The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 23, 2008
Filed:
May. 22, 2007
Richard C. Stell, Houston, TX (US);
Arthur R. Di Nicolantonio, Seabrook, TX (US);
George Stephens, Humble, TX (US);
James M. Frye, Houston, TX (US);
Richard C. Stell, Houston, TX (US);
Arthur R. Di Nicolantonio, Seabrook, TX (US);
George Stephens, Humble, TX (US);
James M. Frye, Houston, TX (US);
ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc., Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
A highly efficient vapor/liquid separation apparatus for treating a flow of vapor/liquid mixtures of hydrocarbons and steam comprises a substantially cylindrical vertical drum having an upper cap section, a middle section comprising a circular wall, a lower cap section, a tangential inlet to introduce hydrocarbon/steam mixtures, an overhead vapor outlet, and a bottom outlet for liquid. The vessel also comprises an annular structure located in the middle section, comprising i) an annular ceiling section extending from the circular wall and ii) a concentric internal vertical side wall to which the ceiling section extends. The annular structure blocks upward passage of vapor/liquid mixtures along the circular wall beyond the ceiling section, and surrounds an open core having sufficient cross-sectional area to permit vapor velocity low enough to avoid significant entrainment of liquid.