Centrifugal Force Patents (Class 95/261)
  • Patent number: 5879422
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cyclone, mainly for separating liquid from gas/vapor, which is formed upon pressure reduction of spent cooking liquid in connection with pulp production. The cyclone includes an inlet arrangement connected to a supply line and a valve and the inlet arrangement includes an insertion pipe, the length of which preferably exceeds one meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Kamyr AB
    Inventors: Goran Brottg.ang.rdh, Ulf Jansson
  • Patent number: 5861052
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for pumping a fluid mixture of a gas and a liquid and for separating said gas and liquid from each other, said apparatus having a fluid inlet (14) at one end (18) and at the opposite end (22) a pump housing (16) with a liquid outlet (28) and, between said inlet (14) and said pump housing (16), a hollow elongated gas separation part (30) of an essentially circular cross section with a generally central outlet (26) for separated gas. Said gas separation part (30) is provided by a hollow rotor (12) between said inlet (14) and said pump housing (16), the inner wall of said rotor (12) providing a large rotatable gas separation surface (32). The diameter of said rotor (12) increases at said opposite end (22) of the apparatus to form a larger diameter pumping zone (17) extending into said pump housing (16). Said rotor (12) is provided with a blade wheel (24) extending into said pump housing (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: POM Technology Oy AB
    Inventor: Paul Olof Meinander
  • Patent number: 5858070
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning hydraulic fluid includes a centrifugal fluid-spinning disk arranged in a housing, of which an upper portion forms a vapor chamber and a lower portion forms a fluid collecting basin. A vacuum pump is connected to the housing through an oil mist separator, such that water vapor is vacuumed away and hydraulic fluid collects in the oil mist separator to then be pumped away. The apparatus further includes preferably a single container that contains both the contaminated hydraulic fluid that is to be cleaned and the cleaned hydraulic fluid. A flexible inlet line and a flexible outlet line with respective hydraulic quick connectors are provided to connect the apparatus and particularly the oil container to a hydraulic system of an aircraft, for example. A high pressure pump connected to the outlet line pumps the cleaned hydraulic fluid into the aircraft hydraulic system and a pressure maintaining valve in the inlet line maintains the system pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aerospace Airbus GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Halm, Jochen Mertens, Manfred Becher
  • Patent number: 5849065
    Abstract: A device for separating gas bubbles out of medical fluids, in particular blood, has a substantially cylindrical chamber, an inlet connection arranged in the longitudinal direction of the chamber, an outlet connection and a flow-guide member attached to the inlet connection and having a plurality of flow channels, which extend in a space curve out of the longitudinal direction of the chamber in a direction running substantially tangential to the inner wall of the chamber. An orifice, which is sealed by a hydrophobic membrane, is provided in the cover part of the chamber. Since the outlet orifices of the flow channels are arranged directly underneath the cover part, the membrane is circumflowed by the inflowing fluid, avoiding the formation of dead zones. The device makes it possible to separate out air bubbles with a substantial degree of reliability, without the danger of the hydrophobic membrane becoming obstructed from contact with the blood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Fresenius AG
    Inventor: Ralf Wojke
  • Patent number: 5827357
    Abstract: The separator includes a vertical cylindrical pressure vessel having elliptical top and bottom heads. A mechanical device, referred to as a vortex tube cluster of vertical tubes, is mounted in the upper section of the vessel chamber, spaced above the bottom head to define a lower chamber section for fluid and solids separation. Pressurized drilling fluid returns are directed tangentially into the vortex tubes and a subsequent centrifugal action is generated. Contained gas separates and forms a gas vortex which exits upwardly from the vortex tubes and vessel top. The liquids and solids discharge into the vessel lower chamber section where solids settle by gravity to the bottom. The solids are withdrawn from the base of the vessel by a slurry pump. The oil and water components of the fluid layer also separate by gravity and are individually removed from the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Northland Production Testing Ltd.
    Inventor: Raymond Richard Farion
  • Patent number: 5814128
    Abstract: A water management system removes water vapor from the analyte slug that is desorbed from the trap. The water management system includes a device having a passage through which the volatile organic chemicals and water pass, the passage being designed to remove water vapor by swirling action on the stream. The amount of water removed is more than can be accounted for by simple condensation. The invention also includes the adjustment of the temperature of the water management device during the sample concentration cycle to prevent undesired condensation prior to desorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: OI Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth K. Jiang, Bernie B. Bernard
  • Patent number: 5762687
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for solution of a quantity of gas in a flowing quantity of liquid, in particular for solution of CO2 gas in beer, a flow of liquid and a flow of gas being combined and the gas in the liquid being dispersed, mixed with, and a part of it being mixed in the liquid. The object of the invention is to increase the amount of gas actually soluble in a liquid under certain conditions in comparison to prior art processes. In addition, the device for application of the process is to be simple in structure, cleanable in continuous flow (CIP-compatible), and its adaptation to specific practical requirements and its control are to be as simple as possible. From the process engineering viewpoint this is accomplished by guiding the gas/liquid mixture into curved paths, as a result of which separation into a bubblefree liquid flow (L1*) and a gas/liquid flow (G*/L2) to be recirculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Otto Tuchenhagen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Holger J. Grossmann
  • Patent number: 5749945
    Abstract: A system is described for rapidly removing dissolved permanent gasses or dissolved volatile contaminants from a liquid, in which the liquid is forced through a cavitating venturi, designed and operated in a fashion to produce micro-bubbles in the high-shear, converging flow section at its entry, to coalesce a significant fraction of these micro-air bubbles in a nominally straight section of maximum restriction following the inlet section, then in a final section, a diffuser, the steam bubbles condense, having during their lives caused coalescence of a significant fraction of the micro air bubbles, which are then, with the water carrying them separated from the remaining stream and its micro-bubbles. The stream separated carries large, easily broken air bubbles which then are broken in a suitable device (four are shown, each with a proposed best design for a specific size of system). The bubbles' contents, a mixture of air, volatiles and vapor are then sent to a vacuum system for processing to the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Inventor: Earl Joseph Beck
  • Patent number: 5750040
    Abstract: The method of operating rotating separator apparatus, to which fluid, including gas and liquids is supplied in a fluid jet at 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Biphase Energy Company
    Inventor: Lance G. Hays
  • Patent number: 5730784
    Abstract: Hydrogen Sulfide is substantially completely removed from a gas stream in a two-stage operation. Hydrogen Sulfide is first partially oxidized to sulfur dioxide and the sulfur dioxide reacted with part of the remaining hydrogen sulfide while the hydrogen sulfide not so reacted is subsequently oxidized, thereby removing all of the hydrogen sulfide from the gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignees: The University of Toronto Innovations Foundation, Apollo Environmental Systems Corp.
    Inventors: James W. Smith, David Todd R. Ellenor, John N. Harbinson
  • Patent number: 5711789
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for separating gas from solids-containing liquid. The apparatus in accordance with the invention may be applied in such places where air is separated from a medium by means of reduced pressure or vacuum condition. The apparatus in accordance with the present invention is especially applicable for the pulp and paper industry in situations where gas has been separated from the fiber suspension, but where the gas contains some fibers or other solids, which must be separated from the gas flow prior to the vacuum pump generating suction. The method in accordance with the present invention is characterized in that the fraction containing gas, liquid and solid material is passed from the pulp treatment apparatus to a separate separating apparatus, solids are separated from that fraction, which are then discharged from the separation apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: A. Ahlstrom Corporation
    Inventors: Jorma Elonen, Heikki Manninen
  • Patent number: 5674312
    Abstract: Apparatus and process for injecting high concentrations of a treatment gas into a liquid stream which is devoid of undissolved gas or a gas phase. The liquid stream is passed through a gas inducing injector to receive treatment gas, and then is passed through a centrifugal liquid/gas separator from which entrained gases and liquid with dissolved treatment gases are separately withdrawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: GDT Corporation
    Inventor: Angelo L. Mazzei
  • Patent number: 5651809
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for separating gaseous components from pourable media. The main feature of the invention is that regions of under pressure are formed by relative movement between the media and a substantially vane-shaped external surface on a body arranged therein. The gas collecting in the under pressure regions is evacuated through the interior of the body. The body is preferably arranged to rotate, such that at least one inlet on the body at the under pressure region communicates with a gas outlet inside the body to remove the separated gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Andritz-Patentverwaltungs-Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventor: Gerald Schnur
  • Patent number: 5622545
    Abstract: A dynamic separator for removing gases from water includes a vortex tube with an internal cylindrical wall along which a stream of water is directed in a downward helical path. A perforated separator tube extends along the center of the vortex tube and receives gases which flow toward the center. The gases rise and are released. The water is drained from the bottom. An injector nozzle injects water tangentially in an injection section from which the whirling stream enters the vortex tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Claude Laval Corporation
    Inventors: Angelo L. Mazzei, Steven D. Ford
  • Patent number: 5584911
    Abstract: A system is provided for recovering volatile-liquid vapor from an air-volatile liquid vapor mixture. The system includes a reaction vessel having a bed of adsorbent for adsorbing volatile liquid vapor and producing relatively volatile liquid vapor-free air. The system further includes a liquid seal vacuum pump for regenerating the adsorbent, a first conduit for circulating the air-volatile liquid vapor mixture through the system and a second conduit for circulating seal liquid to the vacuum pump. A cyclonic separator separates the seal liquid from the air-volatile liquid vapor mixture produced during bed regeneration. A mechanism is also provided for removing the volatile liquid vapor from the air-volatile liquid vapor mixture separated from the seal liquid. A method of recovering volatile liquid vapor from an air-volatile liquid vapor mixture is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Jordan Holding Company
    Inventor: Edward Menzenski
  • Patent number: 5577575
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement in a circulation lubrication system including a lubricating oil tank; pressure pipe lines for supplying oil to parts to be lubricated; return pipe lines for returning the oil from the parts to be lubricated to the oil tank. To eliminate problems caused by moisture, a blower is arranged to blow air into the oil tank, and at least one valve is positioned in the oil return pipe lines, the valve being arranged to allow the discharge of the air blown into the oil tank and the air with moisture and dirt flowing in the return pipe lines from the oil return pipe lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Safematic Oy
    Inventor: Ari Mielo
  • Patent number: 5534118
    Abstract: A controlled bubble of cavitation is formed within the distilland by opposed centrifugal and centripetal forces in the plane of an afferent mesial passage. Thus a distilland surface forms around the axis of rotation, and saturated vapor is continuously stripped from this distilland surface by the work of a vapor pump, which also creates the centripetal force. The vapor vortex within this cavitation region ejects by centrifugal force whatever in it is denser than pure vapor, including any particles or droplets which may somehow become entrained in the vapor. Bubbling at the distilland surface, which might produce mist, is suppressed by centrifugal force. Vapor is compelled to follow an afferent flow path, and is scrubbed by cyclones in the afferent mesial passage. Scrubbed vapor is then withdrawn from within the distilland along the axis of rotation. No container is necessary for the distilland and no heat is added to produce evaporation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Inventor: Wilmot H. McCutchen
  • Patent number: 5531811
    Abstract: A process for recovering entrained liquid from natural gas. The gas containing entrained liquid flows from a subterranean formation via a well into a gas/liquid separation chamber where the liquid and gas are separated by centrifugal force. One or more vanes mounted in one or more slits in the separator wall extend into the separation chamber and aid in transposing liquid through the slit or slits. Outside the chamber, the liquid drains into a storage tank. The gas is vented to the atmosphere or to a gas collection system. The separator chamber may be mounted inside a storage tank and may have an external shell around the chamber wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Marathon Oil Company
    Inventor: Thomas W. Kloberdanz
  • Patent number: 5526684
    Abstract: A self-regulating apparatus and method for measuring the components of a multiphase petroleum stream includes initially stratifying an incoming petroleum stream into substantially liquid and gas streams. The initial fluid stratification allows a flow-splitting separation to occur as the streams first enter a vertical separation tube. By positioning the inflow line eccentric to the vertical separation tube, a liquid vortex is created by the incoming liquid component to further enhance the liquid/gas separation. The liquid component is then drawn off by a liquid flow line also eccentrically positioned on the vertical separator, thereby minimizing the energy dissipation of the liquid vortex. Both the gas and liquid components can then be individually measured before being recombined at a common outflow port for discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Chevron Research and Technology Company, a Division of Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: K. T. Liu, William Rieken, J. P. Anduiza, G. E. Kouba
  • Patent number: 5514206
    Abstract: A gas/air or bubble separator is disclosed, particularly for use with supplying air/gas or bubble free coating liquid to a paper coater. The separator includes three cast elements containing three formed chambers, a distribution chamber at the top of the device which supplies incoming liquid to a plurality of separators which operate on the vortex principle, a liquid collection chamber for collecting the essentially or substantially air/gas or bubble free liquid at the bottom of the device, and an air/gas bubble collection chamber above the vortex separators for collecting the gas/air or bubble containing liquid. These chambers are of cast construction and made of stainless steel so that no weld need be used. The device has essentially inline flow for the bulk of the liquid from inlet to outlet and clean streamline design with no dead spaces to prevent accumulations, build ups and problems associated with the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Consolidated Papers, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Hoogesteger, Wayne A. Damrau
  • Patent number: 5500039
    Abstract: A gas-liquid separating apparatus for separating gas and liquid of a gas-liquid mixture includes a drum, and a separator disposed in the drum. The gas-liquid enters the separator into a cylinder of the separator in a tangential direction, and thus flows along the inner wall surface of the cylinder so that centrifugal separation of the gas and liquid is effected. The gas is discharged into a gas-phase section of the drum. At least part of the primary isolated liquid is decelerated by a perforated plate of the separator from which the liquid flows into a liquid-phase section of the drum. Because the primary isolated liquid flowing into the liquid-phase section of the drum has a slow outflow velocity, it tends to flow upwardly in the vicinity of the cylinder due to the buoyancy of gas still entrained in the liquid. Accordingly, the gravitational separation of the entrained gas and liquid is facilitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Mori, Tokuji Matsuo, Nobuhiro Hokao, Akihiko Fujimoto, Tsuyoshi Sato
  • Patent number: 5462585
    Abstract: Gas is separated from fluent material, particularly a liquid or a cellulose fiber suspension having a consistency of about 8-18%, utilizing a closed separation apparatus having a spiral housing with a central axis, a fluent material inlet channel, a fluent material outlet, and a gas outlet. A pressure differential is maintained between the inlet channel and the spiral housing, and the pressure differential is converted to kinetic energy of the fluent material by causing the fluent material to flow through one or more spiral flow paths through the inlet channel toward the spiral housing. In the spiral housing a rotor is rotated to impart a strong centrifugal force to the fluent material to cause gas to separate and collect adjacent the central axis of the spiral housing, from which the gas is removed. The strong centrifugal force caused by the rotating rotor discharges the fluent material through the outlet. The spiral flow paths may be stationary or may rotate with the rotor in the spiral housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: A. Ahlstrom Corporation
    Inventors: Toivo Niskanen, Kari Peltonen
  • Patent number: 5407584
    Abstract: A method for clarifying a contaminated fluid in a main separator vessel having therein a cyclonic flow chamber. A spiral preliminary spinner introduces the contaminated fluid to be separated in a stratified condition into the cyclonic flow chamber by a tangential inlet so as to establish a swirling body of fluid; the cyclonic flow chamber has concentric shells positioned below the tangential inlet for discharging separated solids to a collection area and separating an oil and water mixture into a fluid flow zone formed by the cyclonic flow chamber and the wall of the separator vessel wherein water and oil are separated by aeration provided by eductors; a vertical outlet port discharges separated oil and gas from the upper portion of the cyclonic flow chamber to a fluid flow zone wherein oil and gas are separated. The separated water, oil, gas and solids are removed through discharge ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Inventor: Paul C. Broussard, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5370498
    Abstract: An apparatus for eliminating gas constituents, such as moisture or the like, from a cooking space of an industrial kitchen apparatus or the like, has a radial fan which is arranged close to an essentially vertically housing wall, the drive shaft of the radial fan penetrating the housing wall, and the housing wall having a housing opening close to the circumference of the radial fan with a partition provided close to the circumference of the radial fan for deflecting a part of the flow generated by the fan into the housing opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Rational GmbH
    Inventor: Armin Klingler
  • Patent number: 5362462
    Abstract: The present invention is an ammonia injection scheme for enhanced NO.sub.x reductions wherein the NO.sub.x containing gas to be treated is upstream of a cyclone separator. The enhanced NO.sub.x reductions is accomplished by injecting the ammonia through the inside wall of the cyclone inlet duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Hoanh N. Pham, Todd A. Shirley
  • Patent number: 5358557
    Abstract: A water management system removes water vapor from the analyte slug that is desorbed from the trap. The water management system includes a device having a passage through which the volatile organic chemicals and water pass, the passage being designed to remove water vapor by swirling action on the stream. The amount of water removed is more than can be accounted for by simple condensation. The invention also includes the adjustment of the temperature of the water management device during the sample concentration cycle to prevent undesired condensation prior to desorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: O.I. Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth K. Jiang, Bernie B. Bernard
  • Patent number: 5334239
    Abstract: A separation device employing a gas separation filter and swirler vanes for separating gas from a gasliquid mixture is provided. The cylindrical filter utilizes the principle that surface tension in the pores of the filter prevents gas bubbles from passing through. As a result, the gas collects in the interior region of the filter and coalesces to form larger bubbles in the center of the device. The device is particularly suited for use in microgravity conditions since the swirlers induce a centrifugal force which causes liquid to move from the inner region of the filter, pass the pores, and flow through the outlet of the device while the entrained gas is trapped by the filter. The device includes a cylindrical gas storage screen which is enclosed by the cylindrical gas separation filter. The screen has pores that are larger than those of the filters. The screen prevents larger bubbles that have been formed from reaching and interfering with the pores of the gas separation filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Hwang Choe, Thomas T. Fallas
  • Patent number: 5277691
    Abstract: A process for degassing a continuously flowing liquid stream is executed using an apparatus that comprises an air-tight housing, in which is mounted for rotation a centrifuge bowl of circular cross-section and having an inner surface for spreading centrifugally impelled liquid to be degassed and an annular peripheral trough for retaining centrifugally impelled degassed liquid. The liquid stream is fed into the bowl and the degassed liquid is withdrawn through a tube extending from an exit line outside the housing to an open end of elongate cross-section which is positioned within the trough of the bowl and is immersible in the degassed liquid. The pressure of the exiting degassed liquid is measured, the pressure measurement being used to regulate the flow of liquid into the bowl so as to maintain a substantially constant level of the liquid therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Donald E. Eaton, Errol S. Francis, Eric L. Dillenbeck, Lawrence D. Meston, Walter Johannes
  • Patent number: 5273623
    Abstract: Process for vacuum-concentrating urea solutions in which the final step of evaporation of the urea solution under vacuum is carried out within the injection of overheated water vapor in the overhead portion of the concentrator, in order to counteract the formation and deposition of high-melting, fouling compounds derived from urea.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Snamprogetti, S.p.A.
    Inventor: Franco Granelli
  • Patent number: 5266160
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for treating pulp. The apparatus according to the present invention is especially suitable for carrying out bleaching processes of the wood processing industry and for separation of residual gases remaining in the suspension in the processes. The method of the present invention is characterized in that pulp at the consistency range of 8 to 20% is subjected to at least the following treatment steps in a closed pressurized process: feeding pulp with a pump to a chemical mixer; mixing chemicals with the pulp; introducing the pulp flow by means of the pressure of the pump to a process vessel; treating the pulp with chemicals in the process vessel; removing gases from the pulp in connection with the process vessel or after it in a closed pressurized separator; in the gas separation, preventing fibers from exiting with the gas; and guiding the pulp via a closed path to a following process step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Kamyr, Inc.
    Inventors: Kaj O. Henricson, Toivo Niskanen
  • Patent number: 5256171
    Abstract: Oil and gas well production flow is gathered in field common line manifolds and conducted through a separator to make a coarse separation of gas from liquid and minimize slug flow in the conduits leading from the manifolds to further separation, treatment and pumping facilities. A liquid level signal transmitter provides a signal to a valve controller which controls separate liquid and gas discharge flow control valves or a variable speed pump to maintain a set point level of liquid in the separator. Liquid level control is accomplished automatically by varying the flow from the fluid discharge conduit which is connected to the lower pressure flow line, which is usually the gas flow line. Manifold pressures may be sensed to prevent exceeding a predetermined pressure in the manifolds and the well flow lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventor: Richard L. Payne
  • Patent number: 5252229
    Abstract: A method and device for separating a continuous phase from at least one dispersed phase, with the phases having different densities. A mixture of the phases to be separated is supplied into a device including at least one cylindrical chamber vertically disposed and at least one static helically-shaped member is accommodated in the chamber. At least one face of the helically-shaped member is formed by a helicoidal surface. A maximum free path of a dispersed phase particle in a radial direction prior to colliding with the helically-shaped member is less than one quarter of a peripheral diameter of the member and, preferably, less than one tenth of an internal diameter of the chamber. The method and apparatus are capable of separating an aqueous phase from an organic phase such as, a petroleum fluid, with the mixture to be separated also possibly including a gaseous phase and a solid phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Alexandre Rojey, Jean-Claude Collin, Thierry Palermo
  • Patent number: 5234480
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and assembly for decreasing problems, especially odor hazards and interference with pump action, caused by residual or reaction gases, evolved or picked up in gas washers and various other partial process apparatuses of a pulp process. Residual or reaction gases and/or gases harmful to the carrying out of a process or to the environment are separated from liquid or fiber pulp suspension by means of a deaerating pump which advances the flow of liquid or fiber pulp suspension, separates said gases from said liquid or fiber pulp and vents said gases to outside said process apparatus. The invention concerns in general the use of a deaerating pump for a variety of purposes in the pulp and paper industry for eliminating gas problems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: A. Ahlstrom Corporation
    Inventors: Kaj Henricson, Raimo Pitkanen