| 摘要 |
<p>SEPARATOR APPARATUS AND METHOD A mixture of a first liquid of one density and a second liquid of a different density and which is substantially insoluble in the first liquid is separated by flowing the mixture through a gravity settler tank where the mixture separates into a clear upper layer of the lighter liquid, a clear lower layer of the heavier liquid, and an intermediate layer of uncoalesced droplets of one of the liquids dispersed in a continuous phase of the other at the interface between the upper and lower layers. Clear liquid from the upper layer is withdrawn through an overflow, and clear liquid from the lower layer is withdrawn through an underflow. An impediment or baffle extends across the settler tank transversely to the direction of liquid flow, and is disposed in the intermediate layer of the mixture of the two liquids to impede the flow of the intermediate layer away from the tank inlet. This causes the intermediate layer to be thicker than would be the case if the impediment were not present, and thereby increases coalescence rates to obtain faster separation, or to permit the use of a smaller tank, or both. If suspended solids are present in one of the liquids, the solids tend to concentrate in the intermediate layer, which is separately withdrawn to effect a separation of the solids from the liquid in which the solids were suspended. The transverse impediment baffle also reduces turbulence in the upper and lower layers to enhance separation of finely divided extraneous material, whether liquid or solid.</p> |
