Purification of compressed air discharge condensate
US5039425A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 11, 1990 |
| Grant date | Aug 13, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 11, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S210/05
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process for separating emulsified, suspended and separate oil as well as other contaminants from the water phase of a compressed air system condensate comprises the steps of discharging air and condensate from a compressed air system into a water filled separation tank where air is separated from the condensate. Some of the contaminants heavier than water are allowed to settle to the bottom of the separation tank while lighter oil contaminants are allowed to float to the surface where they are removed. Water and the remaining contaminants which did not flow to the surface or settle to the bottom of the tank are drained away until a given amount of liquid mass has been accumulated. Pressure applied to the liquid mass forces the mass into and through an underwater coalescing media. Such action causes substantially all of the remaining oil constituents to coalesce and thereby form a floating oil phase while other contaminants are retained by the coalescing media. The floating oil phase is removed and the remaining water is relatively pure.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.