摘要 |
A filtration apparatus for separating particulate and liquid impurities, such as dust, liquid or oil, from a natural gas. The filtration apparatus has a horizontally oriented enclosure with a plurality of filter elements which are not in parallel with the long axis of the enclosure, thus enabling filtered particles to fall out of the filter elements into a collection sump for later removal. To facilitate filtrate collection, the dividing plate, upon which the filter elements are mounted, is angled slightly out of level for the purpose of guiding the filtered particulate and liquid impurities to a collection sump. The inlet and outlet nozzles are located at the ends of the enclosure and are in line with its long axis. Through these nozzles, the gas flowing into the enclosure undergoes a rapid expansion, which serves to remove larger particles and liquids entrained in the gas. The gas is further "pre-filtered" by forcing it through a tortuous path of abrupt changes in direction prior to encountering the filter elements. This removal of coarse particles and liquids serves to lengthen filter element life and reduce maintenance time. To further reduce maintenance time, the enclosure contains a plurality of accesses whereby a person may open this access and remove a corresponding filter element with minimal impact on filtration apparatus operability.
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