Abstract: A combination filter/dehydrator is disclosed which first filters a stream of oil or fluid of low volatility to remove particulate contaminants, and then passes the stream through a dehydrator 38 to remove free, emulsified, or dissolved entrained water. A pressure control valve 46 is provided to enable a portion of the oil stream to bypass the dehydrator in order to maintain a predetermined pressure differential across the dehydrator membrane. A discharge chamber (FIG. 5) is provided at an outlet of the dehydrator to prevent the loss of oil that has permeated the dehydrator membrane. A sweep gas stream 70 for removing water from the permeate side of the dehydrator membrane can include a coalescer 72 (FIG. 4) for removing liquids entrained in the sweep gas before entering device.

Abstract: A combination filter/dehydrator is disclosed which first filters a stream of oil or liquid of low volatility to remove particulate contaminants, and then passes the stream through a dehydrator to remove free, emulsified, or dissolved entrained water. A pressure control valve is provided to enable the partial or complete bypass of oil around the dehydrator. A discharge chamber is provided at the outlet of the filter/dehydrator to prevent loss of oil through the dehydrator.