Degassing apparatus

Claim 2

In a system for degassing fluids, the combination which comprises: a degassing vessel having an inlet and an outlet, centrifugal pump means connected to said vessel for removing fluid from said vessel, said pump means including an impeller housing having an inlet and an outlet, an impeller means and means for mounting said impeller means in said impeller housing for rotation about a substantially vertical axis. chamber defining means defining a chamber having an inlet and an outlet, said chamber being disposed adjacent said impeller housing, said inlet to said impeller housing being in open communication with said outlet of said chamber, said impeller means serving to induce vortexing of said fluid in said chamber whereby at least a portion of the gas accumulating in the central region of said impeller means is vented through the central portion of the vortex substantially counterflow to the direction of feed of fluid to said impeller means.

Claim 3

The system of claim 1 including means for maintaining sub-atmospheric pressure within said degassing vessel.

Claim 4

The system of claim 1 wherein said means for rotatably mounting said impeller means includes a rotatable shaft having said impeller means mounted thereon and seal means surrounding said shaft and there are means for preventing fluid being handled by sAid pump means from contacting said seal means.

Claim 5

The system of claim 1 including means for controlling the flow of fluid into said vessel.

Claim 6

The system of claim 4 wherein said means for controlling the flow of fluid into said vessel includes valve means in said inlet of said vessel.

Claim 7

The system of claim 2 including means for controlling the degree of vacuum within said vessel in accordance with the fluid level within said vessel.

Claim 8

The system of claim 6 including means responsive to the level of fluid in said vessel for controlling said valve means.

Claim 9

The system of claim 7 wherein said means for controlling said valve means includes a float operatively connected to said valve means.

Claim 10

The system of claim 8 including means operatively connected to said valve means for reducing pressure surging in the inlet of said vessel.

Claim 11

The system of claim 2 including means for conducting gas vented from the region of said impeller means to said vessel.

Claim 12

The system of claim 3 wherein said means for preventing said fluid from contacting said seal means comprises means for forming a gas barrier adjacent said seal means.

Claim 13

The system of claim 11 wherein said means for forming a gas barrier adjacent said seal means is in open communication with said chamber whereby at least a portion of the gas being vented from said impeller means forms said gas barrier.

Claim 14

The system of claim 2 wherein said means for rotatably mounting said impeller means includes a rotatable shaft having said impeller means mounted thereon and seal means surrounding said shaft and there are means for preventing fluid being handled by said pump means from contacting said seal means.

Claim 15

The system of claim 13 wherein said seal means is axially displaced along said shaft and substantially vertically above said impeller means, said means for preventing fluid from contacting said seal means includes means forming a compartment adjacent said seal means, said compartment being in open communication with said chamber whereby at least a portion of said gas being vented from said impeller means through said chamber is retained in said compartment to thereby form a gas barrier against said fluid contacting said seal means.

Claim 16

The system of claim 13 wherein said chamber is formed within said vessel and is disposed substantially vertically above said impeller housing, said impeller housing having an axial inlet and a radial outlet for the intake and discharge respectively of said fluid, said inlet of said impeller housing and said oultlet of said chamber being closely adjacent one another, said outlet means being displaced axially along said shaft below said impeller means, and said means for preventing fluid from contacting said seal means comprises means forming a compartment adjacent said seal means, said compartment having a downwardly facing opening, said impeller means being mounted in said impeller housing closely adjacent the inlet of said impeller housing such that fluid being removed from said chamber is substantially simultaneously thrust radially outwardly away from the central region of said impeller means whereby at least a portion of the gas present in said fluid within said impeller housing migrates to the central region of said impeller means and collects in said compartment to thereby form a gas barrier against said fluid contacting said seal means.

Claim 17

In a system for degassing fluid, the combination which comprises: a degassing vessel having an inlet and an outlet, centrifugal pump means connected to said vessel for introducing fluid into said vessel, said pump means including an impeller housing having an inlet and outlet, an impeller means and means for mounting said impeller means in said impeller housing for rotation about a substantially vertical axis, chamber defining means defining a chamber having an inlet and an outlet, said chamber being disposed adjacent said impeller housing, said inlet to said impeller housing being in open communication with saiD outlet of said chamber, said impeller means serving to induce vortexing of said fluid in said chamber whereby at least a portion of the gas accumulating in the central region of said impeller means is vented through the central portion of the vortex substantially counterflow to the direction of feed of fluid to said impeller means.

Claim 18

In a system for degassing fluid, the combination which comprises: a degassing vessel having an inlet and an outlet, centrifugal pump means connected to said vessel for introducing fluid into said vessel, said pump means including an impeller housing having an inlet and outlet, an impeller means and means for mounting said impeller means in said impeller housing for rotation about a substantially vertical axis, chamber defining means defining a chamber having an inlet and an outlet, said chamber being disposed adjacent said impeller housing, said inlet to said impeller housing being in open communication with saiD outlet of said chamber, said impeller means serving to induce vortexing of said fluid in said chamber whereby at least a portion of the gas accumulating in the central region of said impeller means is vented through the central portion of the vortex substantially counterflow to the direction of feed of fluid to said impeller means.

Claim 19

The system of claim 16 wherein said chamber inlet extends substantially circumferentially around said chamber defining means.

Claim 20

The system of claim 17 wherein there are vertically disposed spiral vanes disposed in said chamber, said spiral vanes serving to impart spiral flow to said fluid being drawn into said chamber.