Abstract This invention provides an apparatus for separating a mixture of immiscible liquids. A plurality of containers is provided each of which acts as a separator and each of which receives processed fluid by gravity flow from the container immediately preceding it. In effecting separations, the lighter of the two liquids is allowed to go to the top and the heavier of the liquids, successively containing a lesser amount of the lighter in successive separators, is passed to the next separation container. In the separation chamber, there is a wall that affords an opening near the bottom of the container to allow flow to the next container, each container thus, in effect, having two chambers. The first chamber receives the mixture containing a greater amount of the lighter material and as separation occurs, the second chamber receives a mixture which contains lesser amounts of the lighter material. The second chamber contains an outlet to the separation container next to it which is shorter in height. Thus, the separations and the flows are effected by gravity. The lighter of the immiscible liquids is either skimmed off the top or, when a given separation chamber contains practically all of the lighter material, the lighter material is passed to a separate storage means. This invention is directed towards the recovery of oil in oil spills and the prevention of pollution in streams, lakes and the like.
A PROCESS FOR SEPARATING A MIXTURE OF LIQUIDS WITHOUT COUNTERFLOW STREAM OR TURBULENCE WHICH PROCESS COMPRISIES TEMPORARILY STORING A MIXTURE OF SAID LIQUIDS IN A FIRST CONTAINER HAVING A FIRST CHAMBER AND A SECOND CHAMBER, SAID SECOND CHAMBER BEING ADAPTED TO RECEIVE FROM SAID FIRST CHAMBER BY DIRECT FLOW THEREFROM LIQUID HAVING A DIFFERENT COMPOSITION THAN SAID MIXTURE IN SAID FIRST CHAMBER, ALLOWING A SAID MIXTURE IN SAID SECOND CHAMBER TO FLOW BY SIMPLE GRAVITY INTO A SECOND CONTAINER SIMILAR IN STRUCTURE TO SAID FIRST CONTAINER, AND REPEATING SAID GRAVITY FLOWS IN SERIATIM THROUGH SAID CHAMBERS UNTIL ONLY ONE COMPONENT OF SAID MIXTURE IS BEING OBTAINED AT A GIVEN OUTLET, SAID FLOWS BEING IN A STRAIGHT LINE MANNER IN THE ABSENCE OF COUNTERFLOW STREAMS OR TURBULENCE.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
A PROCESS FOR SEPARATING A MIXTURE OF LIQUIDS WITHOUT COUNTERFLOW STREAM OR TURBULENCE WHICH PROCESS COMPRISIES TEMPORARILY STORING A MIXTURE OF SAID LIQUIDS IN A FIRST CONTAINER HAVING A FIRST CHAMBER AND A SECOND CHAMBER, SAID SECOND CHAMBER BEING ADAPTED TO RECEIVE FROM SAID FIRST CHAMBER BY DIRECT FLOW THEREFROM LIQUID HAVING A DIFFERENT COMPOSITION THAN SAID MIXTURE IN SAID FIRST CHAMBER, ALLOWING A SAID MIXTURE IN SAID SECOND CHAMBER TO FLOW BY SIMPLE GRAVITY INTO A SECOND CONTAINER SIMILAR IN STRUCTURE TO SAID FIRST CONTAINER, AND REPEATING SAID GRAVITY FLOWS IN SERIATIM THROUGH SAID CHAMBERS UNTIL ONLY ONE COMPONENT OF SAID MIXTURE IS BEING OBTAINED AT A GIVEN OUTLET, SAID FLOWS BEING IN A STRAIGHT LINE MANNER IN THE ABSENCE OF COUNTERFLOW STREAMS OR TURBULENCE.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 in which said mixture is a mixture of oil and water.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 which includes the step of pumping said mixture into said first container at a rate commensurate with the separations being effected.