OA16440A - Dynamic cyclone separator, with an axial flow and having a variable configuration. - Google Patents

Abstract

Dynamic cyclone separator, with an axial flow, having a variable configuration and tubular structure (1) comprising : vortex-generating means (2) having a variable configuration, consisting of a central support (3) and a plurality of axial fins (4) having an adjustable tilt; a central support (3) having an ogival configuration which is such as to define with the outer tubular structure (1) a convergent-divergent duct in which the gas expands adiabatically; a tubular porous wall (1b) in the area of maximum velocity for capturing the particulate.

Description

DYNAM1C CYCLONE SEPARATOR, WITH AN AXIAL FLOW AN1) HAVING A VARIABLE CONFIGURATION

The présent invention relates to a dynamic cyclone separator with an axial (low and variable configuration.

More speeifically, the présent invention relates to lhe field of plants and equipment for the séparation of gaseous streams from liquids, entrained with them, and from condensable gaseous components.

Eveil more speeifically, lhe séparation device. object ofthe présent invention, can bc used in various steps of the treatment of naturel gas, for the déhydration and/or removal of selected condensable, gaseous components which contribulc to l’oriniiig the stream of naiural gas.

Axial-llow cyclones are normally used in process îndustry for the abateinent of liquid and solid particulate entrained by a gas stream. In these Systems, the centrifugal accélération is conferred to lhe lluid by vortex-generating consisting of a System of fins, or swirlers, having a suitable geometry. These vortex-generating means are contai ncd in a vertical separator tube. The gas and particulate enter the vertical tube and flow upwards passing through these vortexgenerating means which confcr a considérable centrifugal force to the lluid. The particulate is pushed against the walls ofthe tube and is continuously removed through a certain number of openings siluated on the walls ofthe tube and pushed by the gas into an annulai^- chamber where the separated particulate is sent lowards an oullcl.

Axial-llow cyclones are dimensioned using semi-empirical projcct équations ofthe type: vgTâg = *< ‘x is the gas density and k and empirical constant which allows the maximum velocity Fc of the gas to be obtained and, conscqucnlly, the maximum gas llow-rate treatable.

Al the maximum gas llow-rate treatable, the séparation eftïciency is equal to ! 00%, for particles having a larger diameter with respect to a certain shear diameter. lhe séparation cfficicncy dépends on both the llow-rate, and therelbre lhe velocity of the inlet gas, and also by lhe distribution of particulate enlering the separator.

In Italia. patent application EI2006A000114 in the name ol'TEA Sislcmi, for example, an axial-llow cyclone is described in which il is possible to modify lhe motion field inside lhe llow by operating on the angle of inclination of the fins of the vortex-generating means, so as to maintain lhe same séparation efficiencics wilhin a widc range of llow-ralcs and distributions of particulate in the inlet gas.

The séparation system proposed by lhe known art has some efficicncy limits in lhe séparation ofthe liquid particulate. above ail when the distribution ofthe same has dimensions in the order of microns.

ORlSINAi ¹⁶⁴⁴⁰

An objective of the présent invention is to improve the charactcristics of axial-tlow cyclone with a variable internai configuration, described in the above-mentioned patent application, in order to improve the séparation efficiency, enhancing the removal of selected condensable compounds and adopting porous means l’or the capturing and séparation of the liquid particulate.

In order to ovcrcoine the current above-mentioned limits of axial-flow cyclone having a variable configuration of the know art, the présent invention, bcltcr described in the enclosed daims, which are an intégral part of this description, proposes a tubular configuration characterized by vortex-generating means, which envisages an optimized profile of the body inside the tube so as to allow the gaseous stream, entering the tube and coming into contact with the vortex-generating means, which impart a high ccntrifugal force to the lluid, undergoes an accélération and subséquent expansion with a decrease in the température to below the condensation value of the component to be separated, l'urthcrmore, the recovery of the liquid particulate lrom the wall is obtained by the introduction of a porous wall in correspondcncc with the high-velocity area, which allows the absorption of the liquid particulate, even having microscopie dimensions, which corne into contact with the wall.

An object of the présent invention therefore relates to a dynamic séparation device, cyclonic with an axial-llow, having a variable configuration and tubular structure, suitable for improving the liquéfaction and séparation of a condensable gas inside a gaseous mixture, comprising:

a. vortex-generating means having a variable configuration, consisting of a central support and a pluraliiy of axial fins having an adjustable tilt to impart a variable radial component to the rate of the gas llow;

b. a central support having an ogival configuration which is such as to delîne, with the outer tubular structure, a convergent-divergcnl duel in which the gas, by expanding adiabatically, causes the condensation of the condensable product selected, with the further génération and/or growth of liquid particulate;

c. a porous wall of the tubular structure, corresponding to the maximum velocily area, for capturing the liquid particulate, which reaches the wall due to the effect of the rotation imparted by the vortex-generating means, and ils séparation from the gaseous stream.

The dynamic cyclone separating device with an axial llow and a variable configuration, object of the présent invention, can be bctler illustrated with reference to Figurel, which represents an illustrative but non-limiting embodiment of the same.

“OWSINA! ¹⁶⁴⁴⁰

Figureldescribe a cyclone device with an axial llow and with a variable configuration for the abatcment of the liquid particulate conlaîncd in a gas stream and for the condensation of a selected condensable component. The device comprises a tubular duel l, consisting of three portions la, lb and le, into which the stream of gas to be treated is fed (gas flow from top to bottoin in the figure) and vortex-generating means 2 suitable for imparling a ccnlrifugal accélération to the gas stream, which is sufficicnl for pushing the particulate against the wall of the duel. The vortex-generating means 2 are substantially siluated at the inlcl of the first section of the tubular duct la and consist of a central support 3 extending coaxially to the duct l and plurality of axial fins 4 angularly equispaced (of which only one is shown in the figure) which cxlend from the support 3 for a certain portion of the same. The fins arc composed of at least two portions, one of which substantially meridian 4a and a tilted portion 4b with respect to the axis of' the duct. The tilted portion 4b of each fin is hinged to the respective substantially meridian portion 4a by means of a section in plastic/deformable material. Means arc envisaged for the régulation of the tilted portion (not illustrated) according to the gas llow-rale and concentration and dimension of the liquid particulate inside the stream of gas to bc treated. Said régulation means allow the angular displacemcnl oflhe portion 4b ofthe fin 4, as illustrated in Figure? by a dashed or compact line, from its normal position (tilted by 45° with respect to the fixed portion 4a), to tilted positions at angles larger or smallcr than 45°.

The central support 3 is such as to hâve an ogival configuration which, siluated inside the first section of the tube la, generales an annular convergent-divergcnt chamber. The fluid mixture at the outlel of the vortex-generating means 2, passing within said annular convergentdivergent chamber, first undcrgocs an accélération and subsequently a progressive expansion of the gas, causing a pressure drop and température decrease which induces the concentration of the selected components of the gas flow.

The wall of the second section of the tubular duct lb consists of a porous wall in correspondance with the end portion of lhe ogive, in the maximum velocîty area. In correspondance with and externally to said porous wall, an outer tube having a larger diameter 5 is fixed coaxially, such as to delimil, with the inner porous wall of the second section ol’the pipe lb, an annular chamber 6. Λ radial mouth 7 is envisaged along the outer tube, for the discharge oflhe secondary gas flow, which accompanies lhe liquid to bc separated through the porous wall lb, and an axial mouth 8 for the discharge oflhe llow of liquid separated.

Downstream oflhe annular séparation chamber, lhe third section oflhe diverging pipe le ailows the llow to deeelerate so as to transfonn the kinetic energy into poicntial energy thus allowing a pressure recovery.

Serqef Beriranfl

CONSEIL FN PROPRIETE 'NDÏ8TRIELLE AGREE OAPl

ORRINAP 16440

Claims (3)

1. L A dynamic, cyclonic separator, with an axial llow, having a variable configuration and tubular structure ( l ) comprising:

   a. vorlex-gcnerating means (2) having a variable configuration, consisting of a central support (3) and a plurality of axial fins (4) having an adjustable tilt to impart a variable radia] component to the gas llow rate;

   b. a central support (3) having an ogival configuration which is such as to define with the outer tubular structure ( I ) a convergent-divergcnl duel in which the gas, by adiabalically e expanding, causes the condensation of the condensable product selected, with the further génération and/or growth of liquid particulate;

   c. a porous wall (lb) of the tubular structure, corresponding to the maximum veiocity area, for caplurîng the liquid particulate, which reaches the wall due to the effecl of the rotation imparted by the vortex-generating means, and séparation of the same from the gascons stream.
2. 2. The device according to claim l, wherein the tubular structure (!) comprises three portions, the first (la) suitable for receiving the central body (3), the second (lb) porous, downstream of the first portion, positioned in correspondance with the maximum veiocity area of the gas, and the third (le) downstream of the second portion, with a divergent transversal section, for the décélération of the gas.
3. 3. The device according to claim l or 2, wherein the central body (3) generales the convergent-divcrgenl annular chamber with the inner surface of the first section (la) of the tubular structure ( l ).