US3581464A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of and apparatus for separating a liquid from liquid vapor and dissolved gases
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corp
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Filing: 1968-12-16
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Granted: 1971-06-01
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Expires: 1988-12-16
Abstract
Abstract A multistage phase separator for separating the liquid and gaseous phases of an entering fluid by passage of the latter through a number of successive porous capillary phase separation barriers which pass the liquid phase but block passage of vapor and gasses by means of a surface tension screening action. A phase separation method and apparatus for separating a liquid from its vapor and dissolved gases by passage of the liquid through one or more phase separation zones each of which is vented to a reduced pressure region to effect dissolution of the dissolved gases and is followed by a capillary phase separation barrier which blocks the passage of the vapor and gases evolved within the preceeding phase separation zone.
Inventors
- 👤 Pravin G Bhuta
- 👤 Arthur K Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 02:01
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D50/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
27 words
The phase separation method according to claim 1, wherein: the internal pressure in each said following zone is less than the internal pressure in the preceeding zone.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
16 words
The phase separation method according to claim 1, wherein: said following zone pressures are substantially equal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
193 words
A multistage phase separator for separating a liquid from its vapor and a gas dissolved in the liquid, comprising: a conduit through which said liquid is adapted to flow having a liquid inlet, a liquid outlet, and a flow path communicating to said inlet and outlet; a number of surface tension phase separation barriers extending across said flow path at positions spaced along said flow path and defining a plurality of successive phase separation zones along said path including an inlet zone opening to said inlet, an outlet zone opening to said outlet, and at least one intervening zone; said barriers containing capillary pores communicating the adjacent zones; and vent means communicating with the zones following said inlet zone including pressure-responsive vent valve means for venting said following chambers during flow of said liquid through said separator to maintain the internal pressure within each said following zone at a level less than the pressure in said inlet zone to effect dissolution of said gas from said liquid within the respective zone and thereby separation of said liquid from said vapor and evolved gas during subsequent passage of the liquid through the following barrier.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
A phase separator according to claim 4 wherein: said vent means comprises a common vent passage and vent valve for venting all of said following zones to maintain the internal pressure in said following zones at substantially the same level less than said inlet zone pressure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A phase separator according to claim 4, wherein: said vent means comprise separate vent passages and vent valves for venting each said following zone separately to maintain the internal pressure in each latter zone at a level less than the preceeding zone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A phase separator accordinG to claim 4, wherein: said pores are progressively reduced in size from one barrier to the next in the direction of flow.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A phase separator according to claim 4, wherein: said inlet includes means for discharging the entering liquid directly onto the upstream barrier.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
A phase separator according to claim 4, wherein: said conduit comprises a hermetic vessel; said barriers comprise concentric cylindrical, radially spaced surface tension screens within said vessel; and said inlet zone is located within the inner screen and said outlet zone is located about the outer screen.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
A phase separator according to claim 4, wherein: said conduit comprises a hermetic vessel; said barriers comprise concentric cylindrical radially spaced surface tension screens within said vessel; and said inlet zone is located within the inner screen and about the outer screen, and said outlet zone is located between two adjacent screens.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A phase separator according to claim 10, including: means for discharging the liquid entering through said inlet directly onto both the inner and outer barriers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-31 | 1974-11-30 | 1975-06-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-31 | 1978-11-30 | 1979-06-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-31 | 1982-11-30 | 1983-06-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |