Patent ID: 8852323

Claim:
A device for separating a flowing fluid into at least two fractions with differing mass density, comprising: a main tube substantially in the form of a cylinder jacket and having an infeed opening and an outfeed opening located at the opposite outer end; a first swirl element arranged in the main tube in the vicinity of the infeed opening for imparting a rotating movement to the fluid flowing through the main tube; a first auxiliary tube placed concentrically in the main tube at a distance from the first swirl element and leading to the outfeed opening of the main tube; and first discharge means connecting to the jacket of the main tube for discharging a heavier fraction of the fluid; wherein: a second swirl element placed in the first auxiliary tube in the vicinity of the infeed opening for imparting a rotating movement to the fluid flowing through the first auxiliary tube; a second auxiliary tube placed concentrically in the first auxiliary tube at a distance from the second swirl element and leading to the outfeed opening of the main tube; and second discharge means connecting to the jacket of the main tube for discharging a heavier fraction of the fluid, wherein the first swirl element has an exit swirl angle greater than the effective entry swirl angle of the second swirl element.