This invention relates generally to cyclone separators for separating multi-phase mixtures such as, for example, oil/water mixtures.

Applicant has invented several forms of cyclone separators which are particularly suitable for use with oil/water mixtures and which have varying constructions depending upon the applications of the separators. Generally, however, the cyclone separators comprise an elongated separating chamber having a feed inlet proximate to one end thereof and, in most cases, an overflow outlet at that end and an underflow outlet at the opposite end thereof, the overflow outlet being for removing the less dense phase and the underflow outlet for the more dense phase. In applicant's co-pending application numbers PCT/AU84/00010 and PCT/AU84/00166, applicant discloses a particularly advantageous form of feed inlet for use with oil/water mixtures. Whilst the feed inlet as described in the aforementioned specifications provide significant advantage of the prior art, optimum efficiency can vary due to the make up of the mixture being supplied to the separator. In some instances.

the oil within the mixture may be in the form of small oil droplets whereas in other instances, the mixture may contain relatively large droplets.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved cyclone separator which is adapted to operate at a controlled maximum efficiency.

According to the present invention there is provided a cyclone separator comprising an elongated separating chamber having a longitudinal axis of symmetry between opposite first and second ends, the separator including at least one feed inlet adjacent the first end and at least two outlets, the cyclone separator being characterised by the provision of control means which is adapted to vary the cross-sectional dimension of the or one or more of the feed inlets.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional side elevation of one form of feed inlet according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side elevation of another form of feed inlet according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a schematic sectional side elevation of a typical cyclone separator; Figure 4 is a detailed axial cross-sectional view of the feed inlet of a cyclone separator as described in PCT/AU85/00166;

Figure 5 is a similar view to that of Figure 4 but showing preferred profiles; and

Figure 6 is a block diagram of a control system according to the invention.

Referring firstly to Figure 3, a type of cyclone separator generally indicated at

1 is shown and comprises a separating chamber

2 having at least one feed inlet 3 and an underflow outlet 4 and an overflow outlet 5. The cyclone separator shown is only of a general form but may for example take the specific form of that described in PCT/AU85/00166 or any other suitable configuration. The separator functions generally in accordance with past practice in ^" that the fluid mixture admitted into the separating chamber via the feed inlet 3 is subjected to centrifugal action causing the separated liquid components to be ejected, on the one hand from the outlet and on the other through the outlet 5. Thus, the denser phase material flows to the underflow outlet 4 in an annular c-toss-sectioned flow around the wall of the separating chamber whilst the lighter phase forms a central core which is subjected to differential pressure action driving the fluid therein out the overflow outlet 5.

Referring now to Figure 4, an inlet profile of the type described in PCT/AU85/00166 is shown in more detail. Here, the feed inlet of the separator is shown as comprising an inlet tract 80 together with a portion of the separating chamber of the separator which is lengthwise adjacent thereto. In this regard, generally, although the separator shown in Figure 3 is described as having distinct portions of successively decreasing diameters, it is not essential that the separator be so formed

as it could, for example, exhibit any generally tapered configuration extending from a larger diameter end adjacent the overflow outlet to a smaller cross-section end adjacent the underflow outlet. The tract 80 is shown as having an outer profile 82 and an inner profile 84. Here, the diameter D of the cyclone separator as shown in Figure 4 corresponds to the diameter di in Figure 3, since the inlet tract 80 (as in the case of the Figure 3 construction) communicates with the separating chamber at the larger diameter end thereof.

The tract 80 is considered as extending from a location indicated generally by reference numeral 85 inwardly towards the separating chamber. The location 85 is defined as a point beyond which, reckoned in the direction inwardly towards the separating chamber the flow of inlet liquid cannot be described by the simple flow equations. More particularly, the points 83, 87 on the outer and inner profiles aligned with location 85 are points where, if the profiles were projected outwardly therefrom in parallel relationship the separator would operate substantially the same as if the profiles were continued in the profiled configurations described. By the term "outwardly projected" is meant a projection from the respective profile which is substantially tangential at the point of meeting the respective profile. From the respective points 83, 87 on the outer and inner profiles respectively the profiles extend in spiral fashion inwardly to meet the circumferential surface 86 of the separating chamber. Locations

at which the profiles so meet circumference 86 are designated respectively by letters "C" and "E". Practically, although the profile 84 is shown as joining circumference 86 by continuance of the profile inwardly until it meets the circumference 86 at the point "E", for mechanical reasons it is frequently simpler and more effective to round the junction between the profile 84 and the circumference 8-6 by providing a rounded portion 84a (indicated by broken lines) .

The inner and outer profiles preferably generally described by the following equations:-

(a ) < η < 2 ττ + α

(b ) 0 . 35 < a < 1.5 , where n D is the length of the outer profile 82 of the inlet tract, viewed axially of the separating chamber, D being the diameter of the portion of the separating chamber at which circumference 86 prevails. This profile length is that extending between points "C" and 83. αD is the length of the inner profile 84, viewed axially of the separating chamber. This profile length is that extending between points "E" and 87. Generally, the outer profile 82 is such that vector T describing the location of any particular point on outer profile and contained in a plane normal to said axis, and having its origin at location "C", is such that as the magnitude of the vector T increases, an angle θ between the vector T and a tangent 92 to circumference 86 passing through said location "C" never decreases substantially

and never becomes less than negative 0.1 radian for all magnitudes of T less than D n

(d) Similarly, a vector U, describing the location of any particular point on the inner profile 84 and having its point of origin at location "E" is such that as the magnitude of vector U increases, the angle «- between vector U and a tangent 93 to said circumference which passes through said location "E" never decreases and never becomes less than negative 0.52 radian, for all magnitude of vector U less than α D, at least for substantial magnitudes of vector U. By substantial magnitude of vector U, we mean that in the vicinity of the location "E", vector U may not be defined because of possible rounding of the inner profile as previously described.

The cross-sectional area Ai of the tract 80 measured in a radial and axial plane passing through the location where the inner profile 84 actually terminates (location "E", or the extremity of the portion 84a as the case may be) is preferably defined as:-

0.02 <4 Ai/ TTD ² < 0.1 It is also preferred that the following relationship holds between the constants π and α

o < n < 2 τr + a

The described relationship between the constants α and η is most appropriate where, relatively speaking, the separator has a maximum diameter which is relatively more than the diameter of the underflow outlet. However where this ratio is relatively smaller, such as less than 3 it may be preferable to place greater restrictions on the relative values of the constants ^~ and π . The following may then be appropriate:-

D/d

α < n < 2 iτ + α , and

0 . 35 < α < 2 .

Here, d represents the underflow outlet diameter corresponding to diameter d3 in Figure 1.

Referring now to Figure 5, in one construction in accordance with the invention, the angle p measured about the axis of the separator between the points "C" and "E" was 86°. The inner profile 84 was terminated by a curved portion 84a co-joining with circumference 86, this portion had a curvature of approximately 0.5mm and located some 110° around the axis of the separator from the point "C". In this instance, it was found that the following mathematical relationship was appropriate for describing the profiles 82, 84:

r ₀ = 0.5 D + 0.0143 D Z ₀ - ¹ - ⁴ + 0.0057 D Z ₀ ¹ - ⁸

+ 0.00157 D Z ₀ ² - ⁸ + 0.00286 D Z ₀ ⁴ ' ⁵

x± = 0.5 D + 0.0714 D Z± - + 0.00714 D Z-j. ³

+ 0.0143 D Z ⁴ + 0.00714 D Zj_ ⁵

where r_ is the distance from the axis of the separator to any particular point on the outer profile 82, ri is the distance from the axis of the separator to any particular point on the inner profile 84, ZQ is the angle, reckoned from the line 91 joining the axis of the separator and the point "C", in a clockwise direction around the axis of the separator to any point on the outer profile 82 and Zj_ is the angle, reckoned from the line 100 in a clockwise direction to any particular point on the inner profile 84. These equations describing the profiles 82, 84 generally may prevail for angles Z _Q , Zi in the range

0° < Z ₀ < 150°

0° > Zi > 60° or at least in the range

24° > Zi >" 60°.

The tract 80 may have a rectangular transverse cross-section such as having longer sides extending parallel to the axis of the separator and of length W and shorter sides contained in planes normal to the axis of the separator and of

length t. In this case the following relationships may prevail:-

t x W = Ai, and

D/35 < t < D/6.

Generally, W will be greater than t.

While forming the feed inlet of the separator with the described configurations permits only a single inlet to be employed, the described configurations may be advantageously employed even where more than one inlet is provided.

The term "involute" is used in this specification to describe a curve being the locus of the end of a piece of string uncoiled from a base circle. The inner and outer profiles of the or each inlet tract as described are generally formed as involute curves. Each profile may however, have cojoining sections defined by cojoining involute curves having respective defining base circles of differing diameters, or the projected start points on the respective base circles may be relatively circumferentially spaced.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the feed inlet 3 comprises an adjustable control member 12 in the form of a pivotally mounted flap 13. The flap 13 has a contoured surface 14 which conforms to the inner profile as shown in Figures 4 and 5. The control member shown

in Figure 2 is the same as that shown in Figure 1 except that the leading edge thereof has been shortened.

The control member 12 is adapted to increase or reduce the cross-sectional dimension of feed inlet depending on the type of mixture being handled by the cyclone separator. Movement of the control member 12 may be effected manually or by a suitable form of drive means operatively connected thereto.

Where a drive means is us ^' ed a control system may be provided for sensing the condition of the incoming mixture the drive means being responsive to signals received from the control system. By such an arrangement, the cyclone separator can separate at all times at substantially maximum efficiency.

Referring to. Figure 6, the control system for cyclone separator 40 may comprise two purameters 41 and 42 for. measuring the concentration of the mixture. These purameters are operatively connected to a mircoprocesser 43 which assesses the information provided from the purameters. The microprocesser provides a signal to moter 44 which in turn controls the opening or closing of the flap. In practice it is best to have the inlet opening open a selected distance depending on the drop size distribution in the mixture the size of the droplets having an effect on the efficiency of the operation of the separator.