ES270725A1 - Method of and apparatus for removing nonliquid constituents from fuel oil - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for separating gases and vapours from fuel oil comprises an oil reservoir 12, a device with heater 16 and oil burner 18 which heats oil delivered thereto but burns only a part of said oil, gas separating means 20 interposed between said reservoir and said device for removing entrained gases from the fuel oil, vapour separating means 36 for removing vapours from excess fuel oil discharged by the burner, and means 38 for returning said excess fuel oil to the burner in admixture with fuel oil from gas separating means 20. As shown in Fig. 1, to which the above numerals refer, fuel oil is drawn from reservoir 12 through preheater 62, line 60 and pump 24 and delivered to column 50 at inlet 64. Oil flows downwardly through column 50 and is degassed therein thereafter passing by pump 28 and line 66 to heater 16 <PICT:0932329/III/1> and burner 18. The capacity of pump 24 is greater than that of pump 28 so that excess oil is introduced into column 50, said excess being returned by line 32. The capacity of pump 28 exceeds that of burner 18, excess fuel oil flowing through line 70 to vapour separator column 54 where vapour, foam and entrained gas are liberated and pass upwards, oil passing downwards to be recycled through line 66. The vapour-foam stream is constricted in passing through orifice 74 and the foam is thereby largely liquefied. The vapour is sufficiently cooled in the upper portions of chambers 50 and 54 so that the fluid mixture returns to reservoir 12 at a temperature below the flash temperature of the oil therein. Gases, vapours, reduced foam and excess oil are returned to reservoir 12 by line 78 with pressure-relief valve 44.