US3929641A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrostatic charge reduction in filter-separators
Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Co
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Filing: 1975-02-03
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Granted: 1975-12-30
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Expires: 1995-02-03
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for reducing the static electrical charge developed in fuels during the filtering thereof by employing sufficient space after the separating element to permit substantial relaxation of the static charge buildup.
Inventors
- 👤 William G Dukek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 17:26
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10G; C10G33/00; C10G33/06; B; B01; B01D; B01D17/00; B01D17/02; B01D17/04; B01D17/045; B01D17/06; B01D17/08; B01D17/10; B01D35/00; B01D35/06; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S210/00; Y10S210/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A METHOD FOR REDUCING THE STATIC ELECTRICAL CHARGE DEVELOPED IN FUELS DURING THE FILTERING AND SPEARATION OF FREE WATER THEREFROM IN A MULTI-STAGE FILTER-SEPARATOR VESSEL HAVING AN OUTLET INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING STEPS: PASSING STATIC CHARGED FUEL FROM THE LAST STAGE OF THE FILTER-SEPARATOR TO AT LEAST A FIRST HOLDING CHAMBER; HOLDING SAID FUEL IN AT LEAST SAID FIRST HOLDING CHAMBER FOR A SUFFICIENT HOLDUP TIME TO PERMIT SUBSTANTIAL
Claim 2
Independent Claim
68 words
A METHOD FOR REDUCING THE STATIC ELECTRICAL CHARGE DEVELOPED IN FUELS DURING THE FILTERING AND SPEARATION OF FREE WATER THEREFROM IN A MULTI-STAGE FILTER-SEPARATOR VESSEL HAVING AN OUTLET INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING STEPS: PASSING STATIC CHARGED FUEL FROM THE LAST STAGE OF THE FILTER-SEPARATOR TO AT LEAST A FIRST HOLDING CHAMBER; HOLDING SAID FUEL IN AT LEAST SAID FIRST HOLDING CHAMBER FOR A SUFFICIENT HOLDUP TIME TO PERMIT SUBSTANTIAL
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the holdup time is within the range of 8 to 20 seconds when the fuel is flowing at the design rate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said fuel is selected from the group consisting of gasoline, aviation fuels, diesel fuels, burner oils and middle distillates.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said fuel comprises a jet fuel and including the step of holding said fuel for a time within the range of about 8-20 seconds at design flow rate of said fuel through said vessel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 1 including the steps of passing said fuel into a first holding chamber from said filter-separator at a location spaced from said outlet of said vessel; thereafter passing said fuel to a second holding chamber located proximate to said outlet of said vessel; and thereafter passing said fuel out of said vessel through said outlet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said vessel includes an outlet chamber adjacent said outlet and including the step of passing said fuel from said second holding chamber to said outlet chamber; and thereafter passing said fuel through said outlet of said vessel.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
213 words
An apparatus for filtering fuels and coalescing free water present therein, separating said coalesced water, and relaxing the electrostatic charge created in the fuel during said coalescing and separating, comprising in combination: a. a hollow substantially cylindrical body having an inlet, an outlet chamber and an outlet from said outlet chamber; b. hydrophilic filter means disposed within said body in communication with said inlet for filtering incoming fuel and coalescing free water contained therein as it passes therethrough into said body; c. hydrophobic water separating means disposed within said body communicating between the interior of said body and said outlet such that free water coalesced in (b) is collected and separated while fuel is passed through said water separating means; d. drain means communicating with the interior of said body for removing free water separated in (c) from said body; e. holdup chamber means within said body for receiving the fuel which passes from said water separating means and in communication with said outleT chamber, said holdup chamber means being constructed and arranged to permit substantial relaxation of the static electrical charge built up in said fuel while passing through said filter and separating elements of (b) and (c) prior to transfer of said fuel from said holdup chamber to said outlet chamber.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
213 words
An apparatus for filtering fuels and coalescing free water present therein, separating said coalesced water, and relaxing the electrostatic charge created in the fuel during said coalescing and separating, comprising in combination: a. a hollow substantially cylindrical body having an inlet, an outlet chamber and an outlet from said outlet chamber; b. hydrophilic filter means disposed within said body in communication with said inlet for filtering incoming fuel and coalescing free water contained therein as it passes therethrough into said body; c. hydrophobic water separating means disposed within said body communicating between the interior of said body and said outlet such that free water coalesced in (b) is collected and separated while fuel is passed through said water separating means; d. drain means communicating with the interior of said body for removing free water separated in (c) from said body; e. holdup chamber means within said body for receiving the fuel which passes from said water separating means and in communication with said outleT chamber, said holdup chamber means being constructed and arranged to permit substantial relaxation of the static electrical charge built up in said fuel while passing through said filter and separating elements of (b) and (c) prior to transfer of said fuel from said holdup chamber to said outlet chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said holdup chamber means comprises a first chamber located at a predetermined distance from said outlet chamber, and a second holdup chamber located proximate said outlet chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
73 words
The apparatus of claim 8 including a first riser conduit in said vessel for conveying the fuel from said separator-coalescer means to said first holdup chamber, and a second conduit in said vessel for conveying said fuel from said first holdup chamber to said second holdup chamber, said first and second conduits being located on opposite sides of said body for providing maximum amount of time for relaxation of the static charged fuel.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for reducing the static electrical charge developed in fuels during the filtering and separation of free water therefrom in a multi-stage filter-separator vessel having an outlet including the following steps: passing static charged fuel from the last stage of the filter-separator to at least a first holding chamber; holding said fuel in at least said first holding chamber for a sufficient holdup time to permit substantial relaxation of the static charged fuel whereby the static charge in said fuel is substantially reduced; determining the holdup time as a function of the percentage charge relaxation desired and the electrical conductivity of said fuel; and passing the relaxed fuel out of said vessel.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for reducing the static electrical charge developed in fuels during the filtering and separation of free water therefrom in a multi-stage filter-separator vessel having an outlet including the following steps: passing static charged fuel from the last stage of the filter-separator to at least a first holding chamber; holding said fuel in at least said first holding chamber for a sufficient holdup time to permit substantial relaxation of the static charged fuel whereby the static charge in said fuel is substantially reduced; determining the holdup time as a function of the percentage charge relaxation desired and the electrical conductivity of said fuel; and passing the relaxed fuel out of 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) | 1978-12-29 | 1979-06-30 | 1979-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-29 | 1983-06-30 | 1983-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-29 | 1987-06-30 | 1987-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |