With Discharge Means For Two Or More Lighter Constituents Patents (Class 210/537)
  • Patent number: 10421669
    Abstract: Disclosed is a dissolved air floatation device which includes a cyclonic flotation separation tank, arranges a return pipe for treated water and a return pipe for floating scum concentrically with respect to the center pipe of a swirling flow within the floatation separation tank, forms a descending water flow along with an ascending water flow within the flotation separation tank, thereby being capable of simultaneously separating settled suspended material and floating suspended material in raw water at an improved efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: KOREA AQUOSYS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shi Chun Yang
  • Patent number: 9284705
    Abstract: A separator is disclosed that may be used to separate oil from water in situ in the ocean or other water body. The difference in density between oil and water causes them to separate between two limbs of the apparatus, and to exit from different ports at different heights. The input may contain oil:water in essentially any ratio. The apparatus may be placed within a boat or ship, or it may be mounted on pontoons or other floatation gear and towed behind a boat or ship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University And Agricultural and Mechanical College
    Inventor: Chandra S. Theegala
  • Patent number: 8945256
    Abstract: A desanding system has an elongated vessel that is tilted at a non-zero inclination angle. A fluid inlet at the vessel's upper end discharges a gas stream having entrained liquids and particulates and a fluid outlet into a freeboard portion formed adjacent an upper portion of the vessel above a gas/liquid interface formed below the fluid outlet. A belly storage portion is formed below the interface. The freeboard portion of the vessel has a freeboard cross-sectional area that diminishes along the interface from the fluid inlet to a fluid outlet spaced away from and lower than the fluid inlet. The cross-sectional are of the freeboard portion causes precipitation of the entrained liquids and particulates therefrom and collect in the belly portion of the vessel. A desanded gas stream, being free of a substantial portion of the particulates is removed from the vessel through the fluid outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Specialized Desanders Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher A. Hemstock
  • Patent number: 8906238
    Abstract: Liquid clarifier and method for clarifying liquid, comprising a liquid reactor which comprises an cylindrical tank having an upper vertical section and a lower tapered section, an inner cylinder extending along at least part of the upper section of the tank and an outlet for clarified liquid at the top of the tank, where the liquid clarifier further comprises a gas compressor adapted to inject compressed gas into the lower region of the cylinder and an inlet for an unclear liquid at the upper region of the cylinder, and at least one partition wall inside the cylinder, where the at least one partition wall create flow channels in the lower region of the inner chamber, where the compressed gas is adapted to be injected through gas inlets in flow channel/s in order to create an upward flow in the flow channel/s having gas inlets, which will create a downward flow in the flow channel/s without gas inlets, where the at least one partition wall extends out of the lower region of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Flocazur AB
    Inventors: Ninni Petersson, Luc Antelme
  • Patent number: 8691097
    Abstract: The system and method is directed to improved separation or clarification of solids from a solids-laden liquid and removal of entrained gasses. A liquid to be treated is introduced into the inlet of a solid-liquid separator modified to include one or more sources of vibrational energy. The liquid is directed through a conduit within the separator. This conduit can be configured into a tortuous flow path to assist in the separation of solids from the liquid. Vibrational energy is applied to the flow path, preferably through the flow path conduit. As solids fall out of solution, they are collected. The clarified liquid is also collected. A vacuum can be applied to the system to assist in moving the solid-liquid mixture through the system and to provide vacuum clarification. Electrocoagulation electrodes and gas sparging can also be employed along with height adjustable weirs and an oil accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: 1612017 Alberta Ltd.
    Inventor: Derald L. McCabe
  • Patent number: 8501018
    Abstract: A process vessel is provided for separating a multi-component stream. The process vessel includes an inlet for permitting introduction of reaction water stream into the vessel and an outlet for withdrawing a water-rich phase from the vessel. The vessel further includes a plurality of draw-off points for drawing off a phase rich in suspended hydrocarbons from the vessel, the draw-off point(s) being located above the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Sasol Technology (Pty) Ltd
    Inventors: Paul Meintjes, Johannes Buys
  • Patent number: 8496740
    Abstract: An atmospheric oil, water and gas separator designed for oilfield applications having ground level inlet, internal water leg, internal piping, a degassing chamber, a horizontal inlet fluid swirl wing distributor that creates centrifugal spiraling of inlet fluids to slow and increase flow residence time, a horizontal swirl wing baffle above the inlet that minimizes oil re-entrainment by preventing turbulence at the oil-water interface, an inverted upper spreader that prevents solids plugging and performance deterioration, an oil conduit extending from the lower surface of the inverted upper spreader to the oil layer to prevent re-entrainment of separated oil in the inlet water turbulent zone, an externally adjustable slide tube for the water leg spillover weir tube, engineered water and oil spillover weirs that prevent separator upsets and overflows, and a water leg adjuster providing fine tuning of the height of the water leg from outside the vessel without shutdown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Inventor: Will D. Ball, IV
  • Patent number: 8187370
    Abstract: A high separation efficacy, compact, bulk oil separator oriented horizontally and used with a scroll-type oil-lubricated compressor unit adapted to compressing helium. The horizontal bulk oil separator contains an integral oil reservoir and removes more than 99.9% of the oil from the helium that exits. The bulk oil separator contains successive chambers where oil separates from the gas by impingement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignees: SHI-APD Cryogenics, Inc., Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Stephen B. Dunn, Ralph C. Longsworth
  • 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
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7901492
    Abstract: A device in connection with a pipe separator. The pipe separator comprising an extended tubular body (1) with a diameter that is principally the same as or slightly larger than the diameter of the inlet pipe (3) of the pipe separator. A gas manifold (2) is arranged in connection with the inlet pipe. The manifold (2) includes a number of vertical degassing pipes (7), which are connected to the supply pipe (3) immediately ahead of the inlet to the separator and which end in an overlying, preferably slightly inclined gas collection pipe (6). The manifold is designed so that the gas will be diverted up through the vertical degassing pipes and collected in the gas collection pipe (6) for return to the outlet pipe after the separator or transported onwards to a gas tank or gas processing plant or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Norsk Hydro ASA
    Inventors: Per Eivind Gramme, Gunnar Hannibal Lie
  • Patent number: 7744767
    Abstract: A system for separating a mixture of two fluids of different specific gravities comprising: a first chamber having an inlet for receiving said mixture; a second chamber having a connection for receiving the fluid with the higher specific gravity of said mixture from said first chamber, said connection being situated between a portion of the two chambers below the inlet; and a waste outlet in said first chamber to drain residue situated at an interface between the two fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Matt G. Driggers
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7611635
    Abstract: A system (1) for separating a fluid stream (2) comprising gas, a light liquid and a heavy liquid, the system comprising a separation vessel (5) that is arranged to define a downwardly extending separation space and comprises a downwardly sloping tube (8), the separation space having an inlet (10) for the fluid stream at a first height, an outlet (20) for heavy liquid at a second height below the first height, an outlet (30) for light liquid at a third height between the first and second heights, an outlet (70) for gas above all outlets for liquid, wherein a further outlet (51, 56) for light liquid is provided at a fourth height between the first and third heights, and wherein at least the outlet at the third height is provided with a control valve (33) that is operative to open and close in dependence of the type of liquid in the pipes at that level, and a method of separating a fluid stream comprising gas, a light liquid and a heavy liquid in such a system, wherein an indication of height of an interface bet
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Jill Hui Chiun Chieng, Frederick Jan Van Dijk
  • Publication number: 20090218282
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system for use on marine vessels or land-based applications where wastewater is separated into two separate sources as graywater and raw sewage (blackwater). For blackwater, the treatment system incorporates five general phases (or zones): (1) screening, (2) clarifying, (3) filtering, (4) advanced oxidation, and (5) sludge reducing. For graywater, the treatment system incorporates three general phases (or zones): (1) screening (2) filtering, and (3) advanced oxidation. Each train of the treatment system (blackwater and graywater) can operate as a stand-alone system or can be assimilated into an integrated treatment train for both graywater and blackwater. This system is particularly useful in today's restrictive regulatory environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: NAVALIS ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen P. Markle, Randall J. Jones
  • Patent number: 7540902
    Abstract: A slug flow separator facilitates the separation of a mixture flow into component parts. The separator includes an upper-tier elongate conduit, a lower-tier elongate conduit and a plurality of spaced apart connectors. Each of the upper and lower-tier elongate conduits has an outlet and at least one of the upper and lower-tier elongate conduits has an inlet for receiving the mixture flow. The upper and lower-tier elongate conduits also each have a plurality of openings such that one connector of the plurality of connectors may interconnect one of the upper-tier elongate conduit openings with a one of the lower-tier elongate conduit openings. The connectors enable communication of at least one of a liquid component and the at least one of another liquid component and a gas component of the mixture flow therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Jose Oscar Esparza, George John Zabaras
  • Patent number: 7531099
    Abstract: A three phase separator to separate a fluid into three phases. A horizontal tank forms a fluid container having an inlet to the container in order to permit entry of a three phase fluid. An oil box within the fluid container includes a bottom and at least one baffle separating the oil box from the fluid container. A water box within the fluid container includes a bottom and at least one baffle separating the water box from the container. A water removal mechanism is in communication with the water box to draw water therefrom. An oil removal mechanism is in communication with the oil box to draw oil therefrom. A gas outlet permits removal of gas from the fluid container. A slot through the baffle of the water box permits entry of water from the fluid container into the water box in the event of a water surge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Process Equipment & Service Company, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 7520393
    Abstract: A system for separating a mixture of two fluids of different specific gravities comprising: a first chamber having an inlet for receiving said mixture; a second chamber having a connection for receiving the fluid with the higher specific gravity of said mixture from said first chamber, said connection being situated between a portion of the two chambers below the inlet; and a waste outlet in said first chamber to drain residue situated at an interface between the two fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Matt G Driggers
  • Patent number: 7429319
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a sewage slurry separation system adapted to assist in sewer cleaning operations. The sewage slurry separation system is configured for collecting sewage slurry from a sewer line, depositing the sewage slurry in a collection/settling chamber to separate the slurry into water and sludge. The water is then pumped back into the sewer line. The system includes a sewage collection tank with a compacting plate. The compacting plate divides the sewage collection tank into a sewage collection chamber and a water collection chamber. The compacting plate has a passage that allows water from the sewage collection chamber to flow into the water collection chamber. The sewage slurry separation system also includes a submersible pump connected to the sewage collection chamber. The submersible pump pumps sewage slurry into the sewage collection chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Inventor: Rufus Davis
  • Patent number: 7410570
    Abstract: A separating device. The separating device is used in a tank, for separating solid, gas, and liquid of polluted water, including a first panel, and a plurality of first dividers. The first panel is disposed in the tank, includes a first body and a plurality of first tubes. The first body has a plurality of first openings. The first tubes, connected with the first openings, are disposed under the first body. The first dividers, corresponding to the first tubes, are horizontally disposed under the first tubes. A gap is formed between each first divider and each first tube. The first tube projects to the first divider, forming a projecting perimeter within the first divider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Huey-Song You, Ming-Jing Peng, Kuan Foo Chang, Sheng Hsin Chang, Shwu Huey Perng
  • Patent number: 7383958
    Abstract: A desanding vessel is inserted in a high velocity fluid stream containing entrained particulates. The vessel comprises an upper freeboard portion having a large cross-sectional wherein the fluid stream velocity drops and particulates fall from suspension. Preferably the fluid stream is introduced offset upwardly from an axis of a horizontally oriented cylindrical vessel, released particulates falling to accumulate in a lower belly portion. The freeboard portion is maintained using a depending flow barrier adjacent the vessel's outlet which sets the depth of accumulation in the belly portion. A cleanout enables periodic removal of accumulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Specialized Tech Inc
    Inventors: Christopher A Hemstock, Bruce G Berkan, Kevin D Price
  • Patent number: 7364661
    Abstract: A mixture of fluids is separated into at least two phases, one of which has a higher density than the other, passing the mixture through a normally horizontal supply pipe, by creating a stratified flow in the supply pipe, by passing the mixture through an inclined pipe, whilse maintaining a stratified flow in the inclined pipe, by extracting fluid with lower density (“lighter phase”) via a first discharge system and fluid with a higher density (“heavier phase”) via a second discharge system, wherein the interface between the lighter phase and the heavier phase is monitored in the inclined pipe by a level controller means that varies the flow of the fluid of higher density to keep the interface between set levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Eric Johannes Puik
  • Patent number: 7347945
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to an installation for separating out an effluent made up of a multi-phase fluid mixture. According to the invention, said installation includes gravity separator means whose geometrical separation characteristics can be adjusted during said separation operation. According to the invention, the method makes it possible to adjust the geometrical separation characteristics of the separator as a function of how the multi-phase composition of the effluent varies over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jul Amado, Baptiste Germond, Pierre Le Foll
  • Patent number: 7297284
    Abstract: A separator provides improvements for better separation of an effluent into constituent parts and greater ease of use. A tapered basket provides improved flow and better filtration. A baffle directs effluent into the basket with greater force. An asymmetrical flange prevents mis-orientation the basket and baffle. An improved oil valve provides a locking mechanism to prevent dislodging of the valve during cleaning. An alternative valve uses a sensor to sense an oil/water interface and close the oil valve appropriately. A top seal prevents leakage of effluent at connection points with the lid of the housing. An underground unit allows below floor level installation of the separator. A bidirectional unit can be reversed to provide flow in either direction. A dual purpose tank can be used to store both separated oil and oil from operations for common removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Goslyn, L.P.
    Inventors: Jonathan Owen, John C. Sowerby, Douglas F. Samuelson
  • Patent number: 6645387
    Abstract: A method and device for separating grease from waste water. The separator device includes a receptacle with an upper first part and a lower second part separated by a plate. The receptacle further has an inlet port for waste water, a discharge port for separated waste water, discharge means for grease and/or sludge, and an overflow pipe establishing a connection between the receptacle first part and the receptacle second part. Waste water is supplied through the inlet port to the upper first part, and the waste water is allowed to undergo a separation by gravity, whereby a grease layer is formed on a separated waste water layer and a sludge layer on the plate. In order to achieve a high degree of separation, separated waste water is allowed to flow through the overflow pipe to the receptacle lower second part. Grease is removed from the grease layer and/or sludge from the sludge layer through the discharge means, and separated waste water is discharged through the discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Evac International Oy
    Inventors: Tommi Naski, Sisko Viitala
  • Patent number: 6527960
    Abstract: A process for separating oily films from sand particles carried in a solvent free water stream includes the use of a jet pump scrubber in a density classification tank to treat such oily coated particles at controlled operating temperatures above 65° C. whereby, at such controlled temperature, enhanced cavitation in the jet pump separates the oily film from the sand particles to form slop oil, the tank providing for recirculation of the particles through the jet pump before discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Canadian Environmental Equipment & Engineering Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Diana L. Bacon, Patrick J. Cochrane, Wade R Bozak, Roderick M. Facey
  • Patent number: 6423238
    Abstract: A method for separating a lighter liquid from a heavier liquid according to one embodiment of the present invention may comprise the following steps. First, the lighter liquid and the heavier liquid may be introduced into a settling tank and thereafter allowed to form a first upper liquid fraction and a first lower liquid fraction. The first upper liquid fraction may comprise the lighter liquid with residual amounts of the heavier liquid contained therein. The first upper liquid fraction is then decanted into a trough. The first upper liquid fraction decanted into the trough is then allowed to form a second upper liquid fraction and a second lower liquid fraction. The second lower liquid fraction may comprise the heavier liquid with residual amounts of the lighter liquid contained therein. The second lower liquid fraction is thereafter drained from the trough and allowed to form a third upper liquid fraction and a third lower liquid fraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Cyprus Amax Minerals Company
    Inventor: Ramon A. Hernandez
  • Patent number: 6416675
    Abstract: A separator that utilizes an arcuate inlet manifold and an arcuate baffle to increase the rate of separation for a mix of materials having different specific gravities. The separator includes an arcuate baffle that defines a separation chamber and an arcuate pipe through which a mixture of materials having specific gravities is carried into the chamber. The mixture is discharged into the separation chamber against the baffle through a series of openings disposed along the perimeter of the pipe. The baffle, pipe and openings are configured relative to one another such that mixture is discharged against the baffle at an oblique angle. In preferred versions of the invention, mixture is discharged slanting up, slanting to the side or slanting up and to the side against the baffle at an angle of 18 to 24 (most preferably at about 22°).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Inventors: Edwin D. McCasland, Michael McCasland
  • Patent number: 6350375
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement in a separator, especially a gravity separator (1), to which separator is supplied with well fluid containing sand, and to avoid sand settling on walls of pipes or separators; it is according to the invention, suggested that the separator (1) comprises a conical part (5), which passes into a sloping or mainly vertical arranged bottom pipe (7), for, so to speak, continuous bottom outlet of sand (6), which is suspended in a fluid, mainly sand carrying water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Bjorn Oyvind Bringedal, Knut Haugen
  • Patent number: 6315899
    Abstract: Apparatus for separating a lighter liquid and a heavier liquid may comprise a settling tank sized to receive a mixture of the lighter liquid and the heavier liquid. The settling tank permits the formation of a first upper liquid fraction and a first lower liquid fraction. A weir positioned adjacent the settling tank allows the first upper liquid fraction to flow over the weir. A trough positioned adjacent the weir receives the first upper liquid fraction and effects a secondary separation of the lighter and heavier liquids by allowing the first upper liquid fraction to form a second upper liquid fraction and a second lower liquid fraction. A first drain having an elevated inlet end is positioned in the trough so that the first drain removes the second upper liquid fraction from said trough. A second drain positioned in the trough has an inlet end that is positioned below the inlet end of the first drain so that the second drain removes the second lower liquid fraction from said trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Cyprus Amax Minerals Company
    Inventor: Ramon A. Hernandez
  • Patent number: 6149802
    Abstract: A solvent recovery apparatus for recovering low volatility solvent from a washing fluid slop includes a settling system and a filtering system. The settling system includes one or more settling stages and an off-take by which settled, re-usable solvent may be recovered. The filtering system uses a single filter press to filter batches of wastewater, with solids, and batches of solvent sludge, with solids, such that cleaned wastewater filtrate may be discarded, benign removed solids may be dried and sent to landfill, and solvent filtrate may be returned to the input end of the solvent recovery apparatus for re-processing. The solvent recovery apparatus can use a two stage settling system which permits an initial separation of most of the wastewater, and a secondary settling of a solvent rich portion of the slop. The secondary settling can be performed with a system of alternating settling tanks in which one tank is allowed to settle while another is being filled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Toronto Star Newspapers Ltd.
    Inventors: Dino Louis Zavarise, Kenneth Oswald Dunn, Bernardus Murray Antoine Henri Tangelder
  • Patent number: 6110383
    Abstract: A mobile separator system for receiving and separating a mixed composition of oil, water, and sludge. The mobile separator system including a tank for holding the mixed composition, and a drain manifold that includes a plurality of drain pipes extending into the tank at varying elevations for allowing the drainage of water from the tank system. A vacuum source is attached to the top of the tank for carrying a vacuum within the tank to draw the mixed composition into the tank. The drain manifold is surrounded by a screen that allows the passage of water and oil, while preventing the passage of sludge through the screen into the drain pipes. A floating check valve is connected to each of the drain pipes to regulate the flow of water through the drain pipe. The floating check valve includes a valve element that has a density which causes the valve element to float in water and sink in oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Coombs Industrial Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Harvey W. Coombs, Ron D. Pearson
  • Patent number: 5902483
    Abstract: An oil processing vessel for cleaning oil and the associated produced water utilizing the principle of capillary attraction in lieu of heat and/or electric coalescence to dehydrate the oil and in lieu of induced gas flotation to extract oil from the water. The oil processing vessel also includes a means for mitigating the foam often encountered when processing crude oil and if required an integral means to split the oil discharge from the vessel into disparate proportional flow streams. There also can be included a means for extracting extraneous material that accumulates inside the vessel at the water/oil interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Inventor: Jerry M. Edmondson
  • Patent number: 5795478
    Abstract: A system for extracting solids and free or "tramp" oil from an industrial machining fluid comprises a pressurized tank having a plurality of horizontally orientated polymeric elements therein past which fluid is free to flow without obstruction. Free oil is removed from the machining fluid through oleophilic attraction between the free oil and the surface of the polymeric elements when the tank is filled with fluid. The free oil and solids are removed from the machining fluid in a gravity separation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Inventor: Gene Hirs
  • Patent number: 5587087
    Abstract: The invention is concerned with clarifying contaminated liquids and, in one described embodiment, contaminated liquid is continuously supplied to a first vessel, a first treatment material is intimately mixed into the contaminated liquid in the first vessel, the contaminated liquid/first treatment mixture is passed to a second vessel and a second treatment material is added to the contaminated liquid and first material mixture and intimately mixed therewith.The first treatment material preferably comprises one or more compound of the group including soluble magnesium salts, ferrous salts, manganous compounds and cuprous compounds and the second material is an alkali intended to reduce the pH of the final mixture.After the second treatment material has been added the impurities separated out from the final mixture are extracted from one outlet from the second vessel and clarified liquid is discharges from another outlet of the second vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Inventor: Alban Timmons
  • Patent number: 5368747
    Abstract: Improved techniques are provided for separating mixtures of materials having different densities. The apparatus of the present invention is well suited for separating oil from water, and includes a separation tank defining a cylindrical water inlet chamber and a frustroconical separation chamber spaced above an adjoining the input inlet chamber. An oil leg is spaced above the separation chamber, and an adjustable oil overflow unit is provided adjacent the oil outlet for controlling the height of oil in the oil leg. A water leg is provided in parallel with the separation tank, and the elevation of the water outlet controls the height of water in the water leg. The oil leg overflow unit allows the head pressure in the oil leg relative to the head pressure in the water leg to maintain the interface within the separation chamber. Sensing devices are provided for monitoring the elevation of the oil/water interface within the separation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Theodore R. Rymal, Jr.
    Inventors: Theodore R. Rymal, Jr., Theodore R. Rymal, III, Robert J. Burns
  • Patent number: 5298176
    Abstract: A settling tank for settling inorganic matter such as sand, grit and plastic from a fluid stream such as a waste water stream entering a waste water treatment facility. A set of mechanical mixers directing energy into the fluid stream so as to cause spiraling flow parallel to a substantially horizontal axis. The mixer shaft is rotated by a motorized drive, the speed of which is adjustable to account for variations in fluid flow rate so that an optimal balance is achieved between the settling of inorganic solids and continuing suspension and resuspension of organic solids for subsequent treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Schloss Engineered Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: C. M. Schloss
  • Patent number: 5132011
    Abstract: A treater apparatus for separating mixed oil, water and gas into these components and including an elongated tank having a first end and an opposite, second end. A horizontally extending partition plate extends across the first end portion of the tank below a heater tube. The mixture is introduced to a point below one end of the plate, then reverses flow along the heater and over the partition plate until it contacts a vertically extending, transverse corrugated baffle plate. The longitudinal flow of the mixture is reversed several times as it flows over the heater tube and against the crenulated baffle plate. Water separates from the oil, and gas moves to the top of the tank and is removed by a vertical pipe. In the opposite, second end of the tank, a T-shaped partition plate subassembly further separates oil and water, and directs each into a separate removal chamber defined within the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: Petroleum Equipment Specialties, Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Ferris
  • Patent number: 5116516
    Abstract: There is described a low energy separator for separating solid components out of a liquid mixture, comprising (a) a vessel having a cylindrical outer wall and a base at one end, (b) a body which is provided within the vessel and which defines with the base an annular opening spaced from the outer wall, (c) an inlet for introducing the liquid mixture into the vessel said inlet opening directly into the vessel, (d) an outlet in the upper region of the vessel for removing from the vessel liquid from which solid components have been separated, (e) a primary annular dip plate extending downwardly toward the base from an upper region of the vessel and spaced from the outer wall of the vessel, and (f) means for promoting a rotational movement of liquid and suspended solids within the vessel, said rotational movement being sufficient to cause or enhance an inward sweeping effect towards the annular opening on solids accumulated at the base of the vessel, while being of sufficiently low energy that separation of the s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: Hydro International Limited
    Inventor: Robert P. M. Smisson
  • Patent number: 5076915
    Abstract: Disclosed is a gravity settler for separating finely divided solids such as coal fines from a liquid such as a mixture of coal oil and agglomerating agent by agglomeration. A feed slurry comprising finely divided solids and a liquid mixture of product oil and an agglomerating agent is discharged into a specially shaped duct which promotes formation of agglomerated solids while minimizing turbulence in the remainder of the vessel. The agglomerated solids separate from the liquid by gravity and are washed as they leave the settler while the clarified liquid is discharged from the top of the settler. A method for separating suspended solids from a liquid by agglomeration is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: Chevron Research Company
    Inventor: Phillip R. Rose
  • Patent number: 5021153
    Abstract: A combined apparatus for removing grit and grease from sewage includes a tank and a sewage inlet conduit extending into the tank. A mixing eductor receives incoming sewage and aeration is provided within the mixing eductor for upward flow. A down draft baffle outside the mixing eductor recives the aerated fluid and transports it downwardly to enable grit to settle out of the influent. The tank has a volume sufficient for settling substantially all grit from the influent sewage and separating substantially all grease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: G-H Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ray C. Haws
  • Patent number: 5013435
    Abstract: A system for removing impurities from liquids wherein the liquid is forced upward through several zones, the first zone being a bundle of tubes having a helical shape to present an inclined path where settling of particulates back down the tube occurs, then through a stack of filter modules which are over the bundle of tubes and contain treatment media, the arrangement of the filter modules being such that the passage of fluid in the upward direction removes particulates before flushing through the treatment media and agitates the treatment media so as to prevent packing. The helical form of the settling tubes and the modular arrangement provides a compact and inexpensive structure and great convenience for maintenance. The preferred cross sectional shape of each tube is oval to increase settling rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Assignee: Allison L. Rider
    Inventors: Allison L. Rider, Robert S. Smith
  • Patent number: 5002657
    Abstract: A separator for oil well production fluids including oil, water and gases in which the separator includes a water siphon system having a vertically adjustable spill point for the discharge of water to a collection or disposal area for changing the interface level between the water in the bottom of the separator tank and the oil on top of the water in the separator tank. The separator is primarily constructed of a non-corrosive, non-conductive, high impact plastic with the siphon system and standpipe being positioned internally of the separator tank to reduce damage caused by high winds damaging such components by blowing down the separator which may have been weakened by corrosion with this arrangement also reducing the possibility of water in the siphon and standpipe being frozen which can occur when these components are oriented externally of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Inventor: John B. Botts
  • Patent number: 4967777
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating an object with a liquid in which the object is immersed into the liquid in a tank which has overflow control members provided above faces of the tank with a predetermined space in an overflow area for said liquid, said space being structured to lead the overflow of said liquid by capillary action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Michio Takayama, Akihiko Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 4919826
    Abstract: There is disclosed an improved liquid-solids-gas separator assembly permitting recovery of a major portion of the liquid stream for recirculation to a vacuum producing assembly wherein the separator assembly includes a gas-liquid and solids separator chamber and a liquids separator chamber for recovery of a recycle water stream and wherein the separator assembly comprises a vessel defining a cylindrically-shaped chamber into which a dental effluent including water, gases and lighter and heavier than water particles and from which a gas is vented through an upper conduit and liquid streams are recovered from a liquid pool wherein one liquid stream includes lighter than water particles and in one aspect is combined with heavier than water particles and a second liquid stream is recovered for recycling purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Assignee: Air Techniques, Incorporated
    Inventor: Edgar Alzner
  • Patent number: 4804471
    Abstract: A separator for continuously separating a mixture of immiscible liquids of differing densities into the constituents of the mixture including a vessel, a first upper outlet for the lower density constituents, a second upper outlet for the higher density constituents, an inlet in the vessel for the mixture located below the outlets, a conduit interconnecting the vessel above the inlet and the first outlet and a further conduit opening into the vessel below the inlet and connecting the interior of the vessel and the second outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1989
    Inventor: Milisav Velisavljevic
  • Patent number: 4707878
    Abstract: The vacuum loading cleaning system includes a pair of interconnected pressure vessels containing a cleaning liquid which is pumped through a heat exchanger and into a dirty tank. Cleaning liquid and dislodged contaminants are sucked up from the dirty tank by a partial vacuum in the pressure vessel. Solids and cleaning liquid from the pressure vessel are separated by a solids separator with the cleaning liquid being passed through a centrifuge to remove fine solids before being returned to the pressure vessels. A skimmer in a pressure vessel removes floating solids and liquids. A phase separator is mounted beneath the suction inlets of a pressure vessel to speed the separation and concentration of solids, liquids and gases. The phase separator includes a number of vertically aligned, downwardly and inwardly tapered truncated conical concentrators with open tops and open bottoms above and below the free surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1987
    Assignee: Industrial Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: William G. Urbani
  • Patent number: 4696073
    Abstract: The cleaning system includes a pressure vessel containing a cleaning liquid pumped out of the pressure vessel and into a dirty tank. Cleaning liquid and dislodged contaminants are sucked up from the dirty tank by a partial vacuum created above the cleaning liquid within the pressure vessel. Solids and cleaning liquid are pumped from the pressure vessel at a first rate and are separated by a solids separator with the cleaning liquid being centrifuged to remove fine solids and then collected in a makeup tank. Cleaning liquid from the makeup tank is pumped into the dirty tank at a second rate, less than the first rate. Excess liquid in the makeup tank is sucked back into the pressure vessel. A phase separator, mounted beneath the suction inlet, speeds the separation and concentration of solids, liquids and gases/vapors. The phase separator includes a number of vertically aligned, downwardly and inwardly tapered truncated conical concentrators with open tops and open bottoms above and below the free surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1987
    Assignee: Industrial Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: William G. Urbania
  • Patent number: 4689158
    Abstract: A decanting vessel for separation of liquid phases of different densities. The decanter vessel is provided with several conically-shaped separation levels disposed one on top of the other and provided with openings connecting the passages, alternately at the outer periphery and at the center of the separation levels. The liquid phases are thereby caused to flow from one passage to the next, consecutively, in a generally serpentine path. Pipes are disposed in the uppermost portion of each of the separation levels to carry the lighter phase to the top of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1987
    Assignee: A. Ahlstrom Corp.
    Inventor: Viljo S. Tulkki
  • Patent number: 4681682
    Abstract: A clarifier is provided with an elongated settling tank having an inlet at one end, an outlet at the opposite end, a generator producing air saturated liquid released near the inlet end of the tank to float lighter sludge to the top of the tank, suction heads removing settled out heavier sludge from the bottom of the tank, skimmers pushing scum or foam floating on top of the liquid in the tank to the overflow outlet near the inlet end of the tank, a travelling bridge moving the suction heads along the length of the tank, elongated outlets for clarified liquid projecting into the tank from the discharge end thereof, and outlets at different levels for discharge of clarified effluent and recirculating effluent. The recirculating effluent is pumped to a mixing device to be saturated with air and the air saturated effluent is discharged back into the inlet end of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1987
    Assignee: Alar Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Harold R. White, Alex J. Doncer