Centrifugal Force Patents (Class 95/269)
  • Patent number: 9234484
    Abstract: An integrated snorkel intake inertial separator is provided to remove dust and dirt contaminants from the engine intake system prior to reaching the air cleaner. The snorkel initiates a cyclonic motion at the snorkel inlet that propagates downstream in a downpipe towards the air cleaner. The cyclonic motion is initiated by radial stators mounted in one embodiment in the snorkel inlet cap or, alternatively, further down the throat of the downpipe. The contaminants in the intake flow are transported radially outwards by the cyclonic motion and are then expelled via a series of extraction ducts formed in the snorkel downpipe. The extraction vents are perpendicular to the cyclonic flow allowing dirt, dust and water particles to be extracted by means of cyclonic motion and gravity. The exit slots are located in regions of low pressure generated by the external aerodynamic airflow around the snorkel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Neil Paul Lewington, Rodrigo Mendes Oliveira
  • Patent number: 9078549
    Abstract: A hand vacuum cleaner is provided with a wand mounted to the dirty fluid inlet of the hand vacuum cleaner and the wand has a distal inlet that is mounted on a surface cleaning head. The hand vacuum cleaner has two cyclonic cleaning stages and a handle. In one embodiment, the handle has an upper end that is located that is located exterior to the second cyclonic stage and at a height intermediate the first and second spaced apart ends of the second cyclonic cleaning stage and a handle portion that extends upwardly when the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned on a horizontal surface. In another embodiment, the fluid flow motor and the handle are positioned rearward of the central axes of the first and second cyclonic cleaning stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: G.B.D. CORP.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 9034082
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cyclonic fluid separator comprising a throat portion (4) which is arranged between a converging fluid inlet section and a diverging fluid outlet section. The cyclonic fluid separator is arranged to facilitate a cyclonic flow through the converging fluid inlet section and the throat portion towards the diverging fluid outlet section in a downstream direction. The diverging fluid outlet section comprises an inner primary outlet conduit (7) for condensable depleted fluid components and an outer secondary outlet conduit (6) for condensable enriched fluid components. The cyclonic fluid separator comprises a further outer secondary outlet conduit (16). The outer secondary outlet conduit (6) is positioned on a first position along a central axis (I) of the cyclonic fluid separator and the further outer secondary outlet conduit (16) is positioned on a second position along the central axis (I) of the cyclonic fluid separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Twister B.V.
    Inventors: Marco Betting, Cornelis Antonie Tjeenk Willink, Robert Petrus van Bakel
  • Patent number: 8978785
    Abstract: A downhole tool to separate liquid from a drilling fluid includes a multi-vein cyclonic separator disposed within a housing, the cyclonic separator including at least two veins extending in a spiral along the length of the cyclonic separator, holes in the housing positioned adjacent to edges of veins of the cyclonic separator to allow liquid accelerated from the drilling fluid to exit the housing, and wherein the cyclonic separator is configured to provide high centrifugal forces to the drilling fluid downhole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Sandvik Mining and Construction
    Inventor: Vincent Wayne Shotton
  • Publication number: 20150059571
    Abstract: Systems and a method for removing carbon nanotubes from a continuous reactor effluent are provided herein. The method includes flowing the continuous reactor effluent through a separation vessel, separating carbon nanotubes from the continuous reactor effluent in the separation vessel, and generating a stream including gaseous components from the continuous reactor effluent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Robert D. Denton, Dallas B. Noyes, Russell J. Koveal, JR., Terry A. Ring
  • Publication number: 20150040762
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: MUELLER ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGNS, INC.
    Inventor: Fred J. Mueller
  • Patent number: 8951333
    Abstract: A purification arrangement for a gas pipeline system includes a pressure vessel and at least first and second purification assemblies in the interior of the pressure vessel. An openable/closable barrier is positioned in the pressure vessel between the first and second purification assemblies. A gas flow may be established through the pressure vessel, and the gas may pass through the first purification assembly, the open barrier, and the second purification assembly to remove liquid and/or solid particulates from the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Pall Corporation
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Cabourdin, Olivier Trifilieff, Pierre Blanc, Joseph Samaha
  • Patent number: 8951337
    Abstract: An inertial separation air precleaner system includes a replaceable insert removably mounted to the precleaner and altering air flow velocity through the precleaner by changing flow area of the flowpath through the precleaner housing. The replaceable insert is replaceable with a different insert for the same precleaner housing, which different insert provides a different flow area through the precleaner housing, enabling a selectable precleaner efficiency vs. restriction trade-off as chosen by a user for a particular application, enabling tuning of precleaner performance by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Tofsland, Stephen L. Fallon
  • Patent number: 8945283
    Abstract: Cyclones for gas-solid separators are provided, which are especially applicable for use in a downflowing third stage separator (TSS) for the removal of dust particles, such as solid catalyst fines, from the flue gas streams exiting the catalyst regenerator in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processes. A cyclone comprises a barrel and a central hub disposed within the barrel to provide an annular section between the outer diameter of the central hub and the inner diameter of the barrel. Swirl vanes extend radially into the annular section. A shield is disposed at least partially within the annular section and at least partially within the swirl vanes. The shield radially divides the annular section into an inner annular portion and an outer annular portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Sujay R. Krishnamurthy
  • Patent number: 8945261
    Abstract: Apparatus for centrifugal separation of solid and/or liquid particles from a flow of gas, wherein two or more rotors (12) provided with conical separation surface elements (16) are located in a surrounding stationary casing (14), which delimits a common chamber (15) for collecting particles separated in the rotors. Each rotor has a fan (26) rotating together therewith. The fans (26) of the rotors are located in a common fan housing (30) that is separate from and adjacent to the casing (14) defining the collection chamber (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: 3Nine AB
    Inventors: Claes Inge, Peter Franzén
  • Patent number: 8940068
    Abstract: A gas-liquid rotating separator has first and second sets of magnetically permeable members magnetically interacting with each other to effect rotation of a separator element. A nonauthorized replacement separator element missing the second set of magnetically permeable members will not effect designated operation, thus ensuring, at maintenance servicing, installation of an authorized replacement separator element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley A. Smith, Kurt M. A. Badeau, Howard E. Tews, Roger L. Zoch
  • Publication number: 20140360362
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for separating particles within a gas flow traveling through a gas flow passage of an engine. In one embodiment, a particle separator includes a plurality of vanes positioned across a gas flow passage through which gas flow passes, the plurality of vanes angled with respect to a flow direction of the gas flow, and a particle trap for collecting separated particles, the particle trap disposed in the gas flow passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Eric David Peters, Paul Lloyd Flynn
  • Patent number: 8882482
    Abstract: A compressor has auxiliary and main oil reservoir chambers that retain lubricant oil that is separated from refrigerant in an oil separation chamber. A part of the auxiliary oil reservoir chamber is defined by a peripheral wall of the oil separation chamber. An introducing passage for introducing lubricant oil in the oil separation chamber to the auxiliary oil reservoir chamber is formed in the peripheral wall. The inlet of the introducing passage opens to the oil separation chamber on the inner surface of the peripheral wall. The outlet of the introducing passage opens to the auxiliary oil reservoir chamber. The main oil reservoir chamber is located below the auxiliary oil reservoir chamber in the direction of gravity. A drain port for draining lubricant oil in the auxiliary oil reservoir chamber to the main oil reservoir chamber is formed in a bottom wall of the auxiliary oil reservoir chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Tsubasa Mitsui, Shinichi Sato, Kazuo Kobayashi, Akio Saiki, Akihiro Nakashima, Shinsuke Asou
  • Patent number: 8747524
    Abstract: A method for separating out molten dust in high temperature gas includes the steps of: passing the high temperature gas carrying molten dust through an adhesive separator, the molten dust adhering to the adhesive separator and separating from the high temperature gas, the molten dust adhering to the inner sidewall flowing downwardly due to the gravity force and discharging; conveying the cleaned high temperature gas into a heat exchanger directly or after heating materials for cooling and discharging; using the heat recycled by the heat exchanger to heat the gas supplied to the adhesive separator; and supplying the gas heated by the heat exchanger into the adhesive separator directly or after further reaction, the heat absorbed from the heat exchanger and the heat generated in the reaction keeping the temperature of the gas flowing out of the adhesive separator higher than the melting point of the dust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Inventor: Zhi-wei Chen
  • Patent number: 8741018
    Abstract: An air filter cartridge is provided including an air filter media construction having a first, outlet end, flow face and an opposite, second, inlet end, flow face. The filter media construction has fluted media secured to a facing media sheet. The filter media is closed to flow of unfiltered air completely therethrough. A centerboard is provided. The centerboard has a media portion embedded within the media construction. The centerboard has first and second opposite sides. The media portion that is embedded within the media defines an aperture arrangement extending completely through the centerboard from the first side to the second side. An adhering sealant secures the centerboard to the media construction. At least some adhering sealant extends through the aperture arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Belcher, Matthew A. Kalis
  • Patent number: 8702848
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for separating particulate solids from a gas stream. The process can include regenerating a catalyst in a regenerator, separating particulate solids in first and second cyclone stages, passing the gas stream from the second cyclone stage to an external third stage separator, and passing the gas stream from the external third stage separator to a cyclone recirculator to obtain a clean gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Sathit Kulprathipanja, Paolo Palmas, Richard A. Johnson, II
  • Patent number: 8663352
    Abstract: A system for purifying as includes at least one housing (2) having a first chamber (6) into which the gas to be purified can flow, and a second chamber (10) forming a filter chamber, out of which the purified gas exits and with a filter device through which the gas can flow. The filter device has filter media (54) for separating out solid particles and for dehumidifying the gas for precipitating coalesced fluid. The first chamber (6) has a cyclone (60) for pre-dehumidifying the gas, from which dirt particles and fluids can be discharged into a third chamber (14) of the housing (2). The housing (2) is composed of an upper housing part (8) with the second chamber (10) forming the filter chamber, a middle housing part (4) with a first chamber (6) having the cyclone (60), and a lower housing part (12) forming the third chamber (14), that can be clamped together by at least one tensioning bolt (32), forming a closed pressure vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Hydac Process Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Jörg Sczesny, Manfred Deutschmeyer, Bernhard Schlichter
  • Patent number: 8663369
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and a system for separating gas components of a combustion gas. A compressible feed stream derived from a combustion gas that contains at least one target compressible component and at least one non-target compressible component is mixed in a substantially co-current flow with an incompressible fluid stream comprising an incompressible fluid in which the target component(s) is/are capable of being preferentially absorbed. Rotational velocity is imparted to the mixed streams, separating an incompressible fluid in which at least a portion of the target component is absorbed from a compressible product stream containing the non-target compressible component(s). The compressible feed stream may be provided at a stream velocity having a Mach number of at least 0.1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Frederik Arnold Buhrman, Jingyu Cui, Mahendra Ladharam Joshi, Stanley Nemec Milam, Scott Lee Wellington
  • Patent number: 8657930
    Abstract: The invention relates to a separation system comprising a flow inlet (16). The separation system comprises a swirl valve (100), arranged to receive and control the flux of a fluid flow via the flow inlet (16) and to generate a swirling flow, swirling about a central axis (11). The separation system further comprises a separation chamber (40) positioned downstream with respect of the swirl valve (100) to receive the swirling flow from the swirl valve (100), wherein the separation chamber (40) comprises a first and second flow outlet (41, 42). The first flow outlet (41) is positioned to receive an inner portion of the swirling flow and the second outlet (42) is positioned to receive an outer portion of the swirling flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Twister B.V.
    Inventors: Marco Betting, Cornelis Antonie Tjeenk Willink
  • Publication number: 20140033921
    Abstract: A gas-liquid separator comprises a housing having an inlet for receiving a gas-liquid stream and an outlet for discharging a gas stream. An impactor nozzle structure is supported by the housing and situated downstream of the inlet. The impactor nozzle structure receives the gas-liquid stream and accelerates the gas-liquid stream through an orifice that extends through the impactor nozzle structure. An impaction surface is supported by the housing and situated downstream of the orifice. The impaction surface receives the accelerated gas-liquid stream and causes separation of liquid particles from the gas-liquid stream so as to produce the gas stream, and a baffle situated downstream of the impaction surface modifies a flow of the gas stream so as to reduce carryover of liquid particles in the gas stream. A shroud for an inertial impactor gas-liquid separator is disclosed. A method for separating liquid particles from a gas-liquid stream is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee A. Peck, Peter K. Herman, Arun Janakiraman, Benjamin L. Scheckel, Navin K. Surana
  • Patent number: 8512450
    Abstract: A filtration system for a gas turbine engine includes an inlet main body which defines an inner inlet fairing section and a bellmouth inlet faring section transverse thereto. An Engine Air Particle Separator (EAPS) is mounted adjacent to the inlet main body to define a plenum therein. A particulate laden airflow is filtered by the Engine Air Particle Separator (EAPS) to produce a substantially filtered airflow. The substantially filtered airflow is communicated into the plenum, through the bellmouth inlet faring section and into a gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Kazlauskas, Jon C Peters
  • Publication number: 20130181170
    Abstract: A cyclone system for a gasifier having two or more cyclones arranged in series sharing a combined loop seal and dipleg is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method for capturing and recycling fines with the cyclone system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Francis Lau, Tsung-Yao Robert Sheng
  • Patent number: 8475572
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of removing carbon dioxide from a fluid stream by a fluid separation assembly. The fluid separation assembly has a cyclonic fluid separator with a tubular throat portion arranged between a converging fluid inlet section and a diverging fluid outlet section and a swirl creating device. The separation vessel has a tubular section positioned on and in connection with a collecting tank. In the method, a fluid stream with carbon dioxide is provided. Subsequently, a swirling motion is imparted to the fluid stream so as to induce outward movement. The swirling fluid stream is then expanded such that components of carbon dioxide in a meta-stable state within the fluid stream are formed. Subsequently, the outward fluid stream with the components of carbon dioxide is extracted from the cyclonic fluid separator and provided as a mixture to the separation vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Twister B.V.
    Inventors: Bart Prast, Jakob Arie Cornelis Langerak, Marco Betting, Cornelis Antonie Tjeenk Willink
  • Patent number: 8475555
    Abstract: A cyclonic fluid separator has a tubular housing (10) in which the fluid is accelerated and swirl imparting means (2) for inducing the fluid to swirl through an annular space between the housing and a central body (1) mounted within the housing (10), wherein a low pressure fluid (80) is injected through a central opening (82) in the central body (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Twister B.V.
    Inventors: Marco Betting, Max Robert Anthony Ter Haar, Frederik Albert Lammers, Cornelis Antonie Tjeenk Willink
  • Patent number: 8470081
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for separating particulate solids from a gas stream. The process can include regenerating a catalyst in a regenerator, separating particulate solids in first and second cyclone stages, passing the gas stream from the second cyclone stage to an external third stage separator, and passing the gas stream from the external third stage separator to a cyclone recirculator to obtain a clean gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Sathit Kulprathipanja, Paolo Palmas, Richard A. Johnson, II
  • Patent number: 8454736
    Abstract: Devices for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapors by centrifugal force are disclosed. The vortex tube comprises a body, an inlet duct, outlet ducts for the cold and hot gases, a liquid discharge duct, and a power separator. The inlet duct has a device for the introduction of methanol. The body comprises a vortex generator at the inlet duct. The body comprises a separator and a diaphragm with an inner conical surface, both defining an annular channel. The surface of the streamlined end of the separator comprises flutes. The separator is mounted to be capable of moving along the axis of the body and is pressed against the diaphragm by a spring. The inner portion of the body and the outer portion of the separator define a liquid chamber. A vortex reducer having a cross shape is mounted on the end of the power separator opposite the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventors: Valeriy Grigoryevich Bindas, Eduard Vladimirovich Yuryev
  • Patent number: 8419835
    Abstract: Cyclones for gas-solid separators are described, which are especially applicable for use in a downflowing third stage separator (TSS) for the removal of dust particles, such as solid catalyst fines, from the flue gas streams exiting the catalyst regenerator in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processes. A number of important flow characteristics result from the configuration of the cyclones, particularly with respect to the relative axial lengths over which swirl vanes and central hubs of the cyclones extend. These characteristics include a decrease in growth of turbulent eddies that conventionally result from a sudden expansion, in open cross-sectional area, of gas exiting swirl vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Sujay Krishnamurthy, William Koves
  • Patent number: 8398734
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cyclonic separator comprising a throat portion (4) arranged between a converging fluid inlet section and a diverging fluid outlet section, to generate a swirling fluid flow in a downstream direction. The diverging fluid outlet section comprises an inner primary outlet (7) for condensables depleted fluid components and an outer secondary outlet for condensables enriched fluid components (6). The cyclonic separator comprises a volute diffuser (9, 9?) connected to one of the outlets (6, 7), which comprises a volute outlet duct (90, 90?) defined by a volute axis (I1), forming a spiral shape around the central axis (I). The outlet duct (90, 90?) comprises a vortex chamber 95. The vortex chamber is provided to transform axial momentum of the swirling fluid flow with respect to the central axis (I) into tangential momentum with respect to the volute axis (I1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Twister B.V.
    Inventors: Cornelis Antonie Tjeenk Willink, Marco Betting, Frederik Albert Lammers
  • Publication number: 20130047853
    Abstract: A method for separating out molten dust in high temperature gas includes the steps of: passing the high temperature gas carrying molten dust through an adhesive separator, the molten dust adhering to the adhesive separator and separating from the high temperature gas, the molten dust adhering to the inner sidewall flowing downwardly due to the gravity force and discharging; conveying the cleaned high temperature gas into a heat exchanger directly or after heating materials for cooling and discharging; using the heat recycled by the heat exchanger to heat the gas supplied to the adhesive separator; and supplying the gas heated by the heat exchanger into the adhesive separator directly or after further reaction, the heat absorbed from the heat exchanger and the heat generated in the reaction keeping the temperature of the gas flowing out of the adhesive separator higher than the melting point of the dust.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventor: Zhi-wei Chen
  • Patent number: 8361182
    Abstract: An air filter cartridge is provided including an air filter media construction having a first, outlet end, flow face and an opposite, second, inlet end, flow face. The filter media construction includes fluted media secured to a facing media sheet. The filter media is closed to flow of unfiltered air completely therethrough. A centerboard is provided. The centerboard has a media portion embedded within the media construction. The centerboard has first and second opposite sides. The media portion that is embedded within the media defines an aperture arrangement extending completely through the centerboard from the first side to the second side. An adhering sealant secures the centerboard to the media construction. At least some adhering sealant extends through the aperture arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Belcher, Matthew A. Kalis
  • Patent number: 8343360
    Abstract: A device for separating a flowing medium mixture into at least two different fractions with differing average mass density, comprising an elongate separating space which is circle-symmetrical in axial direction and enclosed by a stationary casing (2), wherein the casing is provided with feeds for a mixture for separating and at least two discharges (9, 10) for discharging at least two fractions with differing mass density, and rotation means located in the separating space for causing the mixture to rotate as a vortex in the separating space. Also disclosed is a method for separating a flowing medium mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Advanced Tail-End Oil Company N.V.
    Inventor: Robert Schook
  • Patent number: 8323383
    Abstract: In a cyclone and a method for operating a cyclone, in a duct leading to an inlet of the cyclone, at least partial separation of particles according to size takes place. A bypass arrangement diverts selected particles to the discharge duct of the cyclone. The cyclone is suitable for separating particles from blast furnace waste gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Vai Metals Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter Evans, William Barry Featherstone
  • Patent number: 8287613
    Abstract: Gas-solids separator comprises a tubular housing, an inlet for introducing a gas-solids mixture at one end of said housing, which inlet is executed such that it imparts a swirl to the gas-solids mixture, a solids outlet opening at the opposite end of said housing, and a co-axially positioned tubular gas outlet conduit placed at an end of said housing, which separator further comprises a vortex stabilizer, comprising a pin placed on a stabilizing plate, in which separator the pin runs along the axis of the tubular housing and in which a passageway is provided through the stabilizer plate and the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Ye-Mon Chen, Hubertus Wilhelmus Albertus Dries, Kee-Khoon Foo
  • Patent number: 8226749
    Abstract: A pressure cyclone is disclosed having a concave top head, wherein the concave top head has a substantially flat roof disposed in the interior of the cyclone vessel. An inlet is tangentially-coupled to the vessel and has an inlet nozzle disposed therein and configured to smoothly transition into the cyclone vessel to create a vortex that separates solid particulates from an incoming particulate-fluid suspension. In particular, the one surface of the inlet nozzle is tangent to the inner surface of cyclone vessel and another surface of the inlet nozzle is parallel and continuous with the substantially flat roof. An inlet casing is disposed around a length of the inlet nozzle and configured to transition from a circular casing to an elliptical casing along the length of the inlet nozzle, and couple to the vessel with the elliptical casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventor: William E. Phillips
  • Patent number: 8210214
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a hydrogen rich gas stream at a high pressure for use by hydrogen vehicles or other devices requiring hydrogen rich feed streams are disclosed in the present invention. As the pressure of gaseous hydrogen is increased, the temperature of the gaseous hydrogen also increases due to the heat of compression. The apparatus and method of the present invention utilize localized cooling via a vortex tube to cool the gaseous hydrogen caused by the increase in pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Glenn Casey, Bhaskar Balasubramanian
  • Patent number: 8202403
    Abstract: A distillation tower for use in a petrochemical or petroleum operation effects liquid and vapor separation by using centrifugal force applied to the feed introduced into a ring from a tangential inlet. The feed is separated into a liquid component that flows into the bottoms section of the tower and a vapor component that flows upwardly through the core of the ring to a wash zone in the tower. De-entrainment devices are provided in the core so that the vapor swirling upwardly impacts the devices and any remaining entrained liquid is separated from the vapor. As a result, overflash with decreased resid can be collected from the wash zone and used as feed suitable for a fluid catalytic cracking operation, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Company
    Inventors: Theodore Sideropoulos, Arun K. Sharma
  • Publication number: 20120090467
    Abstract: The invention relates to a separation system comprising a flow inlet (16). The separation system comprises a swirl valve (100), arranged to receive and control the flux of a fluid flow via the flow inlet (16) and to generate a swirling flow, swirling about a central axis (11). The separation system further comprises a separation chamber (40) positioned downstream with respect of the swirl valve (100) to receive the swirling flow from the swirl valve (100), wherein the separation chamber (40) comprises a first and second flow outlet (41, 42). The first flow outlet (41) is positioned to receive an inner portion of the swirling flow and the second outlet (42) is positioned to receive an outer portion of the swirling flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: TWISTER B.V.
    Inventors: Marco Betting, Cornelis Antonie Tjeenk Willink
  • Patent number: 8157895
    Abstract: A pressure cyclone is disclosed having a concave top head, wherein the concave top head has a substantially flat roof disposed in the interior of the cyclone vessel. An inlet is tangentially-coupled to the vessel and has an inlet nozzle disposed therein and configured to smoothly transition into the cyclone vessel to create a vortex that separates solid particulates from an incoming particulate-fluid suspension. In particular, the one surface of the inlet nozzle is tangent to the inner surface of cyclone vessel and another surface of the inlet nozzle is parallel and continuous with the substantially flat roof. An inlet casing is disposed around a length of the inlet nozzle and configured to transition from a circular casing to an elliptical casing along the length of the inlet nozzle, and couple to the vessel with the elliptical casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventor: William E. Phillips
  • Patent number: 8152905
    Abstract: Device (34) for separating particles and/or drops of solid/fluid material out of a fluid, which device has a cyclone (14) with an inlet (16) and an outlet (28). The device also has a centrifuge (36) that is arranged to separate particles and/or drops of solid/fluid material from the outlet fluid in the cyclone (14). The centrifuge (36) is located downstream of the cyclone (14) and is located in the cyclone (14). The centrifuge's axis of rotation is arranged to extend in the same direction as the cyclone's axis of rotation. The centrifuge (25) has a plurality of lamellae (40) that is arranged coaxially on a shaft (42) at a distance from one another so that fluid channels are formed between adjacent lamellae (40) and so that fluid flows in between adjacent lamellae (40) in a direction from the lamellae's periphery (40p) towards the shaft (42) when the centrifuge (36) is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Rock Drills AB
    Inventor: Göran Tuomas
  • Publication number: 20120037000
    Abstract: Cyclones for gas-solid separators are described, which are especially applicable for use in a downflowing third stage separator (TSS) for the removal of dust particles, such as solid catalyst fines, from the flue gas streams exiting the catalyst regenerator in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processes. A number of important flow characteristics result from the configuration of the cyclones, particularly with respect to the relative axial lengths over which swirl vanes and central hubs of the cyclones extend. These characteristics include a decrease in growth of turbulent eddies that conventionally result from a sudden expansion, in open cross-sectional area, of gas exiting swirl vanes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Sujay KRISHNAMURTHY, William KOVES
  • Patent number: 8075656
    Abstract: A separator assembly for removing material that is entrained in a gas stream. The separator assembly comprises a housing having inlet and outlet ports for the gas from which material is to be removed. The inlet and outlet ports are located toward the upper end of the housing. A flow director is positioned so that gas flowing into the housing flows over the flow director so that the incoming gas is made to follow a generally helical path within the housing. The separator assembly also comprises a shield which extends across the housing towards the lower end thereof so as to leave a collection space between it and the lower end in which material that is separated from the gas stream can collect. There is at least one opening in or around the shield through which the material can flow past the shield into the collection space. The face of the shield which is directed towards the upper end of the housing is bowl-shaped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Parker Hannifin Limited
    Inventors: Brian Lane, Stephen Bittle, Ray Trowsdale
  • Publication number: 20110265650
    Abstract: A filtration system for a gas turbine engine includes an inlet main body which defines an inner inlet fairing section and a bellmouth inlet faring section transverse thereto. An Engine Air Particle Separator (EAPS) is mounted adjacent to the inlet main body to define a plenum therein. A particulate laden airflow is filtered by the Engine Air Particle Separator (EAPS) to produce a substantially filtered airflow. The substantially filtered airflow is communicated into the plenum, through the bellmouth inlet faring section and into a gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Michael Kazlauskas, Jon C Peters
  • Patent number: 8034143
    Abstract: A cyclone includes a cylindrical housing and has an inner diameter D. An inlet is near a first end of the housing. A deflection member can be positioned within the first end or the second end of the housing, depending on whether the cyclone is uniflow or reverse flow. An outlet tube is positioned within and extends from a second end or the first end of the housing (depending on whether uniflow or reverse flow). A bunker is formed between the outlet tube and an inner wall of the housing in a uniflow design and between the deflection member and the housing in a reverse flow design, and collects particles separated from an inlet gas stream. A gap between the deflection member and the outlet tube has a length in the range of approximately 0.4*D to 0.8*D. The length of the bunker is approximately greater than or equal to 1.5*D.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: UTI Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Zhongchao Tan, Zhimin Yu
  • Patent number: 8025713
    Abstract: An adjustable type guide vortex gas-liquid separating apparatus is provided, it comprises a case, a vortex flow guide spiral pipe, a mist eliminator, an adjusting valve and a ? ray phase volume fraction meter. Its separating method is to make the oil-gas-water multiphase flow move in vortex, and thus to realize the gas-liquid separation, then to measure the gas content of the separated liquid phase by using the ? ray phase volume fraction meter and to send out control information as judged by the magnitude of the gas content in the liquid phase, so as to control the opening of the adjusting valve of the gas circuit, thus to achieve adjustment of the gas-liquid separation effects, and to control the gas content of the liquid phase to a certain range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Haimo Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jianwen Dou, Jinsong Wan, Ligang Zhang
  • Patent number: 8025717
    Abstract: Process to separate particles from a particles-containing gas stream, by subjecting the particles-containing gas stream to a centrifugal separation step, wherein the particles-containing gas stream is separated in a gas rich flow and a particles-rich flow and wherein the particles-rich flow is cooled from a temperature in the range from 600 to 800° C. to a temperature in the range from 200 to 450° C. before it is subjected to a second separation step, wherein particles are separated from the particles-rich flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Hubertus Wilhelmus Albertus Dries, Kee-Khoon Foo, Ferdinand Johannes Adriaan Geiger, Michiel Alexander Regelink
  • Publication number: 20110136214
    Abstract: A dust arrester includes a housing with air inlet and air outlet, wherein the ambient air containing dust particles can be introduced into the housing via the air inlet and discharged from the housing via the air outlet. The dust arrester further includes a water trough placed in the bottom of the housing and a chaos effect generator including a nozzle and a material. The nozzle can spray water supplied from the water trough. The water sprayed interacts with the material to generate a chaos condition, so that the dust particles can be removed from the introduced air under the chaos condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: Wong Tin Cheung
  • Patent number: 7951214
    Abstract: This invention relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising a body with a vacuum source. The vacuum cleaner is provided with at least two filter chambers, a first filter chamber for a first filter means in a surface cleaning mode and a second chamber for the same or a second filter means in a filter cleaning mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: AB Electrolux
    Inventors: Linda Menrik, Anna-Karin Gray, Finn Lofnes, Håkan Miefalk, Mattias Jansson, Anna-Karin Trydegård, Mathias Belin, Henrik Holm, Lars Mennborg
  • Patent number: 7927404
    Abstract: A downcomer for a reactor for downwardly conducting a multi-phase mixture, the downcomer includes a transport section having an interior comprised of inner and outer regions separated horizontally by a vertical barrier, and a baffle structure disposed on an inner surface of the barrier. The baffle structure is arranged to induce the mixture to flow in a downward generally helical path such that denser components of the mixture are centrifugally urged outwardly away from a center of the downcomer and less dense components migrate toward the center. The barrier includes openings enabling the denser components to travel from the inner region to the outer region to be collected herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Abdenour Kemoun
  • Patent number: 7883570
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating components of a fluid containing liquid and gas comprises a housing having at least one elongate channel. Each channel has an inlet end, an outlet end and rounded walls enabling the fluid flowing through the channel to flow substantially free of turbulent flow. Each channel defines a spiral path through the housing and acts to separate the fluid flowing through the channel into a gas-depleted outer portion and a liquid-depleted inner portion. The apparatus includes a liquid outlet port for the gas-depleted outer portion and a gas outlet port for the liquid-depleted inner portion. The housing may include a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the inlet end of the channel. The mixing chamber may include a surface the fluid impacts against. The apparatus may include a chamber at the outlet end of the channel. The chamber may have a gas outlet port closer to the outlet end of the channel than the liquid outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Star Oil Tools Inc.
    Inventor: Marcel Obrejanu
  • Patent number: 7883561
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for the tangential introduction of a gas-loaded liquid stream into the top of a column in which gas and liquid are separated. Entry into the column top proceeds through a conventional radially arranged port, to which, however, a special tube construction connects which ensures as smooth as possible non-turbulent flow and its tangential exit into the column top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Volker Schuda, Rupert Wagner