GB238750A - Improvements in or relating to means for separating water and other impurities from mineral or other oils or their by-products - Google Patents

Abstract

238,750. Harvey, P. P., and Holford, H. J. Nov. 8, 1924. Separating by gravity.-Apparatus for separating water and other impurities from mineral or other oils or their bye-products comprises a vertical column A provided with a series of perforated conical baffles D adjustable in position so as to give variable retardation of flow, the liquid being pressed into the column through a rotatable distributor which directs it against a distributing surface, and the oil being drawn off from the upper part of the column in a regulated manner whilst the water is drawn off from the lower end, preferably through a discharge pipe giving an adjustable head of water. The mixed oil and water is introduced either at the lower or upper end according to whether the water or oil is in excess. The rotatable distributor is preferably in the form of a cap B, B<1> mounted on ball bearings over the end of the inlet pipe C, C<1>, the cap being made with spiral or inclined slots b<2> and internal vanes so as to be rotated by the liquid. Double conical distributor plates F, F<1> are placed around the rotary distributors B, B<1>. The perforated cones D are adjustably secured on a screwed spindle E by nuts d<1>. The perforations in succesive cones are staggered, the amount of stagger being adjusted to regulate the resistance to flow. The water outlet G leads to an upwardly directed pipe which allows of an adjustable head of water being provided. Any deposit may be discharged through a hole G<1>. The oil outlet H is provided with a valve automatically controlled through a weighted lever j<1> and adjustable connection j<2>, by a float M on an arm m, the float being weighted so as to sink in oil but float in water. In a modification of the valve mechanism, the lever j<1> carries an adjustable weight and is adjustably linked to an upper lever pivoted in an extension of a float chamber which is in communication with the interior of the casing A through a pipe below and a connection above, the oil outlet H being at a distance below the top of the casing A.