Induced Gas Flotation Cylindrical Vessel Eductor Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for separating immiscible fluids, such as oil and water, in cylindrical vessels are inefficient and rely on outdated design philosophies, requiring mechanical wipers and frequent maintenance, and do not effectively meet modern discharge requirements.
Innovation Solution
The development of an advanced Induced Gas Flotation (IGF) system with a cylindrical vessel design that utilizes improved Eductor technology for efficient gasification and dispersion of bubbles, allowing for clockwise fluid rotation and oil skim migration to an adjustable spillover weir, along with external bubble size adjustment and filtration capabilities, to enhance separation efficiency and versatility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional mechanical or hydraulic separation vessels are used, then separation of immiscible fluids can be achieved, but the process is inefficient and requires frequent maintenance with mechanical wipers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical wiper systems with a gas flotation-based separation mechanism. Gas bubbles are injected into the fluid mixture, attach to oil droplets, and carry them to the surface for removal, eliminating the need for mechanical contact and wiper maintenance while improving separation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pneumatic injection of gas bubbles into the hydraulic system to achieve separation. The gas flotation process utilizes air or other gases introduced through diffusers or spargers to create bubbles that selectively attach to and transport oil droplets, replacing mechanical hydraulic systems
2Reliability
If traditional separation vessels are used, then basic separation can be achieved, but they do not meet modern discharge requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The separation process is divided into distinct functional zones: a mixing zone where gas is injected to create bubbles, a flotation zone where oil-gas aggregates rise to the surface, and a skimming zone where oil is removed. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function, ensuring discharge compliance without excessive overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows adjustment of operational parameters such as gas flow rate, bubble size, and retention time to optimize separation performance for different fluid compositions and meet varying discharge requirements, providing flexibility without requiring complete system redesign
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The IGF system achieves efficient separation of immiscible fluids, reduces downtime for maintenance, and meets U.S. government discharge requirements by optimizing bubble size and recirculation processes, resulting in improved efficiency and versatility for the oil and gas industries.
Implementation Method 1
separation of two liquids which are immiscible with each other... separating oil from water efficiently by means of induced gas flotation
Implementation Method 2
the free oil skim created from the separation process migrates to an adjustable oil spillover weir for removal
Implementation Method 3
The rotation of the process fluid, typically produced water, is designed so that the free oil skim created from the separation process migrates to an adjustable oil spillover weir for removal
Implementation Method 4
advancements in Eductor design make the gasification and dispersion of bubbles more efficient
Data Source
AI summary
In reviewing the oil industry for the past 30 years there has been a need for a low maintenance, low cost, space saving Induced Gas Flotation Cell. With this said, a method has been invented to do this by making several changes in the present design philosophy of induced Gas flotation. First by providing a cylindrical vessel we have made a stronger unit with better structural integrity, and minimizing the opportunity for accelerated corrosion, secondly by changing the vital operations of the unit, specifically the recirculation rate of the system, lowering the overall discharge flow and increasing the discharge pressure we have been able to increase retention time and increase bubble dispersion, part and parcel with this change is the addition of multiple Eductors in each cell providing greater gasification per cell. The combination of these changes provides a greater overall efficiency thus the overboard water quality is improved using a smaller vessel to accomplish the objective. As important, is the placement of the Eductor in the vessel creating a rolling effect to move separated oil to a spillover point for collection. Thus the collection point is improved by eliminating costly mechanical wipers and using multiple adjustable spillover weirs in each cell to recover the collected oil contaminant. during the process and will help preclude upset and or surge conditions from affecting the water quality at the effluent. The overall design and combined affect of these important features makes this an improvement over all conventional technology used today. The above features are a marked advancement, when taken in combination, to current induced gas flotation technology.