EP1278029B1

EP1278029B1 - Apparatus for separating a two-phase flow into a plurality of partial flows with a like liquid to gas ratio

Info

Publication number: EP1278029B1
Application number: EP02008819A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Umberto Merlo
Original assignee: LU-VE SpA
Current assignee: LU-VE SpA
Priority date: 2001-07-19
Filing date: 2002-04-19
Publication date: 2006-04-05
Anticipated expiration: 2022-04-19
Also published as: ATE322658T1; PT1278029E; ES2260348T3; ITMI20011545A0; DE60210376T2; ITMI20011545A1; EP1278029A1; DE60210376D1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus (1) for separating a two-phase flow or stream into a plurality of partial flows with a like liquid to gas ratio, comprising a separating chamber (2) communicating with an inlet duct (3) for supplying a two-phase flow and defining a bottom region (10) for collecting the liquid phase and a top region (11) for collecting the gaseous phase. The main feature of the invention is that the apparatus (1) further comprises a plurality of outlet tubes (20) arranged in the separating chamber (2) and leading to the top surface of the separating chamber (2). <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus for separating a two-phase flow or stream into a plurality of partial flows having a like liquid to gas ratio according to the preamble of claim 1. Such an apparatus is known from document US-A-2 220 595
As is known, in refrigerating systems are conventionally used apparatus for separating a two-phase flow or stream into a plurality of partial flows, with a like liquid to gas ratio.
The above mentioned apparatus substantially comprise a separating chamber, to which leads a duct for supplying the gas-liquid mixture which is affected by suitably designed elements which so hinder the flow to provide inside the separating chamber a bottom region for collecting liquid therein and a top region for collecting gas therein.
In said separating chamber are arranged a plurality of outlet tubes or lines which usually comprise ducts including a plurality of longitudinally extending slots, and which ducts axially extend inside the separating chamber and lead to the bottom portion of the latter.
With the above mentioned arrangement, it is rather difficult to overcome possible drawbacks related to a migration of the liquid downstream of the separating device as the system is put out of operation.

SUMMRRY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned problems, by providing an apparatus for separating a two-phase flow into a plurality of partial flows, with a like liquid to gas ratio, allowing to always obtain a constant ratio of the liquid and gas.
Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the present invention is to provide such an apparatus assuring, by a very simple construction, an optimum operation under different operating conditions.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such an apparatus which is very reliable and safe in operation.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such an apparatus for separating a two-phase flow or stream into a plurality of partial flows or streams, with a like liquid to gas ratio, which can be easily made by using easily available elements and materials and which, moreover, is very competitive from a mere economic standpoint.
The above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by an apparatus for separating a two-phase flow into a plurality of partial flows, with a like liquid to gas ratio, according to claim 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed disclosure of a preferred, though not exclusive, embodiment of an apparatus for separating a two-phase flow into a plurality of partial flows, with a like liquid to gas ratio, which is illustrated, by way of an indicative, but not limitative example, in the accompanying drawings, where:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the apparatus according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view, substantially taken through a vertical plane, illustrating the separating apparatus according to the invention; and
Figure 3 illustrates a further cross-sectional view, substantially taken along the section line III-III of figure 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the number references of the above mentioned figures, the apparatus for separating a two-phase flow or stream into a plurality of partial flows or streams with a like liquid to gas ratio comprises an apparatus body 1, having preferably a substantially cylindric configuration, defining in its inside a separating chamber 2, which communicates with an inlet duct for supplying into said separating chamber a. two-phase flow 3, said duct being substantially radially arranged of said body 1.
In said separating chamber 2, in front of said inlet duct, a separating wall 4 thereagainst is supplied the flow of the ducts 3, so as to facilitate the separation of the liquid phase from the gaseous phase, is arranged.
Said separating wall 4 defines a bottom gap 5 and a top gap 6, designing for reducing the rate of the two-phase flow, and to hold stable the free surface of the liquid held in said separating chamber 2.
The latter is provided with an inner bottom region 10 for collecting therein the liquid phase and a top region 11 for collecting therein the gaseous phase.
The main feature of the invention is that a plurality of outlet tubes 20 are provided, said outlet tubes being arranged beyond the region delimited by the mentioned separating wall 4 and, advantageously, being evenly distributed with respect to the center of the apparatus body 1.
In particular, the outlet tubes 20 are provided with a closed inner bottom 21 and a top opening 22, passing through the top cover of the separating chamber 2.
The outlet tubes 20 are provided, through their surface, with a plurality of longitudinally extending slots 30 which are variously distributed and which, advantageously, are open toward the inner portion of the separating chamber 2.
The above disclosed device, which comprises a plurality of outlet tubes upward projecting, allows to always provide a constant ratio of the outlet liquid and gas flow ratio, independently from possible small inclinations with respect to the vertical line of the vessel axis.
Thus, the disclosed device allows to provide even liquid phase/gaseous phase ratios, through the outlet ducts, differently from the prior art approaches, while also providing a discrete region between the two-phase flow inlet region and the region therefrom the outlet tubes depart.

Claims

An apparatus (1) for separating a two-phase flow into a plurality of partial flows, with a like liquid to gas ratio, comprising a separating chamber (2) communicating with a duct (3) for supplying a two-phase flow and defining a bottom region (10) for collecting the liquid phase therein and a top region (11) for collecting the gaseous phase therein, said apparatus further comprising a plurality of outlet tubes (20), arranged in said separating chamber (2), characterized in that said outlet tubes (20) are individual single wall separating tubes (20), leading to the top of said separating chamber and passing through a top surface of said separating chamber, and that said outlet tubes have a closed inner bottom (21) and comprise a plurality of slots (30) which extend substantially parallel to the axis of said separating chamber and that said slots are variously distributed through the surfaces of said outlet tubes, preferably both at bottom and top portions of said outlet tubes.
An apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said separating chamber (2) is formed inside a single cylindric body (1) having a vertical axis.
An apparatus according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said inlet duct (3) is arranged substantially radially of said separating chamber (2).
An apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that said apparatus further comprises, in said separating chamber (2), in front of an inlet port of said inlet duct (3), a separating wall (4) defining a bottom (5) and top (6) gap for communicating with said separating chamber (2).
An apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said outlet tubes (20) are circumferentially distributed about the axis of said separating chamber (2) and are arranged in that portion of said separating chamber (2) on an opposite portion of said separating wall (4), with respect to said inlet duct (3).
An apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said slots (30) of said outlet tubes (20) are directed toward the center of said separating chamber (2).