Abstract A vortex separator is used to separate a mixture of materials of different densities, such as an oil-water mixture, into two components. The mixture is injected tangentially into one end of a cylindrical chamber at a high flow rate to impart a swirl to the flow in the chamber. Clean or recirculated water is injected into the chamber from the opposite end wall. The separated water is exhausted from the chamber through a port in the center of the end wall containing the water injectors, and the separated oil is exhausted through a small duct located at the center of the water exhaust port. Two or more separators may be connected in series for applications in which a ship''s ballast or bilge water is separated into a first component containing primarily oil which can be stored in a small volume, and a second component of substantially pure water which may be dumped overboard. A baffle plate may be added in the chamber to improve the separation process.
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of injecting an additional volume of substantially oil-free water includes the step of recirculating at least a portion of the water which is removed from said chamber through said port.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
204 words
Apparatus for separating a mixture of oil and water into its separate components comprising a chamber having a cylindrical lateral wall section and first and second end walls, first injecting means located adjacent said first end wall for injecting said mixture into said chamber in a tangential direction to cause said mixture to swirl axially within said chamber and generate a vortex therein whereby a core consisting predominantly of oil is produced extending axially along the center of said chamber, the oil core being surrounded by water having a low oil content, a duct for extracting the oil from said core located at the center of said second end wall, a port for extracting the water surrounding said core located in the same end wall as said duct, said port being concentric with and surrounding said duct, and second injecting means located adjacent the said second end wall for injecting into said chamber in a tangential direction an additional volume of substantially oil-free water from said port, said additional water sustaining the strength of the vortex in said chamber and preventing unseparated oil contained in said mixture from flowing along said second end wall and subsequently being removed with said water through said port.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as in claim 3 in which said duct projects a short distance into said chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as in claim 3 in which said fIrst injecting means comprises a plurality of injectors spaced about the circumference of said chamber for injecting said mixture into said chamber in a tangential direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as in claim 3 in which said second injecting means comprises a plurality of injectors spaced about the circumference of said chamber for injecting said additional volume of higher density material into said chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as in claim 3 and including a second duct connected with said port for recirculating at least a portion of the water passing through said port to said second injecting means.