Passive gas separator and accumulator device
- Saratoga, CA
- Berkeley, CA
A separation device employing a gas separation filter and swirler vanes for separating gas from a gasliquid mixture is provided. The cylindrical filter utilizes the principle that surface tension in the pores of the filter prevents gas bubbles from passing through. As a result, the gas collects in the interior region of the filter and coalesces to form larger bubbles in the center of the device. The device is particularly suited for use in microgravity conditions since the swirlers induce a centrifugal force which causes liquid to move from the inner region of the filter, pass the pores, and flow through the outlet of the device while the entrained gas is trapped by the filter. The device includes a cylindrical gas storage screen which is enclosed by the cylindrical gas separation filter. The screen has pores that are larger than those of the filters. The screen prevents larger bubbles that have been formed from reaching and interfering with the pores of the gas separation filter. The device is initially filled with a gas other than that which is to be separated. This technique results in separation of the gas even before gas bubbles are present in the mixture. Initially filling the device with the dissimilar gas and preventing the gas from escaping before operation can be accomplished by sealing the dissimilar gas in the inner region of the separation device with a ruptured disc which can be ruptured when the device is activated for use.
- Research Organization:
- Martin Marietta Corp
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-86SF16006
- Assignee:
- United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 5334239
- OSTI ID:
- 869419
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
gas
separator
accumulator
device
separation
employing
filter
swirler
vanes
separating
gasliquid
mixture
provided
cylindrical
utilizes
principle
surface
tension
pores
prevents
bubbles
passing
result
collects
interior
region
coalesces
form
larger
center
particularly
suited
microgravity
conditions
swirlers
induce
centrifugal
force
causes
liquid
move
inner
pass
flow
outlet
entrained
trapped
storage
screen
enclosed
filters
formed
reaching
interfering
initially
filled
separated
technique
results
filling
dissimilar
preventing
escaping
operation
accomplished
sealing
ruptured
disc
activated
gas bubbles
liquid mixture
centrifugal force
particularly suited
gas separation
surface tension
gas bubble
gas storage
separation device
filter prevents
form larger
interior region
separating gas
gas separator
cylindrical gas
inner region
entrained gas
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