CA1118387A - Flow regulator and particle separation apparatus - Google Patents
Flow regulator and particle separation apparatusInfo
- Publication number
- CA1118387A CA1118387A CA000316416A CA316416A CA1118387A CA 1118387 A CA1118387 A CA 1118387A CA 000316416 A CA000316416 A CA 000316416A CA 316416 A CA316416 A CA 316416A CA 1118387 A CA1118387 A CA 1118387A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- liquid
- cylindrical
- chamber
- solid
- solid particles
- 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.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B21/00—Methods or apparatus for flushing boreholes, e.g. by use of exhaust air from motor
- E21B21/06—Arrangements for treating drilling fluids outside the borehole
- E21B21/063—Arrangements for treating drilling fluids outside the borehole by separating components
- E21B21/065—Separating solids from drilling fluids
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Centrifugal Separators (AREA)
- Cyclones (AREA)
- Fats And Perfumes (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE INVENTION
An apparatus effects selective particle separation of a liquid-solid mixture, the apparatus having conduit means for introducing the liquid-solid mixture into a cylindrical chamber which supports and contains a rotatable perforated cylinder. A
second conduit withdraws an overflow portion of the liquid-solid mixture which contains classified finer solid particles. A third conduit withdraws an underflow portion of the liquid which contains classified coarser solid particles. A full opening orifice choke means communicates with at least one of the second and third conduits and provides selective regulation of the rate of flow between the overflow of the liquid-solid mixture and the underflow of the liquid-solid mixture.
An apparatus effects selective particle separation of a liquid-solid mixture, the apparatus having conduit means for introducing the liquid-solid mixture into a cylindrical chamber which supports and contains a rotatable perforated cylinder. A
second conduit withdraws an overflow portion of the liquid-solid mixture which contains classified finer solid particles. A third conduit withdraws an underflow portion of the liquid which contains classified coarser solid particles. A full opening orifice choke means communicates with at least one of the second and third conduits and provides selective regulation of the rate of flow between the overflow of the liquid-solid mixture and the underflow of the liquid-solid mixture.
Description
~ 33~7 BACKGE~OUND OF THE INVENTION
1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION: The invention relates to a particle segregation apparatus for the selective segregation of particles based upon particle size and density.
1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION: The invention relates to a particle segregation apparatus for the selective segregation of particles based upon particle size and density.
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART: Various methods and apparatus have been applied to the problems of segregating parti-cles having varying characteristics. The segregation of particles from each other and the separation of particles from fluid mediums which may be serving as carriers for the particles must be accom-plished in`numerous industries. Examples of applicable processes are the treatment o~ gases and the treatment of liquids containing various solid matter which require segregation according to particle characteristics such as size and density. Fluids may have suspended therein various liquid and solid particles which require segregation from each other and separation from the gases in which the particles are suspended. A mixture of fluids may require segregation in accordance with the molecular weight of the various par~icles which make up each of the gases comprising the mixture.
A particularly important problem encountered in the petroleum industry is the treatment of drilling fluids which involves the processing of large quantities of liquid-solid mixtures containing particles of solid matter which are to be retained in the drilling fluid system and particles of solid matter which are picked up by the fluid during drilling and are to be removed from the system.
The solids content of a drilling fluid must be carefully controlled to insure that the drilling fluid will function properly in the drilling operation. Control of viscosity and weight are condition~
which must be considered in the preparation and handling of drilling fluids. The drilling fluid may be weighted with a relatively high density powdered material, such as barite. The ~ ~7 viscosity of the drilling fluid is controlled to a value consistent with desirable low pumping energy requirements and within the degree required for proper bore hole conditioning. During the circulation of the drilling fluid through a bore hole, finely divided cuttings accumulate in the fluid and the viscosity of the fluid consequently increases, often times to a state of non-pumpability. Such conditions present a need for both removing some of the finely divided cuttings and re-establishing the needed viscosity of the fluid. The viscosity can be reduced by the addition of suspending medium, but in a closed circulating system, withdrawal of an amount of fluid equivalent to that added must be made. Without the employment of methods and apparatus to segregate the unwanted cuttings from those which are to be retained, the withdrawal of fluids in amounts equal to those added to reduce the viscosity results in the loss of expensive weighting materials which materially adds to the drilling costs.
One commonly employed apparatus for the separation of solid particles from fluids has been the decanting centri~uge. In operation, the centrifuge normally requires rotation of the entire mass of material being treated. Also, the rotation of the entire mass of material being treated results in a concentration of material in the form of a sludge along the inner walls o~ the rotating bowl of the centrifuge. Because of certain peculiar characteristics of some drilling fluids, difficulties are encoun-tered in the use of a centrifuge to carry out fluid and solid separation processes. Drilling fluids containing solids are so constituted that they tend to gel or set under static conditions.
These types of drilling fluids, when treated in a centrifuge where the entire mass attains the annular velocity of the rotating portions of the centrifuge, will tend to gel and thus reach a consistency which will oppose the needed migration of the particles to be separated.
An apparatus for effecting particle segregation utilizing a permeable rotating annular member wherein it is unnecessary to rotate the entire mass of material being treated at the speed of the rotating member is disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 3,400,819, entitled ''Method And Apparatus For Particle Segre-gation", issued September 10, 1~68~ The Particle separation perform-ance of this apparatus is substantially dependent upon operationwithin its capacity limit and requires continued adjustment of the flow volume rate which is split into underflow and overflow (or effluent) streams. This apparatus may be employed within a number of operation mode varieties for use in a drilling mud system. For example, the apparatus may be modified to retain the underflow and discard the overflow (or effluent). This programming would be preferred when it is desired to weight up the drilling fluid system. Alternatively, when it is desired to utilize a lighter weight drilling fluid, the apparatus may be programmed such that the overflow is retained while the underflow is discarded.
Moreover, the apparatus disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,400,819 requires the utilization of three separate pumping units, a hydraulic system and a control panel to operate the pumps, as well as other operational mechanical elements. In a preferred operational mode, this apparatus has its input volume rate estab-lished by setting and calibrating the revolutions per minute cycling of one of the three pumps, i.e., the mud pump, which is directly coupled to a second or water pump by means of a timing belt or by means of a hydraulic control valve and hydraulic motor. However, once the input volume rates are set, the separa-tion or "cut" obtained depends on controlling the underflowlover-flow volume flow rate. This is achieved by mounting onto the unit a pump at the underflow exit and controlling its speed with a hydraulic control valve and hydraulic motor. For each input volume ~--low rate, each mud weight and each mud-water dilution rate, there is an optirnum flow split, and the pump must be adjusted accordingly.
Thus, if the apparatus is properly and continuously adjusted, the apparatus will provide its designed separation or "cut". The designed separation or "cut" is not always obtainable, inasmuch as the pump rpm/gpm ratios may vary considerably. Additionally, the multiplicity of control components requires considerable training to assure proper machine operation, and increases main-tenance costs.
It has been determined that the "cut" or separation obtained with this apparatus is directly proportional to a ratio of under-flow weight to drilling fluid input weight Moreover, it has been discovered that a proper flow rate split between underflow and overflow may be satisfactorily obtained by utilizing a choke mechanism or flow regulator instead of the underflow pump. This modification would result in the elimination of the underflow pump, hydraulic controls, hydraulic reservoir and heat exchanger on the apparatus SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention contemplates utilization of an apparatus for effecting selective particle separation in a liquid mixture containing solid particles o~ varying weights, the apparatus comprising a vessel which is provided with a pressure-tight closed chamber. A first conduit is secured to the vessel and is utilized for introduction of the liquid-solid mixture into the chamber. A hollow cylinder is rotatably supported within the chamber, and a second conduit is provided for withdrawing the overflow portion of the liquid-solid mixture which contains classified finer and solid particles from within the cylindrical means. A third conduit is provided for withdrawing the underflow portion of the liquid mixture which contains classified coarser particles from the chamber outside of the cylindrical means. Prefer-ably the cylindrical means within the vessel provldes an outer surface which defines a plurality of openings thereacross, each of which is a multiple of the cross-sectional area of the largest particles in the liquid-solid mixture to prevent bridging of the particles over the openings, the total area of the openings being ~etween about 5 and about 30 percent of the cylindrical surface area of the cylindrical means, with the cylindrical means having a length-to-radius ratio of at least about 2.0, the radius of the diameter of the openings to the diameter of the cylindrical means being between about 0.01 and about 0.1. A full opening orifice choke means communicates with at least one of the second and third conduit means and provides selective regulation of the rate of flow between the overflow of the liquid-solid mixture and the underflow of the liquid-solid mixture, Means to support and rotate the cylindrical means at a predetermined speed within the chamber to effect selective separation of the solid particles also is provided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a flow diagram showing a particle segregater employed in a system for reducing the level of fine solid particles recovering barite from contaminated drilling fluids.
Fig. 2 is a similar flow diagram illustrating usage of the adjustable choke in an apparatus utilizing only one p~mping mechanism.
Fig. 3A is a sectional view of the adjustable choke mechanism of the present invention as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the ad-justable choke being shown in the fully open position.
Fig. 3B is a sectional illustration similar to that shown in Fig~ 3A, the adjustable choke being illustrated in partially com-pressed position.
Fig. 4 is a schematic sectional view of the separation chamber of the apparatus.
DESCRIPTION OF THE P~EFERRED EMBODIMENTS
.
Referring to Fig. 1, the apparatus is shown as incorporated within a drilling fluid circulation system. Drilling fluid is recovered from a bore hole and passed to a mud pit including a settling tank 10 and a suction tank 11. The drilling fluid is withdrawn from the settling tank through conduit 12 by means of a mud pump 13, which is preferably a positive displacement pump, and is introduced through inlet conduit 14 into a particle segre-gater 15 which may be skid or trailer mounted. To provide makeup liquid and to improve the capacity of the device, water may be withdrawn from a water pit through line 16 by water pump 17 and introduced into inlet conduit 14 to dilute the feed to the particle segregater. While it is prefered that the water dilute the feed to the segregater, it is also apparent that the water may be alternatively added elsewhere in the system.
Referring now to Fig. 4, the diluted liquid-solid drilling fluid is pumped into a stationary barrel or particle segregater 15 in a tangential direction. The separation chamber 15 includes an exterior stationary case 15A defining a hollow interior therein.
A perforated cylindrical member 15B is carried wlthin the case -15A and is rotationally manipulated by means of a power unit and transmission system manipulating a perforated rotor shaft 15C
which carries the perforated cylinder 15B around the exterior thereof. The liquid-solids mixture must pass either through the perforated cylinder 15B and exit through the perforated shaft 15C
or, alternatively, must pass between the perforated cylinder 15B
and exit through the underflow port. The performance of the apparatus is, again, dependent upon control of the volume rate adjustment between the overflow and the underflow. With proper adjustment, the fine light clay particles exit in the overflow, and the heavier barite particles exit through the underflow.
In order to obtain the proper flow rate split between over-fLow and underflow, the present invention contemplates utilization of an adjustable choke mechanism 100 (as shown in Figs. 3A and 3B) which, preferably, is placed immediate the particle segregater and in communication with the underflow conduit extending from the particle segregater to the suction tank. The adjustable choke 100 provides a longitudinally extending body lOl having a bore lOlA therein. The body 101 is connected by threads lOlB to the underflow port of the particle segregater. A pressure indi-cator of known construction 102 may be securely affixed through the body 101 of the adjustable choke 100 for measuring pressure through the adjustable choke 100, to assist in adjustment of the choke 100, but is not critical to its operation. An enlarged central body 103 is secured to the main body 101 by means of threads 103A, an elastomeric 0-ring 104 carried within its bore 104A preventing ~luid communication between the bodies 101 and 103. A longitudinally extending elastomeric element 105 having a bore lO5A extending therethrough and communicating with the bore of the body l is carried within the enlarged body 103, the inner end 1 _ on the body 101 and the inwardly extending shoulder 103B of the inner body 103 snugly securing the elastomer 105 within the enlarged body 103. A connecter 106 is secured by threads 106A to the enlarged body 103 and provides the beginning of a conduit for transmission of the underflow to the suction tank.
The adjustable choke 100 may be easily adjusted to permit contraction of the orifice through the interior of the elastomer lOS simply by rotating the central or enlarged body 103 with respect to the body 101, the threads 103A permitting the body 103 to travel thereon. As the body 103 is manipulated, the adjustable choke 100 will telescope to permit variation of the orifice within the elastomer 105. For example, if the body 103 is mani-pulated toward the body 101, the shoulders 103B of the inner body 103 and the end lOlC of the body 101 will cause the elastomer 105 to contract, as the result of the telescopic inner action of the bodies 101 and 103. The positioning of the adjustable choke 100 in such a fashion is as shown in Fig. 3B.
Although the invention has been described in terms of speci-fied embodiments which are set forth in detail, it shouLd be understood that this is by illustration only and that the invention is not necessarily limited thereto, since alternative embodiments and operating techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the disclosure. Accordingly, modifications are contemplated which can be made without departing from the spirit of the described invention.
_ 9_
A particularly important problem encountered in the petroleum industry is the treatment of drilling fluids which involves the processing of large quantities of liquid-solid mixtures containing particles of solid matter which are to be retained in the drilling fluid system and particles of solid matter which are picked up by the fluid during drilling and are to be removed from the system.
The solids content of a drilling fluid must be carefully controlled to insure that the drilling fluid will function properly in the drilling operation. Control of viscosity and weight are condition~
which must be considered in the preparation and handling of drilling fluids. The drilling fluid may be weighted with a relatively high density powdered material, such as barite. The ~ ~7 viscosity of the drilling fluid is controlled to a value consistent with desirable low pumping energy requirements and within the degree required for proper bore hole conditioning. During the circulation of the drilling fluid through a bore hole, finely divided cuttings accumulate in the fluid and the viscosity of the fluid consequently increases, often times to a state of non-pumpability. Such conditions present a need for both removing some of the finely divided cuttings and re-establishing the needed viscosity of the fluid. The viscosity can be reduced by the addition of suspending medium, but in a closed circulating system, withdrawal of an amount of fluid equivalent to that added must be made. Without the employment of methods and apparatus to segregate the unwanted cuttings from those which are to be retained, the withdrawal of fluids in amounts equal to those added to reduce the viscosity results in the loss of expensive weighting materials which materially adds to the drilling costs.
One commonly employed apparatus for the separation of solid particles from fluids has been the decanting centri~uge. In operation, the centrifuge normally requires rotation of the entire mass of material being treated. Also, the rotation of the entire mass of material being treated results in a concentration of material in the form of a sludge along the inner walls o~ the rotating bowl of the centrifuge. Because of certain peculiar characteristics of some drilling fluids, difficulties are encoun-tered in the use of a centrifuge to carry out fluid and solid separation processes. Drilling fluids containing solids are so constituted that they tend to gel or set under static conditions.
These types of drilling fluids, when treated in a centrifuge where the entire mass attains the annular velocity of the rotating portions of the centrifuge, will tend to gel and thus reach a consistency which will oppose the needed migration of the particles to be separated.
An apparatus for effecting particle segregation utilizing a permeable rotating annular member wherein it is unnecessary to rotate the entire mass of material being treated at the speed of the rotating member is disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 3,400,819, entitled ''Method And Apparatus For Particle Segre-gation", issued September 10, 1~68~ The Particle separation perform-ance of this apparatus is substantially dependent upon operationwithin its capacity limit and requires continued adjustment of the flow volume rate which is split into underflow and overflow (or effluent) streams. This apparatus may be employed within a number of operation mode varieties for use in a drilling mud system. For example, the apparatus may be modified to retain the underflow and discard the overflow (or effluent). This programming would be preferred when it is desired to weight up the drilling fluid system. Alternatively, when it is desired to utilize a lighter weight drilling fluid, the apparatus may be programmed such that the overflow is retained while the underflow is discarded.
Moreover, the apparatus disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,400,819 requires the utilization of three separate pumping units, a hydraulic system and a control panel to operate the pumps, as well as other operational mechanical elements. In a preferred operational mode, this apparatus has its input volume rate estab-lished by setting and calibrating the revolutions per minute cycling of one of the three pumps, i.e., the mud pump, which is directly coupled to a second or water pump by means of a timing belt or by means of a hydraulic control valve and hydraulic motor. However, once the input volume rates are set, the separa-tion or "cut" obtained depends on controlling the underflowlover-flow volume flow rate. This is achieved by mounting onto the unit a pump at the underflow exit and controlling its speed with a hydraulic control valve and hydraulic motor. For each input volume ~--low rate, each mud weight and each mud-water dilution rate, there is an optirnum flow split, and the pump must be adjusted accordingly.
Thus, if the apparatus is properly and continuously adjusted, the apparatus will provide its designed separation or "cut". The designed separation or "cut" is not always obtainable, inasmuch as the pump rpm/gpm ratios may vary considerably. Additionally, the multiplicity of control components requires considerable training to assure proper machine operation, and increases main-tenance costs.
It has been determined that the "cut" or separation obtained with this apparatus is directly proportional to a ratio of under-flow weight to drilling fluid input weight Moreover, it has been discovered that a proper flow rate split between underflow and overflow may be satisfactorily obtained by utilizing a choke mechanism or flow regulator instead of the underflow pump. This modification would result in the elimination of the underflow pump, hydraulic controls, hydraulic reservoir and heat exchanger on the apparatus SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention contemplates utilization of an apparatus for effecting selective particle separation in a liquid mixture containing solid particles o~ varying weights, the apparatus comprising a vessel which is provided with a pressure-tight closed chamber. A first conduit is secured to the vessel and is utilized for introduction of the liquid-solid mixture into the chamber. A hollow cylinder is rotatably supported within the chamber, and a second conduit is provided for withdrawing the overflow portion of the liquid-solid mixture which contains classified finer and solid particles from within the cylindrical means. A third conduit is provided for withdrawing the underflow portion of the liquid mixture which contains classified coarser particles from the chamber outside of the cylindrical means. Prefer-ably the cylindrical means within the vessel provldes an outer surface which defines a plurality of openings thereacross, each of which is a multiple of the cross-sectional area of the largest particles in the liquid-solid mixture to prevent bridging of the particles over the openings, the total area of the openings being ~etween about 5 and about 30 percent of the cylindrical surface area of the cylindrical means, with the cylindrical means having a length-to-radius ratio of at least about 2.0, the radius of the diameter of the openings to the diameter of the cylindrical means being between about 0.01 and about 0.1. A full opening orifice choke means communicates with at least one of the second and third conduit means and provides selective regulation of the rate of flow between the overflow of the liquid-solid mixture and the underflow of the liquid-solid mixture, Means to support and rotate the cylindrical means at a predetermined speed within the chamber to effect selective separation of the solid particles also is provided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a flow diagram showing a particle segregater employed in a system for reducing the level of fine solid particles recovering barite from contaminated drilling fluids.
Fig. 2 is a similar flow diagram illustrating usage of the adjustable choke in an apparatus utilizing only one p~mping mechanism.
Fig. 3A is a sectional view of the adjustable choke mechanism of the present invention as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the ad-justable choke being shown in the fully open position.
Fig. 3B is a sectional illustration similar to that shown in Fig~ 3A, the adjustable choke being illustrated in partially com-pressed position.
Fig. 4 is a schematic sectional view of the separation chamber of the apparatus.
DESCRIPTION OF THE P~EFERRED EMBODIMENTS
.
Referring to Fig. 1, the apparatus is shown as incorporated within a drilling fluid circulation system. Drilling fluid is recovered from a bore hole and passed to a mud pit including a settling tank 10 and a suction tank 11. The drilling fluid is withdrawn from the settling tank through conduit 12 by means of a mud pump 13, which is preferably a positive displacement pump, and is introduced through inlet conduit 14 into a particle segre-gater 15 which may be skid or trailer mounted. To provide makeup liquid and to improve the capacity of the device, water may be withdrawn from a water pit through line 16 by water pump 17 and introduced into inlet conduit 14 to dilute the feed to the particle segregater. While it is prefered that the water dilute the feed to the segregater, it is also apparent that the water may be alternatively added elsewhere in the system.
Referring now to Fig. 4, the diluted liquid-solid drilling fluid is pumped into a stationary barrel or particle segregater 15 in a tangential direction. The separation chamber 15 includes an exterior stationary case 15A defining a hollow interior therein.
A perforated cylindrical member 15B is carried wlthin the case -15A and is rotationally manipulated by means of a power unit and transmission system manipulating a perforated rotor shaft 15C
which carries the perforated cylinder 15B around the exterior thereof. The liquid-solids mixture must pass either through the perforated cylinder 15B and exit through the perforated shaft 15C
or, alternatively, must pass between the perforated cylinder 15B
and exit through the underflow port. The performance of the apparatus is, again, dependent upon control of the volume rate adjustment between the overflow and the underflow. With proper adjustment, the fine light clay particles exit in the overflow, and the heavier barite particles exit through the underflow.
In order to obtain the proper flow rate split between over-fLow and underflow, the present invention contemplates utilization of an adjustable choke mechanism 100 (as shown in Figs. 3A and 3B) which, preferably, is placed immediate the particle segregater and in communication with the underflow conduit extending from the particle segregater to the suction tank. The adjustable choke 100 provides a longitudinally extending body lOl having a bore lOlA therein. The body 101 is connected by threads lOlB to the underflow port of the particle segregater. A pressure indi-cator of known construction 102 may be securely affixed through the body 101 of the adjustable choke 100 for measuring pressure through the adjustable choke 100, to assist in adjustment of the choke 100, but is not critical to its operation. An enlarged central body 103 is secured to the main body 101 by means of threads 103A, an elastomeric 0-ring 104 carried within its bore 104A preventing ~luid communication between the bodies 101 and 103. A longitudinally extending elastomeric element 105 having a bore lO5A extending therethrough and communicating with the bore of the body l is carried within the enlarged body 103, the inner end 1 _ on the body 101 and the inwardly extending shoulder 103B of the inner body 103 snugly securing the elastomer 105 within the enlarged body 103. A connecter 106 is secured by threads 106A to the enlarged body 103 and provides the beginning of a conduit for transmission of the underflow to the suction tank.
The adjustable choke 100 may be easily adjusted to permit contraction of the orifice through the interior of the elastomer lOS simply by rotating the central or enlarged body 103 with respect to the body 101, the threads 103A permitting the body 103 to travel thereon. As the body 103 is manipulated, the adjustable choke 100 will telescope to permit variation of the orifice within the elastomer 105. For example, if the body 103 is mani-pulated toward the body 101, the shoulders 103B of the inner body 103 and the end lOlC of the body 101 will cause the elastomer 105 to contract, as the result of the telescopic inner action of the bodies 101 and 103. The positioning of the adjustable choke 100 in such a fashion is as shown in Fig. 3B.
Although the invention has been described in terms of speci-fied embodiments which are set forth in detail, it shouLd be understood that this is by illustration only and that the invention is not necessarily limited thereto, since alternative embodiments and operating techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the disclosure. Accordingly, modifications are contemplated which can be made without departing from the spirit of the described invention.
_ 9_
Claims (2)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. An apparatus for effecting selective particle separation in a liquid-solid mixture containing solid particles of varying dimensions and weights, comprising: a vessel provided with a pressure-tight closed chamber; first conduit means secured to said vessel for introducing said liquid mixture into said chamber;
hollow cylindrical means rotatably supported within said chamber;
second conduit means for withdrawing an overflow portion of said liquid mixture containing an increased concentration of finer solid particles from within said cylindrical means; third conduit means for withdrawing an underflow portion of said liquid mixture having an increased concentration of coarser solid particles from said chamber outside of said cylindrical means, said cylindrical means having a cylindrical outer surface provided with a plurality of openings, each of which is a multiple of the cross-sectional area of the largest particles in said liquid mixture to prevent bridging of said particles over said openings, the total area of said openings being between about 5 and about 30 percent of the cylindrical surface area of said cylindrical means, said cylindri-cal means having a length-to-radius ratio of at least 2.0, and the ratio of the diameter of said openings to the diameter of said cylindrical means being between about 0.01 and about 0.1;
full opening orifice choke means communicating with at least one of said second and third conduit means, said choke means providing selective regulation of the rate of flow between said overflow of said liquid-solid mixture and said underflow of said liquid-solid mixture; and means to support and rotate said cylindrical means at a predetermined speed within said chamber to effect selective separation of said solid particles.
hollow cylindrical means rotatably supported within said chamber;
second conduit means for withdrawing an overflow portion of said liquid mixture containing an increased concentration of finer solid particles from within said cylindrical means; third conduit means for withdrawing an underflow portion of said liquid mixture having an increased concentration of coarser solid particles from said chamber outside of said cylindrical means, said cylindrical means having a cylindrical outer surface provided with a plurality of openings, each of which is a multiple of the cross-sectional area of the largest particles in said liquid mixture to prevent bridging of said particles over said openings, the total area of said openings being between about 5 and about 30 percent of the cylindrical surface area of said cylindrical means, said cylindri-cal means having a length-to-radius ratio of at least 2.0, and the ratio of the diameter of said openings to the diameter of said cylindrical means being between about 0.01 and about 0.1;
full opening orifice choke means communicating with at least one of said second and third conduit means, said choke means providing selective regulation of the rate of flow between said overflow of said liquid-solid mixture and said underflow of said liquid-solid mixture; and means to support and rotate said cylindrical means at a predetermined speed within said chamber to effect selective separation of said solid particles.
2. An apparatus for effecting selective particle separation in a liquid-solid mixture containing solid particles of varying dimensions and weights, comprising: a vessel provided with a pressure-tight closed chamber; first conduit means secured to said vessel for introducing said liquid mixture into said chamber;
a hollow cylindrical means having an outer surface provided with a plurality of openings, rotatably supported within said chamber;
second conduit means for withdrawing an overflow portion of said liquid mixture containing an increased concentration of finer solid particles from within said cylindrical means; third conduit means for withdrawing an underflow portion of said liquid mixture having an increased concentration of coarser solid particles from said chamber outside of said cylindrical means; full opening orifice choke means communicating with at least one of said second and third conduit means, said choke means providing selec-tive regulation of the rate of flow between said effluent of said liquid-solid mixture and said underflow of said liquid-solid mixture; and means to support and rotate said cylindrical means at a predetermined speed within said chamber to effect selective separation of said solid particles.
a hollow cylindrical means having an outer surface provided with a plurality of openings, rotatably supported within said chamber;
second conduit means for withdrawing an overflow portion of said liquid mixture containing an increased concentration of finer solid particles from within said cylindrical means; third conduit means for withdrawing an underflow portion of said liquid mixture having an increased concentration of coarser solid particles from said chamber outside of said cylindrical means; full opening orifice choke means communicating with at least one of said second and third conduit means, said choke means providing selec-tive regulation of the rate of flow between said effluent of said liquid-solid mixture and said underflow of said liquid-solid mixture; and means to support and rotate said cylindrical means at a predetermined speed within said chamber to effect selective separation of said solid particles.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US90567978A | 1978-05-15 | 1978-05-15 | |
| US905,679 | 1978-05-15 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1118387A true CA1118387A (en) | 1982-02-16 |
Family
ID=25421263
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000316416A Expired CA1118387A (en) | 1978-05-15 | 1978-11-17 | Flow regulator and particle separation apparatus |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1118387A (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2425891A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2020990B (en) |
| NL (1) | NL7900750A (en) |
| NO (1) | NO783887L (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP3435059A1 (en) * | 2017-07-27 | 2019-01-30 | Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast- natuurwetenschappelijk onderzoek TNO | A particle detection device and a method for detecting airborne particles |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3400819A (en) * | 1964-09-18 | 1968-09-10 | Mobil Oil Corp | Method and apparatus for particle segregation |
| US3410409A (en) * | 1966-01-18 | 1968-11-12 | Bird Machine Co | Screening apparatus control |
| US3433312A (en) * | 1967-06-01 | 1969-03-18 | Mobil Oil Corp | Process for recovering valuable components from drilling fluid |
-
1978
- 1978-11-17 NO NO783887A patent/NO783887L/en unknown
- 1978-11-17 CA CA000316416A patent/CA1118387A/en not_active Expired
- 1978-11-17 FR FR7832496A patent/FR2425891A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1979
- 1979-01-31 NL NL7900750A patent/NL7900750A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1979-04-12 GB GB7912974A patent/GB2020990B/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| FR2425891A1 (en) | 1979-12-14 |
| NO783887L (en) | 1979-11-16 |
| NL7900750A (en) | 1979-11-19 |
| GB2020990B (en) | 1982-08-18 |
| GB2020990A (en) | 1979-11-28 |
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