Gravitational Separator Patents (Class 210/513)
  • Patent number: 8028975
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a stack for a separation vessel adapted to receive a fluid having one or more phases. The stack may include one or more walls surrounding a void, a packed bed positioned within the void, and a distributor positioned above the packed bed. Generally, the stack has a height greater than its width. Usually, the separation vessel further includes a base having a length greater than its height, and the height of the stack is orientated substantially perpendicular to the length of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Andrew Tertel, July S. Maglente, David Alden Bahr
  • Patent number: 8016977
    Abstract: Dry pond water evaporation systems and methods are used to evaporate large quantities of water from industrial waste water sources, such as water produced by oil and gas wells. Dry pond systems include a water evaporation system that emits waste water into the air as a fine spray or mist to promote evaporation. Water that falls to the ground and any initially dissolved solids are captured in a water capture depression. Water and solids are transferred from the water capture depression to a water collection pool. Water from the water collection pool is recirculated through the water evaporation system to further concentrate the total dissolved solids (TDS). When the TDS are sufficiently concentrated, they may be harvested, such as by evaporating off the water and recovering salts or minerals as a solid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Reform Water, LLC
    Inventors: Rodney Rasmussen, Paul C. Cox
  • Patent number: 8012347
    Abstract: A device for separation of fluid, in particular oil, gas and water, in connection with the extraction of such a fluid from formations under the surface of the earth or the sea bed. The fluid is transported in a supply pipe or transport pipe (4) to a separator (1) in the form of a tubular separator body, a gravitation tank or similar. The separated components, water and oil, are passed out of the separator separately via outlet pipes. The fluid upstream of the separator (1) is subjected to shear forces so that the drops in the supply flow are torn up to form drops that are so small that the interface generally becomes new and “uncontaminated” by surfactants. The shear forces are supplied by a phase inversion device (6) in the form of a valve or similar. Water can expediently be added to the fluid upstream of the phase inversion device (6) to achieve the desired phase inversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Norsk Hydro ASA
    Inventors: Per Gramme, Gunnar Hannibal Lie
  • Publication number: 20110204002
    Abstract: Method of separation of loose mixture in fluid medium consists in the gravity feed of particles, aerodynamic monotonically increasing effect on them at acute angle to the vertical line by the cascade of slot jets and the outlet of separated fractions into separate collectors. Before aerodynamic effect on loose mixture particles each jet is transferred to developed turbulence mode by their vertical expansion jets until jets are merged with each other with faulty or close to it form of jet formation and the appearance of at least two circulation zones different in size in each inter-jet space of all contiguous jets. The device for separation contains the bunker with vibrating chute mounted underneath the jet generator, the flat nozzles located one under another at acute angle to the vertical line, the height of cross sections of which, step and angle of installation increase top-down. The generator is connected with the source of air supply under pressure, and is covered by the side walls, and grade collectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: AIROMACHUS, CO.
    Inventor: Suxin Vladimir
  • Patent number: 8003062
    Abstract: A microchannel has a substrate body; a separation channel which is formed within the substrate; at least two (first and second) connection ports which are formed at one end of the separation channel close to the thickness direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the substrate body; and first and second branch channels connected respectively to the first and second connection ports. When the substrate body is perpendicular to gravity, a blood sample containing blood cells and plasma, flows from one end of the separation channel. Before the blood sample gets to the other end of the separation channel, the blood cells in the blood sample settle out. The blood cells having settled out are then separated into the branch channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Kyoto University
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Kotera, Masao Washizu, Hidehiro Oana
  • Patent number: 8002121
    Abstract: An in-line flow separator (1) comprises an uphill section (2) of pipeline which, in use, carries a gravitationally stratified flow of a first liquid (3) and a second denser liquid (4). The second liquid (4) forms a sump (5) extending uphill from the foot of the uphill section (2), and an interface between the first and second liquids on the uphill section is inclined from the horizontal. An extraction port (6) in the pipeline extracts the second liquid from the sump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Michel Berard, Kamal Babour, Ibrahim Babelli
  • Publication number: 20110198303
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method (20) of separating pulp from a feed material within a tank (1), the method comprising the steps of (23) introducing the feed material (22) into the tank (1); (24) allowing the feed material (22) to settle in the tank (1); (25) allowing the pulp (21) to form into aggregates (13); (26) allowing the pulp aggregates (13) to settle towards the bottom of the tank (1) and form a networked layer (2) of pulp; and (27) causing a disturbance substantially uniformly across a disturbance zone (16) in an upper region of the networked layer (2), so as to disrupt the networked pulp in the disturbance zone within a predetermined period of time; thereby releasing entrained liquid from the networked pulp in the disturbance zone (16) and increasing the relative density of the pulp below the disturbance zone. The invention also provides a separation device (40) for separating pulp (21) from a feed material (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: OUTOTEC OYJ
    Inventors: Ian Arbuthnot, Richard Triglavcanin, Loc Thanh Le
  • Patent number: 7971732
    Abstract: A grit removal unit for a waste water system, including a round grit removal chamber with an input for waste water and an output, a grit storage chamber beneath the grit removal chamber, and an opening between the grit storage chamber and the grit removal chamber. A vertical drive shaft extends through the grit removal chamber into the grit storage chamber, and is rotatable to facilitate waste water flow in the grit removal chamber whereby grit in the waste water is directed toward the opening. A grit size restrictor includes a shear secured to the drive shaft for rotation therewith (the shear including a plate extending radially from the drive shaft above the opening), a first set of bars extending across the opening, and a second set of bars secured to the bottom of the shear plate with the second set of bars positioned adjacent the first set of bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Smith & Loveless, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank G. Weis, Robert Davis
  • Patent number: 7959012
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating oil-based sludge includes a boiler, a heat exchanger having a circulatory steam path in fluid communication with the boiler and a sludge path receiving sludge, a plurality of serially-aligned mixers in fluid communication with the sludge path of the heat exchanger, a separation tank in fluid communication with the plurality of mixers, and wherein the separation tank includes a tank having a plurality of walls, a hydrocyclone mounted within the tank receiving sludge from the plurality of mixers, wherein the hydrocyclone includes a solids outlet directing a solids component towards a bottom portion of the tank and a fluid outlet directing a fluid component into the tank, a means for conveying separated solids along the bottom portion of the tank to a solids outlet, and a plurality of fluid outlets vertically located along a tank wall, wherein each outlet includes a valve providing selective fluid communication from the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventor: Catalin Ivan
  • Publication number: 20110114550
    Abstract: A solid-liquid separating system of a parallel plate conveying type can efficiently dehydrate sludge at an inlet and effectively dehydrate it at an outlet, and assures good solid-liquid separating performance. A filter is constituted by a first plate group and a second plate group which perform the parallel motion and displacement left and right, and up and down on the basis of the circular motion. The first plate group includes a plurality of plates A arranged with predetermined spaces. The second plate group includes a plurality of plates B which are as thick as the plates A, and plates C which are thicker than the plates B. The plates B and C are separated. A press unit (not shown) presses sludge at an outlet, where gaps between plates are narrowed. Even when the sludge is dehydrated by applying pressure, few solids will flow out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Murota
  • Publication number: 20110068064
    Abstract: Systems and methods for separating particles of pharmaceutically active materials, based on differences in density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: Syracuse University
    Inventors: Bruce S. Hudson, Jack Melton
  • Patent number: 7909990
    Abstract: A filter device is made up of: a filter portion having a fluid outlet at its axis, and a fluid inlet in a position away from the axis, in which a fluid containing particles is supplied at a predetermined flow speed from the fluid inlet to cause a swirling, particles are moved outward in a centrifugal state and the fluid from which the particles are separated is discharged from the fluid outlet, and the particles separated by slowing down the swirling are allowed to sink; and a settlement portion in which the particles that settle in the filter portion are allowed to settle. Thus, a fluid containing particles is supplied at a predetermined flow speed to cause swirling, the particles are separated by a centrifugal force caused by the swirling and allowed to sink and settle, and the fluid from which the particles are separated is discharged. A large amount of particles can be allowed to settle and be reliably removed in a short time with this small-sized and simple device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Takahashi Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuaki Takahashi, Junichi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7901575
    Abstract: A simple device, skimmer or utensil perfect for removing unwanted fat, impurities or foam from excess starch accumulated on the surface of soups, stocks, sauces, stews, or boiling pasta; wherein the skimmer is slowly inserted into the cooked liquid and by gently rotating its handle back and forth and gradually dipping the plate into the liquid, the fat, grease, or unwanted foam is spilled onto its holding plate; thus, removing from the cooked food unhealthy fat and/or other unwanted impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Inventor: Ottoniel Reyes
  • Publication number: 20110036788
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for separating an aqueous phase from an oil phase of an oil-water mixture (6), which has a pressurized dewatering system (14) having multiphase separation profiles (15). According to the invention, it is essential that the pressurized dewatering system (14) operates in a plurality of stages. In addition, the invention relates to an apparatus (8) for carrying out the process of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Ralph Michael, Eberhard Runge
  • Patent number: 7867365
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for producing ethanol from an organic source and that operates to purify and dry ethanol from a beer source. The system for producing substantially anhydrous ethanol comprises: (a) a first distillation stripping column; (b) a second distillation rectifying column having a higher operating temperature than said stripping column; (c) a molecular sieve dehydration means in fluid communication with said rectifying column. Heat from the overhead of the second distillation rectifying column and the molecular sieve dehydration are used to heat the first distillation stripping column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Thermal Kinetics Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher J. Brown
  • Publication number: 20100326922
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a subsea separation vessel for the separation of a mixture comprising oil and water comprising (a) at least one inlet for introducing a oil-water mixture; (b) a flow path for conducting the oil-water mixture; (c) at least one oil-water separation structure; and (d) at least one fluid outlet. The oil-water separation structure includes a multifunctional surface. The oil-water separation structure is located within the flow path and wherein the multifunctional surface is superhydrophobic with respect to water, and either oleophilic or superoleophilic with respect to oil. A method for separating oil from an oil-water mixture is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Kripa Kiran Varanasi, Ambarish Jayant Kulkarni, Christopher Edward Wolfe
  • Patent number: 7806276
    Abstract: A separator that uses centrifugation to fractionate a suspension such as blood comprises a separation container and a buoy. The buoy is carried in the separation container and has a tuned density that is configured to reach an equilibrium position in a suspension. The guide surface is carried on the buoy upper surface and is inclined to an accumulation position near a buoy perimeter. The buoy suspension fractionation system can be used in a method of isolating a fraction from a suspension, and in a method for re-suspending particulates for withdrawal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignees: Hanuman, LLC, Biomet Biologics, LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Leach, Randel Dorian, Jacy C. Hoeppner
  • Publication number: 20100236409
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a removal device for removing gas, dirt and/or particles from a contaminating liquid from a liquid in a liquid conduit system. The removal device includes a housing, a supply opening and a discharge opening, a resistance zone, at least one quiet zone and at least one return opening. The quiet zone allows dirt and/or particles of a relatively heavy contaminating liquid to settle to a bottom of the housing, and/or gas bubbles and/or particles of a relatively light contaminating liquid to rise to an upper end of the housing at least one bifurcation opening in the resistance zone and subsequently returns into the main flow at the merge point through the return opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: Flamco B.V.
    Inventor: Jan Henk Cnossen
  • Patent number: 7799214
    Abstract: A filtration device for a surface treatment liquid, in which deposited precipitates can be quickly transferred regardless of the magnitude of the diameter, material, and the like, of particles contained in a used surface treatment liquid. Further, the precipitates are not influenced by the flow caused by the transfer, so that such a situation that the deposited precipitates rise to flow into a surface treatment tank can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Japan Field Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahide Uchino
  • Patent number: 7763166
    Abstract: A process line for separating oil sand slurry comprising coarse solids, fines, bitumen and water, into a first product comprising bitumen, fines and water and a second product comprising coarse solids, fines and water is provided comprising a plurality of countercurrently operating solid/liquid separators arranged in series along a pipeline, wherein the underflow of one separator is fed to the next separator in series and the overflow of each separator is fed to the preceding separator, the underflow of the last separator being the second product and the overflow from the first separator being the first product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignees: Canadian Oil Sands Limited, Canadian Oil Sands Limited Partnership, Conocophilllips Oilsands Partnership II, Imperial Oil Resources, Mocal Energy Limited, Nexen Oil Sands Partnership, Murphy Oil Company Ltd.
    Inventors: George J. Cymerman, Jessica Vandenberghe
  • Patent number: 7758696
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring a solid-liquid interface, including providing a vessel configured to contain an at least partially melted material; detecting radiation reflected from a surface of a liquid portion of the at least partially melted material that is parallel with the liquid surface; measuring a disturbance on the surface; calculating at least one frequency associated with the disturbance; and determining a thickness of the liquid portion based on the at least one frequency, wherein the thickness is calculated based on L = f 2 ? w 2 g , where g is the gravitational constant, w is the horizontal width of the liquid, and f is the at least one frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc
    Inventors: Nathan G. Stoddard, Roger F. Clark, Tim Kary
  • Publication number: 20100176061
    Abstract: The invention provides an efficient method to purify an aqueous solution, typically mine drainage water, especially of anions and cations present in the aqueous solution as dissolved solids, the anions and cations are removed by treatment with a positively charged extractant having at least eight carbon atoms, whereby an unstable emulsion is formed; the unstable emulsion is allowed to break into an extract phase loaded with the anions and cations, and a water phase depleted in anions and cations; a floe inherently forms in the loaded extractant phase and then the loaded extractant phase and floe are separated from the purified water and treated to remove the anions and cations as concentrated useful products; the treated aqueous phase now reduced in anion and/or cation content is also separated from the emulsion as a purified aqueous solution. The extractant phase is preferably recycled. A continuous water purification process is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Bruce F. Monzyk, F. Michael Von Fahnestock, James K. Rose, H. Nick Conkle, Ming Wang, Satya P. Chauhan, Ruey K. Bruce, Tenisha Highsmith
  • Patent number: 7703613
    Abstract: Apparatus for managing layers of different density includes an enclosed tank for holding the liquids so that they stratify into separate layers of different levels in the tank. A conduit for liquid in the tank is open at an inner end to the tank interior, and is open at an outer end to the tank exterior. A drive moves the inner end of the conduit to different levels within tank so liquid can be transferred into or out of different levels in the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Inventor: Keith R. Haslem
  • Patent number: 7699984
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic treatment device comprises a vessel (2) within which is disposed an inner partition (24). The inner partition (24) divides the interior of the vessel (2) into outer and inner regions (22, 28). Flow enters the vessel (2) through a tangentially oriented inlet (14) and establishes a complex circulating flow within the vessel (2). Settleable solids migrate to the bottom of the vessel (2) and are deposited in a sump (20) through a solids outlet opening (18). Flow enters the inner region (28) through apertures (34) in the inner partition (24), and is discharged through an outlet duct (8). The inner region (28) is closed at its lower end by a frusto-conical, downwardly diverging lower wall (30) which projects outwardly from a central cylindrical wall (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Hydro International PLC
    Inventors: Robert Yaw Gyamfi Andoh, Michael Guy Faram
  • Patent number: 7674378
    Abstract: A self-contained wetlands treatment system to remove pollutants from water and treat stormwater runoff or other grey water. This is system and method wherein the water is passed through a wetland filtering and treatment system. This invention removes solids, metals (dissolved/particulate), nutrients (dissolved/particulate), oils, and bacterial contaminants from the water. The system and system housing can be fabricated, built, and assembled in a broad range of sizes and materials to accommodate and treat a broad range of influent flow rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Modular Wetland Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Greg B. Kent
  • Patent number: 7654397
    Abstract: A gravity separator S separates a liquid phase O and a gas phase G from a multiphase fluid mixture E. The gravity separator comprises a collector 1 for collecting the liquid phase O, an outlet 8 for extracting the gas phase G and a draining circuit 3 coupled to the collector 1 for draining the liquid phase O out of the separator. The gravity separator S further comprises a floating assembly 2 coupled to the collector 1. The floating assembly is arranged to float at an interface GLI between the liquid phase and the gas phase so that the collector is positioned in the multiphase fluid mixture present in the gravity separator S for collecting substantially the liquid phase O.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Francis Allouche
  • Publication number: 20100018929
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for treating waste water. The system may be applied to any application for the treatment of waste water which benefits from an equalized flow into the waste water treatment processes, such as industrial batch discharges, storm water settling and screening, and septic receiving at a waste water treatment plant. The system comprises a single primary settling tank for the processes of grit removal, flow equalization, fine screening and primary clarification. The system further comprises the use of a flow measurement device on the discharge side of the primary settling tank to provide a uniform flow to downstream processes. The system further comprises placement of a fine screen on a discharge mechanism which controls the effluent flow from the primary settling tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: Trans Terra Corporation
    Inventor: Terry Wright
  • Publication number: 20100000926
    Abstract: A device for separation of fluid, in particular oil, gas and water, in connection with the extraction of such a fluid from formations under the surface of the earth or the sea bed. The fluid is transported in a supply pipe or transport pipe (4) to a separator (1) in the form of a tubular separator body, a gravitation tank or similar. The separated components, water and oil, are passed out of the separator separately via outlet pipes. The fluid upstream of the separator (1) is subjected to shear forces so that the drops in the supply flow are torn up to form drops that are so small that the interface generally becomes new and “uncontaminated” by surfactants. The shear forces are supplied by a phase inversion device (6) in the form of a valve or similar. Water can expediently be added to the fluid upstream of the phase inversion device (6) to achieve the desired phase inversion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: Per GRAMME, Gunnar Hannibal Lie
  • Publication number: 20090294352
    Abstract: An integrated perforated flocculating baffle system for use in a clarifier tank with a tank bottom, and a peripheral vertical wall bounding the interior of the tank is formed by a plurality of individual baffles interconnected and mounted to a support element, extending vertically inside the tank forming a rigid wall of perforated baffles allowing incoming water to pass through its openings and through gaps between individual baffles promoting flocculation of the suspended matter, and distributing the flow equally and uniformly throughout the settling the clarifiers. Each baffle includes solid linear and curved sections followed by perforated sections. The baffles are interconnected along the length by cross connectors to ensure rigidity. The resulting system provides an integrated perforated baffle system by which the water flows uniformly within the tank and flocculation is enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventor: Hany Zarif Gerges
  • Publication number: 20090250413
    Abstract: A system for separating components of a composition according to density. The system includes a torque generating device, a separation device, and a housing. The separation device separates the composition into different components according to density. The housing accommodates the separation device. The housing includes a base having an interface that transfers torque from the torque generating device to the separation device, a cover, and a conduit for introducing the composition into the separation device without opening the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: Biomet Biologics, LLC
    Inventor: Jacy C. Hoeppner
  • Publication number: 20090246603
    Abstract: A process for reclaiming a contaminated electrolyte in an electrolytic cell used in the production of gaseous fluorine. The contaminated electrolyte is a mixture of potassium bifluoride and hydrofluoric acid having metal ions therein. The process has the following steps: a) removing the contaminated electrolyte from the cell to a treatment tank; b) adding a lithium compound to the contaminated electrolyte in the treatment tank to induce settlement of at least part of the metal ions; c) allowing the metal ions to settle to the bottom of the treatment tank; d) removing the settled metal ions from the bottom of the treatment tank to form a reclaimed electrolyte; and e) returning the reclaimed electrolyte to the cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Per G. Ekevag, Jon B. Price, David M. Craig, Shane L. Robinson, Kent C. Beckman, Allen Greenwell, Richard R. Travis
  • Patent number: 7591983
    Abstract: The invention is intended to produce high-pressure light fuel gas with good combustibility by contacting and reacting high-temperature, high-pressure water and heavy oil with each other in a contact-reaction unit to extract light oil components from the heavy oil and to remove metals. The high-temperature, high-pressure water and the heavy oil are introduced to the contact-reaction unit for contact and reaction with each other therein. Heavy oil components not dissolved in the high-temperature, high-pressure water are separated by precipitation from hydrocarbon gases and light oil components which are dissolved in the high-temperature, high-pressure water. The separated heavy oil components are burnt or incinerated without any further modification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Petroleum Energy Center
    Inventors: Hirokazu Takahashi, Shinichi Inage, Nobuyuki Hokari, Masahiko Yamagishi, Akinori Hayashi, Osami Yokota, Youji Ishibashi
  • Publication number: 20090211960
    Abstract: A fluid treatment tank for use in a well fluid processing system. The tank is divided into at least three compartments, including an oil treatment compartment for receiving oil from a separator vessel of the well fluid processing system so as to allow stabilization and/or final separation and treatment of the oil, a reject treatment compartment for receiving reject fluid from one or more water treatment units of the well fluid processing system so as to allow gravitational separation of heavier and lighter components of the reject fluid, and a water treatment compartment for receiving de-oiled water from one or more water treatment units of the well fluid processing system so as to allow degassing and/or final separation of the water. Also, a well fluid processing system including such a fluid treatment tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: Aibel AS
    Inventors: Pal Jahre Nilsen, Matteo Chiesa, Peder Hansson, Helge L. Andersen
  • Publication number: 20090159528
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a flow divider (1) promoting separation, said flow divider (1) comprising an inlet (2), at least one dividing fin (3), and two or more outlets (4, 5). According to the present invention a pipeline (7) leading to the inlet (2) is sufficiently long to promote at least a degree of separation of a fluid that is carried through the pipeline (7) and that initially is mixed (6), the lighter constituents flowing through a top section of the pipeline (7), and the heavier constituents flowing through a bottom section of the pipeline (7), wherein the at least one dividing fin (3) is/are arranged either vertically and/or horizontally in order to divide the flow into two or more smaller flow streams downstream of the flow divider (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Bernt Bjerkreim, Karl Olav Haram, Per Salater
  • Publication number: 20090107909
    Abstract: It is intended to provide a microchannel for separating blood plasma whereby blood plasma can be conveniently separated on a microchip. A microchannel comprising: a substrate body (10a); a separation channel (11) which is formed within the substrate body (10a) and extended in the direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the substrate body (10a); at least two (first and second) connection ports (13a, 14a) which are formed at one end of the separation channel (11) close to the thickness direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the substrate body (10a); and first and second branch channels (13, 14) which are formed within the substrate body (10a) and connected respectively to the first and second connection ports (13a, 14a). In the state where the substrate body (10a) is extended perpendicular to the direction of gravitational force, a blood sample containing blood cells and plasma is flown from one end (11a) side of the separation channel (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Kotera, Masao Washizu, Hidehiro Oana
  • Patent number: 7509759
    Abstract: An apparatus for dewatering dredge spoils includes a floating barge having a planar upper surface or deck. One end of the barge, such as the stern, is partially flooded or otherwise ballasted so that the deck slopes downwardly from the bow toward the stem. Dredge spoils removed from a waterway are deposited onto the bow where they flow down toward the stem. A plurality of concrete blocks on the deck form an attenuator that, in turn, defines one or more settling ponds on the surface of the barge. A weir across the stem of the barge forms an additional settling pond at the rear of the barge. Solids suspended in the water removed from the waterway settle out onto the deck when the dredge spoils are deposited onto the bow. Remaining solids suspended in the water deposit onto the deck as the water flows through the settling ponds. The relatively clear water that remains then flows back into the waterway off the stem of the sloped barge after passing through the settling ponds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: General Construction Company
    Inventors: Brian Bernard Langdon, Kenneth Anthony Preston, Thomas Edward Coultas
  • Patent number: 7462290
    Abstract: A device for removing solids from a fluid containment space. A hood is arranged or intended to be arranged at a bottom surface of the fluid containment space. At least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening are provided on a first side of the hood. The hood is provided with one or more elements for directing fluids through the respective outlet opening on the first side of the hood from the inner space of the hood to the fluid containment space exterior of the hood in an essentially horizontal direction or in a direction towards the bottom surface of the fluid containment space. Also provided are a separator including such a device and a method for removing solids from a fluid containment space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Scandinavia AS
    Inventors: Espen Hauge, Deborah Wood
  • Publication number: 20080272049
    Abstract: An in-line flow separator (1) comprises an uphill section (2) of pipeline which, in use, carries a gravitationally stratified flow of a first liquid (3) and a second denser liquid (4). The second liquid (4) forms a sump (5) extending uphill from the foot of the uphill section (2), and an interface between the first and second liquids on the uphill section is inclined from the horizontal. An extraction port (6) in the pipeline extracts the second liquid from the sump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michel Berard, Kamal Babour, Ibrahim Babelli
  • Patent number: 7445707
    Abstract: A waste treatment system that removes as much of the inorganic and organic solids as possible prior to treating the collected waste material in treatment lagoons. First, inorganic solids, such as sand, are removed, if needed. Then coarse solids are removed, including manure and other organic material such as straw. After removal of inorganic and coarse solids, additional fine solids are removed through two settling basins. For example, after coarse solids separation and fine solids separation, the solids concentration has been reduced by over 80%. Preferably, the coarse solids separation and fine solids separation has reduced size requirements of the treatment lagoons to accommodate an organic loading, as total volatile solids, between 0.00253 lb/ft3 of lagoon volume/day×K and 0.0105 lb/ft3 of lagoon volume/day×K, where K varies from about 0.4 to about 1.2. Finally, the remaining liquid is treated in the treatment lagoons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Envirolytic Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Menke, David Ricke
  • Patent number: 7435864
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for the production of alkylate(s) by sulfuric acid alkylation of at least one isoparaffin such as isobutane with at least one olefin, such as butylenes. The device includes a mixing chamber for preparing a mixture of the isoparaffin with recycled reaction products. It also includes an emulsion chamber for preparing a first hydrocarbons-in-sulfuric acid emulsion, where the mixture prepared in the mixing chamber is injected in multiple parallel jets into a sulfuric acid composition. The device further includes a pre-reaction chamber for preparing a second emulsion, where a given portion of the olefin is injected in jet streams into the first hydrocarbons-in-sulfuric acid emulsion coming from the emulsion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Orgral International Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Semen Gershuni
  • Publication number: 20080237119
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1), for delivering a liquid into a tank (which can be large, and of any desired footprint), comprising an inlet (2) for a liquid, an outlet (3) for liquid, and means (4) adapted to change flow direction of the liquid gradually towards the inlet (2). In the embodiment, the device (1), includes a single short cone (5) which is fed with incoming liquid from a conduit pipe, or manifold (6). The inlet (2) of the cone (5) is effectively formed by the means (2) to change flow direction which means (2) is in the form of a swept “T” member connected between the conduit, pipe or manifold (6) and the inlet (2) of the cone (5). The cone has angle (?) and entry diameter (d), the swept T has a radius of curvature (R), and the main pipe (6) a diameter (D), height (H) and width (W). For multiple units, additional parameters are number of units, length between units and the height (C) of the cone (5). Multiple unit parameters are selected for particular throughput.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: THAMES WATER UTILITIES LIMITED
    Inventor: Tuan Chi Ta
  • Patent number: 7429363
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved separator for use in hydrocarbon cracking process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Stone & Webster Process Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ed Yuan, Warren Letzsch, Gary Jackson, Jim Evans, John Hood
  • Patent number: 7419608
    Abstract: The present invention falls within the field of purifying oil-laden wastewater, which provides a method for purifying coke-cooling wastewater in a delayed coking process in petroleum chemical field. The method comprises the following steps: (a) cooling the coke-cooling wastewater produced in a delayed coking process to 5-55° C. under 0.1-0.25 MPa absolute pressure, to obtain cooled coke-cooling wastewater; (b) subjecting the cooled coke-cooling wastewater to solid-liquid separation, to obtain a coke breeze phase and a liquid phase; (c) further separating the obtained liquid phase, to obtain an oil phase and a water phase; and (d) further discharging water from the obtained oil phase, to obtain the separated oil phase. The present invention also provides an equipment for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignees: East China University of Science and Technology, Sinopec Zhenhai Refining & Chemical Company Limited, Luoyang Petrochemical Engineering Corporation (LPEC) Sinopec
    Inventors: Hualin Wang, Zhuoqun Qian, Jianwen Wang, Baohua Dai, Jiangqing Hu, Shuilong Yu, Chengyu Xu, Tianming Hou, Hejie Li, Jianghua Xu, Lixin Zhang
  • Publication number: 20080190869
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fat separator device having a container with a spout portion and a cover portion releasably attached to the container. The cover portion including a surface having at least one aperture to allow for passage of a liquid through the cover portion and a plug portion extending down from the surface, the plug portion being operable to releasably cover the spout portion of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: Browne & Co.
    Inventor: David Chan
  • Patent number: 7381309
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for extracting sulfur compounds from a hydrocarbon stream. A prewash section for converting hydrogen sulfide to sodium sulfide by reaction with an alkali such as caustic prepares the hydrocarbon stream for extraction. Spent alkali is continuously withdrawn and regenerated alkali is continuously added to the prewash section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Luigi Laricchia, Jonathan A. Tertel
  • Publication number: 20080099390
    Abstract: A replaceable module for capturing amalgam and mercury from the waste water disposal system of a dental office, in which the waste water flows into a settling chamber, overflows from the settling chamber into a magnetically-assisted sluice, and then after being further cleaned by the sluice, flows on to a sewer connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventor: David C. Plath
  • Publication number: 20080073297
    Abstract: According to a blood plasma collection tool of the present invention, a phenomenon that blood cells in blood spontaneously precipitate due to an effect of gravitational force takes place in the very narrow microspace (separation part) having the very narrow depth in the direction of gravitational force of not greater than 1 mm, and the overflow channel functions as a dam against the separation part so that the blood plasma separated out as supernatant fluid can overflow beyond the overflow channel, whereby the blood cells separated out can be prevented from entering the collection part. Therefore, blood plasma can be collected by accurately and readily separating blood plasma and blood cells in a small amount of blood from each other in a short time, using a small tool having a simple structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Fumiko Shiraishi, Yasunori Ichikawa, Takayuki Fujiwara, Hideharu Nagasawa, Kazunori Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20070289911
    Abstract: A process line for separating oil sand slurry comprising coarse solids, fines, bitumen and water, into a first product comprising bitumen, fines and water and a second product comprising coarse solids, fines and water is provided comprising a plurality of countercurrently operating solid/liquid separators arranged in series along a pipeline, wherein the underflow of one separator is fed to the next separator in series and the overflow of each separator is fed to the preceding separator, the underflow of the last separator being the second product and the overflow from the first separator being the first product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Applicants: CANADIAN OIL SANDS LIMITED, CANADIAN OIL SANDS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, CONOCOPHILLIPS OILSANDS PARTNERSHIP II, IMPERIAL OIL RESOURCES, MOCAL ENERGY LIMITED, NEXEN OIL SANDS PARTNERSHIP, MURPHY OIL COMPANY LTD., PETRO-CANADA OIL AND GAS
    Inventors: GEORGE J. CYMERMAN, JESSICA VANDENBERGHE
  • Patent number: 7232036
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a waste collection system for separating liquid waste from solid waste which includes a conveyor having an upper conveyor roller, a lower conveyor roller and an endless conveyor belt extending around the conveyor rollers. The upper run of the conveyor belt is upwardly concave. In cross section, the upper run has a lowermost portion and lateral portions diverging laterally and upwardly from the lowermost portion. The upper run is longitudinally inclined from the upper roller to the lower roller. A waste deflector extends above and along the lowermost portion of the upper run. Separate liquid and solid waste collectors are located in the vicinity of the upper and lower rollers. A conveyor drive is connected to on of the conveyor rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: ATD Waste Systems Inc.
    Inventors: J. Victor Van Slyke, Martien H. J. G. Van Kempen, Theodorus A. T. G. Van Kempen
  • Patent number: 7223332
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and process for oxidizing mercaptans in a preferably kerosene stream. By using a catalyst promoter, sufficient separation of hydrocarbon and aqueous alkali occurs in the reactor vessel to obviate the need for a settling tank. Hence, the sweetened kerosene can be withdrawn from the reactor vessel and sent directly to a residual alkali removal unit such as a sand filter vessel or to a water wash vessel if jet grade fuel is desired. In an embodiment, the reactor vessel used for this purpose includes a reaction section and a separation section in the same reactor vessel and an aqueous alkali outlet and a sweetened hydrocarbon outlet in the separation section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Jonathan A. Tertel