Patent · US Expired

Method and a device for separating a continuous fluid phase from a dispersed phase

US5252229A · kind A · utility

33Cited by
9References
31Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 18, 1991
Grant dateOct 12, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 18, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S210/05
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

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.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.