US3595392A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of and apparatus for separating fluids having different densities
Assignee: Reynolds Submarine Services Corp
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Filing: 1969-06-13
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Granted: 1971-07-27
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Expires: 1989-06-13
Abstract
Abstract A method of and apparatus for separating fluids having different densities utilizing an axial flow pump which achieves vortex separation without emulsification of the fluids. A Pitot tube positioned downstream from the axial flow pump separates substantially all of a lighter density fluid from the discharge of the axial flow pump and delivers the fluid to a settling tank where gravity separation of the different density fluids is achieved very rapidly because of the absence of emulsification. A heavier density fluid which bypasses the Pitot tube is used to provide propulsion for a collecting unit. The fluids to be separated are contained by means of a floating boom attached to the collecting unit. The latter is provided with a weir or floating skimmer means which facilitates the delivery of the fluids to be separated to the axial flow pump.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur L Markel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 16:39
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B15/00; E02B15/04; E02B15/046; B; B63; B63B; B63B35/00; B63B35/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
A method of separating fluids having different densities as defined in claim 1, including the additional steps of a. passing said fluids through a sight tube in which said Pitot is contained, b. and visually positioning said Pitot tube so as to be substantially axially aligned with said fluid lighter than water.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method of separating fluids having different densities as defined in claim 2 including the additional step of changing the diameter of said Pitot tube in accordance with the flow diameter of said fluid lighter than water.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method of separating fluids having different densities as defined in claim 1 including the step of varying the speed of rotation of said axial flow pump to maintain the quantity of said fluid lighter than water substantially constant in said secondary flow.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method of separating fluids having different densities as defined in claim 1 including the additional step of utilizing said primary flow to provide propulsion means for said collecting unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method of separating fluids having different densities as defined in claim 5 including the additional step of periodically withdrawing water that has settled from said fluid lighter than water and returning it to said primary flow in providing propulsion means for said collecting unit.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
110 words
A method of separating at least two fluids having different densities comprising the steps of a. passing said fluids through an axial flow pump, b. positioning an extractor tube in the path of said fluids as they leave said axial flow pump whereby said fluids are separated into primary and secondary flows, c. said secondary flow passing through said extractor tube and consisting primarily of the fluid having the lighter density, d. and separating by gravity said lighter density fluid from any heavier density fluid contained in said secondary flow, e. said secondary flow being substantially nonemulsified whereby said gravity separation may be effected within about 1 to 2 minutes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method of separating at least two fluids having different densities as defined in claim 7 including the additional steps of a. passing said fluids through a sight tube in which said extraction tube is contained, b. and visually positioning said extraction tube so as to be substantially axially aligned with said fluid lighter than water.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method of separating at least two fluids having different densities as defined in claim 7, including the additional step of changing the diameter of said extraction tube in accordance with the flow diameter of said fluid lighter than water.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method of separating at least two fluids having different densities as defined in claim 7 including the additional step of varying the speed of rotation of said axial flow pump to maintain the quantity of said fluid lighter than water substantially constant in said secondary flow.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method of separating at least two fluids having different densities as defined in claim 7 wherein said method is practiced on a marine collecting vessel and said method further comprises the step of utilizing said primary flow to provide propulsion means for said marine collecting vessel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method of separating at least two fluids having different densities as defined in claim 11 including the additional step of periodically withdrawing water that has settled from said fluid lighter than water and returning it to said primary flow in providing propulsion means for said marine collecting vessel.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
178 words
An apparatus for separating fluids having at least one heavy density fluid and one light density fluid comprising a. a floating collection unit, b. a floating boom means attached to said collection unit and locally containing the fluids to be separated at the surface of a body of water, C. weir means carried by said collection unit in position to receive the fluids contained by said boom means, d. an axial flow pump having an axial flow impeller means, e. conduit means interconnecting said weir means and said axial flow pump, f. means for dividing the discharge of said axial flow pump into a plurality of flow paths including a primary flow and a secondary flow, g. said dividing means including Pitot tube means for receiving said secondary flow, h. said secondary flow being substantially nonemulsified and being constituted primarily be said lighter density fluid, i. and settling tank means into which said secondary flow is deposited and wherein said lighter density fluid is separated from any of said heavy density fluid in about 1 to 2 minutes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus for separating fluids having at least one heavy density fluid and one light density fluid as defined in claim 13 wherein said Pitot tube means is provided with means to change the effective diameter thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus for separating fluids having at least one heavy density fluid and one light density fluid as defined in claim 13, wherein said weir means is vertically adjustable with respect to said collection unit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus for separating fluids having at least one heavy density fluid and one light density fluid as defined in claim 13 including sightglass means positioned downstream from the discharge end of said axial flow pump which permits visual positioning of said Pitot tube means with respect to the discharge of said axial flow pump.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus for separating fluids having at least one heavy density fluid and one light density fluid as defined in claim 13 wherein said primary flow provides propulsion for said collection unit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus for separating fluids having at least one heavy density fluid and one light density fluid as defined in claim 17 including means to return said heavy density fluid which is separated from said secondary flow to said primary flow.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
192 words
An apparatus for separating fluids having at least one heavy density fluid and one light density fluid as defined in claim 13 including a second stage division means comprising a. a second axial flow pump positioned downstream from said Pitot tube means, b. and a second Pitot tube means positioned downstream from said second axial flow pump. 20 An apparatus for separating fluids having at least one heavy density fluid and one light density fluid comprising a. a floating collection unit, b. an axial flow pump carried by said collection unit, c. means for delivering said fluids to be separated to said axial flow pump, d. means for dividing the discharge of said axial flow pump into a plurality of flow paths including a primary flow and a secondary flow, e. said dividing means including Pitot tube means for receiving said secondary flow, f. said secondary flow being substantially nonemulsified and being constituted primarily by said lighter density fluid, g. and settling tank means into which said secondary flow is deposited and wherein said lighter density fluid is separated from any of said heavy density fluid in about 1 to 2 minutes.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus for separating fluids having at least one heavy density fluid and one light density fluid as defined in claim 20 wherein said Pitot tube means is provided with means to change the effective diameter thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus for separating fluids having at least one heavy density fluid and one light density fluid as defined in claim 20 wherein said means for delivering said fluids to be separated to said axial flow pump includes weir means which is vertically adjustable with respect to said collection unit.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus for separating fluids having at least one heavy density fluid and one light density fluid as defined in claim 20 including sightglass means positioned downstream from the discharge end of said axial flow pump which permits visual positioning of said Pitot tube means with respect to the discharge of said axial flow pump.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
74 words
An apparatus for separating fluids having at least one heavy density fluid and one light density fluid as defined in claim 20 wherein said primary flow provides propulsion for said collection unit. 25 An apparatus for separating fluids having at least one heavy density fluid and one light density fluid as defined in claim 24 including means to return said heavy density fluid which is separated from said secondary flow to said primary flow.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
56 words
An apparatus for separating fluids having at least one heavy density fluid and one light density fluid as defined in claim 20 including a second-stage division means comprising a. a second axial flow pump positioned downstream from said Pitot tube means, b. and a second Pitot tube means positioned downstream from said second axial flow pump.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus for separating fluids having at least one heavy density fluid and one light density fluid as defined in claim 20 wherein said axial flow pump is provided with an axial flow impeller, and said axial flow impeller is supported by ceramic alumina thrust and rotary bearings.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus for separating fluids having at least one heavy density fluid and one light density fluid as defined in claim 20 including converging conduit means between the discharge of said axial flow pump and said Pitot tube means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus for separating fluids having at least one heavy density fluid and one light density fluid as defined in claim 20 including diverging conduit means between the discharge of said axial flow pump and said Pitot tube means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method of separating at least two fluids having different densities as defined in claim 7, including the additional step of varying said secondary flow in accordance with a vacuum pressure in a collecting tank into which said secondary flow is drawn.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-26 | 1975-01-25 | 1975-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-26 | 1979-01-25 | 1979-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-26 | 1983-01-25 | 1983-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |