Cyclonic separation system comprising gas injection means and method for separating a fluid mixture

摘要

An apparatus for separating a fluid mixture includes a uniaxial cyclonic separator (2) having a separation chamber (18) for separating the fluid mixture by cyclonic action into a first fluid and a second fluid. An inlet (16) is located at a first end of the separation chamber (18) for receiving a fluid mixture, while a first outlet (22) for the first fluid and a second outlet (26) for the second fluid are located at a second end of the separation chamber. A gas injection means (12) is provided for injecting a gas into the fluid mixture to aid separation within the separation chamber (18). The gas injection may also be through an annular chamber surrounding the separator chamber (18). The gas in this case is introduced through a porous medium 130 via a gas supply line 136.

主权项

1. An apparatus for separating water from an oil/water mixture, the apparatus including a uniaxial cyclonic separator comprising an elongate separation chamber for separating the oil/water mixture by cyclonic action into a first fluid and a second fluid, an inlet at a first end of the separation chamber for receiving the oil/water mixture, said inlet comprising a spiral-shaped inlet chamber, a first outlet for the first fluid at a second end of the separation chamber, a second outlet for the second fluid at the second end of the separation chamber, at least one of said first and second outlets comprising a spiral-shaped outlet chamber, and gas injection means for injecting a gas into the oil/water mixture to aid separation within the separation chamber, wherein the gas injection means comprises means for injecting gas through a chamber wall of the separation chamber, and wherein at least part of the chamber wall is porous or perforated.