Density-based compact separator
First Claim
1. An apparatus for separating a fluid, comprising:
- an inlet duct having an inlet flow entrance and an inlet flow exit, the inlet duct defining an inlet width that decreases between the inlet flow entrance and the inlet flow exit, and an inlet radius that increases between the inlet flow entrance and the inlet flow exit;
a separating turn fluidly connected to the inlet flow exit of the inlet duct and including an outer surface defining an opening;
a liquid outlet fluidly connected to the opening of the separating turn to allow a higher-density component of the fluid to exit the separating turn; and
an outlet duct having an outlet flow entrance connected to the separating turn to allow a lower-density component of the fluid to exit the separating turn.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and method for separating a fluid. The apparatus includes an inlet duct having an inlet flow entrance and an inlet flow exit, the inlet duct defining an inlet width that decreases between the inlet flow entrance and the inlet flow exit, and an inlet radius that increases between the inlet flow entrance and the inlet flow exit. The apparatus also includes a separating turn fluidly connected to the inlet flow exit of the inlet duct and including an outer surface defining an opening. The apparatus further includes a liquid outlet fluidly connected to the opening of the separating turn to allow a higher-density component of the flow to exit the separating turn, and an outlet duct having an outlet flow entrance connected to the separating turn, to allow a lower-density component of the flow to exit the separating turn.
347 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for separating a fluid, comprising:
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an inlet duct having an inlet flow entrance and an inlet flow exit, the inlet duct defining an inlet width that decreases between the inlet flow entrance and the inlet flow exit, and an inlet radius that increases between the inlet flow entrance and the inlet flow exit; a separating turn fluidly connected to the inlet flow exit of the inlet duct and including an outer surface defining an opening; a liquid outlet fluidly connected to the opening of the separating turn to allow a higher-density component of the fluid to exit the separating turn; and an outlet duct having an outlet flow entrance connected to the separating turn to allow a lower-density component of the fluid to exit the separating turn. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A static separator apparatus for separating a higher-density component of a fluid from a lower-density component of the fluid, comprising:
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a separating turn disposed around a centerline and having an inlet, a gas outlet, and an outer surface extending therebetween and defining openings therein; a liquid outlet fluidly coupled to the openings, the liquid outlet configured to receive at least some of the higher-density component and an expelled amount of the lower-density component from the separating turn via the openings; and a gas return channel extending from the liquid outlet and intersecting the separating turn, the gas return channel configured to shunt at least some of the expelled amount of the lower-density component from the liquid outlet back to the separating turn. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for separating a higher-density component from a lower-density component of a fluid, comprising:
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channeling the fluid through a separating turn disposed between an inlet duct and an outlet duct of a separator; expelling at least some of the higher-density component and at least some of the lower-density component through openings in the separating turn; shunting the portion of the lower-density component expelled through the openings back into the separating turn; and maintaining a substantially constant cross-sectional area of the flow in at least in the inlet duct and the separating turn. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification