US4083778A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for coalescing
Assignee: Marine Construction and Design Co
•
Filing: 1977-02-07
•
Granted: 1978-04-11
•
Expires: 1997-02-07
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus to effect coalescence of a first liquid suspended as minute droplets in a second liquid of different specific gravity. An endless small-pore matrix having internal pore surfaces preferentially attractive to the first liquid, and having ingested a quantity of the mixture liquids is advanced through a transport interval to a point of discharge with quiescent conditions maintained within the pores for a sufficient time to permit gravitational settling and resultant coalescence of the droplets on the pore surfaces. Squeezing the resiliently compressible matrix at the end of such transport or pumping interval purges the second liquid and coalesced first liquid from the pores, and subsequent reexpansion of the matrix as it reenters the mixture causes ingestion of additional mixture to be processed, the process being repeated on a continuing cyclical basis.
Inventors
- 👤 Jay L. McGrew
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 19:10
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D17/00; B01D17/02; B01D17/04; B01D17/045; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S210/00; Y10S210/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
The process of coalescing minute droplets of a first liquid of a diameter substantially not less than "d" suspended in an immiscible mixture thereof with a second liquid of different specific gravity comprising ingesting the mixture into the voids of a porous three-dimensional matrix comprising elements the surfaces of which are preferentially attractive to the first liquid and which elements are interconnected to form a labyrinth of voids predominantly of a span substantially not greater than "D" in the direction of settling of said droplets, such ingestion being effected by expansion of the matrix from a compressed state while immersed in a body of the mixture, holding the ingested mixture in said matrix under conditions preventing drainage from or flow through the matrix for a time period substantially not less than "t" while the matrix is maintained in substantially constant orientation relative to the direction of the force of gravity so as to effect motion of the droplets toward said elements at a settling velocity "r", wherein substantially t ≦ D-d/r, whereby said droplets settle and coalesce together on said elements, and purging the matrix substantially of the coalesced first liquid and the second liquid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
195 words
The process of coalescing minute droplets of a first liquid of a diameter substantially not less than "d" suspended in an immiscible mixture thereof with a second liquid of different specific gravity comprising ingesting the mixture into the voids of a porous three-dimensional matrix comprising elements the surfaces of which are preferentially attractive to the first liquid and which elements are interconnected to form a labyrinth of voids predominantly of a span substantially not greater than "D" in the direction of settling of said droplets, such ingestion being effected by expansion of the matrix from a compressed state while immersed in a body of the mixture, holding the ingested mixture in said matrix under conditions preventing drainage from or flow through the matrix for a time period substantially not less than "t" while the matrix is maintained in substantially constant orientation relative to the direction of the force of gravity so as to effect motion of the droplets toward said elements at a settling velocity "r", wherein substantially t ≦ D-d/r, whereby said droplets settle and coalesce together on said elements, and purging the matrix substantially of the coalesced first liquid and the second liquid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process defined in claim 1 wherein the purging is effected by recompressing the matrix.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
The process defined in claim 2 wherein the matrix comprises an endless band continuously recirculated through the mixture in a substantially horizontal path, and the recompression of each successive portion of the matrix provides the compressed state from which the matrix expands as it re-enters the mixture to reingest mixture liquids.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process defined in claim 3 wherein the matrix band is elongated in cross-section and is circulated with its wide dimension disposed substantially vertical.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process defined in claim 4 wherein the purged liquids are collected in a space effectively sealed from the mixture by the compressed matrix and elements effecting the compression thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process defined in claim 1 wherein the matrix band is elongated in cross-section and is circulated in a substantially horizontal path with its wide dimension disposed substantially vertical.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process defined in claim 6 wherein the purging is effected by recompressing the matrix.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
138 words
The process of clarifying water polluted by unstratified, uncoalesced minute oil droplets, comprising ingesting the oil/water mixture into a resiliently compressible porous matrix of oleophilic, hydrophobic material by allowing expansion of the matrix from its compressed state while submerged in the mixture, holding the mixture in the matrix with the matrix remaining submerged under quiescent conditions maintained within the matrix until substantially all of the oil droplets have settled by gravity and coalesced together upon internal pore surfaces in the matrix, thereupon compressing the matrix to express the water and coalesced oil from the matrix into a separate body of water accumulated by expression from the matrix and containing coalesced oil expressed from the matrix and allowed to collect on the surface of said body of water, and thereafter separating the collected oil from the body of water.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
138 words
The process of clarifying water polluted by unstratified, uncoalesced minute oil droplets, comprising ingesting the oil/water mixture into a resiliently compressible porous matrix of oleophilic, hydrophobic material by allowing expansion of the matrix from its compressed state while submerged in the mixture, holding the mixture in the matrix with the matrix remaining submerged under quiescent conditions maintained within the matrix until substantially all of the oil droplets have settled by gravity and coalesced together upon internal pore surfaces in the matrix, thereupon compressing the matrix to express the water and coalesced oil from the matrix into a separate body of water accumulated by expression from the matrix and containing coalesced oil expressed from the matrix and allowed to collect on the surface of said body of water, and thereafter separating the collected oil from the body of water.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
176 words
The process of coalescing minute particles of a first liquid out of an immiscible mixture thereof with a second liquid of different specific gravity, comprising causing the mixture to enter the pores of a body of open porous material, the internal pore-defining surfaces of which are attractive to the first liquid in preference to the second liquid, thereupon maintaining the body submerged in mixture liquid under substantially total quiescence imposing substantially zero flow-producing hydraulic pressure gradients upon liquid contained in the individual pores and thereby maintaining conditions of substantially zero flow within the pores for a predetermined time period conducive to gravity settling and resultant coalescence of said minute particles upon said internal surfaces, and discharging the liquids from the pores of said body after said time period, said process being further characterized in that the porous body comprises a resiliently compressible open-pore foam repeatedly compressed to discharge liquids from the pores and thereafter permitted to expand from a compressed state while submerged in the mixture so as to cause mixture liquids to enter the pores.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
176 words
The process of coalescing minute particles of a first liquid out of an immiscible mixture thereof with a second liquid of different specific gravity, comprising causing the mixture to enter the pores of a body of open porous material, the internal pore-defining surfaces of which are attractive to the first liquid in preference to the second liquid, thereupon maintaining the body submerged in mixture liquid under substantially total quiescence imposing substantially zero flow-producing hydraulic pressure gradients upon liquid contained in the individual pores and thereby maintaining conditions of substantially zero flow within the pores for a predetermined time period conducive to gravity settling and resultant coalescence of said minute particles upon said internal surfaces, and discharging the liquids from the pores of said body after said time period, said process being further characterized in that the porous body comprises a resiliently compressible open-pore foam repeatedly compressed to discharge liquids from the pores and thereafter permitted to expand from a compressed state while submerged in the mixture so as to cause mixture liquids to enter the pores.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 9 wherein the first liquid is emulsified oil, and the second liquid is water.
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) | 1981-04-10 | 1981-10-10 | 1982-04-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-04-10 | 1985-10-10 | 1986-04-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-04-10 | 1989-10-10 | 1990-04-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |