Centrifugal Force Patents (Class 95/261)
  • Patent number: 6843832
    Abstract: The compound/curvilinear immiscible liquid separator has a separator section with an outer, elongated, cylindrical shell aligned vertically opening into an upper transition section and vapor dome at the top and a lower transition section and solid/heavy crude containment section at the bottom. A center column is disposed in the axial center of the separator section and a plurality of serially connected curved plates are disposed between the outer shell and center column to define an elongated curvilinear flow path having reverse flow pathways. An oil-water-gas mixture is introduced into the separator section under pressure past heating coils and through the curvilinear path, the lighter density oil entering and being removed from the top of the center column, and heavier sludge and brine collecting in the containment section. Gases bubble up through the center column and are removed from the vapor dome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Inventors: Boyd B. Greene, Helen C. Greene
  • Patent number: 6827820
    Abstract: The invention relates to a degassing centrifugal apparatus such as a pump and to a process for pumping and degassing a fluid. The apparatus has a rotatable hollow rotor connected to a stationary fluid inlet at one end and a stationary liquid outlet at the opposite end and a gas exhaust in the center thereof. The rotor has at its inlet end a bladed wheel with arcuate blades. The bladed wheel accelerates a fluid flow in said rotor inlet end and causes the fluid to rotate at a peripherical velocity higher than the peripherical velocity of said rotor inlet end. The apparatus is especially useful for pumping and degassing backwater in the production of paper or board in a paper machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: POM Technology Oy AB
    Inventor: Paul Meinander
  • Patent number: 6821322
    Abstract: The present invention refers to three or two phase separators provided with an inlet centrifugal device (40, 70) for the preliminary separation of the gas phase from the fluid mixture; the centrifugal separation device includes a first stage (40′, 70′) having a circular section delimited by a wall (42, 63) and by the external surface of the second stage plate and a second stage (40″, 70″), internal and coaxial to the first stage, realized by a plate rolled as an ‘Archimedean’ spiral around the vertical axis common to the two stages of the centrifugal separation device, in order to operate the separation of the gas phase from the liquids, obliging the flowing fluid to follow a circular path that brings the liquid and its droplets to adhere to the wall surface (42, 63) and to the internal surface of the spiral (47), obtaining their separation from the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Ing. Milia & C. S.r.l.
    Inventor: Salvatore Milia
  • Patent number: 6811709
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for separation of suspended solid particles from fluids, for separation and mixing of fluids, and for dissolving gases in aqueous fluids. The apparatus employs a grooved ring to divide the fluid stream and impart a high velocity on each of the divided or sub-streams. A grooved ring with any number of grooves that may be spiral in shape is used to create a high velocity circular motion on a divided stream for separation of suspended solid particles by centrifugal force in a cyclone filter and for saturation of liquid with gases in a fluid mixer where gases are introduced through a diffuser. A grooved ring with any number of grooves that may be radial is used in a fluid mixer to divide a stream of fluid, produce a high velocity flow through each groove, introduce a second fluid through an orifice into the first fluid flowing through each groove, and direct the fluid mixture to a center impact zone where the various streams collide to complete the mixing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Hydrotreat, Inc.
    Inventor: Johnny Arnaud
  • Publication number: 20040168572
    Abstract: A tubular separation unit insertable into a caisson or tube for separating liquid from an upward flowing liquid/gas multi-phase stream, and comprising: a centrifugal flow-induced liquid separator having a multi-phase gas/liquid inlet, a liquid outlet, and a gas stream outlet; a liquid transfer conduit connected to the liquid outlet of the flow separator; and a pump for pumping liquid, disposed below the separator and including a pump liquid inlet connected to the liquid transfer conduit and through which liquid separated in the separator is received, and a pumped liquid outlet through which separated liquid is, in use, caused to flow selectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: Cooper Cameron Corporation
    Inventor: Hans P. Hopper
  • Patent number: 6752860
    Abstract: An apparatus for separation of the fluid flow flowing through a pipeline into a light fraction and a heavier fraction has a tubular casing (2) arranged to constitute a section of the pipeline proper, a spin element (5) for rotation of the fluid flow at the upstream end of the casing (2), and a discharge element (12) downstream of the spin element (5) having opening (13) for discharge of the light fraction and possibly entrained heavier fraction. The apparatus also has a control separator (25) connected to the discharged element (12) and arranged to separate entrained heavier fraction from the light fraction, and a control system including a level transmitter (42) indicating the level of separate heavier fraction in the separator, and a level control unit (43) connected to the level transmitter (42) and to a drain valve (40, 41) in a separator outlet (28) for the light fraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Statoil ASA
    Inventors: Jan Hoydal, David Stanbridge
  • Publication number: 20040107836
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing volatile contaminants, such as methyl tertbutyl ether (MTBE), from water or other supplies of liquid. In one embodiment of the invention, a gas is sparged through a helical flow of liquid to strip away contaminants. The flowrate of the helical flow of liquid and the flowrate of the gas are held at an optimum ratio to maintain flow stability and maximize stripping efficiency. In another embodiment of the invention, the liquid is processed through a series of stripping stages until volatile contaminants are stripped to a desired level. A portion of the liquid is recycled within each stage, while a system flow of liquid passed from one stage to the next. The flowrate of the recycled flow and the flowrate of the system flow have a ratio that provides improved system capacity while ensuring proper volatile removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventor: Ye Yi
  • Publication number: 20040099614
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the physicochemical treatment of fluid media. The aim of the method is to modify the surface tension and the viscosity of the fluid, to mechanically reduce and eliminate organic and/or inorganic substances, micro-organisms, such as for example microbes, bacteria, fungi or algae and to chemically oxidise or reduce substances and material compounds entrained by the fluids. According to said method, energy is supplied to the fluid that is to be treated as follows: at least two volumetric flows of the fluid are guided at high speed, so that their surfaces intermingle or collide with one another in the form of a translational and/or rotational motion at a different speed, if the flows originate from the same direction, or at a selectable speed, or optionally an identical speed, if the flows originate from opposite directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Jorg Lehmann, Hans-Peter Stacker
  • Patent number: 6736880
    Abstract: A downhole liquid and gas separator system has a pump, a separator and a motor, and a shroud around the pump, separator and motor. The shroud has a lower impermeable portion with a closed lower end and an upper porous portion. The upper end of the impermeable portion is above the inlet port for the separator so that production fluid flows upwards between the well casing and the shroud, over the upper end of the impermeable portion and downwards to the inlet port, generating a pressure drop and releasing gas before the production fluid enters the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Pure Savers, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Ford, Thomas S. Osborne
  • Patent number: 6730214
    Abstract: System and apparatus to accelerate solution of gas into liquid. The system includes an aspirating injector to bring the gas into the pressurized system, a collider, a reactor, and an optional gas/liquid separator. The collider and reactor provide for prompt renewal of the interface in the bubble with the liquid as the consequence of abrupt changes of direction of flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventor: Angelo L. Mazzei
  • Patent number: 6723205
    Abstract: The invention relates to a degassing centrifugal apparatus such as a pump having energy recovery means and to a process for degassing a fluid. The apparatus has a rotatable hollow rotor connected to a fluid inlet at one end and a liquid outlet at the opposite end. A gas exhaust is connected to the center of the apparatus. The apparatus has at its inlet end means for bringing a fluid to rotate on the inner wall of said rotor. The apparatus comprises a turbine at its outlet end recovering excess dynamic energy from the rotating fluid. The apparatus is especially useful for centrifugal degassing of backwater in the production of paper or board machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: FOM Technology Oy AB
    Inventor: Paul Meinander
  • Patent number: 6712883
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for deaerating liquid crystal contained in at least one liquid crystal container. The apparatus includes a chamber, a holder, a displacement mechanism, a vacuum system and a gas supply. The chamber has an opening to provide access to an interior of the chamber and a cover to seal the opening. The holder is disposed in the chamber to hold the liquid crystal container having the liquid crystal while the displacement mechanism displaces the at least one container. Here, the vacuum system creates a vacuum state in the chamber during deaeration, and the gas supply restores the chamber to atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyug Jin Kweon, Hae Joon Son
  • Patent number: 6709500
    Abstract: A system for separating a mixed phase stream into gas and liquid includes an elongated sloped vessel having a vortex tube cluster therein through which the mixed phase process stream is introduced and by which liquid is extracted from the gas, the vessel having a gas outlet adjacent an upper end of the sloped vessel, a liquid outlet adjacent a lower end of the slope vessel and a weir within the vessel establishing a liquid level above which gas accumulates, the cross-sectional area within the vessel above the liquid level increasing in the direction towards the gas outlet, and the cross-sectional area within the vessel below the liquid level increasing in the direction towards the liquid (oil and water) outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: National Tank Company
    Inventor: Hugh M. West
  • Patent number: 6673599
    Abstract: There is disclosed a defoaming rotor capable of skimming foam from the surface of the fermentation broth in a bioreactor, separating the solid and liquid components from the gaseous component of the foam, and returning the solid and liquid components to the broth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Sartorius AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Rietschel, Wolfgang Kahlert, Reinhard Kiel
  • Patent number: 6672387
    Abstract: A system (SPARC) for producing a mixed gas-oil stream wherein gas is to be separated and compressed downhole in a turbine-driven compressor before the gas is injected into a subterranean formation. A turbine bypass valve allows all of the stream to bypass the turbine during start-up until surging in the production stream has subsided. The valve then opens to allow a portion of the stream to pass through the turbine. Also, a compressor recycle valve recycles the compressor output until the surging in the stream has subsided while a check valve prevents back flow into the outlet of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Jerry L. Brady, John M. Klein, Steven P. Petullo, Curtis G. Blount
  • Patent number: 6629821
    Abstract: The present invention provides a multipurpose pump apparatus of high achievement, which can continuously pump and convey liquid even containing a large amount of foams and can make high level defoaming function and degassing function, and pumped liquid sterilizing function, etc. The pump apparatus comprises a gas-liquid separating impeller disposed in a pumped liquid path of a primary pump for pumping liquid, a cavity receiver which receives the tail bottom of a tornado-shaped cavity produced by the rotation of the gas-liquid separating impeller to prevent the tornado-shaped cavity from extending, and vacuum means connected to a part in a vicinity of the center of the tornado-shaped cavity through a degassing path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yokota Seisakusho
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yokota, Shingo Yokota, Tetsuya Tanimoto
  • Patent number: 6630013
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for deaeration of treatment agents applied to webs of paper and board, having an inlet manifold (3), an accept-fraction manifold (4), and a reject-fraction manifold (5). For deaeration the assembly uses a plurality of air separator units (12) connected to the manifolds so as to allow admission of the treatment agent to the air separator units (12) from the inlet manifold (3) and discharge of the accept and reject fractions formed in the air separator units (12) respectively to the accept-fraction and reject-fraction manifolds (4, 5). A cut-off valve (18) is mounted on at least the inlet manifold (3), between two parallel-operating air separator units (12), so as to permit cutting off the flow through the manifold (3) at this location of the cut-off valve, dividing the plural air separator units (12) by the cut-off valve (18) into two groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Metso PaperChem Oy
    Inventors: Martti Myrttinen, Ilkka Roitto
  • Patent number: 6613128
    Abstract: An aromatic polycarbonate extruder which is a twin screw extruder for kneading components into a molten aromatic polycarbonate, the extruder having at least one module consisting of a kneading unit, a material seal unit, a back kneading unit and full-flight unit which are arranged from an upstream side to a downstream side and a method of kneading components into an aromatic polycarbonate by using the above extruder. The present invention also provides a kneading apparatus and method for producing an aromatic polycarbonate which has an extremely small content of foreign matter and is free from residence deterioration such as coloration, crosslinking or gelation when the aromatic polycarbonate is to be kneaded with various components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Teijin Limited
    Inventors: Masasi Simonaru, Toru Sawaki, Katsushi Sasaki, Kazuki Hatono, Eiji Ito
  • Publication number: 20030154860
    Abstract: The present invention refers to three or two phase separators provided with an inlet centrifugal device (40, 70) for the preliminary separation of the gas phase from the fluid mixture; the centrifugal separation device includes a first stage (40′, 70′) having a circular section delimited by a wall (42, 63) and by the external surface of the second stage plate and a second stage (40″, 70″), internal and coaxial to the first stage, realized by a plate rolled as an ‘Archimedean’ spiral around the vertical axis common to the two stages of the centrifugal separation device, in order to operate the separation of the gas phase from the liquids, obliging the flowing fluid to follow a circular path that brings the liquid and its droplets to adhere to the wall surface (42, 63) and to the internal surface of the spiral (47), obtaining their separation from the mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventor: Salvatore Milia
  • Patent number: 6602327
    Abstract: Undesirable dissolved gas is removed from a liquid by pressurizing the liquid containing the undesirable dissolved gas therein. The liquid is then directed into a hydrocyclone having an inlet optimized for liquid particle movement through a liquid vortex stream created by the hydrocyclone. A preferred gas is injected into an evacuated central area of the liquid vortex stream for absorption therein. The pressure of the liquid is then lowered, such as by directing the liquid to a discharge tank, in order to remove a proportional amount of absorbed preferred gas and the undesirable dissolved gas from the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Inventors: Dwain E. Morse, Wade O. Morse, Thomas G. Matherly
  • Publication number: 20030121416
    Abstract: Undesirable dissolved gas is removed from a liquid by pressurizing the liquid containing the undesirable dissolved gas therein. The liquid is then directed into a hydrocyclone having an inlet optimized for liquid particle movement through a liquid vortex stream created by the hydrocyclone. A preferred gas is injected into an evacuated central area of the liquid vortex stream for absorption therein. The pressure of the liquid is then lowered, such as by directing the liquid to a discharge tank, in order to remove a proportional amount of absorbed preferred gas and the undesirable dissolved gas from the liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Dwain E. Morse, Wade O. Morse, Thomas G. Matherly
  • Patent number: 6564865
    Abstract: A system for producing a mixed gas-oil stream which contains solid particulates wherein gas is to be separated and compressed downhole in a turbine-driven compressor before the gas is injected into a subterranean formation. The stream is passed through an upstream separator to separate out the particulates which pass through a first and second set of slots into first and second passages, both of which empty into a bypass through the turbine whereby the separated particulates do not contact the rotary vanes of the turbine thereby alleviating the erosive effects of the solids in the produced stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Conocophillips Company
    Inventors: Jerry L. Brady, James L. Cawvey, John M. Klein, Mark D. Stevenson, Steven J. Svedeman, Steven P. Petullo, Kerry N. Oliphant
  • Patent number: 6517732
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing air from blood which contains air. The air-containing blood is conducted through a cyclone device as a rotating cyclone stream, so that centrifugal forces for the separation of the air from the blood are produced in the rotating cyclone stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Convergenza AG
    Inventors: Alexander Brockoff, Hans Plechinger
  • Patent number: 6481499
    Abstract: This is a high-efficiency item of equipment, for example for a well bottom for separating out gas from a liquid/gas mixture, based on the effects of flows of the cascade and segregated types. It consists basically of a sedimentation vessel whose lateral surface has holes in the upper portion, enclosing (i) a discharge pump, (ii) a suction pipe and (iii) the lower end of a production tubing. The vessel contains helicoidal surfaces for achieving segregated-type flow. A significant part of separation takes place above the level of the separator, in a medium in which there is a predominance of gas and the flow is in the form of a cascade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.
    Inventor: Divonsir Lopes
  • Patent number: 6474627
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for dissolving a gas into a fluid which may contain at least one dissolved gas. The apparatus includes a conventional U-tube oxygenator which includes a U-tube member having an inlet for the introduction of the fluid and the gas to be dissolved into the fluid, and an outlet. The fluid is housed in the U-tube member. The apparatus further includes a helix-shaped bubble harvestor located proximate the bottom of the inlet side of the U-tube member. The helix-shaped bubble harvester removes fugitive (undissolved) gas bubbles from the fluid flow and returns them to the bubble swarm located above the helix-shaped bubble harvestor. The resulting fluid, which contains a high concentration of dissolved gas, exits the outlet of the U-tube member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Eco-Oxygen Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Richard E. Speece
  • Patent number: 6464758
    Abstract: An apparatus for degassing a liquid or pasty medium in a machine for producing and/or upgrading a fiber material web includes a vessel rotatable about an axis of rotation, a medium-supply device for introducing the medium to be degassed into the vessel, a medium-discharge device for discharging a low-gas fraction of the medium out of the vessel and a gas-discharge device for discharging a gas-rich fraction of the medium out of the vessel. The gas-discharge device has an immersion-tube arrangement with at least one immersion tube, the inlet orifice of each being arranged so as to be at least adjacent to the axis of rotation of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Voith Papertechnik Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Hoferer
  • Publication number: 20020105100
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for dissolving a gas into a fluid which may contain at least one dissolved gas. The apparatus comprises a conventional U-tube oxygenator which includes a U-tube member having an inlet for the introduction of the fluid and the gas to be dissolved into the fluid, and an outlet. The fluid is housed in the U-tube member. The apparatus further comprises a helix-shaped bubble harvestor located proximate the bottom of the inlet side of the U-tube member. The helix-shaped bubble harvestor removes fugitive (undissolved) gas bubbles from the fluid flow and returns them to the bubble swarm located above the helix-shaped bubble harvester. The resulting fluid, which contains a high concentration of dissolved gas, exits the outlet of the U-tube member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Applicant: Eco-Oxygen Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Richard E. Speece
  • Patent number: 6413297
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating pressurized drilling fluid returns from a well having a returns outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Northland Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Theodore Allen Morgan, David Speed, Carel Willem Jan Hoyer
  • Patent number: 6409808
    Abstract: A gravity separator including a vessel within which a mixture containing oil and water can separate under gravity to form vertically discrete oil and water layers, the vessel having an inlet assembly including a cyclone separator for separating an oil-containing inlet flow into gas and liquid phases, that assembly including ducting for receiving the underflow of cyclone separator and conducting that underflow into that region of the vessel which, in use, is above the water layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Kvaerner Process Systems a.s.
    Inventors: Neville Paul Chamberlain, Ian Charles Bedwell, Bjorn Christiansen, Gunnar Vangen, Jan Hoydal
  • Patent number: 6398404
    Abstract: A method of producing a fine particle dispersion characterized by having a dispersing step where, after fine particles have been sucked into a dispersing medium to prepare a suspension by a suction type stirring machine and bubbles have been removed from the suspension by a bubble removing means, the suspension is pressurized and introduced from the opposite directions so as to collide with each other, thereby dispersing the suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Karasawa Fine Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukihiko Karasawa
  • Publication number: 20020059866
    Abstract: It is common in oil extraction operations to reinject produced gas and\or water back into hydrocarbon bearing formations in order to maintain formation pressure. Conventional production facilities normally flow all formation fluids to the surface and subsequently reinject the required fluids back into the formation, which can be extremely inefficient due to the high power input required to overcome the large pressure differential between the surface and formation level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Inventors: Alexander Angus Grant, Per Almdahl, Per Eivind Gramme, Sven Arne Kjolberg, Bjarne Olsen, Terje Sondtvedt
  • Patent number: 6383262
    Abstract: A process for the recovery of energy from a pressurised well stream containing a gas/liquid mixture, the process comprising: treating the well stream to a pre-separation process to separate it into gaseous and liquid phases, selecting appropriate proportions of said separated gaseous and liquid phases, recombining said selected proportions, and supplying the recombined mixture to the inlet of a rotary separation turbine, wherein said components are separated and energy is recovered from the flow by rotation of the turbine, said proportions of said gaseous and liquid phases being selected to produce an optimum mixture for supply to the rotary separation turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Multiphase Power and Processing Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lars Marthinsen, Geirmund Vislie
  • Patent number: 6364940
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating a wellhead fluid mixture containing oil and gas phases obtained from hydrocarbon production systems into its constituent parts employs a pressure vessel having an inlet for entry of the wellhead fluids mixture and an outlet for exit of a separated gas referred to as export gas. A primary centrifugal separator is provided in the pressure vessel for centrifugally separating a first portion of the oil from the wellhead fluids mixture to produce a wet gas containing some remaining oil. A second centrifugal separator is also provided in the vessel and performs a second centrifugal separation operation on the wet gas to remove substantially all of the remaining oil from the wet gas to produce the export gas which is conveyed out of the pressure vessel. The oil and remaining oil separated from the wellhead fluids mixture is conveyed from the pressure vessel via another outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: McDermott Technology Inc.
    Inventors: William Paul Prueter, Daniel Patrick Birmingham, Matthew James Reed
  • Publication number: 20020011151
    Abstract: An assembly is disclosed for an apparatus used for deaeration of treatment agents applied to webs of paper and board, the assembly comprising at least one inlet manifold (3), at least one accept-fraction manifold (4), and at least one reject-fraction manifold (5) with associated framework structures; also a method is disclosed for operating the assembly. For deaeration the assembly uses a plurality of air separator units (12) connected to the manifolds so as to allow admission of the treatment agent to the air separator units (12) from the inlet manifold (3) and discharge of the accept and reject fractions formed in the air separator units (12) respectively to the accept-fraction and reject-fraction manifolds (4, 5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Applicant: Valmet-Raisio Oy
    Inventors: Martti Myrttinen, Ilkka Roitto
  • Patent number: 6322055
    Abstract: An apparatus for dissolving a gas into a fluid which may contain at least one dissolved gas. The apparatus includes a first vertically oriented tube defining a first inner space and a second vertically oriented tube of diameter larger than the first tube and concentrically oriented about the first tube. The space between the first and second tubes is referred to as the second inner space. The gas is introduced through an inlet into the second inner space. The apparatus includes an acceleration device for accelerating the flow of fluid through the second inner space. The apparatus includes a helix-shaped bubble harvester which removes fugitive (undissolved) bubbles from the fluid flow and returns them to the second inner space to increase the probability that those bubbles will be dissolved into the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Eco-Oxygen Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Richard E. Speece
  • Patent number: 6315813
    Abstract: A method of treating pressurized drilling fluid returns from a well having a returns outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Northland Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Theodore Allen Morgan, David Speed, Carel Willem Jan Hoyer
  • Patent number: 6296690
    Abstract: An alternating compression-pumping system includes at least one alternating compression-pumping section, suited to impart a pressure value to an essentially liquid fluid or to an essentially gaseous fluid, at least one pumping section suited for an essentially fluid, at least one device for separating the various phases of the fluid, provided with a level detector allowing to detect the gas-liquid interface level, valves allowing to control the flow rate of the liquid or gas phases, and a control system allowing to vary the state of the valves so as to shift the compression section from an operating mode suited for gas to an operating mode suited for liquid and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventor: Yves Charron
  • Patent number: 6193893
    Abstract: Process and apparatus to strip volatile contaminants from a liquid supply stream in which the contaminants are dissolved. A gas inducing mixer-injector injects a stripping gas into the stream to form a mixed stream of liquid with its contaminants and bubbles of the stripping gas. The mixed stream is passed through a tangential degasser separator, withdrawing separated gas and water, while maintaining the flow part from the injector to the outlets of the separator at sub-atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: GDT Corporation
    Inventors: Angelo L. Mazzei, Raymond M. Meyer
  • Patent number: 6162284
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for use in well drilling, for separating rock cuttings, gas, water, drilling mud, gases, or foam which may be part of the drilling fluid returning from a bore hole. The apparatus has a plurality of compartments through which the drilling fluid flows. The first compartment makes use of a degasser to extract gases from the fluid, as well as break down foam. Subsequent chambers involve the use of shale shakers, centrifuges, and flocculants to aid in the separation of liquids from solids. The invention also employs a deduster unit which eliminates the spread of dust common in air drilling operations. Through the use of these various devices, the invention eliminates the need for venting the drilling fluid to the environment surrounding the well site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Dailey Canada Limited
    Inventors: Bryce Mitchell, David Gladue, Keith Corb
  • Patent number: 6132494
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for separating oil/water/gas from a marginal field by using a combination of a coarse separator with short treatment duration which separates into three flows where one obtains an oil concentration of over 70%, a water concentration of over 70% and a gas quality for burning off, where the oil and water flows are treated in cyclone systems having defined geometric proportions and a gas portion is reinjected into the water injection flows without the use of a compressor. Gas/liquid cyclones may also be used before the choke valve so that the gas pressure is kept, or optionally reinjected or used for injector pump operation of low pressure wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: READ Group A/S
    Inventors: Tore Kjos, Helge L. Andersen, Marius Fr. Voigt
  • Patent number: 6113675
    Abstract: A gas separator having a reduced rotating mass. The gas separator includes a stationary flow inducer that creates a vortex within an outer housing. The flow inducer includes an accelerator mechanism that increases the velocity of the fluid mixture as it flows through a portion of the gas separator. The resultant liquid and gaseous phases are directed from the gas separator through separate outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Camco International, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd M. Branstetter
  • Patent number: 6103128
    Abstract: A mixing device in the form of a centrifugal pump is used to mix gas (typically air) with liquid (typically effluent water, dispersion water, or waste paper pulp suspension, etc.). The pump is provided with a common inlet conduit for both the liquid and the gas so that liquid and gas flow freely and in an arbitrary ratio into the pump, that is there is no controlling or adjusting of the flows. The gas is allowed to either dissolve in the liquid or be mixed as small bubbles with the liquid, and any surplus gas is separated from the mixing device (e.g. by holes in the pump impeller leading to a rear portion of the pump which is attached to a vacuum source, such as a liquid ring pump). The liquid and gas dissolved therein, and small bubbles mixed therein, are discharged from the mixing device at a pressure that is raised from the inlet pressure, due to the action of the impeller, which pressure development enhances the dissolution of gas in the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Sulzer Pumpen AG
    Inventors: Arto Koso, Heikki Manninen
  • Patent number: 6090299
    Abstract: The method of operating rotating separator apparatus, to which fluid, including gas and liquids is supplied in a fluid jet via a nozzle, which includes separating the liquids from the gas in the stream, at a first zone within the rotating apparatus, and separating the liquids into liquids of differing density at a second zone within the apparatus. The separated liquids are removed via two open weirs which isolate the liquids in the separating zones from the shear forces from scoops within the weir passages. Longitudinal ribs may be provided for structural support, coalescence promotion and fluid recirculation inhibition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Biphase Energy Company
    Inventors: Lance G. Hays, Simon Roger Henderson Davies, Bjoern Christiansen
  • Patent number: 6066193
    Abstract: The present invention provides a submersible pumping system which includes a tapered flow gas separation system. The tapered flow gas separation system of the present invention includes at least a first and second gas separator. The first separator is configured to receive and process a first flow rate of production liquid. The first separator is adapted to draw production liquid from a production casing and to separate a first portion of gas from the production liquid. The second separator is configured to receive and process a second flow rate of production liquid which is less than the first flow rate received by the first separator. The second separator is adapted to receive the production liquid from the first separator and to separate a second portion of gas from the production liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Camco International, Inc.
    Inventor: Woon Yung Lee
  • Patent number: 6056856
    Abstract: A paper-making machine includes a wet end associated with a wet fiber web, a headbox having an outlet gap, and a forming fabric positioned adjacent to the outlet gap and moving in a direction of web travel. An air/water separator is positioned in association with the forming fabric and downstream from the headbox relative to the direction of web travel. The air/water separator is configured for receiving liquid from the fiber web. A blower having a housing and an impeller is fluidly connected with the air/water separator. The impeller is rotatably carried by and within the housing and has a rotating hub with a periphery. The impeller also has a plurality of vanes attached to and extending from the hub and substantially equally spaced around the periphery. The vanes are formed of a non-metallic, composite material and have a coating of a layer of hydrophobic material substantially covering the composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Paper Technology North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Edwin X. Graf
  • Patent number: 6053967
    Abstract: An air separator for liquid containing gas bubbles having an essentially cylinder-shaped chamber through which liquid, such as blood, flows essentially in helical flow paths, with the result that air bubbles are driven in a radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the chamber because of pressure differences produced by centrifugal forces. The inlet and outlet of the chamber of the air separator are coaxial relative to each other in the longitudinal axis of the chamber. The air separator also includes a flow-deflection component or influx distributor, which includes a rotation-symmetrical base body element whose outer surface faces inflowing liquid as a first deflection surface, which is geometrically defined by rotation of a curve section about the longitudinal axis of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Fresenius AG
    Inventors: Klaus Heilmann, Bernd Knierbein
  • Patent number: 6036749
    Abstract: A liquid/gas helical separator operates on a combination of centrifugal and gravitational forces. The separator includes a primary separator formed basically by an expansion chamber, a secondary separator formed basically by a helix for directing the flow, a tertiary separator which consists of a reservoir or gravitational-separation tank and of a transition region between the primary and secondary separators, which consists of at least two variable-pitch helixes whose inclination varies from an angle of 90.degree. to the angle of inclination of the constant-pitch helix of the secondary separator with the function of providing a gentler flow of the liquid phase at the transition between the first two separators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras
    Inventors: Geraldo Afonso Spinelli Martins Ribeiro, Divonsir Lopes, Osvaldo Roberto Do Vale, Fernando De Almeida Fran.cedilla.a, Eugenio Spano Rosa, Mauricio Gargaglione Prado
  • Patent number: 5993518
    Abstract: A deaerating apparatus for removing a gas from a liquid, including a liquid container rotatable and storing the liquid from which the gas is to be removed, a rotating device for rotating the liquid container, a sucking device for absorbing the gas from the liquid container; a feed-out device for feeding out the liquid stored in the liquid container, a liquid introducing pipe for introducing the liquid into the liquid container, a gas exhausting pipe for exhausting the gas from the liquid container, a liquid feed-out pipe for feeding out the liquid from the liquid container, and a head member which is removably placed on the liquid container, with the head member in contact with the liquid container. With the head member separated a predetermined interval from the liquid container, the liquid container is rotated to collect the gas contained in the liquid to the center of the liquid container. Then, the gas in the liquid container is absorbed, with the liquid container semi-closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Kiyohisa Tateyama
  • Patent number: 5902378
    Abstract: The efficiency of progressing cavity pumps is drastically reduced if the liquid being pumped contains large volumes of gas. To alleviate this problem a gas separator is provided which can be attached to the suction of a downhole pump to remove gas from the liquid being pumped prior to the liquid entering the pump inlet. The separator has an elongate housing having an annular chamber with guides which direct the liquid gas mixture to flow in an annular path from the inlet to the outlet end. During this flow centrifugal forces act to displace the gas content to the central region from which it is removed via a separate central gas outlet so that liquid delivered to the pump inlet is greatly reduced in its gas content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Inventor: Marcel Obrejanu
  • Patent number: 5900046
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating froth from liquid includes a feed conduit to carry partially aerated feed liquid, and a separator to receive and separate the feed liquid into a first component of froth or gas and a second component of de-aerated liquid or sludge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Inventor: David Taylor