Conoco Specialty Products Inc.

Charles M Kalnins

Michael C Mai

A high efficiency small diameter hydrocyclone for separating liquid/liquid constituents of a mixture. An effective separation portion L.sub.e of the hydrocyclone separation chamber begins at a small diameter throat D.sub.T where acceleration and velocity of the mixture cease to increase. This effective portion L.sub.e ends at the underflow outlet from the separation chamber, and has an area to volume ratio that falls within certain limits to thereby promote efficient separation of the mixture, particularly small diameter droplets dispersed therein.

High efficiency liquid/liquid hydrocyclone

Liquid separator

A high efficiency hydrocyclone for separating a dispersed liquid phase from a continuous liquid phase in a mixture includes a separation chamber having an effective separation portion L.sub.e that begins where the slope or curve of the portion is less than 2.degree.. The area to volume ratio of this effective portion L.sub.e falls within certain limits which promote more efficient separation, particularly of smaller droplet sizes of the dispersed phase.

Growing community of inventors

The Woodlands, TX, United States of America

Charles M Kalnins