The British Hydromechanics Research Association

B.h.r. Group Limited

National Research Development Corporation

Fluid Engineering Products Limited

David H Saunders

Roger A Heron

Owen Matthew Davies

Emil Gyorgy Arato

Robert M Fairhurst

The present invention provides a reverse flow cyclone separator including a container closed at one end, a component for introducing a fluid mixture swirling about an-axis at a region of the container remote from said end, a barrier between said region and said end, the barrier having a surface facing the introducing component and extending towards the outer wall of the container leaving a gap therebetween, and an outlet for lighter phases of the mixture, the outlet opening from the region, the barrier having an outer perimeter which extends in the axial direction a distance not less than the radial extent of the gap. Since the outlet opens from the region, the flow of fluid from the fluid introducing component to the outlet is not obstructed by the barrier and does not pass through the gap.

Cyclone separator

A cyclone separator has an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber means for introducing a fluid mixture into the inlet chamber so that it swirls around the chamber and passes to the outlet chamber in which it swirls about an outlet chamber axis, the outlet chamber being provided with means for conducting heavier phase fluids from the outlet chamber at a relatively large distance from the outlet chamber axis and an outlet for lighter phase fluids at a relatively small distance from the outlet chamber axis The flow through the separator and the efficiency of separation are improved by forming at least one of the chambers as involute shaped, the corresponding one of said means being defined by the curved wall of the involute of maximum radius.

Abrasive fluid flow

Feeding abrasive material

A system for supplying a slurry includes a hopper having a lower portion tapering to an outlet at its lower end. A liquid is supplied to the hopper interior along a wall of the lower portion in a direction having a horizontal component. Particulate material feeding from a main portion of the hopper into the lower portion becomes entrained in the liquid, thus forming the slurry.

Abrasive fluid jet apparatus

Cleaning apparatus and method, particularly for the inner surfaces of pipes. A conical sheet water jet issues from a vortex chamber and a second conical sheet jet issues from a second vortex chamber in which the water and abrasive have swirled at lesser pressure. The two jets impinge to form a resultant conical jet which strikes and cleans the pipe wall. Guides hold the apparatus within the pipe so that the axes of the pipe and all the jets coincide, and the hoses by which water and abrasive reach the apparatus may also be used to help move the apparatus up and down the pipe. The axial sense of the resultant jet may be such that it exerts a 'squeegee' action upon the pipe wall when the apparatus is withdrawn from the pipe by pulling the hoses.

Cleaning pipes using mixtures of liquid and abrasive particles

A high velocity liquid jet cutting nozzle in which a nozzle member is supported in communicative connection with the outlet end of a high pressure liquid pipe by means of a mounting which is seated in a cup-shaped holder which is connected to the outlet end of the pipe. To provide a coherent, stable jet at liquid pressures of the order of 60,000 psi, the nozzle member is formed from a piece of artificial sapphire, such as a watch or instrument jewel, having a circular aperture diameter of between 0.05mm. and 0.40mm. This aperture is formed with a convergent inlet portion which is a surface of revolution, about the axis of the aperture, of a smooth curved arc, a uniform diameter portion extending tangentially from the inlet portion, and a divergently bevelled outlet portion.

Growing community of inventors

Cranfield, United Kingdom

David H Saunders