Patent ID: 7429363

Claim:
A solids-vapor separation device comprising: (1) an inlet portion for receiving a mixed stream of solids and vapors; (2) a turning portion for imparting a centrifugal motion onto said solids and said vapors comprising a semi-circular ceiling and a semi-circular floor; (3) a vertical portion for receiving said turned solids and said vapors and wherein a majority of the vapors with some entrained solids are separated from the majority of the solids; (4) an angular ledge for receiving the majority of the solids located at the bottom of said vertical portion wherein the degree of angle between said vertical portion and said angular ledge ranges between about 10° and 60°, allowing for compaction of the solids and facilitating further separation of vapors; (5) a vapor outlet for receiving the separated vapors with any entrained solids from the vertical portion and the angular ledge located below said semicircular floor; (6) a dipleg for receiving solids from the angular ledge; and (7) a baffle located above said angular ledge, below said vapor outlet and tangential to said vapor outlet, whereby said baffle forms a slot between a bottom portion of the baffle and said angular ledge; a vapor passage for receiving vapors separated from solids flowing through and compacted by said slot and a vapor conduit between an upper portion of said baffle and said semi-circular floor.