US 11,850,605 B2
Apparatus and method to separate and condition multiphase flow
Ehab Elsaadawy, Dhahran (SA)
Assigned to Saudi Arabian Oil Company, Dhahran (SA)
Filed by Saudi Arabian Oil Company, Dhahran (SA)
Filed on Mar. 1, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/684,068.
Prior Publication US 2023/0278045 A1, Sep. 7, 2023
Int. Cl. B04C 5/04 (2006.01); B04C 5/28 (2006.01); B01D 19/00 (2006.01); B04C 5/181 (2006.01); B04C 5/13 (2006.01)
CPC B04C 5/28 (2013.01) [B01D 19/0057 (2013.01); B04C 5/04 (2013.01); B04C 5/13 (2013.01); B04C 5/181 (2013.01)] 34 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A separator apparatus comprising:
a first cyclone device comprising:
a first inlet section having a first end and a second end, wherein a cross-sectional area of the first inlet section increases from the first end to the second end;
a first scroll comprising a curved member;
a first barrel centered on a first axis, the barrel defining a first interior volume, the first barrel having a diameter, a first end, and a second end, wherein the scroll is attached to the first inlet section and to the first barrel, and connects the first inlet section to the first barrel;
a first vortex finder comprising a first vortex tube arranged concentrically on the first axis in the first barrel on the first axis adjacent the first end of the first barrel; and
a first underflow portion comprising a first conical member and a first underflow body, the first underflow portion defining a first annular gap in fluid connection with the first interior volume;
a second cyclone device comprising:
a second inlet section having a first end and a second end, wherein a cross-sectional area of the second inlet section increases from the first end to the second end;
a second scroll;
a second barrel centered on a second axis, the barrel defining a second interior volume, the second barrel having a diameter, a first end, and a second end, wherein the scroll connected the second inlet section to the second barrel;
a second vortex finder having a second vortex tube arranged on the second axis concentrically in the second barrel on the axis adjacent the first end of the second barrel; and
a second underflow portion having a second conical member and a second underflow cylinder, the second underflow portion defining a second annular gap in fluid connection with the second interior volume; and
an intake nozzle fluidly connected to the first inlet section and second inlet section.