Method and apparatus for controlling the distribution of two-phase fluids flowing through impacting pipe tees
US5810032A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 22, 1995 |
| Grant date | Sep 22, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 22, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/85938
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus is disclosed for splitting two-phase liquid-gas flow (e.g., air-water, hydrocarbon gas-condensate, or wet steam) at an impacting pipe-tee junction in a fluid distribution network to maintain constant ratios of liquid mass flow rate to gas (or vapor) mass flow rate entering and exiting the tee junction. Specific mechanical modification of normal impacting tees has been found to significantly increase the range of vapor-phase split ratio for which equal vapor-liquid split ratios (or quality) can be achieved and maintained. In one embodiment, a pre-separator vane is inserted in the entrance arm of the impacting tee. In a second embodiment, nozzles are installed in the exit arms of the impacting tee. In a third embodiment, the impacting tee diameter is increased above that of the surrounding piping leading into and away from the tee junction such that the vapor phase velocity entering the tee junction is less than or equal to 20 ft/sec. In another embodiment, the impacting tee is modified with a combination of two or more of the methods described above.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.