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.

Abstract: A cyclone separating device includes a transparent and tapered separator flask, with an upper outlet where a tube provided with seal means and a tubular extension is fastened, and a lateral inlet through a lateral appendix communicating with the inside of the flask through a fine channel offset in order to generate a cyclone effect promoting the separation of the phases and lined with an insert made of a plastic material. The fluid sample is injected, for example, through a septum by means of a hollow needle guided through the insert. The device can be used for processing geologic fluid samples.

Abstract: A simplified vacuum sewer arrangement comprises a limited number of toilet bowls, preferably at the most 60 toilet bowls, which through a sewer pipe are connected to a common sewage collecting container, and a dry rotary vane pump for generating and maintaining a considerable partial vacuum in the sewer pipe and in the collecting container. The sewage collecting container is a relatively small reservoir which has to be frequently emptied and the volume of which is preferably at the most 100 liters. A liquid separator protects the pump from moisture. A rigidly installed tube and valve system connects the pressure side of the dry rotary vane pump periodically to the collecting container for emptying the container to another location by means of the pressure created by the dry rotary vane pump.

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.

Abstract: An air oil separator adapted for attachment to a dry sump type oil pump incorporates a novel centrifuge and air ducting system. The centrifuge is formed of two disks axially spaced on a hollow rotatable shaft with the shaft having small air passages located between the disks that extend radially through to a hollow interior of the shaft. An air duct couples an open end of the centrifuge shaft to an air outlet for exhausting air from the shaft interior to the upper air side of the oil sump. Axially rotating at high speed the centrifuge separates air from inputted oil by throwing the oil to the outer reaches of the housing where the oil exits through an outlet and the separated air is exhausted through the shaft and duct.

Abstract: Apparatus for the treatment of a multiphase fluid, comprises a pretreatment stage (60) upstream of a treatment stage, the pretreatment stage being arranged to cause an incoming flow of multiphase fluid to concentrate fluids of greater and lesser specific gravity into respective flow paths for subsequent treatment in the treatment stage and the pretreatment stage comprising a cyclonic separator device (60) concentrating fluid or fluids of greater specific gravity into an outer annular flow path around an inner flow path for fluid or fluids of lesser specific gravity. The treatment stage comprises a centrifuge having a separator drum (65) rotatable about the axis (66) thereof with an inlet end portion next to the cyclonic separator device (60) comprising concentric inner and outer walls (76, 70) and helical vanes (75) between the walls.

Abstract: A fluid centrifuge device for separating fluids and/or solids comprises a non-rotatable containment vessel (6) and a rotatable shroud (6A) of conical or other form within said vessel (6). The vessel (6) is located between an inlet assembly (2) including a manifold (8) which leads to the interior of a tubing housing (14) of a turbocharger and an outlet assembly (4) including two outlets (10, 10A) for respectively clean and dirty gases. The shroud (6A) is mounted on a drive shaft (20) for rotation therewithin. The shaft (20) and the shroud (6A) are driven by turbine blades (16) or by other drive.

Abstract: A refrigerant handling system that includes a refrigerant compressor having an inlet for connection to a source of refrigerant and an outlet for delivering refrigerant under pressure. A refrigerant/non-condensible separator is coupled to the compressor outlet. The separator includes a refrigerant conduit wound in a closed planar spiral, such that refrigerant flowing through the conduit is urged by centrifugal force against the radially outer wall portion of the conduit. Openings in the upper wall portion of the conduit vent air and other non-condensibles of lesser molecular weight than the refrigerant.

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.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing volatile contaminant compounds from a liquid by sparging a cleaning gas therethrough comprises a volatile contaminant extraction assembly including a hollow porous tube surrounded by an outer jacket defining a gas plenum between the jacket and the porous tube; a contaminated liquid feed assembly including a nozzle for injecting liquid into the porous tube in a spiraling flow pattern around and along the porous tube; a gas-liquid separator assembly including a nonporous degassing tube coaxially aligned with and connected to the porous tube, a separator tube coaxially aligned with and connected to the degassing tube and flaring outwardly in diameter from the degassing tube, and a gas duct coaxially aligned with the separator tube and extending into the separator tube to collect and convey cleaning gas therefrom; a clean liquid collection assembly; and a gas discharge assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus for optimizing gas-liquid interfacial contact for molecular mass transfer between gas and liquid comprises a gas-liquid contactor assembly including a hollow porous tube surrounded by an outer jacket defining a gas plenum between the jacket and the porous tube; a liquid feed assembly including a nozzle for injecting liquid into the porous tube in a spiraling flow pattern around and along the porous tube; a gas-liquid separator assembly at the first end of the porous tube including a nonporous degassing tube coaxially aligned with and connected to the porous tube, a gas outlet port coaxially aligned with the degassing tube to receive a first portion of gas flowing from the degassing tube, a first gas duct coaxially aligned with and connected to the gas outlet duct to convey the first portion of gas therefrom; a liquid collection assembly; and a second gas discharge assembly to collect and convey gas from the first end of the porous tube.

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.

Abstract: A rotating drum divided in axial spaced compartments with one of the compartments includes paddles and coalescing material to separate the fluid from the liquid and the other compartment includes stationary oil pumping and water pumping means and an energy recovery means for effectively separating fluid such as oil from liquid such a water. Another embodiment includes a simplified version of the fluid/liquid separator adapted for zero gravity environment and includes means for purging the lines from air prior to pumping the liquid. An electrical sensing circuit including conductivity sensors or an electronic controller including pressure sensors serve to control the rate of removal of the separated component or controlling said purging means.

Abstract: An arterial filter includes a filter housing provided with a uniquely shaped housing cover. The housing cover is in the shape of a toroid which forms a coil-like tunnel which is enlarged midway about the circumference of the housing cover. The highest point of the toroidal channel is at the periphery of the housing cover, approximately 180.degree. from the inlet valve. A gas vent is located at this highest point on the top of the toroid-shaped housing cover. At the center of the housing cover is an indentation which is provided to both retain a cylindrical filter element inside the filter housing, as well as allow visibility directly through the central axis of the arterial filter to verify proper operation of the filtration process. As inlet blood circulates through the toroidal tube forming the filter housing cover, gaseous matter is allowed to buoyantly escape out of the gas vent located at the top of the raised section of the toroidal channel.

Abstract: A system for separating an air-liquid mixture in a low gravity environment is disclosed having a high speed separator to initially process the air-liquid mixture. A second, low-speed separator has its inlet connected to the liquid discharge outlet of the high speed separator in order to remove the entrained air bubbles from the liquid discharge of the high speed separator. The low speed separator has a stationary housing enclosing a rotating, paddle-type separator. The housing defines a liquid collector portion which communicates directly with a liquid discharge outlet. Air removed by the low speed separator may be vented to the ambient atmosphere, or may be returned to the air-liquid mixture inlet of the high speed separator.

Abstract: In a multi-chamber centrifuge for gassing or degassing of liquids which has a floor 7, a corresponding lid 3 placed at a certain distance, with gaps to permit the passage of gas in the floor 7 and lid 3, with a liquid pipe connection in the lid 3 and two sets of coaxially mutually fitting cylinders, the set (=rotor) with the rotating cylinders rises from the floor 7, while the other set (=stator) descends from the lid 3 and is static. The cylinders of one set each penetrate the gaps between the cylinders of the other set, and each set of cylinders leaves a radial gap by reaching just short of the opposite base (either the floor 7 or the lid 3). At least some of the cylinders of the rotating set can be made at least partially of a woven material which can be fashioned like a sieve. On the static cylinders 4, vibration generators 19 and/or heating devices 13 may be installed (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A separator for removing gases from water. An elongated vortex tube with an interior cylindrical wall houses a concentric separator tube of smaller diameter, leaving a vortex region between them. Perforations through the wall of the separator tube connect the interior of the separator tube to the vortex region. Water containing gas is tangentially injected into the vortex region, flowing downwardly to an exit port. Separated gases in the separator tube collect at its top and are released by a valve.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating liquid from a liquid/gas mixture by establishing a laminar flow within a curved channel. Entrained liquid droplets, that have higher inertia than the gas, follow a trajectory, deviate from the gas flow lines, and impinge on the wall. The liquid droplets coalesce and migrate to the inner radius under the influence of shear from the secondary flow, where the liquid is collected and retained in an artery by capillary action. The liquid is then forced through bleed ports into the liquid drain line. The term liquid/gas mixtures is intended to include liquid/vapor mixtures as well.