Queen's University at Kingston

Conoco Specialty Products Inc.

B.w.n. Vortoil Rights Co. Pty. Ltd.

John D Boadway

David A Flanigan

This invention relates to an improved particulate receiving chamber within a centrifugal separation device and more particularly within a decanter centrifuge. The improved receiving chamber reduces particle disintegration of the particulates which is particularly advantageous if the particulates are subjected to a further centrifugal separation step because particle disintegration compromises the clarification achievable by successive centrifugal separators. The preferred embodiment of the particulate receiving chamber includes a plurality of spray nozzles for spraying fluid in the chamber whereby the fluid absorbs the impact forces of the particulates which impact against surfaces within the chamber.

Method and apparatus for reduction of particle disintegration

A special form of fluid cyclone in which the velocity energy in the exit fluid is converted into exit pressure, thus permitting the device to discharge to atmospheric pressure or a higher pressure while a vacuum may exist in the central core of the vortex. A vortex finder defines an uninterrupted annular outlet passage that gradually increases in cross sectional flow area from an axial inlet to a tangential outlet. The length of the axial inlet portion is sufficiently long relative to the radial portion to insure a gradual transition of velocity energy into pressure, thereby avoiding vortex instability in the outlet passage.

Arrangement of multiple fluid cyclones

A special form of fluid cyclone in which the velocity energy in the exit fluid is converted into exit pressure thus permitting the device to discharge to atmospheric pressure or a higher pressure while a vacuum may exit in the central core of the vortex. The result is achieved by use of a curved passage at the exit which starts as a coaxial space and gradually expands and turns outward to become a circular space between two disks. The removal of reject material to atmospheric pressure with a vacuum at the core may be achieved by limiting the restriction in cross-section of the bottom core such that the pressure is atmospheric and allow it to leave through a space between the end of the cone and a blunt shaped surface. The above special form of fluid cyclone operates particularly well, because of reduced energy losses, when employed in a multiple arrangement in which the tangential velocity energy of fluid entering the barrel of the individual cyclone units is created by fluid flowing at larger radius such as to create a pattern of multiple vortex flow. The vortices are in a chamber providing a common inlet to a plurality of cyclone units with the vortices centering on the individual units. The special arrangement of fluid cyclones is in a geometry similar to that of a vortex trail with an even number of units of opposing vortex direction. The same type of arrangement; i.e. having all of the units discharge into a common chamber, leads to further energy recovery in fluid leaving the fluid cyclones.

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Kingston, Canada

John D Boadway