Patent ID: 7318849

Claim:
A cyclonic fluid separator for separating one or more condensable components and/or solids from a fluid mixture, the separator comprising a tubular housing, which comprises: a fluid inlet section comprising a nozzle for accelerating the fluid mixture to a supersonic velocity to expand and cool the fluid mixture such that one or more condensable components are liquefied and/or solidified; one or more wings for inducing the cooled fluid mixture to swirl within a central section of the tubular housing; a separation section, which is located downstream of the central section and in which a tubular vortex finder is arranged; a condensables enriched fluid outlet which is connected to an annular space between the outer surface of the tubular vortex finder and the inner surface of the tubular housing; and, a condensables depleted fluid outlet which is connected to the interior of the tubular vortex finder; in which the tubular vortex finder is movable in a longitudinal and radial direction relative to a central axis of the tubular housing.