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WO1994005602A1 - Procede et appareil de separation par coalescence de suspension liquide-liquide - Google Patents

Procede et appareil de separation par coalescence de suspension liquide-liquide Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1994005602A1
WO1994005602A1 PCT/US1993/008087 US9308087W WO9405602A1 WO 1994005602 A1 WO1994005602 A1 WO 1994005602A1 US 9308087 W US9308087 W US 9308087W WO 9405602 A1 WO9405602 A1 WO 9405602A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
liquid
tubes
droplets
flow
tubeε
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US1993/008087
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Hadi Elmi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Modern Welding Co Inc
Original Assignee
Modern Welding Co Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Modern Welding Co Inc filed Critical Modern Welding Co Inc
Priority to AU48399/93A priority Critical patent/AU666771B2/en
Priority to US08/387,886 priority patent/US5500132A/en
Priority to PCT/US1993/008087 priority patent/WO1994005602A1/fr
Publication of WO1994005602A1 publication Critical patent/WO1994005602A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D17/00—Separation of liquids, not provided for elsewhere, e.g. by thermal diffusion
    • B01D17/02—Separation of non-miscible liquids
    • B01D17/0208—Separation of non-miscible liquids by sedimentation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D17/00—Separation of liquids, not provided for elsewhere, e.g. by thermal diffusion
    • B01D17/02—Separation of non-miscible liquids
    • B01D17/04—Breaking emulsions
    • B01D17/045—Breaking emulsions with coalescers

Definitions

  • Coalescers are employed for separation of liquid to liquid suspension. Examples include the coalescing of water out of petroleum based products or the coalescing of petroleum based products out of water. Coalescers can be used for separating a variety of liquids from liquids, such as removing suspended hydrocarbon or oils from water, such as from tank farms, petroleum marketing facilities, refineries, utilities, gasoline stations, vehicle repair an maintenance shops, petrochemical plants, truck stops, parking lots, steel mills, storm water run off, surface run off, street wash waters, and the like.
  • Various state and federal acts and regulations prohibit the discharge of any pollutants to United States navigable waters, pollution fro natural storm water run off as well as illicit disposal in the storm sewers. Under current storm water regulations, drainage systems must be capable of removing contaminants, such as the petroleum hydrocarbons, from storm water run of at least down to 15 parts per million concentrations, which includes the removal of all free petroleum droplets equal t or greater than 20 microns in size.
  • U.S. Patent No. 2,651,414 illustrates a hydrocarbon separator apparatus which utilizes a cylindrical wall freely perforated or of expanded metal permitting relative free flow of liquid through it for separation.
  • U.S. Patent No. 3,830,371 illustrates a liquid to liquid separator by passing through confined particle material which has an affinity for one of the liquids.
  • U.S. Patent No. 4,231,867 discloses a method and appartaus for separating heterogenous fluids by flowing a gas through a liquid phase in a plurality of substantially vertical conduit members over a manifold member through which the gas is supplied, the gas carrying the liquid bubbles to the surface and circulating downwardly on the outside of the tubes.
  • U.S. Patent No. 4,299,699 illustrates a back washable helical-media coalescer, the coalescer media composed of yarn-like material.
  • U.S. Patent No. 4,479,875 illustrates an inlet distributor for a liquid-liquid separator including a distributor mounted within the separation zone provided with fluid openings having packing means disposed thereabout.
  • U.S. Patent No. 4,919,777 discloses an electrostatic mechanical emulsion treating method and apparatus which includes an electrically grounded coalescing element comprising a multiplicity of longitudinally- extending downwardly inclined open ended tubes arranged in bundle fashion.
  • U.S. Patent No. 4,591,441 discloses a method and an apparatus for separating oil from water in which an oil water separating element consisting of specific porous material is used which includes a water insoluble hydrogel layer formed on the porous material surface and/or the surface of a fluid passage to be contacted with oil holding water.
  • U.S. Patents 4,359,329 and 4,722,800 disclose separators provided with deflecting baffles and manways to provide access to the separator tank.
  • the present invention is directed to apparatus an methods for separating first liquid droplets in second liquids, such as oil droplets from water, utilizing at leas one coalescer assembly comprised of one or more tubes of geometric cross section having inner and outer walls and a passage therein and having perforations extending through the inner and outer walls of the tubes substantially along their lengths, the tubes being secured together in side by side relationship and formed of an oleophilic, fiberglass composite or metallic materials.
  • the second liquid containing the first liquid droplets flows through the perforations in the outer wall into the internal passage, and coalesce on the inner wall until they are large enough to break away and flow upwardly in the interior passage thereby separating the first liquid droplets from the second liquid, such as oil droplets in water.
  • the second liquid free of the coalesced liquid droplets flows through the perforations on the downstream side of the tube or tubes an out the bottoms of the tubes. Separate outlets in the separator are provided for removal of the second liquid fre of the coalesced droplets and for removal of the coalesced droplets.
  • the influent inlet of the separator has a discharge end angled to distribute the influent evenly over a 315° to 345°, and probably a 325° arc to provide even flo distribution through the coalescer tube assembly.
  • sludge baffles, manholes for cleaning the tank, making repairs, replacements, and the like are provided.
  • the liquid to liquid coalescing separator may be undergroun or above ground, horizontal or vertical, as desired.
  • the coalescer separation is based on Stokes Law, and advantageously the separator can be built in accordance with American Petroleum Institute (API) manual entitled Disposal of Refinery Waste, Chapter 6. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for separating liquid droplets from liquid by flowing through perforations in upstream side walls of one or more tubes of a material having an affinity for the liquid droplets, such as oleophilic, fiberglass composite, or metal materials depending on use, having inner passages therein, the liquid droplets to be separated coalescing on inner walls of the tubes until large enough to break away from the inner walls and flow in the inner passages out of the tubes, the liquid free of the coalesced liquid droplets flowing out of the inner passage through the perforations in downstream side walls and bottoms of the tubes thereby separating the two liquids.
  • API American Petroleum Institute
  • a further object of the present invention is the provision of a liquid to liquid coalescing separator comprising a closed separator housing, inlet and outlet means in the housing for flow of the liquid-liquid into the closed housing and to discharge each of the liquids separately from the housing, and having at least one coalescer assembly disposed in the flow path in the housing between the inlet and outlet mean ⁇ , the coalescer assembly comprising at lea ⁇ t one or more upright perforated tubes of geometric cross section having an axial passageway therein formed of a material having an affinity for the liquid to be coalesced, one of the liquids coalescing in droplets on the inner walls of the perforated tubes which increase in size until the droplets are large enough to break away and rise within the passage, and the other of the liquids free of the coalesced liquid droplets flowing through the perforations in downstream walls of the perforated tubes and out their bottoms thereby separating the liquids.
  • a further object of the present invention i ⁇ to provide an improved coalescer assembly formed of one or more upright perforated tubes of geometric cross section having an internal passage formed of a material having an affinity for the liquid to be coalesced, such of oleophilics, fiberglass composite and water material, liquid flowing into the passage through the upstream side of the wall of the tubes, droplets coalescing on inner walls of the tubes which increase in size until they are large enough to break away from the inner walls and rise to the surface, and liquid free of the coalesced droplets flowing out of the perforations in the downstream wall of the tubes.
  • a material having an affinity for the liquid to be coalesced such of oleophilics, fiberglass composite and water material
  • Figure 1 is a side view, in section, illustrating a liquid in liquid coalescing separator according to the invention.
  • Figure 2 is a per ⁇ pective view of a coalescer assembly according to the invention utilized in the separator of Figure 1.
  • Figure 3 is a top view of the coalescer assembly of Figure 2.
  • Figure 4 is a side view of the tubular coalescer tubes illustrated in Figure ⁇ 2 and 3. Description of Preferred Embodiments
  • a separator 10 is shown as located beneath the surface of the ground 12.
  • the separator 10 comprises a closed housing 14, here shown as a horizontal cylindrical tank, having an influent inlet 16 whose outlet end is angled toward the inlet end of the closed housing 14 to distribute the influent evenly over a 315° to 345°, and preferably a 325° arc at the inlet side of the separator 10.
  • This flow pattern enhances solids settlement and even flow distribution through one or more coalescer tube a ⁇ semblies 20, here shown a ⁇ a pair of spaced coalescer tube a ⁇ semblies 20, dispo ⁇ ed in the path or flow of the influent in the closed housing 14. Any number or arrangement of coalescer tube as ⁇ emblies 20 can be utilized to meet the conditions of use.
  • An outlet 22 i ⁇ provided adjacent the di ⁇ charge end of the tank 14 to di ⁇ charge liquid free of coale ⁇ ced droplets, such a ⁇ oil droplets ⁇ eparated from wa ⁇ tewater.
  • an outlet 26 for petroleum product, such as oil, removal from the closed housing 14 is provided and a conduit 28 for an oil level control, not shown, is also provided.
  • a closed manhole 30 is provided for entry into the tank for cleaning, making repairs and replacements, and the like.
  • the coalescer assembly 20 which includes a plurality of tubes 32 of desired geometric cross section, here illustrated as tubular.
  • the walls 34 of the tubes 32 have the perforations 36 spaced along their lengths and have internal passages 38 extending axially in the tubes 32 for flow of upstream influent through the perforation 36 into the interior passages 38.
  • the influent free of the coalesced droplets flow ⁇ out of the perforations 36 on the downstream side of a tube 20 into the next tube where the coalescing as described is repeated, and so on until it flows out of the coalescer assembly 20, the first liquid in the second liquid, such as oil droplets in water, have coalesced and flow to the surface and the second liquid, such as water free of the coalesced droplets, flows out of the coalescer assembly 20.
  • the liquid free of coalesced oil droplets, such as water flows out the outlet 22, and the ⁇ eparated oil is removed from the tank 10 in the outlet 26.
  • the tubes may be of any desired cross sectional configuration, but preferably are of round cross section.
  • the coalescer tube as ⁇ embly 20 provide ⁇ a service area equivalent to one square foot per one gallon per minute of flow.
  • the openings in the tubes 32 can range from 1/4" to about 3/4", preferably 1/2", and the diameter of the tubes can range from 1" to 4", preferably 2".
  • the tubes 32 are contained in an open sided and open top and bottom container 42 which ha ⁇ an expanded metal plate in the top and bottom 44 ⁇ o that the liquid in liquid influent can flow through the coalescer assembly 20, the coale ⁇ ced droplets can flow out the tops of the tubes 32, and the liquid free of the coalesced droplet ⁇ can flow through the down ⁇ tream sides of the tubes 32, and the solids can flow through the bottoms of tubes 32 of the coalescer as ⁇ embly 20.
  • the material of which the tube ⁇ 32 can be formed include ⁇ any material which attract ⁇ or has an affinity for the droplets to be coale ⁇ ced and can withstand the conditions of use.
  • an oleophilic material is used such as polyethylene or polypropylene for ambient temperature ⁇ up to about 150°F.
  • metal material i ⁇ u ⁇ ed For corro ⁇ ive liquid ⁇ , fiberglass composite can be used.
  • material ⁇ such as polyethylene and/or polypropylene may be added.
  • Thi ⁇ increases the surface area within the tube as ⁇ embly and therefore increa ⁇ e ⁇ the efficiency of coale ⁇ cing.
  • the polyethylene and/or polypropylene material ⁇ may con ⁇ i ⁇ t of ⁇ all diameter hollow tube ⁇ with internal configurations and known in the industry as pall rings, or may con ⁇ i ⁇ t of a me ⁇ h type material of varying coarseness, which may be packed within the coalescer tubes 20.
  • a second liquid such as oil in water
  • the tube ⁇ are formed of a material attracting the droplet ⁇ or on which they coale ⁇ ce, and in the ca ⁇ e of droplets of hydrocarbon based products in water, they are formed of polyethylene or polypropylene.
  • One or more coale ⁇ cing unit ⁇ 20 may be employed, if necessary or desired.
  • level control devices for controlling the level of liquid in the separator 10 may be provided for automatic oil removal, and means for sludge draw off such as a pump may also be provided for withdrawing sludge from the bottom of the closed container 14.
  • Emulsified liquid can be treated by utilizing an emul ⁇ ion treatment, such as by lowering the pH of the liquid, heating the liquid, filtration or chemical addition, and the like prior to flow through the coalescer as ⁇ embly 20. All of the foregoing are readily available on the open market, and no detailed description is given thereof or deemed necessary.
  • the separator can operate on a gravity principle and be located underground, a ⁇ previously set forth.
  • Coalescer liquid-liquid ⁇ eparators according to the invention can be de ⁇ igned for a wide variety of u ⁇ e ⁇ and capacitie ⁇ .
  • coale ⁇ cing ⁇ eparator ⁇ according to the invention can be de ⁇ igned for capacitie ⁇ based on an influent of fre ⁇ h water with a maximum free oil concentration of 200,000 mg/1 with a ⁇ pecific gravity of 0.75-0.95 at a minimum temperature of 40°F, and for a minimum oil capacity equivalent to about 50 percent of the total tank volume.
  • the total volume can range from 560 to 50,000 gallons having up to 50 percent hydrocarbon based wa ⁇ tewater, ⁇ ub ⁇ oil, capacity or 230 to 25,000 gallon ⁇ at flow rates from 50 to 2,000 gallon ⁇ per minute.
  • the pre ⁇ ent invention therefore i ⁇ well adapted and suited to attain the objects and ends and has the advantage ⁇ and features mentioned as well a ⁇ other ⁇ inherent therein.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Removal Of Floating Material (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention se rapporte à un procédé de séparation par coalescence de suspension liquide-liquide (10), selon lequel le liquide s'écoule par les côtés de tubes perforés verticaux (20), l'un des liquides se coalesçant sur les parois internes des tubes jusqu'à ce que les gouttelettes soient assez grosses pour se détacher et s'écouler hors des tubes par des passages internes, et l'autre liquide, libéré du liquide ayant subi une coalescence, s'écoulant à travers les tubes (22).
PCT/US1993/008087 1992-08-27 1993-08-27 Procede et appareil de separation par coalescence de suspension liquide-liquide Ceased WO1994005602A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU48399/93A AU666771B2 (en) 1992-08-27 1993-08-27 Liquid to liquid coalescing separator and method
US08/387,886 US5500132A (en) 1993-08-27 1993-08-27 Liquid to liquid coalescing separator and method
PCT/US1993/008087 WO1994005602A1 (fr) 1992-08-27 1993-08-27 Procede et appareil de separation par coalescence de suspension liquide-liquide

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US93658492A 1992-08-27 1992-08-27
US07/936,584 1992-08-27
PCT/US1993/008087 WO1994005602A1 (fr) 1992-08-27 1993-08-27 Procede et appareil de separation par coalescence de suspension liquide-liquide

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1994005602A1 true WO1994005602A1 (fr) 1994-03-17

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PCT/US1993/008087 Ceased WO1994005602A1 (fr) 1992-08-27 1993-08-27 Procede et appareil de separation par coalescence de suspension liquide-liquide

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE29612694U1 (de) * 1996-07-23 1996-09-26 Ihne, Jessika, Weinfelden Ölabscheider
DE19514474A1 (de) * 1995-04-19 1996-10-31 Alcon Aluminium Consult Gmbh Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Abscheidung von Ölen und Fetten aus Reinigungsbädern der Metalloberflächenbehandlung, insbesondere für Teile aus Aluminium bzw. der Aluminiumoberflächenbehandlung
FR2863907A1 (fr) * 2003-12-22 2005-06-24 Secomat Ingenierie Ind Separateur a toit fixe destine a l'epuration d'un liquide charge en produit, notamment en hydrocarbures

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2363009A (en) * 1942-09-18 1944-11-21 Lewis Warner Water separator
US3957656A (en) * 1972-04-28 1976-05-18 Castelli Joseph L Plate separator for fluid mixtures
US4059517A (en) * 1976-09-13 1977-11-22 Chevron Research Company Liquid separation apparatus and method
US4257895A (en) * 1979-05-08 1981-03-24 Murdock Forrest L Low gravity crude oil and water separator
US4722800A (en) * 1986-05-30 1988-02-02 Highland Tank And Manufacturing Company Oil-water separator
DE4001920A1 (de) * 1990-01-24 1991-07-25 Buderus Bau & Abwassertechnik Leichtfluessigkeitsabscheider

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2363009A (en) * 1942-09-18 1944-11-21 Lewis Warner Water separator
US3957656A (en) * 1972-04-28 1976-05-18 Castelli Joseph L Plate separator for fluid mixtures
US4059517A (en) * 1976-09-13 1977-11-22 Chevron Research Company Liquid separation apparatus and method
US4257895A (en) * 1979-05-08 1981-03-24 Murdock Forrest L Low gravity crude oil and water separator
US4722800A (en) * 1986-05-30 1988-02-02 Highland Tank And Manufacturing Company Oil-water separator
DE4001920A1 (de) * 1990-01-24 1991-07-25 Buderus Bau & Abwassertechnik Leichtfluessigkeitsabscheider

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19514474A1 (de) * 1995-04-19 1996-10-31 Alcon Aluminium Consult Gmbh Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Abscheidung von Ölen und Fetten aus Reinigungsbädern der Metalloberflächenbehandlung, insbesondere für Teile aus Aluminium bzw. der Aluminiumoberflächenbehandlung
DE29612694U1 (de) * 1996-07-23 1996-09-26 Ihne, Jessika, Weinfelden Ölabscheider
FR2863907A1 (fr) * 2003-12-22 2005-06-24 Secomat Ingenierie Ind Separateur a toit fixe destine a l'epuration d'un liquide charge en produit, notamment en hydrocarbures

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