US3830371A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid-liquid separation
Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co
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Filing: 1972-12-27
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Granted: 1974-08-20
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Expires: 1992-12-27
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for separating a mixture of heavier and lighter liquids capable of separating into two separate phases is disclosed. The mixture is passed through confined particle material which, preferably, has an affinity for one of the liquids. The particles are confined in a cylindrically shaped space and the liquids move through the particles in a radial and horizontal direction. The particle material filters the liquids and aids in coalescing the liquid for which the particles have affinity. The liquids separate by gravity and are discharged separately. The particles are backwashed periodically to remove collected solids. During the backwash operation the particles are unconfined and are flushed by upward flow of backwash liquid into a space which is larger in cross-section than the cross-section in which the particles are confined during filtering-coalescing operations. Following backwashing the particles, which have a greater density than the backwash liquid, settle by gravity to their filtering-coalescing position and are again confined.
Inventors
- 👤 J Garcia
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 11:40
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D17/00; B01D17/02; B01D17/04; B01D17/045; B01D24/00; B01D24/02; B01D24/04; B01D24/08; B01D24/46; B01D24/4668; B01D24/4684; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S210/00; Y10S210/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
301 words
Apparatus for filtering and separating a mixture of oil and water comprising: an upright cylindrically shaped closed vessel; an upright pipe member extending through the bottom of said vessel upwardly into the center thereof; an upright cylindrically shaped screen arranged in said vessel and spaced from and surrounding said pipe member; a flat screen attached to the bottom end of said cylindrically shaped screen and, together with said pipe member, closing the bottom end of said cylindrically shaped screen, said pipe member being perforated above said flat screen; inlet means for introducing washwater through said flat screen into the space enclosed by said cylindrically shaped screen; openable closure means arranged adjacent the top end of said cylindrically shaped screen; funnel-shaped partition means extending from the top end of said cylindrically shaped screen to the wall of said closed vessel; oleophilic and hydrophobic particles heavier than said washwater arranged in the space enclosed by said cylindrically shaped screen between said flat screen and said openable closure means during filtering and separating operations; said partition means together with said openable closure means, when closed, dividing said vessel into upper and lower isolated sections, said liquids to be separated passing upwardly through said upright pipe member, through the perforations therein, radially through said particles and said cylindrically shaped screen and into said lower section; a washwater outlet means connected into said upper section, said washwater during washing operations, flowing from said washwater inlet means upwardly through said particles, when said openable closure means is open, forcing particles into said upper section; said washwater discharging through said washwater outlet; said particles returning to the space enclosed by said cylindrically shaped screen when said wash operation has been completed; and means in said lower section for separately discharging said oil and said water from said vessel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
301 words
Apparatus for filtering and separating a mixture of oil and water comprising: an upright cylindrically shaped closed vessel; an upright pipe member extending through the bottom of said vessel upwardly into the center thereof; an upright cylindrically shaped screen arranged in said vessel and spaced from and surrounding said pipe member; a flat screen attached to the bottom end of said cylindrically shaped screen and, together with said pipe member, closing the bottom end of said cylindrically shaped screen, said pipe member being perforated above said flat screen; inlet means for introducing washwater through said flat screen into the space enclosed by said cylindrically shaped screen; openable closure means arranged adjacent the top end of said cylindrically shaped screen; funnel-shaped partition means extending from the top end of said cylindrically shaped screen to the wall of said closed vessel; oleophilic and hydrophobic particles heavier than said washwater arranged in the space enclosed by said cylindrically shaped screen between said flat screen and said openable closure means during filtering and separating operations; said partition means together with said openable closure means, when closed, dividing said vessel into upper and lower isolated sections, said liquids to be separated passing upwardly through said upright pipe member, through the perforations therein, radially through said particles and said cylindrically shaped screen and into said lower section; a washwater outlet means connected into said upper section, said washwater during washing operations, flowing from said washwater inlet means upwardly through said particles, when said openable closure means is open, forcing particles into said upper section; said washwater discharging through said washwater outlet; said particles returning to the space enclosed by said cylindrically shaped screen when said wash operation has been completed; and means in said lower section for separately discharging said oil and said water from said vessel.
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) | 1977-08-19 | 1978-02-18 | 1978-08-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-19 | 1982-02-18 | 1982-08-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-19 | 1986-02-18 | 1986-08-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |