Including Specific Underflow Outlet Feature (e.g., Apex Discharge, Etc.) Patents (Class 209/720)
  • Patent number: 9022222
    Abstract: A device for the selective granulometric separation of solid powdery materials using centrifugal action, capable of separating materials into a fine material fraction and a coarse material fraction, includes: a housing, a cylindrical rotor rotatable, relative to the housing, about a vertical axis inside the housing and provided with blades evenly distributed on the periphery of an upper outlet opening through which a stream of gas, laden with particles having a size lower than a predetermined particle size, is drawn, a set of vertical adjustable vanes evenly distributed about the rotor along the generatrices of a virtual cylinder and directing the gas stream towards the rotor, elements for feeding the particles between the vanes and the rotor, collecting unit lower than the rotor for collecting the unfed particles having fallen and having a size larger than the predetermined particle size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Fives FCB
    Inventor: Sebastien Devroe
  • Patent number: 8950589
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for the separation of liquid-liquid phase and/or a liquid-gas phase where one or more of the phases is suspended in water and has a bubble/drop/particle size in the sub micron and micron range, and/or fine particular organic or inorganic material is present in one or more of the phases. There is also disclosed a method and use for the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Sorbwater Technology AS
    Inventor: Atle Mundheim
  • Patent number: 8951422
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for the separation of liquid-liquid phase and/or a liquid-gas phase where one or more of the phases is suspended in water and has a bubble/drop/particle size in the sub micron and micron range, and/or fine particular organic or inorganic material is present in one or more of the phases. There is also disclosed a method and use for the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Sorbwater Technology AS
    Inventor: Atle Mundheim
  • Patent number: 8617405
    Abstract: A method of separating a multiphase fluid, the fluid including a relatively high density component and a relatively low density component, that includes introducing the fluid into a separation region; imparting a rotational movement into the multiphase fluid; forming an outer annular region of rotating fluid of predetermined thickness within the separation region; and forming and maintaining a core of fluid in an inner region. Fluid entering the separation vessel is directed into the outer annular region and the thickness of the outer annular region is such that the high density component is concentrated and substantially contained within this region, the low density component being concentrated in the rotating core. A separation system employing the method is also provided. The method and system are particularly suitable for the separation of solid debris from the fluids produced by a subterranean oil or gas well at wellhead flow pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Hans Paul Hopper
  • Patent number: 8469297
    Abstract: The airflow classifier includes a dispersing chamber dispersing a powdery raw material with high pressure air; a classifying chamber located below the dispersing chamber and including a center core located on an upper portion thereof and a separator core having an opening at a center thereof and located on a lower portion of the classifying chamber to subject the raw material, which is fed from the dispersing chamber, to centrifugal classification to classify the raw material into coarse particles and fine particles; a fine particle feeding pipe connected with a lower portion of the opening of the separator core; a shield ring to cover an upper portion of the opening; and a louver pipe which is located above the shield ring and in which plural blades are arranged on an edge of the opening at predetermined intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuyasu Makino
  • Patent number: 8096492
    Abstract: A pulverizing and coarse powder classifying apparatus including: a mechanical pulverizer that pulverizes a powder raw material, a cyclone that collects pulverized powder, and a coarse powder classifier that separates coarse powder from the collected powder, wherein the coarse powder classifier is a cyclone classifier including a dispersion chamber equipped with a center core and used for dispersing the powder, and a classification chamber equipped with a separator core, and wherein the center core has at its center a fine powder discharge pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyasu Makino, Kouji Noge, Kenta Kawasumi
  • Patent number: 7780012
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dynamic air classifier for the separation of granular and powdery materials into fractions of different grain sizes comprising a rotary cage, wherein: said classifier also comprises a recovery chamber for fine materials with a outlet bottom, said chamber being defined by a casing; said recovery chamber is coaxially arranged in the protrusion of the rotary cage so as to be able to use the vortex created by the rotary cage for cycloning said material; said recovery chamber comprises openings in the casing allowing the passage of the centrifuged material towards ducts for collecting the material located outside the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Magotteaux International S.A.
    Inventor: Xavier Prignon
  • Patent number: 7523831
    Abstract: A method and a device classifies splinters and wood chips. The device includes a centrifugal classifying unit, a countercurrent classifying unit, a separating funnel for the coarse fraction and a separating cyclone for the fine fraction. A gas or a gas mixture is circulated in the system via a blower. It is tangentially introduced into the lower classifying chamber, initially flows through the countercurrent classifier, through the gaps between the blades of the centrifugal classifier and then into the separating cyclone before being returned to the blower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Inventors: Manfred Ottow, Robin Ottow
  • Patent number: 7413669
    Abstract: A separator including a conical member having a base; a substantially cylindrical member extending from the base; a separator inlet for introducing liquid to be separated into the conical member in a substantially tangential direction with respect to a sidewall of the conical member; a heavy phase outlet communicated with an apex portion of the conical member; and a light phase outlet communicated with the cylindrical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Intevep, S.A.
    Inventors: Jose Rafael Gonzalez, Jorge Ramirez
  • Patent number: 7347333
    Abstract: A system and process for separating high and low density materials by air flow. Mixed solid material is delivered into an entrance of a cascade separation chamber where it is allowed to free fall and tumble over inclined surfaces. A fan forces air through a “closed” path that includes a duct from the fan outlet to return air to the separation chamber, and a branch duct that supplies an air knife disperser arranged to direct a high velocity air jet against free falling material in the chamber. The fan draws air that has entrained relatively light materials in the chamber, and thereby separates the same from the heavy materials, from the chamber through a duct connected to the inlet of an air cleaning device such as a cyclone separator. Cleaned air exhausted from the cyclone cleaning device and driven by the fan is continuously returned to the separation chamber. Air flow through the chamber is generally in counter-flow relation to the movement of heavy material through the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Inventor: Leroy R. Josephs
  • Patent number: 7293657
    Abstract: Hydrocyclone and method for separating and classifying solids in which a slurry is introduced into the cylindrical inlet section of the separation chamber of the hydrocyclone so that the slurry rotates about the axis of the chamber, then passes through a first conically tapered section of the separation chamber, and thereafter through a second conically tapered section which has a smaller cone angle than the first conically tapered section. The finer solids are removed through an overflow outlet toward the upper end of the separation chamber, and the coarser solids are removed through an underflow outlet toward the lower end of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Krebs International
    Inventors: Gerald P. Kelton, Mark E. Hoyack, Timothy J. Olson
  • Patent number: 7241393
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for separating components of a slurry comprising solid particles and liquid components, particularly where the slurry is under pressure. The components are separated in a hydrocyclone such that a solids-enriched slurry exits the separator via an underflow outlet while a solids-depleted slurry exits the separator through an overflow outlet and passes into a products vessel. Fluid communication is provided between the products vessel and the underflow outlet so that gas can circulate through the hydrocyclone. This gas circulation pathway may be achieved by enclosing the separation system in a housing or providing a gas circulation conduit between the products vessel and the underflow outlet of the separator or an optional solids vessel connected to the underflow outlet. Pressure within the separator apparatus may be adjusted and controlled at a negative, neutral or positive pressure while operating the hydrocyclone in balanced mode to achieve efficient separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Stoy, Lee D. Rhyne, Ming He, Lalit S. Shah
  • Patent number: 7108138
    Abstract: A material classifier includes a cyclone including a cyclone inlet, a cyclone outlet, a blower and a blower discharge; an air diffuser connected at a diffuser inlet to the cyclone outlet and at a diffuser outlet to an air lock such that the cyclone and air diffuser are in fluid communication; wherein the diffuser including a central cylindrical portion including an air inlet for admitting controlled amounts of diffuser air around substantially the entire cylinder outer periphery of the central cylindrical portion, wherein the material classifier separating fine particles from coarse particles and discharging the fine particles together with air out the blower discharge, and discharging the coarse particles through the air lock, such that varying the amount of diffuser air one can control the size of the fine particles being separated from the coarse particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Inventor: Peter Simpson
  • Patent number: 7000780
    Abstract: Method and apparatus used in the field of waste management, especially a method and a device for treating recoverable waste products that have already partially decomposed. The aim of the invention is to provide a method and a device which makes it possible to further decompose, if possible completely, and recover the residual products that remain once the waste products are degassed. According to the inventive method, air and waste gases are introduced separately from the bottom into the chamber and pressure is applied. The air is introduced into the chamber in a substantially axial orientation and waste gases in a substantially tangential or radial orientation. The invention further provides a device the funnel-shaped bottom of which is provided with openings for air and waste gases to enter. The air is introduced into the reactor chamber from the bottom in a substantially axial orientation and the waste gases in a substantially tangential or radial orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Inventors: Harald Martin, Hartwig Streitenberger
  • Patent number: 6983850
    Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor is mounted on the splash skirt at the underflow outlet of a hydrocyclone to detect a change in the underflow discharge from the normal conical shape in which the discharge impacts upon the splash skirt to a more cylindrical shape associated with roping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Krebs Engineers Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy J. Olson, Roger J. Waterman
  • Patent number: 6849182
    Abstract: A hydrocyclone having a flat lower plate 14 contains a tube or rod 22 placed unconstrained within the body 10. The tube or rod 22 acts as a vortex breaker, reducing the rate at which air is introduced through the center of the vortex at the lower outlet aperture 16 during operation. When the hydrocyclone of the invention is employed for classification of pressurized stabilized gas-liquid emulsions into fractions of greater and lesser bulk density, the greater bulk density fraction is ejected from the lower outlet aperture 16 and the lesser bulk density fraction flows under pressure out the vortex finder tube 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Heron Innovators Inc.
    Inventor: Carter E. Redding
  • Publication number: 20040108256
    Abstract: The invention concerns a cyclone separator (1) with a vertically extending housing (2), with an upper housing segment (3) in which is located a separator (6) with a separator wheel and which is equipped with a carrier gas/product inlet, as well as with a carrier gas/fines discharge, with a middle housing segment (4) which conically tapers in downward direction and in which is located a central built-in element (10) serving for gas/product guidance, as well as with a lower housing segment (5) which is equipped with a coarse grain discharge (14); in order to increase the operating range of said cyclone separator, it is suggested that the lower opening of the central built-in element (10) is located at the level of the conical housing segment (4) and that below the lower opening is arranged another built-in element (11), which has the shape of a cone expanding in downward direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventor: Peter Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 6596169
    Abstract: Disclosed is dense medium cyclone for separating particles of varying sizes from within a fluid stream. The particles to be separated are entrained within the fluid stream. The fluid stream is then introduced into a cyclone that includes a body and a side wall comprising an upper wall portion and adjacent lower wall portion tapering inwardly in a direction away from the upper wall portion. The cyclone further includes a vortex finder projecting substantially axially into the interior space through the upper end of the body and terminating at an internal end positioned below an inlet, the vortex finder defining an overflow outlet which removes the remaining fluid and entrained particles from the cyclone. The vortex finder and the upper wall portion are configured to define a feed zone of decreasing cross sectional area from the inlet to the internal end of the vortex finder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: University of Queensland
    Inventors: Rui Xuan Richard Rong, Timothy John Napier-Munn
  • Patent number: 6544416
    Abstract: A system and method for separating solids from a fluid environment is provided. The system includes a device having housing with a substantially cylindrical upper portion and a substantially conical lower portion. The device also includes a chamber at an intersection between the upper portion and the lower portion, and an inlet in communication with the chamber for generating a cyclonic flow pattern into the conical lower portion. As the cyclonic flow with a suspension of solids is introduced into the lower portion, the flow decreases in velocity. Thereafter, the flow rises within the conical lower portion at a velocity less than the settling velocity of the solids, generated by gravitational forces, thereby resulting the separation of the solids from the fluid. The ascending fluid substantially free of solids can be collected through an upper portion, while the settled solids can be collected towards an apex of the conical lower portion and subsequently removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Marine Biotech Inc.
    Inventor: Neil E. Helwig
  • Patent number: 6238579
    Abstract: The present invention provides for discharge (exit) ports for exit fluid flow disposed at or adjacent to one another on one end of a vortex separating body; an inlet port(s) disposed at one end of a separating body having discharge (exit) ports for exit fluid flow disposed at or adjacent to one another at an opposite end of the separating body; increased separation efficiency; solid mass separated per unit energy expended; a body that is predominantly cylindrical in shape that can be made inexpensively from standard sizes of pipe or tubing; a device that is predominantly cylindrical in shape so that the separation (vortex) length of the device can be changed simply by installing or removing sections of pipe or tubing; a device which promotes smooth rotational flow within the vortex region, therefore affecting an efficient separation of particles carried by the transporting fluid therein and reducing the pressure and/or energy required to move the fluid through the device; a device with entrance and especially
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: MBA Polymers, Inc.
    Inventors: Blaine K. Paxton, Laurence E. Allen, Larry G. Heald
  • Patent number: 6190543
    Abstract: A cyclonic separator for separating fluids of differing densities comprises a first chamber having a vortex finder and a core member. The vane is arranged co-axial with and adjacent the internal surface of the vortex finder to increase the rotational velocity component of fluids passing through the vortex finder by translating the axial velocity component of the fluids into a rotational velocity component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Kvaerner Process Systems A.S.
    Inventor: Bjørn Christiansen
  • Patent number: 6024874
    Abstract: A hydrocyclone separator (10) has an outer housing (12) including an upper housing portion (14) and a lower housing portion (16). Upper housing portion (14) has a cylindrical chamber (22) and an involuted entrance (20) to cylindrical chamber (22). A vortex finder tube (24) has a flaring lower end portion (29). A solid core (34) is mounted within finder tube (24) and extends downwardly from finder tube (24) a distance at least equal to 11/2% times the inner diameter of the entrance orifice or opening (30) of finder tube (24). The outer peripheral surface (40) of solid core (34) tapers downwardly and is generally parallel to the inner peripheral surface (44) of lower tapered chamber (46). A strong interface (48) is formed between the downwardly extending outer vortex and the upwardly extending inner vortex with minimal turbulence and intermingling of particles between the inner and outer vortices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Inventor: W. Gerald Lott
  • Patent number: 5965021
    Abstract: There is provided a hydrocyclone which operates on a relatively low pressure differential and on a linear flow principle. The hydrocyclone comprises an inlet chamber with a vortex creating a spiral insert therein, which inlet chamber opens in to a frustoconical portion of the hydrocyclone body. The frustoconical portion opens into a cylindrical portion which leads both to the accept and reject outlets at the end. The hydrocyclone is particularly useful for on sight separation of produced water in oil fields. The invention also provides hydrocyclone units of linked hydrocyclones according to the present invention, fluid separation systems incorporating hydrocyclones of the invention and methods of separating fluids using hydrocyclones in the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Fluid Dynamics Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne W. Hesse, Howard T. Marles
  • Patent number: 5934483
    Abstract: Apparatus of theforced air vortex type for classification of particulate material into a fine portion and a coarse portion, the apparatus comprising a truncated cone shaped upper section (101) comprising a separating wheel (111) rotating about a substantially vertical axis, a vertically arranged inlet pipe (106) for supplying a particulate material dispersed in an air flow, a conical feed distributor (107) having a tip end directed downwards and arranged concentrically with the inlet pipe (106) and the separating wheel, and a spiral shaped outlet (102) for removal of classified fine material dispersed in air, and a substantially truncated cone shaped lower section (103), the upper section of which exhibiting a secondary air inlet (105) arranged tangential to the circumference of the lower housing (103) to supply secondary air in a direction concurrently with the direction of rotation of the separating wheel (111) and a second outlet (104) for classified coarse particulate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Sinvent A/S
    Inventor: Jacek Kolacz
  • Patent number: 5693225
    Abstract: A downhole fluid separation system is used with submergible pumping systems to separate downhole fluids into different density fluids, recover the lighter fluids to the earth's surface, and dispose the heavier fluids downhole. The fluid separation system includes a plurality of housings connectable one to another, each housing having one or more fluid separators, such as hydrocyclones, therein with an inlet of each fluid separator in communication with an inlet conduit, an overflow of each fluid separator in communication with an overflow conduit, and an underflow of each fluid separator in communication with an underflow conduit. The fluid separation system can be configured for parallel flow where the conduits conveying fluids downstream of a first housing have a greater cross-sectional flow area than corresponding conduits in an adjacent second housing. Also, the fluid separation system can be configured for series flow, for either the separated lighter or the separated heavier fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Camco International Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence Che-Keung Lee
  • Patent number: 5571416
    Abstract: A centrifugal liquid/solids separator includes a cylindrical separation chamber into which a liquid/solid mixture is tangentially introduced. At least some of the solids separate and migrate to a lower collection chamber. A drain port from the collection chamber passes a thikened liquid/solid mixture. A drain conduit from the drain port has parameters such that the mixture fills the conduit and continuously passes through it at a velocity sufficient to prevent settling of solids in it and free-flowing of liquid through it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Claude Laval Corporation
    Inventors: Lee Halsup, Phil Pelletier
  • Patent number: 5514271
    Abstract: A cyclone and process for fluidized catalytic cracking of heavy oils is disclosed. Gas and entrained solids are added tangentially around a vapor outlet tube in a cylindrical tube cyclone body. Solids and some gas is withdrawn via a plurality of openings radially and longitudinally distributed in the cylindrical sidewall of the cyclone body. Distributed withdrawal replaces or reduces conventional underflow of solids from an end of cyclone outlet and reduces solids reentrainment. 0-5 micron particle removal is enhanced by reducing eddy formation and particle bouncing near the cyclone sidewall. The device may be used as an FCC regenerator third stage separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Buchanan, Christopher G. Smalley
  • Patent number: 5437794
    Abstract: In a hydrocyclone the separation chamber (2) has a circumferential wall (3) provided with at least one turbulence creating member (12), which extends along the circumferential wall and crosses a helical path (10) along which a liquid stream is generated during operation. According to the invention, the turbulence creating member is formed by an offset (12) on the circumferential wall (3). The offset is formed and dimensioned such that said liquid stream substantially loses its contact with the circumferential wall as the liquid stream passes the offset. As a result turbulence is created in a layer of the liquid stream situated closest to the circumferential wall, without the liquid stream developing any substantial flow component directed inward in the separation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Celleco Hedmora AB
    Inventor: Roine Andersson