Method and Apparatus for Separation of Components of Differing Buoyancy Mixed into a Flowing Fluid

摘要

A flow separation system for separating multicomponent fluids into components having different buoyancies. The system can deaerate fluids, and segregate solid particles into a channel for removal or real time particle analysis. The system can have, positioned axially within a housing, a cup shaped first member having an axial passageway and a concave inner surface, a second member with a surface that forms a gap with the first member, the gap directing the flow into at least one helical channel. The flow exits the helical channel into a separation chamber positioned between the second member and a third member and separates into spinning heavier flow portion and a more buoyant portion that is driven toward the central axis. The third member has central fluid passageway that collects the higher buoyancy fluid and least one other fluid passageway for carrying lower buoyancy fluid, with an inlet positioned radially outward of the central fluid passageway.

主权项

1. A system for separating a multicomponent fluid into two or more flow channels, each containing components with different buoyancy, comprising:
a housing having a fluid inlet at a first end and at least two outlets; a first member configured to fit within the housing at the first end of the housing and having a passageway from the inlet through the member, the first member having a concave inner surface; a second member having a convex surface at one end that fits into the concave inner surface, the second member having at least one helical channel in an outer cylindrical surface extending from the convex surface to an opposite end of the second member; and a third member having a central fluid passageway for carrying higher buoyancy fluid and extending through the member along a central axis, and at least one other fluid passageway for carrying lower buoyancy fluid with an inlet positioned radially outward of the inlet of the central fluid passageway; the first member, the second member, and the third member configured to fit within the housing and aligned along a central longitudinal axis.