Separation process

• US 4,005,998 A
• Filed: 04/01/1976
• Issued: 02/01/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Shell Oil Company (Shell Plc)
• Original Assignee: Shell Oil Company (Shell Plc)
• Inventors: Gorman, John E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lutter, Frank W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lacey, David L.
• Application Number:
  US05/672,803
• Time in Patent Office: 306 Days
• Field of Search: 55/1, 55/80, 55/84, 55/92, 55/235-238, 55/263, 55/265, 55/267, 55/431, 55/448-451, 55/454, 55/459 R, 55/459 A, 55/459 B, 55/459 C , 55/459 D, 55/466, 55/242, 55/426, 209/144, 209/211, 210/512 R, 261/79 A, 159/4 R, 159/4 S, 159/4 VM, 159/48
• US Class Current: 95/219
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 45/12 by centrifugal forces centrifuges B04B; cyclones B04C
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 5/181 Bulkheads or central bodies in the discharge opening
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 5/20 with heating or cooling, e.g. quenching, means

Abstract

Particulate solids are separated from their admixture with gases or vaporized liquids by passage through a specially designed cyclone separator wherein the solids are passed down the separator to a plate modified with a circumferential groove leading to a solids outlet, the plate also having a centrally located vertical member designed to minimize turbulent flow of the solids/vapor mixture and fouling of the apparatus.

Claims

1. A process for the separation of polymeric particulate solids from their heated admixture with gases in a vertically-disposed cylindrical separator having an upper section and a lower section, said lower section terminating in an interior circumferential groove containing a tangentially-positioned solids outlet, which process comprises:

a. injecting the admixture at a vapor velocity of at least about 700 feet per second through from a jet inlet positioned tangentially in said upper section;

b. withdrawing the major portion of said gases through a gas outlet positioned in said upper section;

c. passing the solids and residual portions of the gases in a tangential path down the inner surface of said cylindrical separator to a bottom plate communicating with said interior circumferential groove, said bottom plate having centrally-positioned thereto a vertically-disposed means for reducing turbulence in the flow pattern of the solids and residual gases, said vertically disposed means having a water inlet for injection of water into the lower section of the separator;

d. injecting water through said water inlet at a rate of between about 0.5 and 3.5 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of solids; and

e. withdrawing the solids through said tangentially-positioned solids outlet.

2. A process according to claim 1 wherein said particulate solids are block copolymers and said gases are vaporized solvent and steam.