Cyclone demister and method

Abstract

A cyclone box for removing liquid from a flowing vapor stream includes a box structure having a side wall and a top having a first inclined side and a second inclined side that discharge into a discharge channel formed along the side wall. At least one cyclone is mounted within the box structure and includes a cylindrical wall forming a flow chamber having an inlet end at a front end of the box structure and an opposite outlet end at a rear end of the box structure. A swirler located within the cylindrical wall imparts a swirling motion to the vapor stream as the vapor stream flows through the flow chamber to generate a centrifugal force that coalesces liquid in the vapor stream on the inner surface of the cylindrical wall. The one or more outlets allow liquid to coalesce on the inner surface of the cylindrical wall for discharge into the volume of the box structure outside the cylindrical barrel and then onto the top of the underlying cyclone box and into the discharge channel.

Description

[0001] Related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 453,629, filed on March 21, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background Art

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to apparatus for separating liquid from gas entrained in a flowing vapor stream, and more particularly to cyclone demisters and methods of using the cyclone demisters to separate liquid from gas in a flowing vapor stream.

[0004] Cyclone demisters within towers or vessels are used to remove liquid (usually in the form of droplets) from a vapor stream to improve process efficiency, reduce product loss, and prevent equipment damage in various types of processes. In one type of axial-flow cyclone demister, multiple cyclone boxes are arranged in a side-by-side relationship in stacked rows, with each cyclone box containing multiple cyclone cartridges.

[0005] Each cyclone may include a cylindrical wall forming an open-ended flow chamber oriented in the direction of flow of the vapor stream such that the vapor stream enters the flow chamber at an inlet end, flows along the length of the flow chamber, and then exits at an outlet end. An activator or cyclone is positioned within the flow chamber to impart a swirling motion to the vapor stream as it flows within the flow chamber. The swirling motion of the vapor stream generates a centrifugal force that separates the droplets from the vapor stream by causing the droplets to impinge on the inner surface of the cylindrical wall and coalesce on the inner surface of the cylindrical wall. The coalesced liquid then flows to an opening provided in the cylindrical wall near the outlet end of the flow chamber and exits the flow chamber through the opening and enters the open volume of the tank outside the cylindrical wall.

[0006] In one embodiment, liquid is discharged from the cyclone boxes through a series of separate discharge pipes connected to the outlet end of each cyclone box and then into a sump, from which the liquid is removed through additional discharge pipes. In another embodiment, the discharge pipes from the cyclone boxes are eliminated by placing the cyclones in each row into two cyclone boxes that are slightly spaced from each other to form a single central vertical flow channel in the space between the cyclone boxes. The top of each cyclone box is sloped toward the central vertical flow channel so that liquid can drain from each cyclone box onto the sloped top of the cyclone box below and then into the central vertical flow channel. The cyclone boxes must be individually sized for each application to accommodate the number of cyclones required to achieve the desired separation capacity.

[0007] Further improvements in the design of these cyclone demisters are desired to provide improved operation under high gas and liquid loadings and in applications where the column or vessel may be subject to swaying motion from wind or waves which may adversely affect separation performance. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This summary is provided to introduce a series of concepts in a simplified form, which will be further described in the detailed description below. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description of the following embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

[0009] In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a cyclone box for removing liquid from a flowing vapor stream. The cyclone box comprises: a box structure having a front end and a spaced-apart rear end; first and second spaced-apart side walls extending in a direction between the front end and the rear end; and a top having a first inclined side and a second inclined side, wherein the first inclined side of the top is inclined in the direction of the first side wall to allow liquid to be discharged toward and into a first discharge channel extending downwardly along the first side wall when on the first inclined side of the top, and the second inclined side of the top is inclined in the direction of the second side wall to allow liquid to be discharged toward and into a second discharge channel extending downwardly along the second side wall when on the second inclined side of the top. The cyclone box also includes at least one cyclone barrel mounted within the box structure and comprising: a cylindrical wall forming a flow chamber having an inlet end at a front end of the box structure and an opposite outlet end at a rear end of the box structure; a cyclone positioned within the cylindrical wall to impart a swirling motion to the vapor flow as it flows through the flow chamber from the inlet end to the outlet end, the swirling motion generating a centrifugal force to cause liquid in the vapor flow to coalesce on an inner surface of the cylindrical wall; and one or more outlets for allowing the liquid coalesced on the inner surface of the cylindrical wall to discharge into a volume of the box structure outside the cylindrical barrel.

[0010] On the other hand, the present disclosure relates to a cyclone demister, which includes a plurality of cyclone boxes arranged in a vertically stacked row in a side-by-side relationship within a separation container. Each cyclone box includes: a box structure having a front end and a spaced-apart rear end; a first side wall and a second side wall spaced-apart extending in a direction between the front end and the rear end; and a top having a first inclined side and a second inclined side, wherein the first inclined side of the top is inclined in the direction of the first side wall to allow liquid to be discharged toward a discharge channel extending downward along the first side wall and into the discharge channel when on the first inclined side of the top, and the second inclined side of the top is inclined in the direction of the second side wall to allow liquid to be discharged toward another discharge channel extending downward along the second side wall and into the other discharge channel when on the second inclined side of the top. The discharge channel is formed by the first side wall and the facing second wall of an adjacent cyclone box in the same row, and is formed by the second side wall and the facing first wall of another adjacent cyclone box in the same row. The cyclone box also includes at least one cyclone barrel mounted within the box structure and comprising: a cylindrical wall forming a flow chamber having an inlet end at a front end of the box structure and an opposite outlet end at a rear end of the box structure; a fixed cyclone positioned within the cylindrical wall to impart a swirling motion to the vapor flow as it flows through the flow chamber from the inlet end to the outlet end, the swirling motion generating a centrifugal force to cause liquid in the vapor flow to coalesce on an inner surface of the cylindrical wall; and one or more outlets for allowing the liquid coalesced on the inner surface of the cylindrical wall to discharge into a volume of the box structure outside the cylindrical barrel.

[0011] In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for separating liquid from a flowing vapor stream using the above-described cyclone demister. The method comprises the following steps: passing the vapor stream through a flow chamber of a cyclone cartridge, imparting a swirling motion to the vapor stream as the vapor stream passes through the cyclone so that liquid in the vapor stream impinges upon and coalesces on the inner surface of a cylindrical wall; directing the coalesced liquid from the inner surface of the cylindrical wall through an outlet for discharge into a volume of a box structure outside the cylindrical cartridge; and causing the discharged liquid to flow onto and along first and second inclined sides of the top portion and into a discharge passage. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The present disclosure is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] FIG1 is a schematic side elevational view, taken in vertical section, of a vessel in which liquid is intended to be separated from a vapor stream using an array of cyclone boxes arranged in a plurality of superimposed rows in side-by-side relationship;

[0014] FIG2 is a partial perspective view of the vessel of FIG1 and showing the front or upstream side of the cyclone box array;

[0015] FIG3 is a partial perspective view of the vessel of FIG1 and showing the rear or downstream side of the cyclone box array;

[0016] FIG4 is a rear elevational view of the cyclone box array taken in vertical section;

[0017] FIG5 is a partial rear perspective view of one of the cyclone boxes with portions removed to show interior details; and

[0018] 6 is a partial rear perspective view of a portion of the cyclone box array. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The subject matter of the present disclosure is described in detail herein to satisfy statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter may also be embodied in other ways, to include components, combinations of components, steps, or combinations of steps similar to but different from those described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies.

[0020] Turning now to the drawings in more detail, and first to FIG. 1 , an embodiment of a vessel for separating liquid from a flowing vapor stream is generally indicated by the numeral 10. Vessel 10 may be dedicated solely to separating liquid (typically in the form of droplets) from a flowing vapor stream, or additional processes may be performed within vessel 10 along with liquid separation. Vessel 10 may be located on land, or it may be located offshore, such as on a floating platform, barge, or ship. In some embodiments, the vapor stream may be generated by upstream, midstream, or downstream processing of oil and gas. By way of example, in some embodiments, the vapor stream may be a process stream involved in scrubbing, stripping, distillation, evaporation, compression, or other processes.

[0021] While the vessel 10 includes a horizontally extending outer shell 12 that is generally cylindrical in configuration, other configurations, including polygonal shapes, are possible and within the scope of the present invention. The shell 12 has any suitable diameter and length and is constructed of one or more rigid materials that are advantageously inert or otherwise compatible with the fluids and conditions present during operation of the vessel 10.

[0022] The shell 12 of the vessel 10 defines an open interior region 14 in which the desired separation of the liquid and vapor streams, and optionally other processes, occurs. The flow path of the vapor stream as it enters the vessel 10, travels within the vessel 10, and then exits the vessel 10 is schematically represented by arrows 16.

[0023] In the embodiment shown, vapor stream 16 enters vessel 10 through feed nozzle 18, which redirects the radial inlet flow direction of vapor stream 16 toward the hemispherical end of vessel 10, where vapor stream 16 reverses its flow direction and then flows in a direction toward the opposite end of vessel 10. Vapor stream 16 then encounters an optional agglomerator 20, which may be of the mesh and / or vane type and operates to increase the size of liquid droplets entrained within vapor stream 16 and remove some liquid from vapor stream 16.

[0024] After exiting agglomerator 20, vapor stream 16 passes through cyclone demister 22 where liquid droplets are separated from vapor stream 16. The vapor stream then enters chamber 24 before exiting vessel 10 through outlet nozzle 26. The separated liquid descends within vessel 10 and can be removed through takeoff nozzle 28 at the bottom.

[0025] Turning now to Figures 2 to 6, the cyclone demister 22 extends in a chordal manner within the open interior region 14 of the vessel 10, spanning a cross-section of the housing 12 at a location closer to the outlet nozzle 26 than to the feed nozzle 18. The cyclone demister 22 includes a plurality of cyclone boxes 30 that can be arranged and secured together in a side-by-side relationship to form a plurality of vertically stacked rows with the cyclone boxes 30 aligned horizontally and vertically. In one embodiment, most or all of the cyclone boxes 30 have a consistent standard size and configuration, which allows the cyclone boxes 30 to be easily manufactured and assembled to form a cyclone demister in vessels 10 having a wide range of diameters or chord lengths.

[0026] Each cyclone box 30 includes a box structure 32 within which is mounted at least one cyclone 34, and in other embodiments, a plurality of cyclones 34 are mounted and extend parallel to and spaced apart from one another. In one example, the cyclone box 30 may have two rows of cyclones 34, with the same number of cyclones 34 in each row, and the cyclones 34 in one row are vertically aligned with the cyclones 34 in the other row. In another example, the cyclone box 30 may have two rows of cyclones 34, with different numbers of cyclones 34 in each row, and the cyclones 34 in one row are staggered relative to the cyclones 34 in the other row. In the embodiment shown, most cyclone boxes 30 have four cyclones 34 arranged at a square pitch. The number of cyclones 34 within each box structure 32 may be the same throughout the cyclone demister 22, or more cyclones 34 may be positioned in certain portions of the cyclone demister 22 than in other portions. For example, smaller cyclone boxes 30 having fewer cyclones 34 may be positioned at the ends of one or more rows to allow the cyclones 22 to conform more closely to the curved shell 12 of the vessel 10 .

[0027] Each box structure 32 has an upstream or front end 36 and an opposite downstream or rear end 38 that is spaced a preselected distance from the front end 36. The box structure 32 also includes spaced first and second side walls 40, 42 extending in a direction between the front and rear ends 36, and a top 44 having a first and second inclined sides 46, 48 that slope downwardly from a peak 50. In one embodiment, the spaced first and second side walls 40, 42 and the top 44 can be formed by bending a sheet of material. In those cyclone boxes 30 that are located around the perimeter of the cyclone demister 22 and do not receive liquid discharged from above, the top 44 serves only to cover the box structure 32 and can be flat rather than inclined.

[0028] The first inclined side 46 of the top 44 is inclined in the direction of the first side wall 40 to allow liquid to drain toward and into the discharge channel 52 when the liquid is located on the first inclined side 46, rather than extending vertically downward along the first side wall 40. The discharge channel 52 is formed in a space between the first side wall 40 of the box structure 32 of one cyclone box 30 and the facing second wall 42 of the box structure 32 of an adjacent one of the cyclone boxes 30. In an embodiment in which the cyclone boxes 30 are vertically aligned with adjacent rows of the cyclone boxes 30, the discharge channel 52 extends vertically downward from one row to another in a continuous manner.

[0029] Similarly, the second inclined side 48 of the top 44 is inclined in the direction of the second side wall 42 to allow the liquid to be discharged toward and into the other discharge channel 52 when the liquid is located on the second inclined side 48, and then extend vertically downward along the second side wall 42 and be formed in the gap between the second side wall 42 of the box structure 32 of one cyclone box 30 and the facing first wall 40 of the box structure 32 of an adjacent one of the cyclone boxes 30.

[0030] Additionally, in embodiments where the cyclone boxes 30 are vertically aligned with adjacent rows of cyclone boxes 30, each of the discharge channels 52 extends vertically downward from one row to the next in a continuous manner. Advantageously, the number of discharge channels 52 in each row of cyclone boxes 30 is determined by the number of cyclone boxes 30 in that row. For example, when ten cyclone boxes 30 are arranged in a row, such as shown in the lower row of FIG. 4 , nine discharge channels 52 can be formed by the spacing between the first sidewalls 40 and the second sidewalls 42 of the box structures 32 of the cyclone boxes 30 in that row, thereby significantly increasing the liquid removal capacity compared to prior art cyclone demisters in which only two cyclone boxes are used and liquid is discharged from the top in only one direction into a single central discharge channel. By providing bi-directional discharge of liquid on the top 44 of the box structure 32 of the cyclone box 30 disclosed herein and providing a greater number of cyclone boxes 30, more liquid can enter the discharge passage 50 even if the vessel 10 is subjected to rocking motion under wind or wave loads.

[0031] In one embodiment, the first inclined side 46 and the second inclined side 48 have the same or approximately the same surface area so that an equal amount of liquid is directed to the discharge passage 52 at the first side wall 40 and the second side wall 42 of the box structure 32 of each cyclone box 30. In other embodiments, the areas of the first inclined side 46 and the second inclined side 48 can be different in at least some cyclone boxes 30 so that the amount of liquid flowing in one direction is greater than the amount of liquid flowing in the other direction. For example, the top 44 in the cyclone box 30 at or near the periphery of the cyclone demister 22 can be configured to direct more liquid toward the housing 12 rather than in a radially inward direction to achieve a more uniform distribution of liquid across the cyclone demister 22.

[0032] Each of the cyclone barrels 34 of the cyclone box 30 may include a cylindrical wall 54 that forms a flow chamber 56 for the vapor stream 16. The flow chamber 56 has an inlet end 60 at the front end 36 of the box structure 32 and an opposite outlet end 62 at the rear end 38 of the box structure 32. An activator or swirler 58, which is securable against movement, is positioned within the cylindrical wall 54 to impart a swirling motion to the vapor stream 16 as it flows through the flow chamber 56 from the inlet end 60 to the outlet end 62. The swirling motion generates centrifugal forces that cause liquid in the vapor stream 16 to be thrown toward and coalesced on the inner surface of the cylindrical wall 54.

[0033] The coalesced liquid is moved along the inner surface of the cylindrical wall 54 in a direction toward the outlet end by the flowing vapor stream 16 and is able to exit the flow chamber 56 through one or more outlets, which may be in the form of elongated slots 64 provided in the cylindrical wall 54 downstream of the cyclone 58. The exiting liquid is discharged into the volume of the box structure 32 outside the cylindrical barrel 34 and is delivered to the top 44 of the cyclone box 30 below. The liquid then flows over the first inclined side 46 and the second inclined side 48 of the top 44 and enters the discharge passage 52. In one embodiment, the first sidewall 40 and the second sidewall 42 of each cyclone box 30 (except those in the lowest row) may rest directly on the top 44 of the box structure 32 of the cyclone box 30 below. To allow liquid on top 44 to pass through first and second sidewalls 40 , 42 , drain openings 66 ( FIG. 6 ) may be formed in lower portions of first and second sidewalls 40 , 42 to allow liquid on top 44 to drain through drain openings 62 and into drain channel 52 .

[0034] Each of the cyclone cartridges 34 may additionally include a recirculation duct 68 having an inlet end 70 that opens to the volume of the box structure 32 outside the cylindrical cartridge 34 and an outlet end 72 that opens to the flow chamber 56 within the cylindrical wall 54. The recirculation duct 68 allows a portion of the vapor stream 16 that has exited the flow chamber 56 through the elongated slots 64 to reenter the flow chamber 56 to separate out liquid that may remain in the reentering vapor stream 16. The majority of the vapor stream 16 flowing through the flow chamber 56 exits through the open outlet end 62 of the flow chamber 56.

[0035] Each cyclone box 30 may include a front plate 74 positioned at the front end 36 of the box structure 32 and joined to the first and second side walls 40, 42, the top 44, and the cylindrical wall 54 at the inlet end 60 of the flow chamber 56, and a rear plate 76 positioned at the rear end 38 of the box structure 32 and joined to the first and second side walls 40, 42, the top 44, and the cylindrical wall 54 at the outlet end 62 of the flow chamber 56. The front plate 74 and the rear plate 76 include openings 78 and 80, respectively, aligned with the flow chamber 56 to allow vapor flow to pass through the front plate 74 into the flow chamber 56 and to allow vapor flow to pass through the rear plate 76 when exiting the flow chamber 56. In one embodiment, the front plate 74 and / or the rear plate 76 may extend laterally beyond the first and second side walls 40, 42 by a preselected distance and include flanges 82 that allow adjacent cyclone boxes 30 to be connected together with the discharge passages 52 formed in the spaces between the facing first and second side walls 40, 42 of the adjacent cyclone boxes 30.

[0036] 4 and 6 , a partial dividing wall 84 can be positioned vertically between laterally or horizontally adjacent cyclones 34 within the box structure 32 of each cyclone box 30 to prevent liquid from exiting the flow chamber 56 through the slots 64 in the cylindrical wall 54 of one of the cyclones 34, thereby preventing liquid from exiting the flow chamber 56 of the adjacent cyclone 34. Flow deflectors 86 can be positioned between vertically adjacent cyclones 34 within the box structure 32 to prevent liquid exiting the flow chamber 56 of the overlying cyclone 34 from descending through the slots 64 into the flow chamber 56 of the underlying cyclone 34 or interfering with liquid exiting through the slots 64 in the underlying cyclone 34. In one embodiment, each of the flow deflectors 86 slopes downwardly in two opposite directions toward the first and second side walls 40, 42 of the box structure 32.

[0037] A sump 88 may be positioned below the row of cyclone boxes 30 to receive and collect the liquid as it exits the discharge passage 52. A discharge pipe 90 extending downwardly from the sump 88 may be used to deliver the liquid collected in the sump 88 to a location near the bottom pickup nozzle 28 for subsequent removal from the vessel 10. An inclined baffle 92 (FIGS. 4 and 6) may be positioned between the sump 88 and the descending cyclone boxes 30 to direct liquid descending from the open bottoms of those cyclone boxes 30 toward the liquid descending from the discharge passage 52.

[0038] A series of plates 94 may be secured around the perimeter of the cyclone eliminator 22 between the peripheral cyclone box 30 and the shell 12 of the vessel 10 to prevent vapor from bypassing the cyclone eliminator 22 in the otherwise open space between the peripheral cyclone box 30 and the shell 12 .

[0039] The cyclone demister 22 is operable to remove liquid from the vapor stream 16 by passing the vapor stream 16 through the flow chamber 56 of the cyclone barrel 34 and imparting a swirling motion to the vapor stream 16 as the vapor stream 16 passes through the cyclone 58 to generate a centrifugal force that causes the liquid in the vapor stream 16 to impinge on and coalesce on the inner surface of the cylindrical wall 54 defining the flow chamber 56. The coalesced liquid on the inner surface of the cylindrical wall 54 is directed through the slots 64 and discharged into the volume of the box structure 32 outside the cylindrical barrel 34. The discharged liquid then flows onto and descends along the first and second inclined sides 46, 48 of the lower top 44 and enters the discharge passage 52 after passing through the discharge opening 66 in the lower portion of the first and second side walls 40, 42. The liquid then descends through the discharge channels 52 and into the sump 88 for subsequent flow through the discharge pipe 90 to the bottom draw nozzle 28, where it can be removed from the vessel 10. The multiple discharge channels 52 can accommodate a greater flow rate of liquid than would be possible using only a single central discharge channel, and the first and second inclined sides 46, 48 of the top portion 44 allow the liquid to flow into the discharge channels 52 less affected by any rocking motion of the vessel 10 due to wind or wave loads.

[0040] Additional considerations

[0041] In this specification, reference to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," or "multiple embodiments" means that the referenced feature or features are included in at least one embodiment of the present technology. Separate references to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," or "multiple embodiments" in this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor are they mutually exclusive, unless so stated and / or apparent to one skilled in the art from the description. For example, features, structures, actions, etc. described in one embodiment may also be included in other embodiments, but are not necessarily included. Therefore, the current technology may include various combinations and / or integrations of the embodiments described herein.

[0042] In the specification and claims, reference will be made to a number of terms which shall be defined to have the following meanings: The singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0043] As used herein throughout the specification and claims, approximating language may be used to modify any quantitative representation that may permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Thus, a value modified by one or more terms such as "about" and "substantially" is not limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument used to measure the value.

[0044] As used herein, the terms "radial" and "radially" refer to directions and orientations extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Additionally, directional references such as "lateral" and similar terms are used herein for convenience only and should be understood only relative to each other.

[0045] Unless otherwise indicated herein, the terms "coupled," "attached," and the like refer to both direct coupling, securing, or attachment, as well as indirect coupling, securing, or attachment through one or more intermediate components or features.

[0046] Although this application sets forth detailed descriptions of various embodiments, it should be understood that the legal scope of this description is defined by the words and equivalents of the claims. The detailed description should be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment, as describing every possible embodiment would be impractical. Many alternative embodiments can be implemented using current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims.

[0047] Throughout this specification, multiple instances may implement components, operations, or structures described as a single instance. Structures and functions presented as separate components in the example configurations may be implemented as combined structures or combined components. Similarly, structures and functions presented as separate components may be implemented as separate components. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of the subject matter herein. Unless otherwise specified in the specification and / or apparent to those skilled in the art from the specification, the foregoing statements in this paragraph shall apply.

[0048] As used herein, the terms "comprises," "includes," "has," or "contains" or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0049] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, it should be noted that equivalents may be employed and substituted herein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A cyclone box for removing liquid from a flowing vapor stream, the cyclone box comprising: a box structure having a front end and a spaced-apart rear end, first and second spaced-apart side walls extending in a direction between the front end and the rear end, and a top having a first sloping side and a second sloping side, wherein the first inclined side of the top is inclined in the direction of the first side wall to allow liquid to be discharged toward a first discharge channel extending downwardly along the first side wall and into the first discharge channel when the liquid is on the first inclined side of the top, and the second inclined side of the top is inclined in the direction of the second side wall to allow liquid to be discharged toward a second discharge channel extending downwardly along the second side wall and into the second discharge channel when the liquid is on the second inclined side of the top; and At least one cyclone, the at least one cyclone being mounted within the housing structure and comprising: a cylindrical wall forming a flow chamber having an inlet end at a front end of the box structure and an opposite outlet end at a rear end of the box structure; a swirler positioned within the cylindrical wall to impart a swirling motion to the vapor flow as it flows through the flow chamber from the inlet end to the outlet end, the swirling motion generating a centrifugal force to coalesce liquid in the vapor flow on the inner surface of the cylindrical wall; and One or more outlets for allowing the liquid that coalesces on the inner surface of the cylindrical wall to drain into a volume of the housing structure outside the cylindrical barrel.

2. The cyclone box according to claim 1, wherein: The one or more outlets are formed in the cylindrical wall downstream of the cyclone.

3. The cyclone box according to claim 1, wherein: The cyclone is secured against movement.

4. The cyclone box according to claim 1 , wherein the cyclone box includes discharge openings formed in lower portions of the first side wall and the second side wall to allow liquid within the box structure to be discharged into the first discharge channel through the discharge opening in the first side wall and into the second discharge channel through the discharge opening in the second side wall when the cyclone box is stacked on an upper portion of a top portion of another cyclone box.

5. The cyclone box of claim 1 , comprising a recirculation duct having an inlet end opening into the volume of the box structure outside the cylindrical barrel and an outlet end opening into the flow chamber within the cylindrical wall.

6. A cyclone box according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of said cyclone barrels positioned in spaced apart and parallel extending relationship with each other within said box structure.

7. The cyclone box according to claim 6, comprising a partition wall positioned between horizontally adjacent cyclone drums of the cyclone drums.

8. A cyclone box according to claim 7, comprising a deflector cap located above the cylindrical wall to shield the one or more outlets from liquid descending from above into the one or more openings.

9. The cyclone box according to claim 1, wherein the cyclone box includes a front plate and a rear plate, the front plate is positioned at the front end of the box structure and is engaged with the first side wall and the second side wall, the top and the cylindrical wall at the inlet end of the flow chamber, the rear plate is positioned at the rear end of the box structure and is engaged with the first side wall and the second side wall, the top and the cylindrical wall at the outlet end of the flow chamber, and the front plate and the rear plate include openings aligned with the flow chamber.

10. A cyclone demister, comprising: a plurality of cyclone boxes arranged in a side-by-side relationship in vertically stacked rows within the separation vessel, each cyclone box comprising: a box structure having a front end and a spaced-apart rear end, first and second spaced-apart side walls extending in a direction between the front end and the rear end, and a top having a first sloping side and a second sloping side, wherein the first inclined side of the top portion is inclined in the direction of the first side wall to allow liquid to be discharged toward and into the discharge channel extending downwardly along the first side wall when the liquid is on the first inclined side of the top portion, and the second inclined side of the top portion is inclined in the direction of the second side wall to allow liquid to be discharged toward and into another of the discharge channels extending downwardly along the second side wall when the liquid is on the second inclined side of the top portion; wherein the discharge passage is formed by a first side wall and a facing second wall of an adjacent one of the cyclone boxes in the same row, and is formed by a second side wall and a facing first wall of another adjacent cyclone box in the same row; and At least one cyclone, the at least one cyclone being mounted within the housing structure and comprising: a cylindrical wall forming a flow chamber having an inlet end at a front end of the box structure and an opposite outlet end at a rear end of the box structure; a fixed cyclone positioned within the cylindrical wall to impart a swirling motion to the vapor stream as it flows through the flow chamber from the inlet end to the outlet end, the swirling motion generating a centrifugal force to coalesce liquid in the vapor stream on an inner surface of the cylindrical wall; and One or more outlets for allowing the liquid that coalesces on the inner surface of the cylindrical wall to drain into a volume of the housing structure outside the cylindrical barrel.

11. The cyclone demister according to claim 10, wherein: In each cyclone box, the one or more outlets are formed in the cylindrical wall downstream of the cyclone.

12. The cyclone demister according to claim 10, wherein: The first and second side walls of each cyclone box rest on the top of the box structure of the cyclone box below and include discharge openings formed in lower portions of the first and second side walls to allow liquid within the box structure to be discharged into the first discharge channel through the discharge opening in the first side wall and into the second discharge channel through the discharge opening in the second side wall.

13. A cyclone demister according to claim 12, each cyclone barrel comprising a recirculation duct having an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end opening to the volume of the box structure outside the cyclone barrel and the outlet end opening to the flow chamber within the cylindrical wall.

14. The cyclone demister according to claim 12, comprising a plurality of cyclone barrels in the cyclone barrels positioned in spaced-apart and parallel-extending relationship with each other within the box structure of each cyclone box.

15. The cyclone demister of claim 14, comprising a partition wall positioned between horizontally adjacent cyclones of the cyclones within each box structure.

16. The cyclone demister of claim 15, comprising a flow deflector cap located above the cylindrical wall in each cyclone barrel to shield the one or more outlets from liquid descending from above into the one or more openings.

17. The cyclone demister according to claim 10, wherein: In each cyclone box, a front plate is positioned at the front end of the box structure and is joined to the first and second side walls, the top and the cylindrical wall at the inlet end of the flow chamber, and a rear plate is positioned at the rear end of the box structure and is joined to the first and second side walls, the top and the cylindrical wall at the outlet end of the flow chamber, the front plate and the rear plate including openings aligned with the flow chamber.

18. The cyclone demister according to claim 10, wherein: The discharge passages in each row of cyclone boxes are vertically aligned with the discharge passages in the cyclone boxes in the adjacent row.

19. The cyclone demister of claim 18, comprising a sump positioned below the row of cyclone boxes to receive liquid discharged from the discharge channel.

20. A method of separating liquid from a flowing vapor stream using the cyclone demister according to claim 10, the method comprising the steps of: flowing the vapor stream through a flow chamber of the cyclone cartridge and imparting a swirling motion to the vapor stream as it passes through the cyclone so as to cause liquid in the vapor stream to impinge upon and coalesce on the inner surface of the cylindrical wall; directing the coalesced liquid from the inner surface of the cylindrical wall through an outlet for discharge into a volume of the housing structure external to the cylindrical barrel; as well as The discharged liquid is caused to flow onto the first and second inclined sides of the top portion, and to flow along the first and second inclined sides of the top portion and into the discharge channel.

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