GB946909A - Improvements in improved axial flow vapor-liquid separator - Google Patents

Abstract

946,909. Centrifugal separators. GENERAL ELECTRIC CO. Sept. 14, 1962 [Sept. 18, 1961], No. 35107/62. Heading B2P. In a vapour-liquid separator 70, the vapourliquid mixture entering axially at one end 78 of an elongated vortex tube 74 is whirled by vanes 80 adjacent that end for producing a vapour vortex surrounded by a liquid vortex which are discharged respectively through a central axial tube 98 and through a first 180 degrees flow-reversing, annular passage 88, 94 defined by tubes 86, 92 and an interconnecting plate 90 surrounding, and spaced apart from, the other end of the tube 74, a second 180 degrees flow-reversing annular passage 100, 106 being formed around the tubes 86, 92 and plate 90 by the tube 98, a plate 102 and a tube 104 to remove from the entrance to the first annular passage 88, 94 liquid spillage produced by a portion of the vortex liquid which is induced by eddy currents to flow as a boundary layer inwardly along the lower surface of the plate 90 and downwardly along the outer surface of the tube 98. The vanes 80 have curved upper ends and are mounted between a hub 82 and a conical end portion 76 of the vortex tube 74. Alternatively, the end portion 76 is eliminated and the cylindrical body of the vortex tube is extended to the inlet opening 78. Straightening vanes 95 curved at their upper ends are provided in passage 94 to arrest the rotary motion of the liquid vortex. The tube 104 is surrounded at its outlet end by a mass 110 of fluid-permeable contact material through which the boundary layer liquid discharge is diffused to prevent disturbance of the liquid surface 112 of the body 114 of liquid surrounding the separator. The separator is surmounted by a dryer 72 comprising a housing 120, which may be a continuation of tube 104, a top plate 122 and a perforated inner cone 124 having an imperforate truncated conical bottom 128 provided with a central outlet opening 130. The vapour vortex passes from the tube 98 through an annular passage of increasing cross-sectional area formed between the bottom 128 and a ring 136 of triangular cross-section and has its Ginetic energy reduced by a drying mesh 144 which removes entrained droplets of liquid from the vapour and causes them to accumulate at 142 before overflowing through openings 132 at the lower end of the housing 120. The vapour now at reduced rotary velocity passes through the perforated cone 124 and a second drying mesh 146 where its Ginetic energy is finally destroyed and the last droplets of liquid are removed to be drained through opening 130 along the axis of the vapour vortex and returned to the liquid vortex. A number of separators may be used as steam separators in a boiling water nuclear reactor. Relative dimensions and performance figures of the separator are given.