US4855066A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydrocyclone
Assignee: BOARD OF TRUSTEES
•
Filing: 1988-05-02
•
Granted: 1989-08-08
•
Expires: 2008-05-02
Abstract
Abstract A hydrocyclonic apparatus has been designed to separate a less dense dispersed phase (either liquid or solid) from a more dense liquid phase. The cyclone separator consists of two generally cylindrical portions positioned around the longitudinal axis in a `piggyback` manner. A vortex finder with an orifice plate captures the dispersed particles entrained in a local secondary flow established by the unique operating and design parameters of the device. Clear fluid is removed from the apparatus through an underflow tube opposite the vortex finder tube. The liquid feed containing dispersed particles is introduced into the primary cyclone around the vortex finder as a swirling annular jet. Another stream, containing no dispersed phase, is introduced as a tangential flow surrounding the annular jet. A polymer stream is injected into the core of the vortex flow of the primary cyclone to increase the stability of the vortex core and to moderate the turbulence.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles A. Petty
- 👤 Hsin-Chih Chen
- 👤 Robert D. Dvorak
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:57
CPC Classifications
B; B04; B04C; B04C5/00; B04C5/24; B04C5/26; B01; B01D; B01D17/00; B01D17/02; B01D17/0217; B01D17/04; B01D17/047
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
242 words
A hydrocyclonic apparatus which comprises: (a) a first fluid cyclone having an upper end and a lower end smaller than the upper end along a longitudinal axis of the cyclone and comprising a first fluid inlet oriented to supply liquid tangentially thereto at the upper end thereof, wherein the fluid rotates around the interior surface of the cyclone, wherein the cyclone has a frustoconical shape between the upper end and the lower end for maintaining the angular momentum of the fluid flow, a first fluid outlet which projects inside the first cyclone and terminates in an orifice communicating with the interior of the cyclone along the longitudinal axis at the upper end, a second fluid outlet communicating with the interior of the cyclone at the lower end; and (b) a second fluid cyclone mounted around the longitudinal axis and around the first fluid outlet and comprising a second fluid inlet to supply fluid tangentially to the second fluid cyclone and around the first fluid outlet to a third annular fluid outlet into the first fluid cyclone wherein the third annular fluid outlet is adjacent to the orifice in the first fluid outlet, wherein in operation of the hydrocyclone clean fluid is supplied to the first inlet and through the first cyclone and out the second outlet, wherein fluid containing dispersed particles is supplied to the second fluid inlet and wherein the particles in concentrated form are removed through the first fluid outlet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
242 words
A hydrocyclonic apparatus which comprises: (a) a first fluid cyclone having an upper end and a lower end smaller than the upper end along a longitudinal axis of the cyclone and comprising a first fluid inlet oriented to supply liquid tangentially thereto at the upper end thereof, wherein the fluid rotates around the interior surface of the cyclone, wherein the cyclone has a frustoconical shape between the upper end and the lower end for maintaining the angular momentum of the fluid flow, a first fluid outlet which projects inside the first cyclone and terminates in an orifice communicating with the interior of the cyclone along the longitudinal axis at the upper end, a second fluid outlet communicating with the interior of the cyclone at the lower end; and (b) a second fluid cyclone mounted around the longitudinal axis and around the first fluid outlet and comprising a second fluid inlet to supply fluid tangentially to the second fluid cyclone and around the first fluid outlet to a third annular fluid outlet into the first fluid cyclone wherein the third annular fluid outlet is adjacent to the orifice in the first fluid outlet, wherein in operation of the hydrocyclone clean fluid is supplied to the first inlet and through the first cyclone and out the second outlet, wherein fluid containing dispersed particles is supplied to the second fluid inlet and wherein the particles in concentrated form are removed through the first fluid outlet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein injection means is provided at the second fluid outlet for providing a polymer along the axis of the first fluid cyclone directed towards the first fluid outlet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The hydrocyclonic apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second fluid cyclone has a frustoconical shape with the second fluid inlet at a larger upper portion and the third fluid outlet at a smaller lower portion adjacent to the first fluid outlet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
The hydrocyclonic apparatus of claim 1 wherein injection means is provided at the second outlet for providing a polymer along the axis of the first fluid cyclone directed towards the first fluid outlet; and wherein the second fluid cyclone has a frustoconical shape with the second fluid inlet at a larger upper portion and the third fluid outlet at a smaller lower portion adjacent to the first fluid outlet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The hydrocyclonic apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first fluid inlet has a scroll shape.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The hydrocyclonic apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first fluid outlet is composed of a hydrophobic plastic material on the exposed surface adjacent to the orifice.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The hydrocyclonic apparatus of claim 6 wherein the plastic material is a tetrafluoroethylene polymer.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
293 words
A method for separating dispersed particles in a fluid which comprises: (a) providing an apparatus which comprises: a first fluid cyclone having an upper end and a lower end smaller than the upper end along a longitudinal axis of the cyclone and comprising a first fluid inlet oriented to supply liquid tangentially thereto at the upper end thereof, wherein the fluid rotates around the interior surface of the cyclone, wherein the cyclone has a frustoconical shape between the upper end and the lower end for maintaining the angular momentum of the fluid flow, a first fluid outlet which projects inside the first cyclone and terminates in an orifice communicating with the interior of the cyclone along the longitudinal axis at the upper end, a second fluid outlet communicating with the interior of the cyclone at the lower end; and a second fluid cyclone mounted around the longitudinal axis and around the first fluid outlet and comprising a second fluid inlet to supply fluid tangentially to the second fluid cyclone and around the first fluid outlet to a third annular outlet into the first cyclone wherein the third annular fluid outlet is adjacent to the orifice in the first fluid outlet, wherein in operation of the hydrocyclone clean fluid is supplied to the first inlet and through the first cyclone and out the second outlet, wherein fluid containing dispersed particles is supplied to the second fluid inlet and wherein the particles in concentrated form are removed through the first fluid outlet; and (b) separating the particles in concentrated form through the first outlet of the apparatus while introducing clean fluid into the first fluid inlet and fluid containing dispersed particles into the second fluid inlet and removing clean fluid from the second fluid outlet.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
293 words
A method for separating dispersed particles in a fluid which comprises: (a) providing an apparatus which comprises: a first fluid cyclone having an upper end and a lower end smaller than the upper end along a longitudinal axis of the cyclone and comprising a first fluid inlet oriented to supply liquid tangentially thereto at the upper end thereof, wherein the fluid rotates around the interior surface of the cyclone, wherein the cyclone has a frustoconical shape between the upper end and the lower end for maintaining the angular momentum of the fluid flow, a first fluid outlet which projects inside the first cyclone and terminates in an orifice communicating with the interior of the cyclone along the longitudinal axis at the upper end, a second fluid outlet communicating with the interior of the cyclone at the lower end; and a second fluid cyclone mounted around the longitudinal axis and around the first fluid outlet and comprising a second fluid inlet to supply fluid tangentially to the second fluid cyclone and around the first fluid outlet to a third annular outlet into the first cyclone wherein the third annular fluid outlet is adjacent to the orifice in the first fluid outlet, wherein in operation of the hydrocyclone clean fluid is supplied to the first inlet and through the first cyclone and out the second outlet, wherein fluid containing dispersed particles is supplied to the second fluid inlet and wherein the particles in concentrated form are removed through the first fluid outlet; and (b) separating the particles in concentrated form through the first outlet of the apparatus while introducing clean fluid into the first fluid inlet and fluid containing dispersed particles into the second fluid inlet and removing clean fluid from the second fluid outlet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 8 wherein injection means is provided at the second fluid outlet and wherein a polymer is provided along the axis of the first fluid cyclone directed towards the first fluid outlet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the second fluid cyclone has a frustoconical shape with the second fluid inlet at a larger upper portion and the third fluid outlet at a smaller lower portion adjacent to the first fluid outlet.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method of claim 8 wherein injection means is provided at the second outlet for providing a polymer along the axis of the first fluid cyclone directed towards the first fluid outlet; and wherein the second fluid cyclone has a frustoconical shape with the second fluid inlet at a larger upper portion and the third smaller fluid outlet at a smaller lower portion adjacent to the first fluid outlet.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the first fluid inlet has a scroll shape.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the first fluid outlet is composed of a hydrophobic plastic material on the exposed surface adjacent to the orifice.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the plastic material is a tetrafluoroethylene polymer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
343 words
A hydrocyclonic apparatus which comprises: (a) a first fluid cyclone having an upper end and a lower end smaller than the upper end along a longitudinal axis of the cyclone and comprising a first fluid inlet oriented to supply liquid tangentially thereto at the upper end thereof, wherein the fluid rotates around the interior surface of the cyclone, wherein the cyclone has a frustoconical shape between the upper end and the lower end for maintaining the angular momentum of the fluid flow, a first fluid outlet which projects inside the first cyclone and terminates in an orifice communicating with the interior of the cyclone along the longitudinal axis at the upper end, a second fluid outlet communicating with the interior of the cyclone at the lower end; and (b) a second fluid cyclone mounted around the longitudinal axis and around the first fluid outlet and comprising a second fluid inlet to supply fluid tangentially to the second fluid cyclone and around the first fluid outlet to a third annular fluid outlet into the first fluid cyclone wherein the third annular fluid outlet is adjacent to the orifice in the first fluid outlet, wherein in operation of the hydrocyclone clean fluid is supplied to the first inlet and through the first cyclone and out the second outlet, wherein fluid containing dispersed particles is supplied to the second fluid inlet and wherein the particles in concentrated form are removed through the first fluid outlet, wherein injection means is provided at the second outlet for providing a polymer along the axis of the first fluid cyclone directed towards the first fluid outlet, wherein the second fluid cyclone has a frustoconical shape with the second fluid inlet at a larger upper portion and the third fluid outlet at a smaller lower portion adjacent to the first fluid outlet, wherein the first fluid outlet is in the form of an orifice which allows separation of the particles and wherein the first fluid outlet is composed of a hydrophobic plastic material on the exposed surface adjacent to the orifice.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
343 words
A hydrocyclonic apparatus which comprises: (a) a first fluid cyclone having an upper end and a lower end smaller than the upper end along a longitudinal axis of the cyclone and comprising a first fluid inlet oriented to supply liquid tangentially thereto at the upper end thereof, wherein the fluid rotates around the interior surface of the cyclone, wherein the cyclone has a frustoconical shape between the upper end and the lower end for maintaining the angular momentum of the fluid flow, a first fluid outlet which projects inside the first cyclone and terminates in an orifice communicating with the interior of the cyclone along the longitudinal axis at the upper end, a second fluid outlet communicating with the interior of the cyclone at the lower end; and (b) a second fluid cyclone mounted around the longitudinal axis and around the first fluid outlet and comprising a second fluid inlet to supply fluid tangentially to the second fluid cyclone and around the first fluid outlet to a third annular fluid outlet into the first fluid cyclone wherein the third annular fluid outlet is adjacent to the orifice in the first fluid outlet, wherein in operation of the hydrocyclone clean fluid is supplied to the first inlet and through the first cyclone and out the second outlet, wherein fluid containing dispersed particles is supplied to the second fluid inlet and wherein the particles in concentrated form are removed through the first fluid outlet, wherein injection means is provided at the second outlet for providing a polymer along the axis of the first fluid cyclone directed towards the first fluid outlet, wherein the second fluid cyclone has a frustoconical shape with the second fluid inlet at a larger upper portion and the third fluid outlet at a smaller lower portion adjacent to the first fluid outlet, wherein the first fluid outlet is in the form of an orifice which allows separation of the particles and wherein the first fluid outlet is composed of a hydrophobic plastic material on the exposed surface adjacent to the orifice.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
394 words
A method for separating dispersed particles in a fluid which comprises: (a) providing an apparatus which comprises: a first fluid cyclone having an upper end and a lower end smaller than the upper end along a longitudinal axis of the cyclone and comprising a first fluid inlet oriented to supply liquid tangentially thereto at the upper end thereof, wherein the fluid rotates around the interior surface of the cyclone, wherein the cyclone has a frustoconical shape between the upper end and the lower end for maintaining the angular momentum of the fluid flow, a first fluid outlet which projects inside the first cyclone and terminates in an orifice communicating with the interior of the cyclone along the longitudinal axis at the upper end, a second fluid outlet communicating with the interior of the cyclone at the lower end; and a second fluid cyclone mounted around the longitudinal axis and around the first fluid outlet and comprising a second fluid inlet to supply fluid tangentially to the second fluid cyclone and around the first fluid outlet to a third annular outlet into the first cyclone wherein the third annular fluid outlet is adjacent to the orifice in the first fluid outlet, wherein in operation of the hydrocyclone clean fluid is supplied to the first inlet and through the first cyclone and out the second outlet, wherein fluid containing dispersed particles is supplied to the second fluid inlet and wherein the particles in concentrated form are removed through the first fluid outlet; and (b) separating the particles in concentrated form through the first outlet of the apparatus while introducing clean fluid into the first fluid inlet and fluid containing dispersed particles into the second fluid inlet and removing clean fluid from the second fluid outlet, wherein injection means is provided at the second outlet for providing a polymer along the axis of the first fluid cyclone directed towards the first fluid outlet, wherein the second fluid cyclone has a frustoconical shape with the second fluid inlet at a larger upper portion and the third smaller fluid outlet at a smaller lower portion adjacent to the first fluid outlet, wherein the first fluid outlet is in the form of an orifice which allows separation of the particles, wherein the first fluid outlet is composed of a hydrophobic plastic material on the exposed surface adjacent to the orifice.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
394 words
A method for separating dispersed particles in a fluid which comprises: (a) providing an apparatus which comprises: a first fluid cyclone having an upper end and a lower end smaller than the upper end along a longitudinal axis of the cyclone and comprising a first fluid inlet oriented to supply liquid tangentially thereto at the upper end thereof, wherein the fluid rotates around the interior surface of the cyclone, wherein the cyclone has a frustoconical shape between the upper end and the lower end for maintaining the angular momentum of the fluid flow, a first fluid outlet which projects inside the first cyclone and terminates in an orifice communicating with the interior of the cyclone along the longitudinal axis at the upper end, a second fluid outlet communicating with the interior of the cyclone at the lower end; and a second fluid cyclone mounted around the longitudinal axis and around the first fluid outlet and comprising a second fluid inlet to supply fluid tangentially to the second fluid cyclone and around the first fluid outlet to a third annular outlet into the first cyclone wherein the third annular fluid outlet is adjacent to the orifice in the first fluid outlet, wherein in operation of the hydrocyclone clean fluid is supplied to the first inlet and through the first cyclone and out the second outlet, wherein fluid containing dispersed particles is supplied to the second fluid inlet and wherein the particles in concentrated form are removed through the first fluid outlet; and (b) separating the particles in concentrated form through the first outlet of the apparatus while introducing clean fluid into the first fluid inlet and fluid containing dispersed particles into the second fluid inlet and removing clean fluid from the second fluid outlet, wherein injection means is provided at the second outlet for providing a polymer along the axis of the first fluid cyclone directed towards the first fluid outlet, wherein the second fluid cyclone has a frustoconical shape with the second fluid inlet at a larger upper portion and the third smaller fluid outlet at a smaller lower portion adjacent to the first fluid outlet, wherein the first fluid outlet is in the form of an orifice which allows separation of the particles, wherein the first fluid outlet is composed of a hydrophobic plastic material on the exposed surface adjacent to the orifice.
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) | 1992-08-07 | 1993-02-06 | 1993-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-08-07 | 1997-02-06 | 1997-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-08-07 | 2001-02-06 | 2001-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |