US2530054A - Liquid separator - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 14, 1950 A. GORDON LIQUID sEPARAToR 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Dec. 4, 1946 Nov. 14, 1950 A. GORDON 2,530,054

LIQUID sEPARAToR Filed Dec. 4, 194e 4 sheets-sheet 2 Nov. 14, 1950 A. GORDON 2,530,054

LIQUID sEPARAToR jyff Nov. 14, 1950 A. GORDON LIQUID sEPARAToR .4 Sheets-Sheet-4 Filed Dec. 4,

n f, I/NIIN I W W I I i II I WV 7/ IIWIQIH .H Q 7 0 mi m II m HI I I MM I I f HIII II II I1 .ullhl mh IHHI. IMI .Hf 5% |I| MI WMU III IWI IIIHIIII IIN. W// I I l wm Nb ,m 7 w Q,\ Q uw f Patented Nov. 14, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LIQUIDv SEPARATOR Arthur Gordon, Chicago, Ill.

Application December 4, 1946, Serial No. 714,043

6 Claims.

This invention relates to the separation of liquids, and especially to the separation of the lightest liquid from a mixture of liquids of different specific gravities.

The separating system of this invention is simple and easy to manufacture and does not employ any moving parts. It was adapted to readily separate and remove the lightest liquid from a mixture of liquids having different specic gravities regardless of the rate of flow thereof or the percentage of the lightest liquid, A specific example of an installation in which the invention is of particular importance is that of separating the oil from a mixture of Water and oil. The invention provides ready and continuous separation and will handle large volumes of liquids.

The invention will be described as related to the embodiments of the same set out in the accompanying drawings. Of the drawings, Fig. l is a vertical section taken longitudinally through one embodiment of the invention along line I-I of Fig. 2; Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a Vertical section taken along line 5--5 of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2; and Fig. 6 is a longitudinal vertical section taken through a second embodiment of the invention.

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, it is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described in the preferred embodiments. It is not intended, however, that the invention is to be limited thereby to the specific construction disclosed,

but it is intended to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as dened in the ap- Dended claims.

The embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive comprises a main body portion I0 having a front wall II, a rear wall I2, and side walls I3 and I4. The main body portion I0 is open at the top and provided with a removable cover member I5. The interior of the unit is divided into an inlet compartment I6, an intermediate compartment I1, and an outlet compartment I 8. The compartments are divided from each other by a pair of vertical T-shaped wall members I9 and 29. The wall member I9 is preferably formed integrally with the rear wall I2, while the other wall member 2D is likewise formed integrally with the front wall I I. These wall members I9 and 29 have their main portions in substantially the same plane which bisects the main body portion I0. The tops 2| and 22 of the T-shaped'members I9 and 20 are substantially parallel to each other and separated from each other. The flat portion 2 I is provided with end flanges 23 and 24 and the flat portion 22 is provided with similar flanges 25 and 26. Flanges 23 and 25 extend toward each other and are substantially co-planar; likewise, flanges 24 and 26 extend toward each other and are substantially co-planar. The T-members I9 and 20 terminate at their lower ends short of the bottom 2l of the body portion I 0. A separator 28 is provided having side walls 29 formed as a basket and adapted to be held between ilat portions 2l and 22 and flanges 23, 24, 25, and 2B. The separator 28 is adapted to be slid in a vertical direction into place between the flanges and may be removed through an auxiliary cover 30 in the cover member I5. One vertical wall 29 which separates the .intermediate chamber II from the outlet chamber I8 is provided with a plurality of spaced apertures 3l. An inverted V-shaped screen 32 is provided between the side Walls 29 of the separator 28. This screen is removable and is provided at its topmost portion with a handle 33. As can ebe seen from Fig. 3, a horizontal flange 34 is provided extending between the bottoms of flanges 25 and 25. A similar flange 35 is provided between side flanges 23 and 24. These two horizontal flanges hold the separator in place.

An inlet connection 36 communicates with the inlet chamber I 6 through the end wall I4 (Fig. 3) A vertical bale wall 31 is p-rovided within the inlet chamber I6 spaced from the end wall I4 and extends from near the top of the unit downwardly to a point short of the bottom 2l. An outlet pipe 38 is provided communicating at its inner end with the outlet compartment I8. The communication is provided for by having the inner end of the outlet pipe 38 attached to a passageway 39 extending down along the side of the -main body portion I0 and communicating with a horizontal passageway 4I) extending into the bottom of the outlet compartment I8.

A trough 4I is provided near the top of the unit either in the inlet chamber I6 alone, or in both the inlet chamber I6 and the intermediate chamber Il. As shown, the trough is provided in both of the chambers. This trough is formed integrally with the front wall Il, rear wall I2, side wall I3, baiie 31, and T-shaped wall members I9 and 2U. The trough portion 4Ia extending between anges 23 and 25 is provided with its own inner side 42, while the trough 4I?) is formed with its own inner side 43 extending between ianges i24 and 26. The troughs 4I, 4Ia, and 4Ib have inwardly sloping inner walls and the tops of the troughs are substantially horizontally aligned with the top of the inlet connection 35. The apertures 3I in the wall 29 of the separator are all horizontally aligned with substantially the middle portion of the troughs. All the troughs 4 I, 4 I a, and 4I?) are provided with downwardly and inwardly extending toothed flanges 45 constituting a continuation of the upper ends of the inner walls of the troughs and acting as strainers to catch solid particles such as paper, etc. The bottom of all the troughs is located a short distance below the lower surface of the inlet 36. As was stated before, the apertures 3|, as shown, are substantially horizontally aligned with the Vcenters of the troughs 4I, 4m, and IIIb.v This need not be true in all cases, however, as it may sometimes be desirable to locate the apertures aligned with the upper or lower portions of the troughs.

The rear wall I2 of the unit is provided with an outlet 4IY communicating with that portion of the trough IIIy along the rear wall I2. The two portions of this trough that are separated bythe T-shaped wall member I9 are in communication with each other'by means ofY an aperture 47l near the bottom of the troughs. A similar aperture 43 is provided in the member between those two portions of the trough adjacent the front wall I I. The outlet 46 communicates with a chamber 49, which in turn communicates with a storage chamber 50. The irst chamber 49 is provided with an inverted U-shapedV drain tube 52 leading to the bottom of the main body portion II). The iirst chamber 49 is also provided with an inclined screen 53 beyond the drainy tube 52 and extending across the chamber and from thev bottom of. the chamber to a point above the normal liquid level therein. The first chamber I9 is connected by a shortl pipe 54 with the storage chamber 59. The first chamber 49. hasY a removable cover 55 thereon while the storage chamber 5UY has a top 5,6V having an opening 5T therein normally closed by a removable cover 58. In. order to provide automatic means for emptyingthe storage chamber 50, there is provided a pump 59 that is automatically operated by float B0, oating on top of .the liquid SI within the chamber 50. The pump 59 draws liquid in through a pipe 62 extending to a point adjacent the bottom of the chamber 5|1 and exhausts liquid out an exhaust pipe 63.

The liquid iowing in through the inlet pipe 36 passes under the bale 31 and into the inlet compartment I' at a point near the bottom oi the unit. Practically all of the fats, greases, and oils inthe liquid will then collect at the upper portion ofthe compartment I6, while the solidswill. sink to the bottom of the unit. These solids will be carried by the ilowv of liquid into the intermediate chamber Il. When the liquid reaches the level in the intermediate chambery Il o the apertures 3| in the separator 28, it will ow through these apertures into the outletA chamber IS.V AnyA i'lne suspended matter ilowing intothe outlet chamber I8 will be stopped. by the screen 32. From the outlet chamber I8, the liquid will flow through passageway 4U and passageway 39 into the outlet pipe 38`.

In order to separate and carry off the lighter liquid, the troughs-4I, 4Ia,. and 4Ib are provided. When there is no flow of liquid into. the unit, the liquid level` will beY substantially even with the bottoms of the apertures 3|. As liquid is introduced into the unit, the liquid level will be raisedv to a higher. operating level. The troughs 4I 4Ia, and 4lb serve as baille means to cause inlet chamber.

the liquid to rise above the outlet connection 4B when liquid is ilowing through the apparatus. The difference between the normal liquid level and this operating level will depend upon the size and capacity of the unit, the quantity and rate of flow of the liquid introduced thereto, and the like. The dimensions of the apertures 3I are so arranged that during operation of the separator the liquid level will be substantially near the tops of the troughs, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Then any oil floating on top of the liquid will ow over the top edges of the troughs into the troughs and will be carried through the outlet connection 46 into the rst chamber 49. Most of the oil will be collected in the troughs at the top of the inlet chamber I6. Some, however, will be carried into the intermediate chamber I'I and will be collected in the troughs in this chamber. In many installations, however, particularly where the rate of flow is small, there will be no necessity to provide troughsin the intermediate chamber 17. Where no.Y troughs are provided in the intermediate chamber II, the outlet. connection 46 will be arranged so that it will communicate with the troughs inthe inlet chamber I6 only.

In actual operation, it will be found .that the liquid 5I in the chamber 49 will ordinarily contain small amounts of water carried thereinto by the oil. This water will collect at the bottom of the chamber and may be drawn by the drain. tube 52 and fed back into the bottom of the unit. The screen 53 serves to separate any small amounts of entrapped solids in the oil. The oil then iiows from chamber 49. into the storage chamber 50.

As can be seen from the descriptionr oi the apparatus and its operation, it is necessary that the apertures 3i be of Such a size. that the liquid level during operation of. the apparatus. will rise to the topsA of the troughs. The total areaof the apertures can be easily determined by those skilled in the artY from the factors governin operation ofy the apparatus,

In the modication shown in Fig. 6, the unit IIll is similar to. that shown and described, in my prior United States Patents No. 1,959,623 issued lVfay 22, 1934 and No. 2,099,061 issued November 16; i937. The unit IIlEl comprises a casing IQI having a flange H52 formed integrally therewith at the upper end. The top of the casing is open and is provided with a removable grill |93 resting on the ilange IDZ. This ange also supports a removable pan 54 which acts asa closure member for the upper end of the unit. This pan H94. is provided at one side with a horizontal slot M35' and a baille I 96. Liquid collecting in the pan 94 will flow under the baille IDE` and out of the slotY ISE into the interior of the unit. The interior of the unit is provided with a pair of Wall members IG? which correspond in structure and function to the walls ZI and 220i the unit I9. A. substantially U-shaped separator member itil-is disposed within the endY anges IDS of theY walls II.

Thewalls IIB'I andl separator chamber Hi8 divide the lower portion of the unit into an inlet chamber IIS and intermediate chambery III and an outlet chamber II2. A removable screen II3 is positioned in the outlet chamber H2. An outlet connection H4- comrnunicates with the interior of the outlety chamber I I2.

With this arrangement any liquids which are collected in the pan Iiiiwill flow through the slot i' into the inlet chamber I I@ through the opening I IV provided between the troughsV I IB in the OilV will ow over the tops of these troughs and into the troughs and then flow through the pipe II1 into the oil chamber H8. Water in the intermediate chamber. III will new overthe lower wall IBa into the outlet chamber' H2 and outl the outlet connection H4. The usual drain H9 and screen |20 is provided in the oil chamber H8 as previously described. Oil from oil chamber l l'ows through an outlet connection l2! into anyvtype suitable storage tank. l f

This invention is related to those shown and described in-my prior United States Patents No. 1,851,172 issued March 29, 1932 and No. 2,070,202 issued February 9, 1937.

I claim:

1. A system for separating the lightest liquid from a mixture of liquids having different specic gravities, comprising a casing having a bottom and sidewalls and having inlet and outlet connections to enable t"e ow of liquid therethrough, the point of communication of said o-utlet connection with the casing being located below the inlet connection to the casing to determine the normal liquid level in said casing, a trough positioned around the sidewalls of said casing with its upper edge a predetermined distance above said normal liquid level whereby a flow of liquid through said casing, which raises said normal liquid level above the upper edge of the trough, Vwill result in the lightest liquid :dowing into said trough, a second casing disposed exteriorly of said first casing and communicating with said trough and entraining the liquid flowing into the latter, and a drain pipe interconnecting said first casing and the lower portion 1 of said second casing and returning to said first casing any liquid of higher specic gravity than collected from said rst casing and entrained in said second casing` 2. A system for separating the lightest liquid from a mixture of liquids having different specic gravities, comprising a casing having inlet and outlet connections to enable the flow of liquid therethrough, baffle means interpositioned interiorly of said casing between said inlet and outlet connections and extending above the lat-- ter a restricted opening in the baffle means communicating the casing with the outlet, said opening being smaller than the inlet to cause liquid introduced into said casing from the inlet to flow above said outlet connection during its flow through the casing, a trough having a downwardly and inwardly extending toothed ange positioned interiorly of said casing for collecting the lightest liquid as the liquid level rises during the flow of liquid therethrough, a second casing connected with said trough for entraining said lightest liquid collected thereby, and

means interconnecting said last casing and saidV rst casing for returning any heavier liquid entrained therein to said first casing.

3. A system for separating the lightest liquid from a mixture of liquids having different specinc gravities, comprising fa, casing having inlet and outlet connections to enable the flow of liquid therethrough, baille means interposed interiorly of said casing between said inlet and outlet connections and extending above the latter a restricted opening in the baille means communicating the casing with the outlet, said opening being smaller than the inlet to cause the liquid introduced into said casing from the inlet to flow above said outlet connection during its flow through the casing, a trough having a downwardly and inwardly extending too-thed flange positioned interiorly of said casing for collecting the lightest liquid as thev liquid level rises during the flow of liquid therethrough, a second casing connected with said trough for entraining said lightest liquid collectedv thereby, means interconnecting said last casing and said rst casing for returning any heavier liquid entrained therein to said iirst casing, and means connected with said second casing for `storing said lightest liquid.

4. A system for separating the lightest liquid from a mixture of liquids having different specinc` gravities, comprising a casing having inlet and outlet connections to enable the flow ofliquid therethrough, the point of communication of said outlet connection with the casing being located below the inlet connection to the casing to determine the normal liquid level in said casing, a trough having a downwardly and inwardly extending toothed flange positioned interiorly of said casing and formed integrally therewith with its upper portion a predetermined distance above said normal liquid level, whereby a flow of liquid through said casing, which raises the normal liquid level above the trough, will .result in the lightest liquid flowing into said trough, a second casing disposed exteriorly of said first casing and communicating with said trough for entraining the liquid flowing into the latter, means connecting said second casing and the lower portion of said first casing for returning any heavier liquid entrained therein to said lrst casing, and means connected with said second casing for storing said lightest liquid.

5. A system of separating the lightest liquid from a mixture of liquids having different specific gravities, comprising a casing having a bottom and sidewalls and having an inlet and an outlet connected to the casing above the bottom thereof to determine a normal level of liquid in the casing and to enable the flow of liquid therethrough, a trough supported by the sidewalls and extending substantially completely therearound, said trough having an upper edge located above the normal liquid level in the casing and said trough being adapted to collect the lightest liquid as the liquid level rises in said casing due to the flow of liquid therethrough, a second casing connected with said trough for entraining said lightest liquid collected thereby, means interconnecting said second casing and said first casing for returning any heavier liquid entrained therein to said nrst casing, a removable screen disposed interiorly of said second casing for removing any foreign matter from the liquid passing through the same, and means connected with said second casing for storing said lightest fluid.

6. Mechanism for separating the lightest liql uid from a mixture of liquids having different specific gravities, comprising a casing having a bottom and side walls and having an inlet and an outlet connected to the casing above the bottom thereof to determine a normal level of liquid in the casing and to enable the flow of liquid therethrough, a substantially U-shaped outlet chamber connected to the outlet and bisecting the casing, said chamber having a bottom spaced above the bottom of the casing to permit liquid ow thereunder from one section of the casing to the other, means connecting the outlet chamber with one of said sections, said means being located substantially level with the inlet, a trough located alongr the side walls in both sections and having an upper edge located above the normal liquid level for collecting the upper portion of said 'Liquid as the 'leveli thereof rsesabove the normal level due to the flow of liquid through the casingalseparating chamber having a discharge connection, means interconnecting said separating chamber with said trough to cause the liquid collected in the trough to ow into said separat ing chamber and a drain pipe interconnected at its ends between the lower portions of said casing and said separating chamber.

ARTHUR GORDON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

Number 81y UNITED" STATES PATENTS Name Date Koneman et a1. Jan. 3, 1899 Bibolini et a1 Jan. 21, 1908 Ellis Oct. 15, 1912 Maywald Dec. 31, 1912 Kelly, Jr. Oct. 10, 1916 Nordell Aug. 18, 1936 Gordon Nov. 16, 1937 Allen Aug. 30, 1935

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