DE2107908A1 - Separator and method for separating liquid from a gas and liquid mixture - Google Patents

Description

DIPL.-ING. A. GRÜNECKER ^r - *> M (K! CHnN22

Maxinrnlicr-strsßa 43 DR.-ING. H. KlNKELDEY Telephones CO / 29 67 «

DR.-ING. W. STOCKIv'AIR, Ae. E. (.. «iif me of tlchmj · Telegram Monopoly Munich

PATENT LAWYERS Telex 05-23380

P 3788 - Be February 18, 1971

FQRTA-TEST MANUFACTURING LiDD.

6725 - iO4 Street, Edmonton , Alberta, Canada W

Separator and method for separating liquid from a gas-liquid mixture

The invention relates to a separator and to a method for separating liquid from a gas-liquid mixture.

A separator of the type mentioned lab characterized according to the invention through a jacket with an inlet and an outlet, through a number of l / irbelfohre, each having an inlet and an Auelaß haban iuid lait essentially their long axes parallel ssur L-in ^ üa ^ htst do * j llu ^ bels; u diafifui an-

are ordered so that the inlet and outlet of each vortex tube is in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet of the shell, respectively, through a liquid separation chamber within of the jacket, through a flow-connected to the chamber Liquid collecting device, each vortex tube so attached two longitudinally spaced apart Tube sections has that near the outlet of the tube an axial gap is formed, over which the interior of the vortex tube is fluidly connected to the chamber arranged in or near the inlet part of each vortex tube means for changing the direction of flow of the into the Vortex tube causes a helical movement along the inner surface of the vortex tube and through it a Sbr Ömungs connection between the interior of the chamber and the interior of each vortex tube.

The invention also relates to a separator for the recovery of liquid entrained in a gas which flows through a pipeline, which is characterized by a jacket that can be inserted into the pipeline, by first and second openings arranged at a mutual distance within the jacket transversely to its longitudinal axis interspersed plates, which in each case close to the inlet and the outlet of the shell lie sealingly on the wall of the shell, through a number of vortex tubes extending between the two plates, held in the openings penetrating the plates, through the shell and the Plates limited fiehwerkraftibrfcneLdekaEüaer, dur.:h oilne with the iV.hwerkraft separation chamber rir.as of the erafcsri Pi.-ri.ti »U x ^l ömimßf> connected« Flussisrkaits-Saniin- <mn-x ·,, '/ QboL each - :; ./L'adlrohr uxnt-it. Elongated W.irbelrohrkör- i'V- ^! "> N .im! Official kr ei ;; i"> cmL -., Cross-section wi

BATH

which two to form an axial gap near the outlet of the pipe in the longitudinal direction at a mutual distance having fastened pipe sections, so that the axial gap has a flow connection between the interior of the vortex tube and the gravity separation chamber, and by one each within a vortex tube near it Inlet arranged swirl body, which together with the wall of the vortex tube an annular passage to Main part of its interior and which one forms the gravity separation chamber at a point near the longitudinal axis of the vortex tube with the main part of the interior of the vortex tube flow connecting passage as well as into the having annular passage protruding guide vanes, by means of which gives the gas-liquid mixture entering the vortex tube a swirl for the separation under centrifugal action is grantable.

The invention also provides a separator for recovery of liquid entrained in a gas-liquid mixture, which is characterized by a jacket a gravity separation chamber within the shell a number of vortex tubes penetrating the chamber in the longitudinal direction of the jacket, each of which has an axial gap to the Have flow communication between the vortex tube and the chamber by means at or near the inlet of each Vortex tube by means of which the mixture can be given a helical movement as it flows through the tube, and through a flow connection between the interior of the chamber and a low-pressure zone in the interior of a vortex tube.

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In a method for separating small amounts of liquid entrained in a gas, which under pressure a pipeline flows through, it is provided according to a further idea of the invention that the flow is divided into a number of partial flows divided into a rotating gas body from the individual partial flows in a closed, substantially cylindrical space "forms, which at one end has an axial outlet and at a small distance from the axial outlet has a circumferential gap thereby separating the liquid from the gas under centrifugal action and an accumulation of substantially all of the liquid in the outer region of the cylindrical Space enters and the bulk of the gas in the middle part of the space forms a vortex, so that the accumulated Sucks liquid and part of the gas through the gap into a common, closed space, which by means of Flow connection with low pressure zones in the cylindrical spaces is kept under a reduced pressure that one the liquid and gas at reduced flow velocity along a flow path within the common Space conducts in order to cause the separation of the liquid from the gas under the action of gravity that the separated Liquid collects and that the gas can escape from the common space back into the cylindrical spaces leaves.

Further features, details and advantages of the invention emerge from the following description of exemplary embodiments based on the drawing. In this shows:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section through a first embodiment of the invention Separator,

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Fig. 2 is a partially broken away perspective view of a swirl tube of the separator of FIG. 1 ₁

Fig. 5 is a front view of a holding plate and

4 shows a longitudinal section through a second embodiment of the separator.

In the drawing, the same parts are identified by the same reference numerals. You can tell you are in a line usable separator 1 with a jacket 2, which is provided on the end caps 3 with Yerbindungsflanschen. In the coat 2, a first and a second plate 4 and 5, respectively, penetrated by openings are arranged. On the plates 4, 5 are vortex tubes 6 attached with their ends. Each of the vortex tubes 6 includes a tube body 7 with a first and a second Pipe section 8 or 9 · The pipe sections 8 and 9 point in In the longitudinal direction, a distance so that near the outlet end of the tubular body 7, a gap 10 extending over the circumference is formed. At the inlet end of the first pipe section 8 is a swirl body 11 with a hub 12, radial guide vanes 13 and a cross tube 14 attached. At the bottom of the Shell 2 is a liquid collecting chamber 15 is attached.

The individual parts of the separator have the following structure. The jacket 2 is formed from a steel tube 16, to which end caps 3 provided with connecting flanges are welded are. The jacket 2 is inserted directly into a pipeline carrying a gas flow; he then forms a part the same. The separator is therefore referred to as a "line separator".

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Near the inlet 19 and the outlet 20 are in the jacket 2 transversely two identical plates 4, 5 arranged on its axis. the Plates 4, 5 each have a number of openings 17 mutual distance interspersed. The number of openings 17 corresponds to that of the vortex tubes 6. In each case one end of the Vortex tubes 6 is held in one of the openings I7.

The plates 4, 5 are along their edges with the wall of the drill 16 welded, so that a tight connection is formed and thus lateral closures for a gravity separation chamber 17a are created.

The two pipe sections 8, 9 have a circular cross section and are aligned coaxially to one another. To form the gap 10, the pipe sections 8, 9 are through Rods 18 held at a certain longitudinal distance from one another.

The corresponding end pieces of the vortex tubes 6 are welded to the plates 4 and 5 in a sealing manner. The interior of the single Virbelrobre 7 is in flow connection with the Inlet 19 and outlet 20 of the shell 2, so that a flow path is formed through this.

The swirl body 11 is in each case at the inlet end of the first pipe sections 8 welded in. It includes a hub 12 which is elongated, converging at one end and circular Cross-section. The hub 12 is in the middle of the pipe section 8 arranged so that an annular passage is formed between it and the pipe section.

1Ö983S / 1378

The hub 12 is penetrated by a longitudinal bore 24 which, at its front end, is connected to the bore 22 of the cross tube 14 is flow-connected. The cross tube 14 is with its ends welded to the wall of the pipe section 8 so that its bore 22 is in flow connection with an opening 23 in the wall is. The longitudinal axis of the hub 12 and the bore coincides with the longitudinal axis of the pipe section 8;

The radial guide vanes attached to the hub 12 protrude into the annular passage 21 and are curved so that they change the direction of flow with respect to the axis of the pipeline deflect it by about 45 °. This gives the guide vanes 13 the gas-liquid entering the vortex tube 7 Mixture a twist.

The swirl body 11 brings about a fine acceleration of the Vortex tube 7 entering flow and at the same time a change in the direction of movement, so that they are now in a helical movement along the inner surface of the vortex tube 7. In addition, the swirl body 11 is a Connection of the gravity separation chamber 17a with a Centrifugal separation zone 25. Thus, the hub forms 12 including the associated guide vanes I3 at the inlet end of the Vortex tube 7 a device which gives the flow entering the vortex tube a twist. Also contains the swirl body 11 establishes a flow connection between the chamber 1? a and the interior of the vortex tube 7

The liquid collection chamber welded to the underside of the tube 16 15 is via an opening 26 in the wall of the pipe 16 with the gravity separation chamber 17a

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flow connected. The chamber I5 is located near the plate 4-, so that the flow path of the gas-liquid mixture flowing back from the gap 10 to the openings 23 is as possible is long. This arrangement of the chamber I5 results in the greatest possible Gravity separation.

The chamber 15 has an outlet provided with a splash 27 · A float (not shown) for the actuation of a drain valve (not shown) can be passed through this at an outlet 28 of the chamber I5. In the Wall of the chamber I5 are mutually spaced openings 29 for attaching a sight glass (not shown).

As described above, the chamber 17a is one of the shell 2, the two end plates 4 ″ and 5 and the vortex tubes 7 more limited closed tree. Apart from the gaps 10 and the openings 23, the space is sealed.

The embodiment shown in FIG. A lower baffle plate 32 is attached to the downstream edge of the confluence 33 of the chamber 30. The baffle plate 32 extends upwards from the lower wall of the shell 2 at an angle of approximately 45 °. Protrudes from the upper wall of the sleeve 2 also at an angle of 4-5 ^1, an upper baffle 34 · downward. Between

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Baffles 32 and 34- "there is a passage 35" between the Baffle plate 34 and the lower wall of the shell 2 a passage 36. The passages 35 * 36 each have about the same Cross-sectional area as the inlet 19, so that a damming effect is avoided.

In operation, liquid moving along the lower wall of the inlet side of the shell 2 falls into the chamber 30 and flows out through the outlet 31. The baffles 32,34 effect a change in direction of the gas flow entering through inlet 19. This becomes part of the carried Liquid retained on the lower surface of the baffle 32.

Some of the parts described above may be replaced by mechanically equivalent parts. For example, can instead of the guide vanes 13 tangential inlets are provided be, and in place of the chamber 15 can be a drain pipe. Furthermore, although the separator described is preferably made of steel and has welded connections other materials and types of connection can be used.

When the device is in operation, a gas-liquid mixture flows into inlet 19 and further into vortex tubes 7. Upon entry of the mixture into the annular passage 21 between the respective hub 12 and the wall of the pipe section 8 the flow is accelerated. At the same time, the guide vanes steer 13 ctie flow in a helical path around the longitudinal axis of the vortex tube 7

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During this whirling, the liquid is caused by centrifugal action deposited from the gas and accumulates on the. Inner wall of the pipe section 8. The longitudinally flowing, swirled gas flow takes the liquid along the wall to the circumferential gap 10.

At the gap 10 there is a negative pressure that the liquid and a small part of the gas from the vortex tube 7 into the Heavy-duty separation chamber 17a sucks while the main amount of the gas continues its path in the main flow direction. The negative pressure at the columns 10 is created by the flow connection effected by means of the bores 22, 24 the gravity separation chamber 17a with a low pressure zone along the longitudinal axis of the gas body rotating in the vortex tube 7.

Most of the liquid emerging from the gaps 10 separates in the course of the slow movement from the gaps 10 to the openings 23 under the influence of gravity the gas. This liquid collects in the chamber 15 Possibly in the one via the openings 23 into the bores 22, 24 flowing gas is still entrained liquid when it re-enters the vortex tubes 7 again by centrifugal action eliminated.

The separator described has two important advantages. First of all, the dimensions of a line or line centrifugal separator determined by the dimensions of its vortex tubes. As will be explained in the following,

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the length of a vortex tube is preferably six to twenty times its diameter. Furthermore, it is general it is desirable to keep the pressure drop across the separator as low as possible.

As described above; encloses a single coat several vortex tubes. This arrangement results in a centrifugal separation zone of considerable cross-sectional area and sufficient length. That means the pressure drop low over the separator, but nevertheless a satisfactory performance of the separator can be achieved. Consequently the invention creates a short, economical series or Line separator thanks to the use of a common Sheath with a variety of vortex tubes. The jacket is not just a housing for a bundle of separators, but an effective part of the separator, which interacts directly with all vortex tubes.

The second advantage is that the separator is his fixes its own deficiency. In the upper part of the gravity- ^

The separation chamber separates the liquid under ™ Gravity effect from the backward flowing gas flow, and part of this liquid is carried along again by the gas streams flowing below, thus reaching the Liquid collection chamber does not. This liquid will but carried back into the lower vortex tubes and on their columns recovered again, so that the liquid from here on again is separated by gravity and now enters the collection chamber.

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In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the impact assembly stops Free liquid flows back to the bottom of the pipe and discharges it into the chamber 30, from which it periodically is drained. This arrangement prevents the lower vortex tubes from being flooded by the free liquid and their continued flow in the pipeline. · -. .

In the separator described, the liquid carried along in the gas stream is separated in two stages, namely by means of centrifugal action and by gravity.

In practice, the gas-liquid mixture flows at a considerable rate Speed, for example 12 to 15 ni / s, through the pipe. This flow is divided into a large number of partial flows. Every partial flow becomes in one separate, enclosed, generally cylindrical space formed a rotating gas body. The cylindrical one Baum has an axial outlet at one end and a circumferential one a short distance from the outlet Gap. The separation of liquid and gas takes place in the cylindrical space by centrifugal action. Essentially all the liquid collects in the outer area of the room, while the main part of the gas in the middle Area of space forms a vortex.

The accumulated liquid, along with a small portion, about 10 to 12%, of the gas passes through the stomata sucked into a common, demarcated tree, which through a flow connection with low pressure zones in the cylindrical Eäum is kept at a reduced pressure.

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The liquid with the gas portion is at a greatly reduced speed of about 0.9 Ms 1.2 m / s along one of the common Passed through the flow path. The separation of liquid and gas occurs under the effect of gravity a. The separated liquid is collected at the bottom of the room, while the gas portion is at a point with negative pressure is reintroduced into the centrifugal separation rooms, for example on the longitudinal axis of the gas vortex in each of these rooms.

As already mentioned above, it is recommended that the length of a vortex tube is six to twenty times its length To restrict diameter. If the flow leaves the guide vanes with a deflection of about 45 °, the is Incline of the helix described by the gas flow at a distance corresponding to eight times the diameter of the pipe about 30 ° and at a distance corresponding to twenty times the diameter still about 20 °. So that means that the flow through the vortex tube tends to straighten out. It has been found that when the above Limitations in most cases a satisfactory separation efficiency can be achieved. An increase in length the separator produces only a slight improvement in the separation efficiency, but increases the costs for the separator.

The size of the separator is determined by the given one Throughput occurring, still permissible pressure drop on it. The separator has a specific flow resistance corresponding to that of the plate of a flow meter. For the construction of a separator, formulas were used

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and size relationships determined. These formulas and relationships however, should not be viewed as limitations, since they can be changed without seriously impairing the separation efficiency. You just provide a usable one Instructions for the construction of an effective version of the separator.

In the formulas and relationships that now follow, those contained in the figures of the drawing are used to designate the dimensions Symbols used;

ο. 545

In it is:

Q = flow rate (throughput) in MMCF / day,

C = flow coefficient of the separator,

G = gas & chte (air = 1),

Z = compressibility factor of the gas,

T = temperature in ° Rankine

dp = pressure drop across the separator in p.s.i. (0.07 at) and

ρ = static pressure at the inlet in p.s.i.a. (0.07 ata).

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(2) C = C ¹ * N

In it is:

C = flow coefficient a vortex tube and

N = "number of vortex tubes.

(3) C = 130 · d ²

where d = inner diameter of one

Vortex pipe is.

The inside diameter of the vortex tubes can be variable in a wider range. The standard size are e.g. B. Pipes with inside diameters of around 5 °, 8; 76 »2; 101.6 and 152.4 mm provided. These are tubes in standard sizes or normal dimensions, which are therefore available at any time.

For a given inside diameter d, one can use solution of the equations determine the number N of vortex tubes.

(4) Further preferred design specifications are:

h = hub diameter = 0.67 d

i = inner diameter = 0.33 d of the hub

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a = length of the conical = 1.2 * d Part of the hub

m = width of the slot = 0.03 · d

η = inside diameter des = 0.94- · d

Outlet pipe. · -. .

1 = length of the pipe from = 8 · ά to 20'd guide vane ·! up to the gap

ν - eight guide vanes, each 0.06 · d thick and 0.75 · d long and curved so that they deflect the gas by about 4-5 °.

An exemplary embodiment from practice is given below. A separator according to the structure of Fig. was made of steel. The separator was installed in a processing plant for natural gas, in order to minimize the To remove gas contained lean oil quantities from it and thereby the contamination of the silica gel bed of a dry gas dehydrator by preventing the lean oil. The following operating conditions prevailed:

Gas throughput: 100 MMFC / day at 57 kp / cm ²

and 37.8 ⁰ C.

Gas density: = 0.6

Compressibility factor: = 0.1

Deposition of

Lean oil: about 40 gallons / day.

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The separator had the following dimensions:

S = inner diameter of the jacket = 4-09 mm

K = total length of the separator =. 2 210 .mm

X = inner diameter of the liquid = 184 mm collection chamber

Y = length of the liquid channel - «559 mm milk chamber

P = inner diameter of the pipe = 203.2 mm management

N = number of vortex tubes = 19

d = internal diameter of the vertebrae = 62.3 mm tube

h = outer diameter of the hub = 35 »05 mm

i = inner diameter of the hub = 17 »27

aa length of the conical part - 63 »5 mm of the hub

mm = width of the gap «1.52 mm

1- = Eohr length between guide * 1 320.8 mm shovel and gap

ν = eight guide vanes _t each 3 »17 van thick,
34.9 mm wide, inclined at 45 °.

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The separator was installed. Ep removed in operation in essentially all of the lean oil from the gas and caused thus a considerable extension of the service life of the dehydrator bed of silica gel. The pressure drop across the Separator was 0.35

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Claims (6)

Claims 1. Separator for separating liquid from a gas-liquid mixture, marked through a jacket with an inlet and an outlet, by a number of vortex tubes, each having an inlet and an outlet and with their longitudinal axes im are arranged substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shell therein, so that the inlet and the outlet each Vortex tube is fluidly connected to the inlet or the outlet of the jacket, through a liquid separation chamber within the shell, by a liquid collection device in fluid communication with the chamber, wherein each vortex tube has two in the longitudinal direction at a mutual distance so fastened pipe sections that near the outlet of the Eohres an axial gap is formed, through which the interior of the vortex tube with the chamber is fluidly connected by means for modifying arranged in or near the inlet part of each vortex tube the direction of flow of the mixture flowing into the vortex tube to a helical movement along the Inner surface of the vortex tube and through a flow connection between the interior of the chamber and the interior every vortex tube. 109836/137 8 • 2. Separator for the recovery of entrained in a gas Liquid flowing through a pipeline, characterized by a into the Pipeline insertable jacket, through at a mutual distance within the jacket transversely to its longitudinal axis arranged first and second, apertured plates which, respectively, near the inlet and the outlet Shell sealingly abut the wall of the shell, by a number between the two plates extending vortex tubes held in the openings penetrating the plates, through one through the jacket and the plates bounded gravity separation chamber, by one with the gravity separation chamber near the first plate fluidic fluid collection chamber, each vortex tube containing a largish vortex tube body of substantially circular cross-section, which two to form an axial gap near the outlet of the pipe in the longitudinal direction with mutual Having spaced fixed pipe sections, so that the axial gap a flow connection between the interior of the vortex tube and the gravity separation chamber manufactures, and by one arranged within a vortex tube near its inlet swirl body, which together with the wall of the vortex tube forms an annular passage to the main part of its interior and which one the gravity separation chamber at a point near the longitudinal axis of the vortex tube with the main part of the interior of the vortex tube flow-connecting passage and guide vanes projecting into the annular passage has, by means of which the gas-liquid mixture entering the vortex tube creates a swirl for the Separation under centrifugal action can be given. 109836/1378 3. Separator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that on the inflow side the vortex tubes another chamber for retaining free liquid entrained at the bottom of the jacket is formed. 4-. Separator for the recovery of a gas-liquid mixture entrained liquid, characterized by a jacket, by a Gravity separation chamber within the shell, through a number of which penetrate the chamber in the longitudinal direction of the shell Vortex tubes, which each have an axial gap for the flow connection between the vortex tube and the Have chamber, by means at or near the inlet of each vortex tube by means of which the mixture at its flow through the tube can be given a helical movement, and by a flow connection in each case between the interior of the chamber and a low pressure zone in the interior of a vortex tube. 5. Separator essentially as above with reference to attached drawing. 6. Process for separating small amounts of liquid entrained in a gas which, under pressure, enters a pipeline flows through, characterized in that the flow is divided into a number of partial flows divided into a rotating gas body in a closed, 109836/1378 substantially cylindrical tree forms which at one end has an axial outlet and at a short distance from the axial outlet has a circumferential gap, thereby separating the liquid from the gas under centrifugal action and an accumulation of substantially all of the liquid in the outer region of the cylindrical Space enters and the main amount of gas in the middle part of the space forms a vortex that one the accumulated liquid and part of the gas through the gap into a common, enclosed space sucks, which by means of flow connection with low pressure zones is kept in the cylindrical spaces under a reduced pressure that one the liquid and the gas with reduced Flow velocity along a flow path within the common space directs to the separation the liquid from the gas under the action of gravity to cause the separated liquid collects and that the gas can escape from the common space back into the cylindrical spaces. 109836/1378 Blank page