Protected pressure release valve

Claim 1

A component for protecting a pressure vessel containing a gas in which is entrained a denser substance comprising: a sleeve, one end of which is connected with said vessel; a spiral vane positioned within said sleeve, the periphery of said vane engaging against the inside wall of said sleeve; a collar of a smaller diameter than said sleeve concentric and in connection with said sleeve, said collar being axially spaced from said spiral vane; a pressure release valve connected with said collar to open at a predetermined pressure to allow said gas to escape through said sleeve, collar and valve, said denser substance will be rotated when passing through said sleeve by said vane and thus forced by centrifugal force to the outside of said collar and thereby separate from said gas; a shell connected to and encircling said collar defining an annular chamber extending around said collar axially spaced from said sleeve so that said denser substance will proceed into said chamber after leaving said sleeve; and an outlet valve connected with and operable to drain said chamber.