Fractionator annular drain apparatus and method
US11980834B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 25, 2022 |
| Grant date | May 14, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 25, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC02F2201/008
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A tank system may be conventional and fixed, or mobile, such as a fracking fluid or other tank trailer. A drain port thereof is fitted with an adapter connecting a snorkel system to drain liquids from near the top of the liquid level in the tank. A snorkel head at the extreme distal end of a tube near the longitudinal center of the tank is suspended by a system of buoys. A flow field controller plate resists formation of vortices near the snorkel head, so it can operate as near the surface as possible, withdrawing the highest grade oil efficiently. At its exit, the proximal end of the tube drains oil through an inner conduit of an adapter at a penetration in the wall of the tank. The adapter forms an annulus around the inner conduit draining tank bottoms directly from the tank.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.