GB845413A - Method of and apparatus for separating liquids of different specific gravity - Google Patents

Abstract

845,413. Gravity separation. DEUTSCHE WERFT A. G. July 18, 1956 [June 12, 1956], No. 22303/56. Class 46. In a method and apparatus for separating a mixture of two liquids of different specific gravity containing air, such as oil and water, the mixture passes first through a de-aerator and then a separator both of which are on the suction side of a pump, the de-aerator also has a connection to the pump for the separated air. The mixture enters the separator through an inlet 5 and meets a guide wall 32 having perforations 33 at the top. A primary separation takes place, some of the oil rising to the head 6a while the remaining liquid passes through the perforation 33 or over the top of the guide wall into a chamber 34 and hence to superimposed chambers, formed by partitions 36, where final separation takes place, the oil passing through pipes 40 to a chamber 48 from thence it rises through pipe 49 to the chamber 6a, and the water passing through gaps 42, between the side walls 41 of the chambers, to a collecting tank 46 which communicates with a discharge pipe 47 connected to the pump. The chambers may be provided with heating means 44. The chamber 6a has two vertically spaced electrodes connected to a relay such that when oil covers both the electrodes the relay operates and closes a valve in the line from the separator to the pump and opens a valve to admit water under pressure to the bottom of the separator to force the oil out of the chamber 6a. When water again covers both the electrodes the water pressure is cut off and the valve in the line from the separator to the pump is opened.