Method and apparatus for treating heterogeneous fluid systems

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The following discussion will be primarily addressed to separation of oil droplets dispersed in water since this system is commonly encountered and difficult to deal with.
However, it is to be understood that other systems can of course be treated in a similar manner, and that dispersed components in the gas can be likewise separated.
Turning now to the drawings, wherein like components are designated by like numerals throughout the various figures, a separator in accord with the instant invention is shown in FIG.
1 and generally designated by reference numeral 10.
As shown, separator 10 includes enclosure 12 having top cover 14 and inlet pipe 15 at one end thereof, and an outlet pipe 16 at the other end of enclosure 12.
Liquid level 17 in enclosure 12 is, as illustrated, determined by the height of outlet pipe 16.
With particular reference to FIGS.
2 and 3, it is to be noted that bubbles 19 are induced in liquid contained within enclosure 12 by flowing a gas upward through a plurality of conduits 20 positioned over manifold 22.
Vents 23, defined in manifold 22 immediately beneath each conduit 20 provide for a flow of bubbles 19 into each conduit 20.
Gas inlet 24 communicates with manifold 22 and supplies a regulated flow of gas to manifold 22.
As will be described below, in a preferred embodiment in which bubbles 19 are formed of a gas other than air, the system is a closed system and the gas is recycled with appropriate makeup.
Liquid level 17 is regulated to about the upper end of conduits 20, though conduits 20 may be somewhat below liquid level 17.
Oil skimmer 27, shown in FIG.
1 and illustrated in more detail in FIGS.
4 and 5, is positioned adjacent surface of the liquid within enclosure 12.
Oil skimmer 27, as illustrated, includes a cylinder 29 rotatably mounted in bearings 30 at either end thereof.
A motor 32 is mounted to rotate cylinder 29 in, with reference to FIG.
4, a counterclockwise direction.
Thus, an oil film on the surface of the liquid within enclosure 12 is skimmed from the liquid surface by rotating cylinder 29