EP1183086A1 - Improved separator and process - Google Patents
Improved separator and processInfo
- Publication number
- EP1183086A1 EP1183086A1 EP00908842A EP00908842A EP1183086A1 EP 1183086 A1 EP1183086 A1 EP 1183086A1 EP 00908842 A EP00908842 A EP 00908842A EP 00908842 A EP00908842 A EP 00908842A EP 1183086 A1 EP1183086 A1 EP 1183086A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- phase
- vessel
- oil
- outlet
- water
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D17/00—Separation of liquids, not provided for elsewhere, e.g. by thermal diffusion
- B01D17/02—Separation of non-miscible liquids
- B01D17/0208—Separation of non-miscible liquids by sedimentation
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D17/00—Separation of liquids, not provided for elsewhere, e.g. by thermal diffusion
- B01D17/02—Separation of non-miscible liquids
- B01D17/0208—Separation of non-miscible liquids by sedimentation
- B01D17/0211—Separation of non-miscible liquids by sedimentation with baffles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D17/00—Separation of liquids, not provided for elsewhere, e.g. by thermal diffusion
- B01D17/02—Separation of non-miscible liquids
- B01D17/0208—Separation of non-miscible liquids by sedimentation
- B01D17/0214—Separation of non-miscible liquids by sedimentation with removal of one of the phases
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D17/00—Separation of liquids, not provided for elsewhere, e.g. by thermal diffusion
- B01D17/02—Separation of non-miscible liquids
- B01D17/0217—Separation of non-miscible liquids by centrifugal force
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D17/00—Separation of liquids, not provided for elsewhere, e.g. by thermal diffusion
- B01D17/08—Thickening liquid suspensions by filtration
- B01D17/10—Thickening liquid suspensions by filtration with stationary filtering elements
Definitions
- This invention relates to a method and apparatus for separating two different at least partially immiscible fluids having different densities in a pressurised vessel or pressurised vessel assembly.
- the process and apparatus will be described with reference to separation of water and an oil from mixtures thereof.
- oil is herein used to refer to water immiscible liquids which may be in the form of silicones or organic liquids such as hydrocarbons, lubricants and waxes.
- a number of types of separators are being produced which rely on a variety of separation techniques including gravity separation and filtration using a variety of filters such as paper filters or polymeric cartridge filters.
- filters such as paper filters or polymeric cartridge filters.
- Gravity separators having an oil/air interface within the separating vessel have been used but we have generally found them to be incapable of handling high flow rates. This problem is also exacerbated when separating high viscosity oils. Gravity separators also tend to be inefficient on moving platforms as movement causes splashing at the oil air interface.
- the invention provides an apparatus for separation of at least partly immiscible liquid components from a mixture.
- the apparatus including: a closed separation vessel; an inlet for introducing the mixture under pressure to the vessel; separation means comprising baffle means defining a flow path to allow at least partial separation of the mixture within the vessel to provide a first phase and a second phase; a first phase collection space having a first vertical extremity defined by an interior vertical extremity of the vessel, generally the top, a plurality of outlets including an outlet for the first phase from said collection space and an outlet for said second phase; an outlet valve for controlling discharge of the first phase from the outlet; interface detection means for detecting the presence of an interface of the first phase with the other contents of the vessel and disposed at level within the vessel which is vertically spaced from said first vertical extremity and adapted to control said valve such that when the volume of said first phase in the first phase collection space provides an interface at the interface detection means the valve is actuated to discharge at least a portion of the volume of said first phase from said vessel.
- the apparatus is used for oil/water separation and the oil is a hydrocarbon.
- the first phase is the hydrocarbon phase adjacent the top of the vessel.
- the outlets generally include second outlet to provide an outlet for a second phase, typically the aqueous phase.
- the liquid in the vessel is under pressure from the incoming mixture. As a result even viscous oil is readily discharged from the first outlet under control of phase interface detector. This is a significant advantage when compared with open vessels used in prior art separators.
- Open vessels tend to produce emulsions due to mixing of air and liquid particularly when movement produces splashing.
- the second outlet provides an outlet for a water phase from adjacent the bottom of the separation vessel.
- the water phase outlet is open allowing continuous flow of water from the second outlet until the volume of oil phase results in activation of the interface detection means. Opening of the first outlet (oil outlet) may be accompanied by partial or full closure of the water phase outlet to provide sufficient pressure to rapidly deliver all or part of the oil phase from the collection space.
- the first outlet valve may be opened for a predetermined time to allow a predetermined portion of the separated first phase to be delivered from the outlet. As the vessel is maintained under pressure from the incoming mixture the separated phases may be discharged from the outlets without additional pumps.
- the baffle means defines a flow path along which the mixture flows.
- the flow path provided by the baffles will provide a residence time sufficient to allow at least partial separation into two phases.
- the baffle means will typically provide a first surface spaced apart from a second surface for inducing separation of the oil and water phases.
- the baffle means will generally provide a central vertical passage.
- the baffle arrangement may be helical or spiral in shape or comprise a multiplicity of coaxial truncated cones.
- the oil component adheres to the surface of the baffle which is typically the undersurface.
- baffle arrangement can be used.
- one preferred arrangement is the spiral baffle described in International Application PCT/GB92/00558.
- baffle means are the cones disclosed in International Application No. PCT/GB91/01867, conical plates of SU-3592288, (Derwent Abstract 85-208418/34) and the stationary plates of Netherlands Publication 015028 (Derwent Abstract AN 77-497794/28).
- a preferred baffle arrangement is disclosed in Australian Patent 685659 and corresponding International Application No. PCT/AU95/00460 the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
- the flow path is typically such that a convection current or similar flow such as a rotating flow, countercurrent flow, recycling flow or the like is produced in which the direction of flow along the flow path is in one direction through or past a first part of the baffle and in a second direction around or through a second part of the baffle. It would be expected that use of baffle arrangement in a pressure system would significantly change the characteristics of the convection currents or similar flow leading to diminished separation capacity.
- the baffle means preferably includes one continuous spiral section or an assembly of spiral sections.
- the spiral sections when used will typically be stacked so that the central opening defined by the spiral sections forms a central passage which is preferably approximately vertical.
- the spiral baffle includes a plurality of peripheral flanges extending at the outer edge of the spiral baffle so as to interrupt vertical flow between the baffle and inside of the vessel wall.
- the peripheral flanges preferably extend for an angle of at least 90°C and most preferably about 120°C and about the axis of the spiral baffle.
- the baffles are preferably staggered. The positions of the baffle between the peripheral flanges allow passage of liquid between the baffle and vessel wall however the staggered baffles interrupt downward flow to direct flow in a spiral
- the interface detection means will be adapted to detect an interface between a volume of water and a volume of oil. In operation the collected oil phase will be removed periodically so that the interface detection means may become coated in oil.
- the interface detection means will generally be a probe which can sense water or a water/oil interface through a coating of oil. The examples hereinafter describe a test for determining whether a probe is suitable.
- the interface detection means will be a capacitive probe and the most preferred is the POINTEK CLS 100 capacitive probe (Milltronics Ltd.).
- the invention provides a method of separating oil and water from mixtures thereof the process including the steps of: feeding a mixture to be separated under pressure to a closed separation vessel via an inlet; providing a flow path for the mixture the flow path being defined by a baffle means and being sufficient to at least partially separate the mixture into a first phase and a second phase, providing a collection space for the first phase adjacent the top of the vessel; providing an interface detection means at a level spaced from the top of the vessel wherein when the volume of the collected first phase is sufficient to provide an interface of the oil phase at the level of the interface detection means a valve is activated to provide discharge of at least a portion of the collected first phase from the vessel.
- a second discharge outlet may be provided for discharge of the second phase.
- the method may involve discharging the second phase while collecting a first phase and restricting or ceasing discharge of the second phase during discharge of the first phase.
- the invention provides an oil/water separator comprising a vessel for separation of a mixture of oil and water into phases and an oil/water interface detection means for controlling the discharge of accumulated oil wherein when said interface detection means is inserted onto a high density oil at a temperature of 4°C and removed the detection means will detect water when placed therein.
- Figure 1 shows an oil/water separation apparatus in accordance with the invention.
- Figure 2 shows a spiral baffle formed of a stack of spiral sections for use in the apparatus of Figure 1.
- the apparatus (10) includes a closed separator vessel or chamber (20) a pump (30) for feeding the mixture to be separated to the vessel and a polisher (40) for removing further minor amounts of oil remaining in the water phase after preliminary separation.
- the pump (30) introduces the mixture to be separated to the separator vessel (20) adjacent a bottom wall (21 ) via inlet (22).
- Baffle means (23) in the form of a substantially continuous helix arrangement (as shown in Figure 1 of PCT/AU95/00460 and described in the specification of the International application with reference to Figure 1 thereof) is located within the vessel.
- the maximum outer diameters of the baffle means of baffle (23) abut the outside (24) of the wall (25) of the vessel (20) so that there is no substantial gap.
- the helical nature of the baffle means (23) also provides a central passage (26).
- the mixture contacts the baffle and is imparted with a swirling or circular motion passing about and through the baffle and droplets of oil collect and coalesce on the baffle and rise to collect in a collection space (27) at the top of the vessel.
- the oil collection space fills with oil thereby displacing the mixture below so that an interface between the oil and mixture moves in a downward direction.
- Probes (28) are provided at a space from the top (29) of the vessel and when the level (31 ) of the interface drops to at or below the probe a probe detects the interface and activates a valve (32) to open an outlet (33) for the oil.
- the aqueous phase is discharged adjacent the bottom of the vessel (21) via water discharge outlet (34).
- the detection of an interface (31) by the probe (28) may also activate water outlet valve (35) to restrict or close the outlet (34). Restriction or closure of the water outlet (34) during discharge of the oil allows pressure to be maintained within the vessel to provide effective flow of even dense and viscous oils.
- the baffle means of Figure 1 is made up of a continuous spiral (40) made up of spiral units (50) as depicted in Figure 2.
- the spiral (50) has a maximum diameter of 300mm corresponding with the inner diameter of the vessel wall and the side walls (51 ) of the spiral (50) are approximately 45- 55°C included from the horizontal.
- the upper extremity of the unit forms a circular opening (52).
- the units are stacked to form a continuous spiral or helix using vertical posts (53) passing through holes (54) in the peripheral portion (55) of the spiral unit (50).
- peripheral flanges (56) which diverge horizontally from the baffle and interrupt flow between the spiral wall (51) and vessel wall (24) shown in Figure 1.
- Relief portions (57) between the peripheral flanges (56) allow passage of liquid but the circumferential spacing of peripheral flanges means that downward flow between the baffle and wall is interrupted at every second to fifth fight of the spiral to direct flow along the spiral.
- a repeating pattern is established. Looking between two of the three vertical posts (53) it is seen that the vertical displacement of the flanges (56) is staggered when adjacent 120°C sectors are compared.
- the discharge of water phase from water phase outlet (34) may carry small amounts of oil and further processing by polisher (40) is desired.
- the polisher includes a vessel (41) containing filter cartridges (42) which may be of the type described in International Application No. PCT/AU96/00307 or copending Provisional Application PP6200 of 28 September 1998.
- a pressurised vessel assembly according to this invention was set up as shown in Figure 1.
- the pump was a Seepex pump with a capacity (water) of 12
- the top probe in vessel (20) was a Pointeck CLS 100 capacitive level probe located 120mm down from the top of the vessel. 0
- This probe gave different signals when immersed in bulk water or bulk oil.
- the probe detected water (this corresponded to the normal operating mode)
- the water discharge line from vessel (20) was opened and the oil discharge line was closed.
- the probe (28) detected bulk oil (this happened when a significant head of separated oil had developed)
- the water discharge line from vessel (20) was closed and the oil discharge line was opened.
- a pause of 10 seconds was set, after which the water discharge line (33) from vessel (20) was again opened and the oil discharge line closed.
- the bottom probe in vessel (20) was also a Pointek CLS 100 capacitive level probe and was located 200mm down from the top of the vessel. It acted as a fail-safe device: when this probe detected oil, the system was switched off.
- 33 cone shaped spiral sections approximately 12mm apart were inserted in vessel (20) according to the teachings of PCT/AU96/00460. However in contrast to the teaching of PCT/AU96/00460 the outer edge of the baffles abutted the vessel wall. The dimensions of the cones were: diameter 30cm, cone apex angle 100°.
- the cone shaped spiral sections were fabricated from polyvinyl chloride.
- the cartridges in vessel (40) was filled with glass wool, and each had the following dimensions: 300mm id, 360mm length.
- the quantity of oil passed in each campaign was approx 600 Litres, and the glass wool cartridges in vessel (40) were replaced between campaigns.
- a variety of probes is available for fluid level detection inside a vessel e.g. Omron E7B-111 capacitive probe Pointek CLS100 capacitive probe Danfoss EVS1 capacitive probe
- a probe for oil point level detection in a situation when the oil/water interface advances and retreats, it is likely that the probe will become coated with oil, particularly if the oil is viscous.
- the probe can sense bulk water through an oil coating, and the following test can be used to select an appropriate probe:
- Model 3 -Separator according to Figure 1 of International Application PCT/AU95/00460.
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Removal Of Floating Material (AREA)
- Production Of Liquid Hydrocarbon Mixture For Refining Petroleum (AREA)
- Fats And Perfumes (AREA)
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AUPP924799 | 1999-03-17 | ||
AUPP9247A AUPP924799A0 (en) | 1999-03-17 | 1999-03-17 | Improved separator and process |
PCT/AU2000/000199 WO2000054867A1 (en) | 1999-03-17 | 2000-03-17 | Improved separator and process |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1183086A1 true EP1183086A1 (en) | 2002-03-06 |
Family
ID=3813444
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP00908842A Withdrawn EP1183086A1 (en) | 1999-03-17 | 2000-03-17 | Improved separator and process |
Country Status (10)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1183086A1 (zh) |
JP (1) | JP2002538950A (zh) |
CN (1) | CN1348391A (zh) |
AU (1) | AUPP924799A0 (zh) |
CA (1) | CA2367345A1 (zh) |
IL (1) | IL145471A0 (zh) |
NZ (1) | NZ514201A (zh) |
TR (1) | TR200103383T2 (zh) |
WO (1) | WO2000054867A1 (zh) |
ZA (1) | ZA200107597B (zh) |
Families Citing this family (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2354466B (en) * | 1999-09-22 | 2003-10-08 | Southern Water Services Ltd | Liquid treatment installation and methods of construction thereof |
JP5147662B2 (ja) * | 2008-12-03 | 2013-02-20 | 上妻 隆義 | 油水分離回収装置 |
JP4621803B1 (ja) * | 2010-03-18 | 2011-01-26 | 株式会社ワールドケミカル | 自吸式油水分離装置 |
KR101473973B1 (ko) * | 2012-11-15 | 2014-12-19 | 주식회사 엠에코오엔티 | 음폐수내 유분 농축회수장치 |
CN103007584B (zh) * | 2012-12-20 | 2014-10-15 | 浙江大学 | 螺旋栅中空上浮式油水分离器 |
CN103894002A (zh) * | 2012-12-28 | 2014-07-02 | 赫菲斯热处理***江苏有限公司 | 一种热处理生产线用油水分离器 |
CN103894001A (zh) * | 2012-12-28 | 2014-07-02 | 赫菲斯热处理***江苏有限公司 | 一种油水分离器用浮动式吸油装置 |
CN108290085B (zh) | 2015-11-24 | 2021-06-25 | 环球油品公司 | 用于离子液体催化剂流出物的竖向分离器 |
CN106861897A (zh) * | 2017-02-24 | 2017-06-20 | 中国恩菲工程技术有限公司 | 分离器的控制装置 |
CN110240228B (zh) * | 2019-07-18 | 2021-11-23 | 厦门凯诚通机械设备有限公司 | 一种一体化油水处理设备 |
NO344801B1 (en) * | 2019-09-06 | 2020-05-04 | Stauper Offshore As | A separation apparatus with insert |
CN113398626B (zh) * | 2021-06-25 | 2022-11-04 | 上海仅鑫制药设备工程有限公司 | 一种连续操作油液分离器 |
CN117101269B (zh) * | 2023-09-12 | 2024-01-30 | 徐州德胜石油机械有限公司 | 一种用于油库油气回收的油气分离器 |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4132652A (en) * | 1977-10-11 | 1979-01-02 | Chevron Research Company | Slotted baffle for use in separating oil-water mixtures |
GB9023397D0 (en) * | 1990-10-26 | 1990-12-05 | Tooley John K | Oil/sludge separation |
GB9106574D0 (en) * | 1991-03-27 | 1991-05-15 | Bagghley Jack | Improvements in or relating to material treatment apparatus |
AUPM714794A0 (en) * | 1994-07-29 | 1994-08-18 | International Fluid Separation Pty Limited | Separation apparatus and method |
RU2077918C1 (ru) * | 1994-11-17 | 1997-04-27 | Хазиев Нагим Нуриевич | Аппарат для обезвоживания нефти |
US5935449A (en) * | 1997-03-04 | 1999-08-10 | Jay R. Smith Manufacturing Co. | Automated separator of light fluids by specific gravity |
-
1999
- 1999-03-17 AU AUPP9247A patent/AUPP924799A0/en not_active Abandoned
-
2000
- 2000-03-17 JP JP2000604935A patent/JP2002538950A/ja active Pending
- 2000-03-17 NZ NZ514201A patent/NZ514201A/en unknown
- 2000-03-17 CA CA002367345A patent/CA2367345A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2000-03-17 WO PCT/AU2000/000199 patent/WO2000054867A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2000-03-17 IL IL14547100A patent/IL145471A0/xx unknown
- 2000-03-17 CN CN00806745A patent/CN1348391A/zh active Pending
- 2000-03-17 EP EP00908842A patent/EP1183086A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2000-03-17 TR TR2001/03383T patent/TR200103383T2/xx unknown
-
2001
- 2001-09-14 ZA ZA200107597A patent/ZA200107597B/xx unknown
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See references of WO0054867A1 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
NZ514201A (en) | 2003-05-30 |
ZA200107597B (en) | 2002-11-27 |
CA2367345A1 (en) | 2000-09-21 |
AUPP924799A0 (en) | 1999-04-15 |
CN1348391A (zh) | 2002-05-08 |
JP2002538950A (ja) | 2002-11-19 |
IL145471A0 (en) | 2002-06-30 |
TR200103383T2 (tr) | 2002-04-22 |
WO2000054867A1 (en) | 2000-09-21 |
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