BI-DIRECTIONAL, WATER SEPARATING FLOW NOZZLE

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a fluid separating flow nozzle which has a diffuser housing configured to be secured to a source of compressed fluid, and a diffuser element secured within a portion of the diffuser housing. The diffuser element may have at least one flow path opening forming a flow path through the flow nozzle, a nose portion and a moisture capturing area adjacent the nose portion for capturing moisture particles when a first airflow is directed through the flow nozzle in a first direction. A flow turning element may be incorporated which has a plurality of flow turning structures, and which is in communication with the flow path opening, and which imparts a turning motion to the first airflow and also to a second airflow flowing in a direction opposite to the first airflow. The turning motion helps to displace and eject moisture particles from the nose portion and from the moisture capturing area while the second airflow is occurring.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for pumping fluids, and more particularly to a flow nozzle for use with a pneumatically driven pump, which is able to separate and discharge water collecting within the flow nozzle.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Piston-less, pneumatically driven fluid pumps are popular for many applications such as removal of contaminated water, or other fluids, from well bores. In many such applications, particularly where the fluids being pumped may be a mixture of water and hydrocarbons, it is undesirable to use an electric motor driven pump. Pneumatic pumps use pressurized air from an external pressurized air source which is directed through an airflow nozzle into an interior area of a pump housing. The pressurized air is used to expel fluid collected within the interior area of the pump housing up through a one-way fluid discharge valve. After the discharge operation is complete, the pressurized airflow is interrupted. The flow nozzle may also function as a vent to atmosphere to allow the interior of the pump to be vented to atmosphere, and thus enable to pump to again begin filling with fluid. This venting to atmosphere, however, can create issues because moisture laden air may pass up through the flow nozzle, which typically includes metallic parts. The moisture laden air may also come into contact with other sensitive components associated with a controller being used to control the on/off application of the pressurized air to the flow nozzle. The moisture laden air may also be laden with contaminants that can cling to interior surfaces of the flow nozzle and eventually interfere with proper operation of the flow nozzle, and/or damage other components associated with the controller which are sensitive to moisture and/or contaminants.

Accordingly, the challenge exists to provide a flow nozzle that enables moisture collecting within the flow nozzle to be removed without the need to disassemble the flow nozzle, and which substantially reduces or entirely eliminates water particles from being ejected out through the exhaust components associated with the pump.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

In one aspect the present disclosure relates to a fluid separating flow nozzle. The flow nozzle may include a diffuser housing configured to be secured to a source of compressed fluid. A diffuser element may be secured within a portion of the diffuser housing. The diffuser element may include at least one flow path opening forming a flow path through the flow nozzle, a nose portion, and a moisture capturing area adjacent the nose portion for capturing moisture particles when a first airflow is directed through the flow nozzle in a first direction. A flow turning element may also be included which has a plurality of flow turning structures. The flow turning element may be in communication with the flow path opening and may operate to impart a turning motion to the first airflow and also to a second airflow flowing in a direction opposite to the first airflow. This helps to displace and eject moisture particles from the nose portion and from the moisture capturing area while the second airflow is occurring.

In another aspect the present disclosure relates to a fluid separating flow nozzle having a diffuser housing, a diffuser element and a flow turning element. The diffuser housing may be secured to a source of compressed fluid. The diffuser element may be secured within a portion of the diffuser housing. The diffuser element may include a recess, a plurality of circumferentially arranged flow path openings forming a flow path through the flow nozzle and arranged to communicate with the recess, a nose portion and a moisture capturing area adjacent the nose portion. The moisture capturing area captures moisture particles when a first airflow is directed through the flow nozzle in a first direction. The flow turning element may be configured to turn an airflow entering or exiting the flow turning element, and may be in communication with the flow path opening. The flow turning element operates to impart a turning motion to an airflow flowing through the flow nozzle to help displace and eject moisture particles from the nose portion and the moisture capturing area when a second airflow in a second direction opposite to said first direction is directed through the flow nozzle.

In still another aspect the present disclosure relates to a fluid separating flow nozzle. The flow nozzle may include a diffuser housing configured to be secured to a source of compressed fluid. The flow nozzle may also include a diffuser element threadably secured within a portion of the diffuser housing, with the diffuser element including a recess, a plurality of circumferential flow path openings forming a flow path through the flow nozzle and being in communication with the recess, a nose portion, and a moisture capturing area adjacent the nose portion. The moisture capturing area captures moisture particles when a first airflow is directed through the flow nozzle in a first direction. A flow turning element may also be included in the flow nozzle, and may be threadably coupled to the diffuser housing, and receives the nose portion of the diffuser therein. The flow turning element may a plurality of flow turning structures forming grooves, the flow turning element being in communication with the flow path opening and operating to impart a turning motion to the first airflow and also to a second airflow flowing in a direction opposite to the first airflow. This helps to displace and eject moisture particles from the nose portion and from the moisture capturing area while the second airflow is occurring.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a high level diagram showing a block diagram representation of a flow nozzle of the present disclosure being used with a pneumatically driven pump;

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged, assembled side elevational view of the flow nozzle;

FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional side view of the flow nozzle of FIG. 2 taken along section line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows an exploded side view of the flow nozzle of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 shows the components of FIG. 4 in cross-section in accordance with section line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a face of the flow turning element shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7A is a side cross sectional view of the assembled flow nozzle identical to FIG. 3 but showing airflow arrows to indicate the airflow through the interior areas of the flow nozzle during a fluid ejection cycle of the pump;

FIG. 7B shows the flow nozzle of FIG. 7A but with the airflows indicated during a venting cycle of the pump;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the present disclosure which incorporates a diffuser element having a plurality of vanes and grooves formed on a face thereof; and

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the face of the diffuser element shown in FIG. 7.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, a system 10 is shown incorporating one embodiment of a flow nozzle 12 in accordance with the present disclosure. The system 10 includes a pneumatically driven pump 14 which is positioned in a wellbore 16 filled with a fluid 18. A lower end 20 of the pump 14 includes a screened inlet (not visible in the figure) through which the fluid 18 may flow and enter and collect within an interior area of a pump housing 22 of the pump.

An electronic controller 24 may be used to control the application of compressed air from a compressed air source 26 to the pump 14. The compressed air may be applied to the flow nozzle 12 and directed through a section of suitable tubing (e.g., plastic or rubber) 28 into the interior area of the pump housing 22. Alternatively, it is possible that the flow nozzle 12 may be coupled directly to a head assembly 28 of the pump 14 so that no intermediate length of tubing is needed. In either event, the electronic controller 24 may control a valve 30 (e.g., a solenoid valve) so that the valve is closed while the compressed air source 26 is applying compressed air to the pump 14, and may open the valve to vent the interior of the pump housing 22 to atmosphere after a fluid ejection cycle is complete. In one example the valve 30 may be a Humphrey 250A solenoid valve available from the Humphrey Products Company of Kalamazoo, Mich. Optionally, a “quick exhaust” valve (not shown) may be incorporated between the flow nozzle 12 and the exhaust valve 30. The quick exhaust valve allows pressurized air to be directed into the pump 14 while allowing exhaust air to be expelled out to the ambient environment, which can potentially help reduce any possible contaminant build up in the valve 30 or and/or its vent port that vents to the atmosphere.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing has been intended as just one example of an overall system that the flow nozzle 12 may be used with. The flow nozzle 12 is expected to find utility in virtually any type of system where moisture-laden air needs to flow through a flow valve, and for the moisture to be captured and periodically ejected from interior surfaces of the flow nozzle.

FIGS. 2-5 illustrate the flow nozzle 12 in greater detail. The flow nozzle 12 in this embodiment may include an inlet fitting 32, a diffuser system 34 and a pump connection fitting 36. The inlet fitting 32 includes a body portion 38 having a nut-like portion 40, with the nut-like portion 40 enabling an open end wrench to be used to assembly the flow nozzle 12. The body portion 38 includes a groove 42 at one end for locking an air supply. This groove is used to slide in a clip (not shown) which locates and retains the air supply fitting. The clip forms part of a well known “quick disconnect” type fitting which has no components which cause a pressure loss. The body portion 38 also may include a threaded neck portion 44 (FIGS. 3-5) for threaded coupling to the diffuser system 34.

The diffuser system 34 includes a diffuser housing 46, a diffuser element 48, and a flow turning element 50. The diffuser housing 46 may be, for example, a metallic component, a component, or it may be constructed from any other suitable material. The diffuser housing 46 may have a threaded bore 52 (FIGS. 3 and 5) for receiving the threaded neck portion 44 of the inlet fitting 32. A recessed area 54 is of sufficient volume to receive a portion of the diffuser element 48 when the flow valve 12 is fully assembled. The diffuser housing 46 may also include an enlarged threaded bore 56 (FIGS. 3 and 5) for engaging with the flow turning element 50, so as to capture the diffuser element 48 within the diffuser housing 46 when the flow valve 12 is fully assembled.

The diffuser element 48, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, may include a threaded end 58 which may be threaded at least partially into the threaded bore 52 of the diffuser housing 46. A plurality of circumferentially arranged flow path openings 60 (FIGS. 4 and 5) are formed in a wall portion 62 of the diffuser element 48, the function of which will be discussed in the following paragraphs. The flow path openings 60 are also in communication with a recess 61 (FIG. 5) formed in the wall portion 62. A frustoconical portion 64 extends outwardly from an interior of an annular wall 66 (FIGS. 3, 4 and 5). The frustoconical portion 64 and an inner wall surface 66a (FIG. 5) of the annular wall 66 cooperatively form a moisture capturing area 65 (FIG. 5), which in this example forms an annular, cup-like shape. An outer diameter of the annular wall 66 is such that when the flow nozzle 12 is fully assembled, a circumferential, annular airflow space 68 (FIG. 3) is created.

With further reference to FIG. 3, an outer edge of the annular wall 66 is positioned closely adjacent a face portion 70 of the flow turning element 50 when the diffuser element 48 is assembled into the diffuser housing 46 and captured therein by attachment of the flow turning element 50 to the diffuser housing 46.

With brief reference to FIG. 6, the face portion 70 of the flow turning element 50 may include a plurality of spiral flow turning structures which in this example are flow turning grooves 72. It will be appreciated that the flow turning grooves 72 could instead be flow turning projections, and both implementations are contemplated by the present disclosure. Also, while eight such flow turning grooves 72 are shown, it will be appreciated that a greater or lesser number of flow turning grooves may be incorporated, and the flow nozzle 12 is not limited to any specific number of flow turning grooves. The flow turning grooves 72 flare radially outwardly from an axial center of the flow turning element 50 and serve to turn a generally axial air flow flowing towards the flow turning component 50 into a rotating, swirling air flow. To achieve this, an outer diameter of the annular wall 66 of the diffuser element 48 is selected to be just slightly smaller than a diameter formed by the flow turning grooves 72, such that the flow turning grooves are in communication with the annular airflow space 68. A body portion 74 of the flow turning element 50 includes a threaded portion 76, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 (in this example a male threaded portion) which may be engaged with the enlarged threaded bore 56 of the diffuser housing 46 when the flow turning element 50 is assembled to the diffuser housing.

With further reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the body portion 74 may also include a female threaded portion 78 which accepts a male threaded end portion 80 extending from a body portion 82 of the pump connection fitting 36. The body portion 82 in this example has a nut-like shape to enable it to be grasped with pliers or an open end wrench during assembly of the flow nozzle 12. Extending from an opposite end of the pump connection fitting 36 is a groove 84 which enables coupling to a well-known male “quick disconnect” fitting (not shown). The male quick disconnect fitting has 0-rings to seal on the inside diameter of the pump connection fitting 36. The male quick disconnect fitting's opposite end is sized to fit a nylon tube which communicates with the pump 14.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 7A, when fluid collected within the pump housing 22 needs to be ejected, the electronic controller 24 closes the valve 30 and turns on the compressed air source 26. The compressed air source 26 provides compressed air into the flow nozzle 12 (or alternatively into a quick connect exhaust valve and then into the flow nozzle 12). The air flow is designated by reference number 86 in FIG. 7A. The airflow 86 passes through the inlet fitting 32 and into the diffuser housing 46. Once inside the diffuser housing 46, the airflow 86 enters an interior area of the diffuser element 48 and is forced through the circumferentially spaced openings 60. This creates a plurality of airstreams 86a from the airflow 86 which travel over an outer wall surface 66b of the annular wall 66 and past the outer edge 66c of the annular wall into contact with the frustoconical portion 64. The airstreams 86a then enter the flow turning grooves 72 of the flow turning element 50, which imparts a circumferential or rotational flow direction to the air streams 86a. The now rotating airstreams 86a circulate over the inside wall surface 66a of the annular wall 66, and then over the outer surface of the frustoconical portion 64, and then flows back into the moisture capturing area 65, and then back over the outer wall surface 66b of the annular wall 66. This rotational or swirling turbulent flow entrains any moisture or droplets that were captured inside the moisture capturing area 65 during the previous fluid filling cycle when air within the pump housing 22 was being vented to atmosphere. The entrained moisture is then carried as the flow airstreams 86a recombine to form airstream 86′ as the airstream 86′ flows through the flow turning element 50 into the pump housing 22, and is used to eject the fluid within the pump 14. An important benefit is that action occurs at the beginning of every fluid ejection cycle. As such, any contaminants that may have collected within the moisture capturing area 65, or on the inside wall portion 66a, or on the outer wall surface of the annular wall 66, are quickly removed, rather than being given an opportunity to become more permanently attached over an extended period of time (i.e., days, weeks or longer).

During a venting operation, as indicated in FIG. 7B, the electronic controller 24 controls the valve 30 such that the flow nozzle 12 vents the interior area of the pump housing 22 to atmosphere while the compressed air source 26 is turned off. Pressurized air, indicated by airstream 88 within the pump housing 22 may flow upwardly through the flow turning element 50, over the frustoconical portion 64, where the airstream may separate into a plurality of airstreams 88a. The airstreams 88a may then flow into the moisture capturing area cup-like 65, and then out from the moisture capturing area 65 through the annular airflow space 68, then through the openings 60 into the inlet fitting 32, where the airstreams 88a are re-combined into a single airflow stream 88′. The airflow stream 88′ then flows out from the inlet fitting 32 into the valve 30 (FIG. 1). The valve 30 is controlled by the controller 24 to allow the airflow stream 88′ to be vented to the ambient atmosphere.

The moisture capturing area 65 provides the benefit of forming an annular, cup-like recess that may capture moisture in the air being vented. It is well known that water has a cohesive property. The water droplets will impact one or a plurality of surfaces defining the air flow path. When the water droplets impact a wall, the cohesive property will encourage other droplets to agglomerate on the previously deposited droplets, which forms even larger droplets on the surface. Having this understanding, then, the collection of droplets due to impact will collect on the surface of frustoconical portion 64. The swirling air flow created by the turning grooves 72 on the face portion 70 of the flow turning element 50 helps to gather the water particles and then will direct the radial air flow to impact the wall inside the diffuser housing 46. Once on the wall inside the diffuser housing 46, the air flow will propel the droplets into a large cavity where velocity slows, leaving the droplets on the wall while the air flow changes direction and leaves the droplets stranded in a non-flowing area.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show the flow nozzle 12 incorporating a diffuser element 48′ in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. The diffuser element 48′ is similar in some respects to the diffuser element 48 with the exception of a shorter nose 64, which has more of a spherical shape rather than a frustoconical shape, and the addition of arcuately shaped flow turning vanes 72′, with adjacent arcuate grooves 72″ adjacent each vane. The flow turning vanes 72′ thus form additional flow turning structure and are shaped generally in accordance with the flow turning grooves 72 in the flow turning element 50. The flow turning vanes 72′ rest partially within the flow turning grooves 72″ to further help impart a rotational turning motion to the airflow flowing through the flow nozzle 12, regardless of the direction of the airflow.

The flow nozzle 12 provides the added benefit of having no moving parts, and being extremely quick and easy to assemble and disassemble with only a few common hand tools. Most importantly, however, the flow nozzle 12 captures moisture in the air being vented from the pump 14 and prevents the buildup of contaminants within the flow valve 12, as well as issues that may arise with the moisture laden air reaching sensitive components of the electronic controller 24, the valve 30, or other components used in the system 12.

The flow nozzle 12 can be easily installed or retrofitted into existing fluid pumping systems used at wellbores with little or no modifications required to the existing systems. The flow valve 12 forms an extremely cost effective means for removing moisture and helping to protect against fouling or degradation of the flow nozzle 12, as well as fouling or damage to other components of the system 12. Still further, eliminating the need to periodically disassemble the flow nozzle 12 can be expected to contribute to a cost savings in the overall operation of the well. The nozzle also helps to eliminate odors produced when water droplets are in the exhausted air flow stream. These water droplets, once outside the well, evaporate. This then creates an airborne smell. The water droplets can also cause ground staining and in some cases may even cause defoliate vegetation near the well. This staining and defoliation may provide the misleading appearance of a different undesirable condition, for example leaking gas, which does not exist.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,”and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Claims

1. A fluid separating flow nozzle, comprising:

a diffuser housing configured to be secured to a source of compressed fluid;

a diffuser element secured within a portion of the diffuser housing, the diffuser element including: at least one flow path opening forming a flow path through the flow nozzle; a nose portion; and a moisture capturing area adjacent the nose portion for capturing moisture particles when a first airflow is directed through the flow nozzle in a first direction; and

a flow turning element having a plurality of flow turning structures, the flow turning element being in communication with the flow path opening and operating to impart a turning motion to the first airflow and also to a second airflow flowing in a direction opposite to the first airflow, to help displace and eject moisture particles from the nose portion and from the moisture capturing area while the second airflow is occurring.

2. The flow nozzle of claim 1, wherein:

the nose portion forms a frustoconical portion, and

the diffuser element further including an annular wall at least partially surrounding the frustoconical portion, an inner surface of the annular wall and an outer surface of the frustoconical portion forming the moisture capturing area, and the moisture capturing area further forming a cup-like area, the cup-like area configured to capture moisture particles when the first airflow is directed through the flow nozzle in the first direction.

3. The flow nozzle of claim 1, wherein the diffuser element includes a plurality of arcuate vanes and a plurality of arcuate grooves formed adjacent to the arcuate vanes, the arcuate vanes further cooperating with the flow turning grooves of the flow turning element to turn the second airflow flowing in the second direction, and the arcuate grooves forming the moisture capturing area.

4. The flow nozzle of claim 1, wherein the at least one flow path opening comprises a plurality of flow path openings arranged circumferentially about the diffuser element.

5. The flow nozzle of claim 1, wherein the flow turning component includes a face portion, and wherein the face portion includes the flow turning grooves.

6. The flow nozzle of claim 1, wherein the positioning of the diffuser element partially within the diffuser housing creates an annular airflow space through which the first and second airflows may flow.

7. The flow nozzle of claim 6, wherein the diffuser element includes a threaded end, and wherein the diffuser housing includes a threaded bore for engaging with the threaded end of the diffuser element and supporting the diffuser element within the diffuser housing to maintain the annular airflow space.

8. The flow nozzle of claim 7, further comprising an inlet fitting having a threaded neck portion configured to threadably engage a portion of the threaded bore of the diffuser housing.

9. The flow nozzle of claim 1, further comprising a pump connection fitting, the pump connection fitting having a body portion including a male threaded end portion, and

wherein the wherein the flow turning element comprises a female threaded portion which accepts the male threaded end portion of the pump connection fitting.

10. The flow nozzle of claim 9, wherein the body portion further includes a nut-like shape to enable it to be grasped with an external tool during assembly of the flow valve.

11. The flow nozzle of claim 1, wherein:

the diffuser housing includes an enlarged threaded bore; and

the flow turning element has a threaded portion which engages with the enlarged threaded bore and helps to enclose the diffuser element within the diffuser housing.

12. The flow nozzle of claim 2, wherein the diffuser element includes a recess which is in flow communication with the at least one flow path opening.

13. The flow nozzle of claim 1, wherein the flow turning structures comprise flow turning grooves formed in an end face of the flow turning element.

14. A fluid separating flow nozzle, comprising:

a diffuser housing configured to be secured to a source of compressed fluid;

a diffuser element secured within a portion of the diffuser housing, the diffuser element including: a recess; a plurality of circumferentially arranged flow path openings forming a flow path through the flow nozzle and arranged to communicate with the recess; a nose portion; a moisture capturing area adjacent the nose portion for capturing moisture particles when a first airflow is directed through the flow nozzle in a first direction; and

a flow turning element configured to turn an airflow entering or exiting the flow turning element, the flow turning element being in communication with the flow path opening, and the flow turning element operating to impart a turning motion to an airflow flowing through the flow nozzle to help displace and eject moisture particles from the nose portion and the moisture capturing area when a second airflow in a second direction opposite to said first direction is directed through the flow nozzle.

15. The flow nozzle of claim 14, wherein:

the nose portion of the diffuser element forms a frustoconical portion, and

wherein the diffuser element further includes an annular wall at least partially surrounding the frustoconical portion, an inner surface of the annular wall and an outer surface of the frustoconical portion forming the moisture capturing area, and the moisture capturing area further forming a cup-like area, the cup-like area being configured to capture moisture particles when the first airflow is directed through the flow nozzle in the first direction.

16. The flow nozzle of claim 15, wherein an outer surface of the annular wall and an inner surface of the diffuser housing define an annular flow channel in communication with the plurality of circumferentially arranged flow path openings.

17. The flow nozzle of claim 14, wherein the diffuser element includes a plurality of arcuate vanes and a plurality of arcuate grooves formed adjacent to the arcuate vanes, the arcuate vanes further cooperating with the flow turning grooves of the flow turning element to turn the second airflow flowing in the second direction.

18. The flow nozzle of claim 17, wherein the arcuate grooves form the moisture capturing area.

19. A fluid separating flow nozzle, comprising:

a diffuser housing configured to be secured to a source of compressed fluid;

a diffuser element threadably secured within a portion of the diffuser housing, the diffuser element including: a recess; a plurality of circumferential flow path openings forming a flow path through the flow nozzle and being in communication with the recess; a nose portion; and a moisture capturing area adjacent the nose portion for capturing moisture particles when a first airflow is directed through the flow nozzle in a first direction;

a flow turning element threadably coupled to the diffuser housing and receiving the nose portion of the diffuser therein; and

the flow turning element having a plurality of flow turning structures forming grooves, the flow turning element being in communication with the flow path opening and operating to impart a turning motion to the first airflow and also to a second airflow flowing in a direction opposite to the first airflow, to help displace and eject moisture particles from the nose portion and from the moisture capturing area while the second airflow is occurring.

20. The flow nozzle of claim 19, wherein the moisture capturing area of the diffuser nozzle comprises at least one of:

a plurality of arcuate grooves; and

an annular, cup-like recess.