Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
221 words
An apparatus for the removal of liquid from a mist-rich gas stream, which apparatus comprises: (a) a column; (b) inlet means to introduce a mist-rich gas stream to flow upwardly in the column; (c) outlet means to withdraw a mist-lean gas stream from the column, after removal of liquid coalesced from the mist-rich gas stream; (d) outlet means to remove liquid coalesced from the mist-rich gas stream from the column; and (e) mist-eliminator means in the column to coalesce liquid from the mist-rich gas stream, which means comprises (i) a layer composed of a plurality of parallel, spaced-apart, serpentine baffles extending across at least a part of the upwardly flowing gas path of the mist-rich gas stream, the baffles defining a plurality of tortuous gas flow paths therebetween, (ii) the layer of baffles substantially vertical to the axis of the column, the baffles having surfaces for the impingement of the upwardly flowing mist-rich gas stream, to provide for coalescing of the liquid thereon, and the baffles having a leading edge disposed upstream into the upwardly flowing gas path of the mist-rich gas stream, and (iii) downwardly projecting drainage-point means on the leading edge of the baffles, to promote the rapid drainage from the baffles of coalesced liquids, and to prevent the reentrainment of the coalesced liquid into the mist-lean gas stream.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
221 words
An apparatus for the removal of liquid from a mist-rich gas stream, which apparatus comprises: (a) a column; (b) inlet means to introduce a mist-rich gas stream to flow upwardly in the column; (c) outlet means to withdraw a mist-lean gas stream from the column, after removal of liquid coalesced from the mist-rich gas stream; (d) outlet means to remove liquid coalesced from the mist-rich gas stream from the column; and (e) mist-eliminator means in the column to coalesce liquid from the mist-rich gas stream, which means comprises (i) a layer composed of a plurality of parallel, spaced-apart, serpentine baffles extending across at least a part of the upwardly flowing gas path of the mist-rich gas stream, the baffles defining a plurality of tortuous gas flow paths therebetween, (ii) the layer of baffles substantially vertical to the axis of the column, the baffles having surfaces for the impingement of the upwardly flowing mist-rich gas stream, to provide for coalescing of the liquid thereon, and the baffles having a leading edge disposed upstream into the upwardly flowing gas path of the mist-rich gas stream, and (iii) downwardly projecting drainage-point means on the leading edge of the baffles, to promote the rapid drainage from the baffles of coalesced liquids, and to prevent the reentrainment of the coalesced liquid into the mist-lean gas stream.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mist-eliminator means comprises a plurality of generally uniformly structured and spaced-apart drainage teeth disposed along the leading edge of the baffles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mist-eliminator means comprises a plurality of generally uniformly shaped, triangular teeth spaced along the upstream edge of the baffles.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mist-eliminator means is substantially vertical, with the leading edge of the baffles at an angle of up to about 20° from the horizontal plane and perpendicular to the axis of the column.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the baffles of the mist-eliminator means are composed of a plurality of flat sheets disposed at an angle of about 45° from each adjoining flat sheet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the baffles are spaced apart from each other from about 1/2 to 3 inches.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the baffles have a vertical length of about 3 to 18 inches.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the baffles are composed of four or more connected flat sheets, to include an upper and a lower flat sheet and intermediate flat sheets, each flat sheet disposed at an angle of about 45° from the adjacent flat sheet.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
205 words
A method for removing liquid from a mist-rich gas stream, which method comprises: (a) introducing a mist-rich gas stream into the lower portion of a column for upward flow through the column; (b) withdrawing a mist-lean gas stream from the upper portion of the column; (c) withdrawing liquid coalesced from the mist-rich gas stream from a lower portion of the column; and (d) passing the mist-rich gas stream through an upwardly flowing tortuous flow path defined by a mist-eliminator layer composed of a plurality of substantially vertical, parallel, spaced-apart, serpentine baffles, the baffles having a leading upstream edge to the upwardly flowing gas stream, the baffles providing for a tortuous gas flow path of the mist-rich gas stream, the baffles having a surface for the impingement of the mist-rich gas stream on the baffle surface, to provide for coalescing of the liquid from the mist-rich gas stream, and the baffles having a plurality of downwardly projecting drainage points on the leading upstream edge of the baffles, to promote the rapid drainage of coalesced liquid from the baffle surface, thereby increasing the critical gas velocity of the upwardly flowing stream and preventing reentrainment into the mist-lean gas stream of the coalesced liquid from the baffle surface.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
205 words
A method for removing liquid from a mist-rich gas stream, which method comprises: (a) introducing a mist-rich gas stream into the lower portion of a column for upward flow through the column; (b) withdrawing a mist-lean gas stream from the upper portion of the column; (c) withdrawing liquid coalesced from the mist-rich gas stream from a lower portion of the column; and (d) passing the mist-rich gas stream through an upwardly flowing tortuous flow path defined by a mist-eliminator layer composed of a plurality of substantially vertical, parallel, spaced-apart, serpentine baffles, the baffles having a leading upstream edge to the upwardly flowing gas stream, the baffles providing for a tortuous gas flow path of the mist-rich gas stream, the baffles having a surface for the impingement of the mist-rich gas stream on the baffle surface, to provide for coalescing of the liquid from the mist-rich gas stream, and the baffles having a plurality of downwardly projecting drainage points on the leading upstream edge of the baffles, to promote the rapid drainage of coalesced liquid from the baffle surface, thereby increasing the critical gas velocity of the upwardly flowing stream and preventing reentrainment into the mist-lean gas stream of the coalesced liquid from the baffle surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the gas flow path through the mist eliminator changes direction at about a 45° angle at least four times in each mist-eliminator type.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 9 which includes spacing the drainage points at regular, uniform intervals across substantially the entire leading edge of the baffles.