Importance

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Abstract

A hydrocyclone establishes a first vortex of fluent material at one end (e.g. in a top portion), and a second vortex at the other end (e.g. in a bottom portion). The first vortex is established within a porous surface of revolution to which gas or other fluid is supplied, passing through the porous surface into the first vortex. The second vortex is established by a conical end section extending outwardly from (e.g. below) the porous surface, and with an axial (e.g. bottom) discharge for fluent material. Some fluent material--for example having heavy particles--is removed tangentially from the conical end section at a portion near the porous surface of revolution. A conical shroud having a circumferential periphery is mounted by a number of spaced legs connected between the shroud and the conical bottom section so that fluent material may pass between the circumferential periphery of the shroud and the porous surface of revolution. An axial gas passage is provided in the shroud to allow gas to escape from the second vortex into the first vortex, and ultimately out the first end (e.g. top) of the hydrocyclone. A plenum surrounding the porous surface of revolution may be divided into two or more axial portions, and liquid can be introduced into one of the plenum portions so that it experiences a pressure drop as it passes through the porous surface of revolution, thereby causing small bubbles to form.

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First Claim