion, the large-diameter end extending in the direction of the first stage. 5. The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the annular seal is an O-ring. 6. The apparatus according to Claim 1, further comprising: a first end cap sealingly coupled to a first-stage end of the tubular separator/coalescer filter element, the first-stage end being located within the first stage; and a second end cap sealingly coupled to a second-stage end of the tubular separator/coalescer filter element, the second-stage end being located within the second stage; the first end cap and the second end cap each having an axial guide stem protruding longitudinally outward from the tubular separator/coalescer filter element. 7. The apparatus according to Claim 1, further comprising: a removable first-stage support strap disposed in the first stage opposite the partition, the first-stage support member being adapted to receive and spatially support the tubular separator/coalescer filter elements without the need for additional fasteners; and a second-stage support member disposed in the second stage opposite the partition, the second-stage support member being adapted to receive and spatially support the tubular separator/coalescer filter elements without the need for additional fasteners. 8. The apparatus according to Claim 1, further comprising: a first-stage sump in fluid communication with the first stage; and a second-stage sump in fluid communication with the second stage; the first-stage sump and the second-stage sump collecting the filter solids, the separated liquids, the pre-coalesced liquids, and the coalesced liquids. 9. The apparatus according to Claim 1, further comprising: an impingement baffle disposed in the second stage about the tubular separator/coalescer filter element, the louvered impingement baffle facilitating further coalescing of the coalesced liquids. 10. The apparatus according to Claim 9, wherein the impingement baffle is removable through the filter guide. 11. The apparatus according to Claim 9, wherein the impingement baffle is annularly louvered. 12. The apparatus according to Claim 9, wherein the impingement baffle comprises: a tubular body portion having transverse louvers; and a cap portion coupled to the tubular body portion, the cap portion having a plurality of exhaust ports through which the gas stream flows from the separator/coalescer filter element into the second stage. 13. The apparatus according to Claim 1, further comprising: a screen member disposed in the second stage, the screen member being adapted to prevent the coalesced liquids from being re-entrained into the gas stream. 14. The apparatus according to Claim 1, further comprising: a first-stage gauge in fluid communication with the first-stage sump for monitoring a level of the separated solids, the separated liquids, and the precoalesced liquids; and a second-stage gauge in fluid communication with the second-stage sump for monitoring a level of the coalesced liquids. 15. The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the tubular separator/coalescer filter element consists of multi-overlapped layers of non-woven fabric strips. 16. The apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein the chevron-type seal is made of an elastomer. 17. The apparatus according to Claim 1, further comprising: an annular collar aligned with the outlet port, the annular collar projecting into the second stage, thereby preventing liquids from escaping the second stage. 18. The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the annular seal holder is made of polyester.