CONTINUOUS FLOW OIL WATER SEPARATOR

SEPARATEUR EAU-HYDROCARBURES A ECOULEMENT CONTINU

English Abstract

A continuous flow oil water separator includes a vessel having a bottom and an upstanding wall that defines a liquid retaining interior. The vessel is positioned in a substantially horizontal orientation with an inlet at a first end and an outlet at a second end. At least one baffle is providing extending upwardly from the bottom to divide the interior of the vessel into compartments. An opening is provided through each baffle defining a spill--over weir between the compartments. A baffle guard provides a barrier to lateral flow through the opening in each baffle. Each baffle guard extending outwardly from the baffle and downwardly toward the bottom of the vessel to define a spill-over weir access channel having a channel inlet positioned toward the bottom of the vessel.

French Abstract

Un séparateur eau-hydrocarbures à écoulement continu comprend un récipient avec un fond et une paroi bien droite qui définit un intérieur de retenue de liquide. Le récipient est placé selon une orientation sensiblement horizontale avec une entrée à une première extrémité et une sortie à une seconde extrémité. Au moins un déflecteur est fourni, lequel sétend vers le haut à partir du fond pour diviser lintérieur du récipient en compartiments. Un orifice est fourni à travers chaque déflecteur pour définir un déversoir de débordement entre les compartiments. Un protège-déflecteur procure une barrière pour un débit latéral à travers lorifice dans chaque déflecteur. Chaque protège-déflecteur sétend vers lextérieur à partir du déflecteur et vers le bas en direction du fond du récipient pour définir un canal daccès au déversoir de débordement ayant une entrée de canal positionné vers le bas du récipient.

Claims

7
What is Claimed is:
1. A continuous flow oil water separator, comprising:
a vessel having a bottom and an upstanding wall that defines a liquid
retaining
interior, the vessel being in a substantially horizontal orientation with an
inlet at a first end
and an outlet at a second end;
a least one baffle extending upwardly from the bottom to divide the interior
of the
vessel into compartments;
an opening through each baffle defining a spill-over weir between the
compartments;
a baffle guard providing a barrier to lateral flow through the opening in each
baffle,
each baffle guard extending downwardly toward the bottom of the vessel to
define a spill-over
weir access channel having a channel inlet positioned toward the bottom of the
vessel.
2. The continuous flow oil water separator of Claim 1, wherein there is more
than one baffle.
3. The continuous flow oil water separator of Claim 2, wherein the opening
that defines the
spill-over weir between successive baffles is out of alignment, forcing liquid
to follow a non-
linear path from the inlet to the outlet.
4. The continuous flow oil water separator of Claim 1, wherein the inlet at
the first end is
higher than the opening in each baffle defining the spill-over weir, and the
opening in each
baffle is higher than the outlet at the second end to create a gravity induced
flow from the
inlet, over the spill-over weir to the outlet.
5. The continuous flow oil water separator of Claim 4, wherein the opening
that defines the
spill-over weir in each successive baffle becomes progressively lower from the
first end to the
second end, creating a gravity induced flow between compartments.
6. The continuous flow oil water separator of Claim 1, wherein a tray with a
retention lip
underlies the inlet, liquid entering the vessel having to pass onto the tray
and spill over the
retention lip.

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7. The continuous flow oil water separator of Claim 6, wherein an oil
diversion outlet is
provided to skim oil floating on a surface of liquid in the tray.
8. The continuous flow oil water separator of Claim 1, wherein plugs are
positioned in each
compartment either in the bottom or in the wall adjacent to the bottom to
facilitate flushing of
each compartment during maintenance.
9. The continuous flow oil water separator of Claim 1, wherein the vessel has
a removable lid
to provide access during maintenance.
10. A continuous flow oil water separator, comprising:
a vessel having a bottom and an upstanding wall that defines a liquid
retaining
interior, the vessel being in a substantially horizontal orientation with an
inlet at a first end
and an outlet at a second end, the inlet at the first end being higher than
the outlet at the
second end to promote a gravity induced flow from the inlet to the outlet;
more than one baffle extending upwardly from the bottom to divide the interior
of the
vessel into compartments;
an opening through each baffle defining a spill-over weir between the
compartments,
the opening through each baffle that defines the spill-over weir in each
successive baffle
becomes progressively lower from the first end to the second end, with the
last spill-over weir
being higher than the oulet to promote a gravity induced flow between
compartments.
a baffle guard providing a barrier to lateral flow through the opening in each
baffle,
each baffle guard extending outwardly from the baffle and downwardly toward
the bottom of
the vessel to define a spill-over weir access channel having a channel inlet
positioned toward
the bottom of the vessel.
11. The continuous flow oil water separator of Claim 10, wherein the opening
that defines the
spill-over weir between successive baffles is out of alignment, forcing liquid
to follow a non-
linear path from the inlet to the outlet.

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12. The continuous flow oil water separator of Claim 10, wherein a tray with a
retention lip
underlies the inlet, liquid entering the vessel having to pass onto the tray
and spill over the
retention lip.
13. The continuous flow oil water separator of Claim 12, wherein an oil
diversion outlet is
provided to skim oil floating on a surface of liquid in the tray.
14. The continuous flow oil water separator of Claim 10, wherein plugs are
positioned in
each compartment either in the bottom or in the wall adjacent to the bottom to
facilitate
flushing of each compartment during maintenance.
15. The continuous flow oil water separator of Claim 10, wherein the vessel
has a removable
lid.
16. A continuous flow oil water separator, comprising:
a vessel having a bottom and an upstanding wall that defines a liquid
retaining
interior, the vessel being in a substantially horizontal orientation with an
inlet at a first end
and an outlet at a second end, the inlet at the first end being higher than
the outlet at the
second end to promote a gravity induced flow from the inlet to the outlet;
a tray with a retention lip underlies the inlet, liquid entering the vessel
having to pass
onto the tray and spill over the retention lip, an oil diversion outlet being
provided to skim oil
floating on a surface of liquid in the tray from the vessel;
more than one baffle extending upwardly from the bottom to divide the interior
of the
vessel into compartments;
an opening through each baffle defining a spill-over weir between the
compartments,
the opening through each baffle that defines the spill-over weir in each
successive baffle
becomes progressively lower from the first end to the second end, with the
last spill-over weir
being higher than the oulet to promote a gravity induced flow between
compartments, each
opening that defines the spill-over weir between successive baffles is out of
alignment,
forcing liquid to follow a non-linear path from the inlet to the outlet;.
a baffle guard providing a barrier to lateral flow through the opening in each
baffle,
each baffle guard extending outwardly from the baffle and downwardly toward
the bottom of

the vessel to define a spill-over weir access channel having a channel inlet
positioned toward
the bottom of the vessel.
17. The continuous flow oil water separator of Claim 16, wherein plugs are
positioned in
each compartment either in the bottom or in the wall adjacent to the bottom to
facilitate
flushing of each compartment during maintenance.
18. The continuous flow oil water separator of Claim 16, wherein the vessel
has a removable
lid for maintenance access.

Description

CA 02636016 2008-06-25
1
TITLE:
Continuous Flow Oil Water Separator
FIELD
The present invention relates to an oil water separator which can accommodate
a
continuous flow.
BACKGROUND
Continuous flow oil water separators generally consist of a vessel having an
inlet at a
first end and an outlet at a second end. Some means is used to trap oil within
the vessel as
liquid flows from the first end to the second end. There is a need to improve
the efficiency of
the continuous flow oil water separators, to reduce the amount of oil that
reaches the outlet.
SUMMARY
There is provided a continuous flow oil water separator which includes a
vessel
having a bottom and an upstanding wall that defines a liquid retaining
interior. The vessel is
positioned in a substantially horizontal orientation with an inlet at a first
end and an outlet at a
second end. At least one baffle is providing extending upwardly from the
bottom to divide
the interior of the vessel into compartments. An opening is provided through
each baffle
defining a spill-over weir between the compartments. A baffle guard provides a
barrier to
lateral flow through the opening in each baffle. Each baffle guard extending
outwardly from
the baffle and downwardly toward the bottom of the vessel to define a spill-
over weir access
channel having a channel inlet positioned toward the bottom of the vessel.
The continous flow oil water separator, as described above, effects separation
based
upon a difference in density of fluids; namely oil and water. The baffle guard
tends to confine
oil to an upper portion of the compartments, where it floats on water. It is
primarily water
drawn from the bottom of the vessel that passes from one compartment over the
spill-over
weir to the next comparnnent.
The longer the residence time, the greater the degree of separation. Even more
beneficial results may, therefore, be obtained when there is more than one
baffle. The more

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baffles that are provided and the more compartments that are created, the
greater the
residence time and the greater the degree of separation.
The residence time can further be enhanced by having the opening that defines
the
spill-over weir between successive baffles out of alignment, forcing liquid to
follow a non-
linear path from the inlet to the outlet.
Although liquids can be pumped through the vessel, it is preferred that the
inlet at the
first end be higher than the opening in each baffle defining the spill-over
weir, and the
opening in each baffle be higher than the outlet at the second end to promote
a gravity
induced flow from the inlet, over the spill-over weir to the outlet. Further
to this, when there
are a plurality of baffles, the opening that defines the spill-over weir in
each successive baffle
becomes progressively lower from the first end to the second end, to promote a
gravity
induced flow between compartments.
There is a further advantage in having oil separated, to the extent possible
as it flows
into the vessel. By having a tray with a retention lip underlying the inlet,
liquid entering the
vessel has to pass onto the tray and then spill over the retention lip. By
slowing the entry of
the liquid into the vessel, the majority of the oil that enters the vessel
will end up floating on
the surface of water in the very first compartment and will never pass to
subsequent
compartments. This can be enhanced by having an oil diversion outlet to skim
oil floating on
a surface of liquid in the tray, so it never spills into the first
compartment.
It is preferred that plugs be positioned in each compartment either in the
bottom or in
the wall adjacent to the bottom to facilitate flushing of each compartment
during maintenance.
It is also preferred that the vessel have a removable lid to provide access
during maintenance.
The lid prevents persons or debris from falling into the vessel. During
maintenance, the lid
can be opened to allow skimming of oil floating on the surface of water. Any
granular matter
which settles can also be scooped out inbetween flushing or instead of
flushing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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These and other features will become more apparent from the following
description in
which reference is made to the appended drawings, the drawings are for the
purpose of
illustration only and are not intended to in any way limit the scope of the
invention to the
particular embodiment or embodiments shown, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a continuous flow oil water separator.
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the continuous flow oil water separator
illustrated in FIG.
1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A continous flow oil water separator generally identified by reference numeral
10,
will now be described with reference to FIG. 1 and 2.
Structure and Relationship of Parts:
Referring to FIG. 1, continuous flow oil water separator 10 is in the form of
a vessel
12 having a bottom 14 and an upstanding wall 16 that defines a liquid
retaining interior,
generally indicated by reference numeral 18. Vessel 12 is maintained in a
substantially
horizontal orientation with an inlet 20 at a first end 22 and an outlet 24 at
a second end 26. It
is preferred that inlet 20 at first end 22 be higher than outlet 24 at second
end 26 to promote a
gravity induced flow through vessel 12 from inlet 20 to outlet 24. A tray 28
with a retention
lip 30 underlies an inlet pipe 32 which extends into interior 18 through inlet
20. Liquid
entering vessel 12 passes onto tray 28 and then spills over retention lip 30
into interior 18.
Referring to FIG. 2, an oil diversion outlet 33 is provided to skim oil
floating on a surface of
liquid in tray 28 from vessel 12. Although vessel 12 could work to some degree
with a single
baffle, it is preferred that there be more than one baffle. In the illustrated
embodiment, three
baffles 34, 36, and 38 have been illustrated. Referring to FIG. 1, each baffle
34, 36, and 38
extend upwardly from bottom 14 to divide interior 18 of vessel 12 into four
compartments 40,
42, 44, and 46. There is an opening 48, 50 and 52 respectively through each of
baffles 34, 36,
and 38 respectively defining spill-over weirs 54, 56, 58, respectively. To
pass from
compartment 40 to compartment 42, liquids must pass over spill-over weir 54.
To pass from
compartment 42 to compartment 44, liquid must pass over spill-over weir 56. To
pass from
compartment 44 to compartment 46, liquids must pass over spill-over weir 58.
Openings 48,
50 and 52 through baffles 34, 36, and 38 respectively that define spill-over
weirs 54, 56, and

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58 respectively in each successive baffle becomes progressively lower from
first end 22 to
second end 26. The last spill-over weir 58 is higher than oulet 24 to promote
a gravity
induced flow between compartments 40, 42, 44 and 46. Referring to FIG. 2, each
opening
48, 50, and 52 that defines spill-over weir 54, 56, and 58, respectively
between successive
baffles 34, 36, and 38 respectively is out of alignment, forcing liquid to
follow a non-linear
path from inlet 20 to outlet 24. Referring to FIG. 1, baffle guards 60, 62 and
64,
respectively providing a barrier to lateral flow through opening 48, 50, 52
respectively of
baffles 34, 36, and 38 respectively. Each baffle guard 60, 62, 64 extends
outwardly from their
respective baffles 34, 36, and 38 and downwardly toward bottom 14 of vessel 12
to define a
spill-over weir access channel 66 having a channel inlet 68 positioned toward
bottom 14 of
vessel 12. Outlet 24 is also protected by a baffle guard 70. Baffle guard 70
also defines an
access channel 66 having a channel inlet 68 positioned toward bottom 14 of
vessel 12.
Removable plugs 72 are positioned in each compartment 40, 42, 44, and 46
either in bottom
14 or in wall 16 adjacent to bottom 14 to facilitate flushing of each
compartment during
maintenance. In the illustrated embodiment, removable plugs 72 are in bottom
14. It is
preferred that vessel 12 have a removable lid for maintenance access.
Operation:
In operation, it is preferred, but by no means essential, that vessel 12 be
filled with
water to start. Referring to FIG. 2, water containing oil it then directed
through inlet 20,
along inlet pipe 32 and then fills tray 28. As the liquid level rises in tray
28, a portion of the
liquid floating as a layer on top is allowed to exits vessel 12 though outlet
33. It is presumed
that this will primarily be oil and, for that reason outlet 33 is referred to
as an "oil diversion
outlet". When tray 28 is completely full, the contents of tray 28 both water
and oil spill over
retention lip 30 into compartment 40. As compartment 40 is already filled with
water, most
of the oil floats on the water within compartment 40. Referring to FIG 1, as
the inflow of
liquids continues into vessel 12, liquid passes through through opening 48 in
baffle 34 and
flows over spill-over weir 54 into comparhnent 42. In order to pass through
opening 48 the
liquid must enter channel inlet 68 and pass up spill-over weir access
channe166. As channel
inlet 68 is positioned toward bottom 14 of vessel 12, it is presumed that
relatively little oil will
reach opening 48. As compartment 42 fills with liquid, liquid will pass
through opening 50 in
baffle 36 and flow over spill-over weir 56 into compartment 44. In order to
pass through

CA 02636016 2008-06-25
opening 50 the liquid must enter channel inlet 68 and pass up spill-over weir
access channel
66. As channel inlet 68 is positioned toward bottom 14 of vessel 12, it is
again presumed that
relatively little oil will reach opening 50. As compartment 44 fills with
liquid, liquid will pass
through opening 52 in baffle 38 and flow over spill-over weir 58 into
comparlment 46. In
5 order to pass through opening 52 the liquid must enter channel inlet 68 and
pass up spill-over
weir access channel 66. As channel inlet 68 is positioned toward bottom 14 of
vessel 12, it is
again presumed that relatively little oil will reach opening 52.
As comparhnent 46 fills with liquid, liquid will pass out of vessel 18 through
outlet 24. In
order to pass through outlet 24, the liquid must enter channel inlet 68 and
pass up access
channel 66. As channel inlet 68 is positioned toward bottom 14 of vessel 12,
it is again
presumed that relatively little oil will reach outlet 24. It can be seen from
this description that
as water moves from compartment to compartment less and less oil is likely to
be carried with
it. The number of compartments can be increased or decreased to meet the needs
of a
particular application. If required, chemicals can be added to promote
separation of the oil and
the water. It is preferred to avoid the use of chemicals, if at all possible,
so as to reduce any
environmental impact associated with the disposal of water exiting outlet 24.
Maintenance of
continous flow oil water separator 10 is relatively simple. Liquids diverted
through oil
diversion outlet 33 will accummulate in a container and must be periodically
disposed of. Oil
that floats on the water in each of compartments 40, 42, 44, and 46 should be
periodically
skimmed. It is preferred that grit be removed by filters prior to the liquids
entering vessel 12.
Where that is not practical, vessel 12 should be periodically drained, plugs
72 removed and
grit flushed from vessel 12. In some applications it may be desirable to pump
liquids through
vessel. This is not necessary for most applications,l as inlet 20, openings
48, 50, and 52 in
baffles 34, 36, and 38, respectively, along with outlet 24 have been
configured to promote
gravity flow through vessel 12 in response to a continuous inflow of water
contaminated with
oil.
In this patent document, the word "comprising" is used in its non-limiting
sense to
mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically
mentioned are not
excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article "a" does not
exclude the
possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context
clearly requires that
there be one and only one of the elements.

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It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made
to the
illustrated embodiments without departing from scope of the Claims.

Representative Drawing