Carbon decanter

Abstract

Abstract This is an apparatus for continuously separating a liquid mixture comprising particulate carbon produced by the partial oxidation of a hydrocarbonaceous fuel, water, and liquid organic extractant into two separate immiscible streams i.e. a stream of particulate carbon-liquid organic extractant dispersion and a separate stream of clarified water. The subject apparatus may be referred to as a carbon decanter and comprises a closed pressure vessel whose horizontal cross-section is circular. Thus, the decanter may be shaped like a vertical cylinder or may be spherical shaped with discharge ports in the top and bottom. The liquid mixture of particulate carbon, water, and liquid organic extractant is charged into said vessel by way of a conduit which terminates at a position within the vessel along the vertical axis about 1/4 to 3/4 of the vessel height and below the interface level which is formed in said vessel when the two immiscible liquids separate by gravity with the water forming a pool at the bottom of the vessel. Alternately, the decanter may be charged through two concentric pipes. A horizontal radial nozzle terminates each pipe. By this means the aforesaid mixture of immiscible liquids may be introduced into the decanter by way of an annular passage located between said pipes. Further, simultaneously a separate stream of liquid organic extractant may be passed through the center pipe and discharged adjacent to the interface level. The dispersion of particulate carbon-liquid organic extractant separates from the water and may be removed by way of the top port as a continuous stream. Simultaneously a continuous stream of clarified water may be removed from the bottom port.

Inventors

• 👤 Clyde E. Potter
• 👤 George N. Richter

Bibliographic Details