Abstract: Systems are disclosed for separating and collecting liquid and particulate from a flowing gas stream. The systems may include a plurality of horizontally oriented helical separators positioned in a vessel between a gas stream inlet and a gas stream outlet. The helical separators form helical channels for the gas stream and may include an upstream conical portion. The vessel includes a first space upstream from the helical separators wherein the gas stream changes direction before entering the helical separators, such that the change in direction causes mechanical separation of liquids or solids from the gas stream. The vessel may also form a second space downstream from the helical separators for collecting liquid and particulate separated from the gas stream. The first and second spaces in the vessel may each include a drain which empties into a common sump, such that the first and second spaces are in fluid communication.

Abstract: Systems are disclosed for separating and collecting liquid and particulate from a flowing gas stream. The systems may include a plurality of horizontally oriented helical separators positioned in a vessel between a gas stream inlet and a gas stream outlet. The helical separators form helical channels for the gas stream and may include an upstream conical portion. The vessel includes a first space upstream from the helical separators wherein the gas stream changes direction before entering the helical separators, such that the change in direction causes mechanical separation of liquids or solids from the gas stream. The vessel may also form a second space downstream from the helical separators for collecting liquid and particulate separated from the gas stream. The first and second spaces in the vessel may each include a drain which empties into a common sump, such that the first and second spaces are in fluid communication.

Abstract: A system and methods for separating liquids, aerosols, and solids from a flowing gas stream whereby gas flows through a helical path formed in a separator element. Partially separated gas exits the bottom of the separator element at a generally conical cavity. Clean gas exits through an inner tube that is axially aligned beneath the helical path. Separated materials exit through an annular space between the inner tube and an outer tube. Separation occurs in the helical channels which include radially diverging walls to provide an aerodynamically efficient flow, in a region of high swirl created in a generally conical cavity beneath the separator element. In higher liquid-loading or slug flow conditions, a passageway may be formed in the separator element for recirculating a portion of the gas flow exiting from the bottom of the outer tube, into an axial passage in the helical separator, and exiting from the bottom of the helical separator near the vertex of the conical cavity.

Abstract: A system and methods for separating liquids, aerosols, and solids from a flowing gas stream whereby gas flows through a helical path formed in a separator element. Partially separated gas exits the bottom of the separator element at a generally conical cavity. Clean gas exits through an inner tube that is axially aligned beneath the helical path. Separated materials exit through an annular space between the inner tube and an outer tube. Separation occurs in the helical channels which include radially diverging walls to provide an aerodynamically efficient flow, in a region of high swirl created in a generally conical cavity beneath the separator element. In higher liquid-loading or slug flow conditions, a passageway may be formed in the separator element for recirculating a portion of the gas flow exiting from the bottom of the outer tube, into an axial passage in the helical separator, and exiting from the bottom of the helical separator near the vertex of the conical cavity.

Abstract: A system and methods for separating liquids, aerosols, and solids from a flowing gas stream whereby gas flows through a helical path formed in a separator element. Partially separated gas exits the bottom of the separator element at a generally conical cavity. Clean gas exits through an inner tube that is axially aligned beneath the helical path. Separated materials exit through an annular space between the inner tube and an outer tube. Separation occurs in the helical channels which include radially diverging walls to provide an aerodynamically efficient flow, in a region of high swirl created in a generally conical cavity beneath the separator element, and in a toroidal vortex ring created in the annular space. The area and geometry of the helical path, the conical cavity, and the inner and outer tubes is optimized to provide efficient separation at varying gas flow rates and at varying liquid loads.

Abstract: A system and methods for separating liquids, aerosols, and solids from a flowing gas stream whereby gas flows through a helical path formed in a separator element. Partially separated gas exits the bottom of the separator element at a generally conical cavity. Clean gas exits through an inner tube that is axially aligned beneath the helical path. Separated materials exit through an annular space between the inner tube and an outer tube. Separation occurs in the helical channels which include radially diverging walls to provide an aerodynamically efficient flow, in a region of high swirl created in a generally conical cavity beneath the separator element, and in a toroidal vortex ring created in the annular space. The area and geometry of the helical path, the conical cavity, and the inner and outer tubes is optimized to provide efficient separation at varying gas flow rates and at varying liquid loads.

Abstract: A system and methods for separating liquids, aerosols, and solids from a flowing gas stream whereby gas flows through a helical path formed in a separator element. Partially separated gas exits the bottom of the separator element at a generally conical cavity. Clean gas exits through an inner tube that is axially aligned beneath the helical path. Separated materials exit through an annular space between the inner tube and an outer tube. Separation occurs in the helical channels which include radially diverging walls to provide an aerodynamically efficient flow, in a region of high swirl created in a generally conical cavity beneath the separator element, and in a toroidal vortex ring created in the annular space. The area and geometry of the helical path, the conical cavity, and the inner and outer tubes is optimized to provide efficient separation at varying gas flow rates and at varying liquid loads.

Abstract: A system and methods for separating liquids, aerosols, and solids from a flowing gas stream whereby gas flows through a helical path formed in a separator element. Partially separated gas exits the bottom of the separator element at a generally conical cavity. Clean gas exits through an inner tube that is axially aligned beneath the helical path. Separated materials exit through an annular space between the inner tube and an outer tube. Separation occurs in the helical channels which include radially diverging walls to provide an aerodynamically efficient flow, in a region of high swirl created in a generally conical cavity beneath the separator element, and in a toroidal vortex ring created in the annular space. The area and geometry of the helical path, the conical cavity, and the inner and outer tubes is optimized to provide efficient separation at varying gas flow rates and at varying liquid loads.

Abstract: Systems and related methods for separating liquids and particulate from a flowing gas stream include a separation vessel containing a liquid injector, an impingement separator or a helical impingement separator, and a waste liquid recovery tank. Separated liquid and particulate collect in a sump, flow into a recovery tank, and may be filtered in a side stream duplex filter circuit for return into the recovery tank and re-injection into the separation vessel. The helical separator element has outwardly extending helical fins that form helical gas channels. The interior of the channels forms a rounded radius and opposing vertical edges of the channels include chamfers. The lower end of the helical separator element forms a concave, generally conical surface. The helical fins form a first impingement separator and the chamfers form a second vane-type impingement separator, such that particulate and liquids may be removed from the gas stream at varying flow rates and liquid/particulate densities.

Abstract: Systems and related methods for separating liquids and particulate from a flowing gas stream include a separation vessel containing a liquid injector, an impingement separator or a helical impingement separator, and a waste liquid recovery tank. Separated liquid and particulate collect in a sump, flow into a recovery tank, and may be filtered in a side stream duplex filter circuit for return into the recovery tank and re-injection into the separation vessel. The helical separator element has outwardly extending helical fins that form helical gas channels. The interior of the channels forms a rounded radius and opposing vertical edges of the channels include chamfers. The lower end of the helical separator element forms a concave, generally conical surface. The helical fins form a first impingement separator and the chamfers form a second vane-type impingement separator, such that particulate and liquids may be removed from the gas stream at varying flow rates and liquid/particulate densities.