Patent US4371382A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4371382A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Process and apparatus for the contact and separation of immiscible fluids
Assignee: Caribbean Properties Ltd
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Filing: 1981-07-07
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Granted: 1983-02-01
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Expires: 2001-07-07
Abstract
Abstract A process and apparatus for the continuous contact and the subsequent separation from one another of immiscible fluids differing in density from one another, in which the entrainment of either fluid by the other is suppressed by obliging the less dense fluid to flow radially inward, from an annular passage between the interlapped walls of two coaxial conduits, through a generally continuous spinning ring of the denser fluid connecting the overlapped outlet of the inner conduit with the overlapping wall of the outer conduit, the two immiscible fluids separating centrifugally from one another with the less dense fluid being withdrawn from an inner space closer to the axis of spin than the surrounding denser fluid being separately withdrawn from the outer conduit.
Inventors
- 👤 Leon I. Ross
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 22:16
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D53/00; B01D53/14; B01D53/18; B01D19/00; B01D19/0042; B01D19/0052; B01D19/0057; B01D3/00; B01D3/14; B01D3/30; B01D47/00; B01D47/06; B01D47/08; B01D47/085; B01D47/16; B01D47/18; B01J; B01J19/00; B01J19/18; B01J19/1806; B01J19/24; B01J19/2405; F; F28; F28C; F28C3/00; B01J2219/00; B01J2219/00049; B01J2219/00051; B01J2219/00074; B01J2219/00087; B01J2219/00094; B01J2219/00159; B01J2219/00164
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
367 words
A process for the continuous contact of a denser fluid feed with a less dense fluid feed and the subsequent separation of a resultant denser fluid product from a less dense immiscible fluid product, the process comprising: (a) introducing the denser fluid feed into an inner conduit, having a generally circular transverse section surrounding a central longitudinal axis, the conduit being open at one end to provide an outlet with a generally circular rim, centered upon the longitudinal axis of the conduit, (b) directing the flow of the denser fluid feed through the inner conduit axially toward and through the outlet therefrom into a coaxial outer conduit, also having a generally circular transverse section, overlapping the inner conduit around and beyond the said circular rim, thus defining a generally annular section within the outer conduit where the inner conduit is overlapped thereby and a free section beyond the overlapped rim of the inner conduit, the said overlapped rim defining the outlet of the generally annular section, (c) spinning the denser fluid feed around the longitudinal axis of the inner conduit fast enough to form the denser fluid feed emerging from the outlet of the inner conduit into a spinning denser fluid ring connecting the overlapped rim of the inner conduit with the overlapping outer conduit, thereby curtaining off the outlet of the generally annular section from the free section of the outer conduit, (d) introducing the less dense fluid feed into and through the generally annular section of the outer conduit and thence into the free section thereof through the outlet of the generally annular section curtained off by the spinning denser fluid ring, whereby the less dense fluid feed must be intercepted by the spinning denser fluid ring, the fluid feeds consequently interacting with one another within the outer conduit to yield immiscible fluid products differing in density from one another, the spinning fluid products separating centrifugally from one another with the less dense fluid product flowing toward an inner space closer to the longitudinal axis than the surrounding denser fluid product, (e) withdrawing the less dense fluid product from the said inner space and (f) separately withdrawing the denser fluid product from the outer conduit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
367 words
A process for the continuous contact of a denser fluid feed with a less dense fluid feed and the subsequent separation of a resultant denser fluid product from a less dense immiscible fluid product, the process comprising: (a) introducing the denser fluid feed into an inner conduit, having a generally circular transverse section surrounding a central longitudinal axis, the conduit being open at one end to provide an outlet with a generally circular rim, centered upon the longitudinal axis of the conduit, (b) directing the flow of the denser fluid feed through the inner conduit axially toward and through the outlet therefrom into a coaxial outer conduit, also having a generally circular transverse section, overlapping the inner conduit around and beyond the said circular rim, thus defining a generally annular section within the outer conduit where the inner conduit is overlapped thereby and a free section beyond the overlapped rim of the inner conduit, the said overlapped rim defining the outlet of the generally annular section, (c) spinning the denser fluid feed around the longitudinal axis of the inner conduit fast enough to form the denser fluid feed emerging from the outlet of the inner conduit into a spinning denser fluid ring connecting the overlapped rim of the inner conduit with the overlapping outer conduit, thereby curtaining off the outlet of the generally annular section from the free section of the outer conduit, (d) introducing the less dense fluid feed into and through the generally annular section of the outer conduit and thence into the free section thereof through the outlet of the generally annular section curtained off by the spinning denser fluid ring, whereby the less dense fluid feed must be intercepted by the spinning denser fluid ring, the fluid feeds consequently interacting with one another within the outer conduit to yield immiscible fluid products differing in density from one another, the spinning fluid products separating centrifugally from one another with the less dense fluid product flowing toward an inner space closer to the longitudinal axis than the surrounding denser fluid product, (e) withdrawing the less dense fluid product from the said inner space and (f) separately withdrawing the denser fluid product from the outer conduit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, in which at least part of the spinning of the denser fluid feed results from spinning the less dense fluid feed around the longitudinal axis of the conduits before the fluid feeds interact with one another.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
A process as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2, in which at least part of the spinning of the denser fluid feed results from the introduction into either conduit of a vapour in a generally circumferential direction at a higher velocity in that direction than that of the fluid in that conduit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, in which the denser fluid feed is spun within the inner conduit while the less dense fluid feed is spun in the same circumferential direction in the generally annular section of the outer conduit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, in which energy is transferred from one fluid feed into the other fluid feed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, in which energy is transferred between at least one of the interacting fluids and an external medium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, in which at least one constituent of one fluid feed reacts chemically with at least one constituent of the other fluid feed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process as claimed in claim 7, in which the chemical reaction is exothermal enough to pyrolyse at least one constituent of either fluid feed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, in which at least one constituent of the denser fluid feed becomes at least part of the less dense fluid product.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
A process as claimed in claim 9, in which at least part of a particulate solid phase comprised in the denser fluid feed is carried into suspension by another fluid phase to become at least part of the less dense fluid product.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
A process as claimed in claim 10, in which at least part of a particulate solid phase comprised in the denser fluid feed is dissolved in a liquid phase to become at least part of the less dense fluid product.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
A process as claimed in claim 10, in which at least part of a particulate solid phase comprised in the denser fluid feed reacts chemically to form a gaseous phase which becomes at least part of the less dense fluid product.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
A process as claimed in claim 9, in which at least part of a liquid phase comprised in the denser fluid feed is evaporated to a vapour phase which becomes at least part of the less dense fluid product.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, in which at least one constituent of the less dense fluid feed becomes at least part of the denser fluid product.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
A process as claimed in claim 14, in which at least part of a vapour phase comprised in the less dense fluid feed is condensed to a liquid phase which becomes at least part of the denser fluid product.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, in which at least one constituent of one fluid feed is fissile and at least one constituent of the other fluid feed is capable of accelerating the rate of nuclear fission in the fissile constituent.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, in which at least one of the fluid feeds comprises a gaseous phase.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, in which at least one of the fluid feeds comprises a liquid phase.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process as claimed in claim 18, in which each of the fluid feeds comprises a liquid phase.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process as claimed in claim 18, in which the liquid phase dissolves at least one constituent of the other fluid feed.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process as claimed in claim 18, in which the liquid phase contains a surfactant.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process as claimed in claim 21, in which the particulate solid phase is capable of serving as a catalyst to accelerate a chemical reaction between at least two constituents of the interacting fluids.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, in which at least one of the fluid feeds comprises a particulate solid phase.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process as claimed in claim 23, in which the particulate solid phase is capable of adsorbing at least one constituent of the other fluid feed.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process as claimed in claim 23, in which the particulate solid phase is capable of ion exchange with at least one constituent of the other fluid feed.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
38 words
A process as claimed in claim 23, in which the particulate solid phase is transferred from a suspension thereof in a gaseous less dense fluid feed into suspension in a liquid phase comprised in the denser fluid feed.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process as claimed in claim 26, in which at least part of the particulate solid phase is wet by a liquid before its transfer to the liquid phase.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
37 words
A process as claimed in claim 27, in which the liquid wetting the particulate solid phase is formed by the condensation of a vapor directly from the vapour phase upon the surface of the particulate solid phase.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, in which the longitudinal axis of the conduits is generally vertical.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
331 words
An apparatus for the continuous contact of a denser fluid feed with a less dense fluid feed and the subsequent separation of a resultant denser fluid product from a less dense immiscible fluid product, the apparatus comprising: (a) an inner conduit, having a generally circular transverse section surrounding a central longitudinal axis, the conduit being open at one end to provide an outlet with a generally circular rim, centred upon the longitudinal axis of the conduit, (b) a coaxial outer conduit, also having a generally circular transverse section, overlapping the inner conduit around and beyond the said circular rim, thus defining a generally annular section within the outer conduit where the inner conduit is overlapped thereby and a free section beyond the overlapped rim of the inner conduit, the said overlapped rim defining the outlet of the generally annular section, (c) means for introducing the denser fluid feed into the inner conduit, (d) means for directing the flow of the denser fluid feed through the inner conduit axially toward and through the outlet therefrom into the overlapping outer conduit, (e) means for spinning the denser fluid feed around the longitudinal axis of the inner conduit fast enough to form the denser fluid feed emerging from the outlet of the inner conduit into a spinning denser fluid ring connecting the overlapped rim of the inner conduit with the overlapping outer conduit, thereby curtaining off the outlet of the generally annular section from the free section of the outer conduit, (f) means for introducing the less dense fluid feed into and through the generally annular section of the outer conduit and thence into the free section thereof through the outlet of the generally annular section curtained off by the spinning denser fluid ring, (g) an outlet for a resultant less dense fluid product from a location into which it is spun centripetally inward from the spinning fluid ring, and (h) a separate outlet for a resultant denser fluid product from the outer conduit.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
331 words
An apparatus for the continuous contact of a denser fluid feed with a less dense fluid feed and the subsequent separation of a resultant denser fluid product from a less dense immiscible fluid product, the apparatus comprising: (a) an inner conduit, having a generally circular transverse section surrounding a central longitudinal axis, the conduit being open at one end to provide an outlet with a generally circular rim, centred upon the longitudinal axis of the conduit, (b) a coaxial outer conduit, also having a generally circular transverse section, overlapping the inner conduit around and beyond the said circular rim, thus defining a generally annular section within the outer conduit where the inner conduit is overlapped thereby and a free section beyond the overlapped rim of the inner conduit, the said overlapped rim defining the outlet of the generally annular section, (c) means for introducing the denser fluid feed into the inner conduit, (d) means for directing the flow of the denser fluid feed through the inner conduit axially toward and through the outlet therefrom into the overlapping outer conduit, (e) means for spinning the denser fluid feed around the longitudinal axis of the inner conduit fast enough to form the denser fluid feed emerging from the outlet of the inner conduit into a spinning denser fluid ring connecting the overlapped rim of the inner conduit with the overlapping outer conduit, thereby curtaining off the outlet of the generally annular section from the free section of the outer conduit, (f) means for introducing the less dense fluid feed into and through the generally annular section of the outer conduit and thence into the free section thereof through the outlet of the generally annular section curtained off by the spinning denser fluid ring, (g) an outlet for a resultant less dense fluid product from a location into which it is spun centripetally inward from the spinning fluid ring, and (h) a separate outlet for a resultant denser fluid product from the outer conduit.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 30, in which at least part of the means for spinning the denser fluid feed comprises means for spinning the less dense fluid feed around the longitudinal axis of the conduits before the fluid feeds interact with one another.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 31, in which the inner conduit is capable of rotation around its longitudinal axis and at least one impeller to spin the less dense fluid feed extends therefrom into the generally annular section of the outer conduit.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 32, in which the inner conduit comprises a bowl, coaxially mounted upon a rotatable shaft.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 33, in which the shaft is hollow and opens into the bowl to comprise at least part of the means for introducing the denser fluid feed into the inner conduit.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 33, in which the inner conduits of successive units in a series are coaxially mounted on a single rotatable shaft.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
85 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 31, in which at least two units of the apparatus are connected in series with one another, whereby the less dense fluid product separated from the spinning denser fluid ring of the first unit in such a series is introduced into the generally annular section of the outer conduit of the second unit while the denser fluid product separated from the spinning denser fluid ring of the second unit is introduced into the inner conduit of the first unit.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 30, in which means are provided for spinning the less dense fluid feed, within the generally annular section of the outer conduit, around the longitudinal axis in the same circumferential direction as the spin of the denser fluid feed.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 37, in which means are also provided within the inner conduit for spinning the denser fluid feed around the longitudinal axis in the same circumferential direction as the spin of the less dense fluid feed.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 30, in which at least one inlet for the vapor of at least one constituent of the denser fluid product is provided into the generally annular section of the outer conduit.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 39, in which the inlet is directed into the annular section in a direction to accelerate the spin of the less dense fluid around the longitudinal axis of the conduits.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 30, in which means are provided for the interchange of energy between at least one of the interacting fluids and an external medium.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as claimed to claim 30, in which the longitudinal axis of the conduits is generally vertical.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 42, in which both fluid feeds and the denser fluid product are directed generally downward, while the less dense fluid product is directed generally upward after its separation from the spinning denser fluid ring.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
107 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 43, comprising at least one intermediate conduit, each having a generally circular transverse section, coaxial with the inner and outer conduits, open at both ends, converging downward towards its lower end and overlapping the open lower end of an inner conduit, to divide the generally annular section of the outer conduit so as to provide an additional generally annular section in each intermediate conduit and to define an outlet for each such generally annular section that can be curtained off by a spinning denser fluid ring connecting the lower end of each inner conduit to the conduit overlapping that lower end.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 44, in which at least one of the said generally annular sections is provided with a stationary guide shaped to accelerate the spin of the less dense fluid feed around the longitudinal axis of the conduits during the flow thereof through the said annular section.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 42, in which both fluid feeds and the less dense fluid product are directed generally upward, while the denser fluid product is directed generally downward after its separation from the spinning denser fluid ring.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-01-31 | 1986-08-02 | 1987-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-01-31 | 1990-08-02 | 1991-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-01-31 | 1994-08-02 | 1995-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |