TW202525402A - Filter-coalescer, coalescer, systems, and methods of use - Google Patents

Abstract

A filter-coalescer arrangement, a filter-coalescer device, as well as a coalescer arrangement, and a coalescer device, for removing solid and liquid contaminants from a gas stream are provided, comprising, respectively, a prefilter, an inertial separator including a vortex generator and an axial flow separator, and a coalescer, sequentially arranged in series; and, an inertial separator including a vortex generator and an axial flow separator, and a coalescer, sequentially arranged in series. Filter-coalescer systems and coalescer systems including the arrangements and the devices arranged in a pressure vessel, methods of using the devices and systems, and servicing the systems, are also disclosed.

Description

Filter coalescer, coalescer, system and method of use

The present invention relates to a coalescer arrangement comprising: an inertial separator comprising: (i) a vortex generator comprising helical blades; and (ii) an axial flow separator comprising a hollow cylindrical axial flow body having a first open separator end and a second open separator end, the hollow cylindrical axial flow body comprising radial grooves; or, the hollow cylindrical axial flow body comprising an inner hollow cylindrical porous metal element and an outer hollow cylindrical porous metal element. a hollow cylindrical metal screen; wherein the axial flow separator is in fluid communication with the vortex generator; and (b) a coalescer comprising a porous coalescer medium, a first open coalescer end and a second open coalescer end, and a closed coalescer end cap located in the second open coalescer end, the coalescer being disposed adjacent to the second open separator end and in fluid communication with the axial flow separator; wherein (a) and (b) are arranged in sequence; and also relates to an inertial separator comprising (i) a vortex generator comprising spiral blades, and (ii) an axial flow separator comprising a hollow cylindrical axial flow body having a first open separator end and a second open separator end, the hollow cylindrical axial flow body comprising an inner hollow cylindrical porous metal element and an outer Hollow cylindrical metal mesh; and also relates to a filter coalescer arrangement comprising an inertial separator, the inertial separator comprising: (i) a vortex generator comprising helical blades; and (ii) an axial flow separator comprising a hollow cylindrical axial flow body having a first open separator end and a second open separator end, the hollow cylindrical axial flow body comprising a porous medium.

Gases, such as industrial gases, transmitted through pipeline systems may carry unwanted contaminants such as liquid droplets and/or solid particles.

There is a need for improved filters, devices, and systems for removing undesirable contaminants or fluids from gases and/or recovering desired components from gases prior to further processing and/or use. The present invention provides improvements that address at least some of the shortcomings of the prior art. These and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description set forth below.

One aspect of the present invention provides a filter coalescer arrangement comprising: (a) at least one prefilter comprising: a hollow porous medium having a first open prefilter end and a second open prefilter end; and a closed prefilter end cap located in the first open prefilter end; (b) a first inertial separator comprising: (i) a vortex generator comprising helical blades, the vortex generator being in fluid communication with the at least one prefilter; and (ii) an axial flow separator comprising a (a) a hollow cylindrical axial flow body having a first open separator end and a second open separator end, the axial flow separator being in communication with the vortex generator fluid; and (c) a coalescer comprising a porous coalescer medium, a first open coalescer end and a second open coalescer end, and a closed coalescer end cap located in the second open coalescer end, the coalescer being arranged adjacent to the second open separator end and in communication with the axial flow separator fluid, wherein (a), (b) and (c) are arranged in sequence.

Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a coalescer arrangement comprising: (a) an inertial separator comprising: (i) a vortex generator comprising helical blades; and (ii) an axial flow separator comprising a hollow cylindrical axial flow body having a first open separator end and a second open separator end; the hollow cylindrical axial flow body comprising radial grooves; or, the hollow cylindrical axial flow body comprising an inner hollow cylindrical porous metal element. and an outer hollow cylindrical metal mesh; wherein the axial flow separator is in communication with the vortex generator fluid; and (b) a coalescer comprising a porous coalescer medium, a first open coalescer end and a second open coalescer end, and a closed coalescer end cap located in the second open coalescer end, the coalescer being disposed adjacent to the second open separator end and in communication with the axial flow separator fluid; wherein (a) and (b) are disposed sequentially.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a filter-coalescer device comprising at least one filter-coalescer arrangement, the at least one filter-coalescer arrangement comprising: (a) at least one pre-filter comprising: a hollow porous medium having a first open pre-filter end and a second open pre-filter end; and a closed pre-filter end cap located in the first open pre-filter end; (b) a first inertial separator comprising: (i) a vortex generator comprising helical blades, the vortex generator being in fluid communication with the at least one pre-filter; and (ii) an axial flow separator comprising a first open separator end and a second open separator end. (a) a hollow cylindrical axial flow body with a first open end, the axial flow separator is connected to the vortex generator fluid; (c) a coalescer comprising a porous coalescer medium, a first open coalescer end and a second open coalescer end, and a closed coalescer end cap located in the second open coalescer end, the coalescer is arranged adjacent to the second open separator end and is connected to the axial flow separator fluid; the filter coalescer device further comprises (d) a second inertial separator comprising a plurality of blades and/or a mesh pad, the second inertial separator is connected to the coalescer fluid; wherein (a), (b), (c) and (d) are arranged in sequence.

In another aspect, a filter-coalescer system comprises: I. a filter-coalescer apparatus comprising at least one filter-coalescer arrangement, the at least one filter-coalescer arrangement comprising: (a) at least one prefilter comprising: a hollow porous medium having a first open prefilter end and a second open prefilter end; and a closed prefilter end cap located in the first open prefilter end; (b) a first inertial separator comprising: (i) a vortex generator comprising helical blades, The vortex generator is in fluid communication with the at least one pre-filter; and (ii) an axial flow separator comprising a hollow cylindrical axial flow body having a first open separator end and a second open separator end, the axial flow separator being in fluid communication with the vortex generator; (c) a coalescer comprising a porous coalescer medium, a first open coalescer end and a second open coalescer end, and a closed coalescer end cap located in the second open coalescer end, the coalescer being adjacent to the second open separator. The filter-coalescer device is configured at one end and is in fluid communication with the axial flow separator; the filter-coalescer device further comprises (d) a second inertial separator comprising a plurality of blades and/or mesh pads, the second inertial separator being in fluid communication with the coalescer; wherein (a), (b), (c) and (d) are configured in sequence; II. wherein the filter-coalescer device is configured in a pressure vessel, the pressure vessel comprising a pressure vessel inlet, a pressure vessel outlet, a first chamber, a first liquid port, a first tube sheet, a second The first chamber comprises a pressure vessel inlet, a prefilter, and the first liquid port; the second chamber comprises the first inertial separator and the second liquid port, wherein the first tube sheet separates the first chamber from the second chamber; the third chamber comprises the coalescer, the second inertial separator, the third liquid port, and the pressure vessel outlet, wherein the second tube sheet separates the second chamber from the third chamber.

In another aspect, a filter coalescer system comprises: I. at least one filter coalescer configuration comprising: (a) at least one prefilter comprising: a hollow porous medium having a first open prefilter end and a second open prefilter end; and a closed prefilter end cap positioned in the first open prefilter end; (b) a first inertial separator comprising: (i) a vortex generator comprising helical blades, the vortex (i) an axial flow separator comprising a hollow cylindrical axial flow body having a first open separator end and a second open separator end, the axial flow separator being in fluid communication with the swirl generator; and (ii) a coalescer comprising a porous coalescer medium, a first open coalescer end and a second open coalescer end, and a closed coalescer end cap located in the second open coalescer end. , the coalescer is disposed adjacent to the second open separator end and is in fluid communication with the axial flow separator; the filter coalescer system further comprises a curved plate below the coalescer; wherein (a), (b) and (c) are disposed in sequence; II. wherein the filter coalescer is disposed in a pressure vessel, the pressure vessel comprising a pressure vessel inlet, a pressure vessel outlet, a first chamber, a first liquid port, a first tube sheet, a second chamber The first chamber comprises a pressure vessel inlet, the prefilter, and the first liquid port, the second chamber comprises the first inertial separator and the second liquid port, wherein the first tube sheet separates the first chamber from the second chamber, and the third chamber comprises the coalescer, the bent plate, and the pressure vessel outlet, wherein the second tube sheet separates the second chamber from the third chamber.

In another aspect, a coalescer system comprises: I. at least one coalescer arrangement comprising: (a) an inertial separator comprising: (i) a swirl generator comprising helical blades; and (ii) an axial flow separator comprising a hollow cylindrical axial flow body having a first open separator end and a second open separator end, the axial flow separator being in fluid communication with the swirl generator; (b) a coalescer comprising a porous coalescer medium, a first open coalescer end and a second open coalescer end, and a closed coalescer end cap located in the second open coalescer end, the coalescer being arranged adjacent to the second open separator end and in fluid communication with the axial flow separator; the filter coalescer system further comprising: a curved plate below the coalescer; wherein (a) and (b) are arranged in sequence; II. wherein the coalescer is arranged in a pressure vessel, the pressure vessel comprising a pressure vessel inlet, a pressure vessel outlet, a first chamber, a first liquid port, a first tube sheet, a second chamber, a second liquid port, a second tube sheet, a third chamber, and a third liquid port; the first chamber comprises the pressure vessel inlet and the first liquid port; the second chamber comprises the inertial separator and the second liquid port, wherein the first tube sheet separates the first chamber from the second chamber; the third chamber comprises the coalescer, the curved plate, the third liquid port, and the pressure vessel outlet, wherein the second tube sheet separates the second chamber from the third chamber.

In another aspect, an inertial separator is provided, comprising: (i) a vortex generator comprising helical blades; and (ii) an axial flow separator comprising a hollow cylindrical axial flow body having a first open separator end and a second open separator end, the hollow cylindrical axial flow body comprising an inner hollow cylindrical porous metal element and an outer hollow cylindrical metal mesh.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an inertial separator includes: (i) a vortex generator including spiral blades; and (ii) an axial flow separator including a hollow cylindrical axial flow body having a first open separator end and a second open separator end, the hollow cylindrical axial flow body including radial grooves.

A method of maintaining a filter coalescer system according to an aspect of the present invention is provided, wherein the filter coalescer system comprises: I. a filter coalescer apparatus comprising at least one filter coalescer arrangement, the at least one filter coalescer arrangement comprising: (a) at least one prefilter comprising: a hollow porous medium having a first open prefilter end and a second open prefilter end; and a closed prefilter end cap located at the first open pre-filter end; (b) a first inertial separator comprising: (i) a vortex generator comprising spiral blades, the vortex generator being in fluid communication with the at least one pre-filter; and (ii) an axial flow separator comprising a hollow cylindrical axial flow body having a first open separator end and a second open separator end, the axial flow separator being in fluid communication with the vortex generator; (c) a coalescer comprising The filter-coalescer device comprises a porous coalescer medium, a first open coalescer end and a second open coalescer end, and a closed coalescer end cap located in the second open coalescer end, wherein the coalescer is disposed adjacent to the second open separator end and is in fluid communication with the axial flow separator; the filter-coalescer device further comprises (d) a second inertial separator comprising a plurality of blades and/or a mesh pad, wherein the second inertial separator is in fluid communication with the coalescer fluid. wherein (a), (b), (c) and (d) are sequentially arranged, and II. wherein the filter-coalescer device is arranged in a pressure vessel having a first end and a second end and comprising a pressure vessel inlet, a pressure vessel outlet, a first chamber, a first liquid port, a first tube sheet, a second chamber, a second liquid port, a second tube sheet, a third chamber and a third liquid port; and a parallel filter-coalescer arrangement a support rail disposed along a lower surface of the filter-coalescer arrangement in the pressure vessel; the first chamber comprising the pressure vessel inlet, the prefilter, and the first liquid port; the second chamber comprising the first inertial separator and the second liquid port, wherein the first tube sheet separates the first chamber from the second chamber; the third chamber comprising the coalescer, the second inertial separator, the third liquid port, and the pressure vessel inlet; The pressure vessel outlet is characterized in that the second tube sheet separates the second chamber from the third chamber; the first end of the pressure vessel is located before the at least one pre-filter and the pressure vessel inlet, and the second end of the pressure vessel is located after the second inertial separator and the pressure vessel outlet, wherein the first end has a spliced openable hatch that covers the front end when closed, and the second end is closed; the method comprises: opening the releasable latch of the splice to separate the at least one pre-filter and the vortex generator from the axial flow separator and the coalescer; removing the at least one pre-filter and the vortex generator from the pressure vessel by sliding the at least one pre-filter and the vortex generator along the parallel filter-coalescer arrangement support rails including parallel pre-filter rails and through the opened latch ; sliding the replacement at least one pre-filter and the vortex generator into the pressure vessel by sliding the at least one pre-filter and the vortex generator through the opened latch and along the parallel filter-coalescer arrangement support rails including parallel pre-filter rails until the at least one pre-filter and the vortex generator are connected to the axial flow separator and the coalescer; and closing the spliced openable latch.

A method of maintaining a filter-coalescer system according to another aspect of the present invention is provided, wherein the filter-coalescer system comprises: I. a filter-coalescer apparatus comprising at least one filter-coalescer arrangement, the at least one filter-coalescer arrangement comprising: (a) at least one pre-filter comprising: a hollow porous medium having a first open pre-filter end and a second open pre-filter end; and a closed pre-filter end cap located in the first open pre-filter end; (b) a first inertial separator comprising: (i) a vortex generator comprising helical blades, the vortex generator being in fluid communication with the at least one pre-filter; and (ii) an axial flow separator comprising a hollow cylindrical axial flow main body having a first open separator end and a second open separator end. (c) a coalescer comprising a porous coalescer medium, a first open coalescer end and a second open coalescer end, and a closed coalescer end cap located in the second open coalescer end, the coalescer being disposed adjacent to the second open separator end and being in fluid communication with the axial flow separator; and (d) a filter coalescer device comprising a porous coalescer medium, a first open coalescer end and a second open coalescer end, and a closed coalescer end cap located in the second open coalescer end. Step d) comprising a second inertial separator comprising a plurality of blades and/or a mesh pad, the second inertial separator being in fluid communication with the coalescer; wherein (a), (b), (c) and (d) are arranged in sequence; II. wherein the filter-coalescer device is arranged in a pressure vessel having a first end and a second end and including a pressure vessel inlet, a pressure vessel outlet, and a pressure vessel inlet. a first chamber, a first liquid port, a first tube sheet, a second chamber, a second liquid port, a second tube sheet, a third chamber, and a third liquid port; and parallel filter-coalescer arrangement support rails arranged along a lower surface of the filter-coalescer arrangement in the pressure vessel; the first chamber includes the pressure vessel inlet, the prefilter, and the first liquid port; the second chamber includes the first inertial separator and the second liquid port, wherein the first tube sheet separates the first chamber from the second chamber; the third chamber includes the coalescer, the second inertial separator, the third liquid port, and the pressure vessel outlet, wherein the second tube sheet separates the second chamber from the third chamber; wherein the first end of the pressure vessel is located at the at least one prefilter and before the pressure vessel inlet, and the second end of the pressure vessel is located after the second inertial separator and the pressure vessel outlet, wherein the first end has a knitted openable hatch, the knitted openable hatch covers the front end when closed, and the second end is closed; the method comprising: opening the knitted openable latch by disposing the filter coalescer along The parallel filter-coalescer arrangement support rails slide through the open latch to remove the filter-coalescer arrangement from the pressure vessel; sliding a replacement filter-coalescer arrangement into the pressure vessel by sliding the replacement filter-coalescer arrangement through the open latch and along the parallel filter-coalescer arrangement support rails; and closing the spliced openable latch.

A method of maintaining a filter coalescer system according to an aspect of the present invention is provided, wherein the filter coalescer system comprises: I. at least one filter coalescer arrangement comprising: (a) at least one prefilter comprising: a hollow porous medium having a first open prefilter end and a second open prefilter end; and a closed prefilter end cap located in the first open prefilter end; (b) ) a first inertial separator comprising: (i) a vortex generator comprising spiral blades, the vortex generator being in fluid communication with the at least one pre-filter; and (ii) an axial flow separator comprising a hollow cylindrical axial flow body having a first open separator end and a second open separator end, the axial flow separator being in fluid communication with the vortex generator; (c) a coalescer comprising a porous coalescer a filter-coalescer arrangement comprising a first open coalescer end and a second open coalescer end, and a closed coalescer end cap located in the second open coalescer end, the coalescer being disposed adjacent to the second open separator end and in fluid communication with the axial flow separator, the filter-coalescer arrangement further comprising a curved plate below the coalescer; wherein (a), (b), and (c) are disposed sequentially; II. wherein the filter-coalescer arrangement is disposed in a pressure vessel having a first end and a second end and comprising a pressure vessel inlet, a pressure vessel outlet, a first chamber, a first liquid port, a first tube sheet, a second chamber, a second liquid port, a second tube sheet, and a third chamber; and parallel filter-coalescer arrangement support rails extending along a lower surface of the filter-coalescer arrangement in the pressure vessel. The invention relates to a method for preparing a pressure vessel having a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein the first chamber comprises the pressure vessel inlet, the prefilter and the first liquid port; the second chamber comprises the first inertial separator and the second liquid port, wherein the first tube sheet separates the first chamber from the second chamber; the third chamber comprises the coalescer and the bent plate below the coalescer and the pressure vessel outlet, wherein the second tube sheet separates the second chamber from the third chamber; wherein the first end of the pressure vessel is located before the at least one prefilter and the pressure vessel inlet, and the second end of the pressure vessel is located after the pressure vessel outlet, wherein the first end has a spliced openable hatch, the spliced openable hatch covers the front end when closed, and the second end is closed; the method comprises: opening the spliced openable hatch; a latch to separate the at least one pre-filter and the vortex generator from the axial flow separator and the coalescer; removing the at least one pre-filter and the vortex generator from the pressure vessel by sliding the at least one pre-filter and the vortex generator along the parallel filter-coalescer arrangement support rails including the parallel pre-filter rails and through the opened latch; and removing the at least one pre-filter and the vortex generator from the pressure vessel by replacing the at least one pre-filter and the vortex generator with the at least one pre-filter. Sliding the at least one pre-filter and the vortex generator through the opened latch and along the parallel filter-coalescer arrangement support rails including parallel pre-filter rails to slide the at least one pre-filter and the vortex generator into the pressure vessel until the at least one pre-filter and the vortex generator are connected to the axial flow separator and the coalescer; and closing the spliced openable latch.

A method for maintaining a filter-coalescer system according to another aspect of the present invention is provided, wherein the filter-coalescer system comprises: I. at least one filter-coalescer assembly, comprising: (a) at least one pre-filter, comprising: a hollow porous medium having a first open pre-filter end and a second open pre-filter end; and a closed pre-filter end cap located in the first open pre-filter end; (b) a first inertial separator, comprising: (i) a vortex generator comprising spiral blades, the vortex generator being in fluid communication with the at least one pre-filter; and (ii) an axial flow separator, comprising a hollow cylindrical axial flow body having a first open separator end and a second open separator end. , the axial flow separator is in fluid communication with the vortex generator; (c) a coalescer comprising a porous coalescer medium, a first open coalescer end and a second open coalescer end, and a closed coalescer end cap located in the second open coalescer end, the coalescer being disposed adjacent to the second open separator end and in fluid communication with the axial flow separator, the filter coalescer system further comprising a curved plate below the coalescer; wherein (a), (b) and (c) are disposed in sequence; II. wherein the filter coalescer is disposed in a pressure vessel having a first end and a second end and comprising a pressure vessel inlet, a pressure vessel outlet, a first chamber, a first liquid port, a first a tube sheet, a second chamber, a second liquid port, a second tube sheet, a third chamber; and parallel filter-coalescer arrangement support rails arranged along a lower surface of the filter-coalescer arrangement in the pressure vessel; the first chamber includes the pressure vessel inlet, the prefilter, and the first liquid port; the second chamber includes the first inertial separator and the second liquid port, wherein the first tube sheet separates the first chamber from the second chamber; the third chamber includes the coalescer, the bent plate, and the pressure vessel outlet, wherein the second tube sheet separates the second chamber from the third chamber; wherein the first end of the pressure vessel is located before the at least one prefilter and the pressure vessel inlet, and The second end of the pressure vessel is located after the pressure vessel outlet, wherein the first end has a spliced openable hatch, the spliced openable hatch covers the front end when closed, and the second end is closed; the method comprises: opening the spliced openable latch, disposing the filter coalescer along the parallel filter coalescers The filter coalescer arrangement is configured to remove the filter coalescer arrangement from the pressure vessel by sliding an arrangement support rail through the open latch; sliding a replacement filter coalescer arrangement into the pressure vessel by sliding the replacement filter coalescer arrangement through the open latch and along the parallel filter coalescer arrangement support rails; and closing the spliced openable latch.

A method for maintaining a coalescer system according to another aspect of the present invention is provided, wherein the coalescer system comprises: I. at least one coalescer assembly comprising: (a) an inertial separator comprising: (i) a vortex generator comprising spiral blades; and (ii) an axial flow separator comprising a hollow cylindrical axial flow body having a first open separator end and a second open separator end, the axial flow separator being in fluid communication with the vortex generator; (b) a coalescer comprising a porous coalescer medium, a first open coalescer end and a second open coalescer end, and a closed coalescer end cap located in the second open coalescer end, the coalescer being disposed adjacent the second open separator end and in fluid communication with the axial flow separator, the coalescer system further comprising a curved plate below the coalescer; wherein (a) and (b) are disposed sequentially; II. wherein the coalescer is disposed in a pressure vessel having a first end and a second end and comprising a pressure vessel inlet, a pressure vessel outlet, a first chamber, a first liquid port, a first tube sheet, a second chamber, a second liquid port, a second tube sheet, a third chamber, and a third liquid port; and a coalescer support rail disposed along the lower surface of the pressure vessel; the first chamber includes the pressure vessel inlet and the first liquid port; the second chamber includes the inertial separator and the second liquid port, wherein the first tube sheet separates the first chamber from the second chamber; the third chamber includes the coalescer, the bent plate, the third liquid port and the pressure vessel outlet, wherein the second tube sheet separates the second chamber from the third chamber; wherein the first end of the pressure vessel is located before the pressure vessel inlet, and the second end of the pressure vessel is located before the pressure vessel inlet. a pressure vessel after an outlet of the pressure vessel, wherein the first end has a hinged openable hatch that covers the forward end when closed, and the second end is closed; the method comprising: opening the hinged openable latch, removing the coalescer arrangement from the pressure vessel by sliding the coalescer arrangement along coalescer arrangement support rails and through the opened latch; sliding a replacement coalescer arrangement into the pressure vessel by sliding the replacement coalescer arrangement through the opened latch and along coalescer arrangement support rails; and closing the hinged openable latch.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for removing solid contaminants and separating liquid contaminants from a gas stream is provided, the method comprising passing the gas stream through a filter-coalescer apparatus comprising at least one filter-coalescer arrangement, the at least one filter-coalescer arrangement comprising: (a) at least one pre-filter comprising: a hollow porous medium having a first open pre-filter; end and a second open pre-filter end; a closed pre-filter end cap located in the first open pre-filter end; and an optional pre-filter coupler engageable with the second open pre-filter end; (b) a first inertial separator comprising: (i) a vortex generator comprising helical blades, the vortex generator being in fluid communication with the pre-filter; and (ii) an axial flow separator , comprising a hollow cylindrical axial flow body having a first open separator end and a second open separator end, the axial flow separator being in fluid communication with the vortex generator; (c) a coalescer comprising a porous coalescer medium, a first open coalescer end and a second open coalescer end, and a closed coalescer end cap located in the second open coalescer end, the coalescer being adjacent to The second open separator end is configured and communicates with the axial flow separator fluid; the filter-coalescer device further includes (d) a second inertial separator including a plurality of blades and/or mesh pads, the second inertial separator being communicated with the coalescer fluid; wherein (a), (b), (c) and (d) are configured in sequence and remove solid and liquid contaminants from the airflow.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for removing solid contaminants and separating liquid contaminants from an air stream is provided, the method comprising passing the air stream through at least one filter-coalescer arrangement, the at least one filter-coalescer arrangement comprising: (a) at least one pre-filter comprising: a hollow porous medium having a first open pre-filter end and a second open pre-filter end; a closed pre-filter end cap located in the first open pre-filter end; and an optional pre-filter coupler engageable with the second open pre-filter end; (b) a first inertial separator comprising: (i) a vortex generator comprising helical blades, the vortex generator being coupled to the first inertial separator; pre-filter fluid communication; and (ii) an axial flow separator, comprising a hollow cylindrical axial flow body having a first open separator end and a second open separator end, the axial flow separator being in fluid communication with the swirl generator; (c) a coalescer, comprising a porous coalescer medium, a first open coalescer end and a second open coalescer end, and a closed coalescer end cap located in the second open coalescer end, the coalescer being arranged adjacent to the second open separator end and in fluid communication with the axial flow separator, wherein a curved plate is arranged below the coalescer; wherein (a), (b) and (c) are arranged in sequence and remove solid and liquid contaminants from the gas stream.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for removing solid contaminants and separating liquid contaminants from a gas stream is provided, the method comprising passing the gas stream through at least one coalescer arrangement, the at least one coalescer arrangement comprising: (a) an inertial separator comprising: (i) a vortex generator comprising helical blades; and (ii) an axial flow separator comprising a hollow cylindrical axial flow body having a first open separator end and a second open separator end, the axial flow separator (a) and (b) are sequentially arranged to remove solid and liquid contaminants from the gas stream.

One aspect of the present invention provides a filter coalescer arrangement comprising: (a) at least one prefilter comprising: a hollow porous medium having a first open prefilter end and a second open prefilter end; and a closed prefilter end cap located in the first open prefilter end; (b) a first inertial separator comprising: (i) a vortex generator comprising helical blades, the vortex generator being in fluid communication with the at least one prefilter; and (ii) an axial flow separator comprising a (a) a hollow cylindrical axial flow body having a first open separator end and a second open separator end, the axial flow separator being in communication with the vortex generator fluid; and (c) a coalescer comprising a porous coalescer medium, a first open coalescer end and a second open coalescer end, and a closed coalescer end cap located in the second open coalescer end, the coalescer being arranged adjacent to the second open separator end and in communication with the axial flow separator fluid, wherein (a), (b) and (c) are arranged in sequence.

Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a coalescer arrangement comprising: (a) an inertial separator comprising: (i) a vortex generator comprising helical blades; and (ii) an axial flow separator comprising a hollow cylindrical axial flow body having a first open separator end and a second open separator end; the hollow cylindrical axial flow body comprising radial grooves; or, the hollow cylindrical axial flow body comprising an inner hollow cylindrical porous metal element. and an outer hollow cylindrical metal mesh; wherein the axial flow separator is in communication with the vortex generator fluid; and (b) a coalescer comprising a porous coalescer medium, a first open coalescer end and a second open coalescer end, and a closed coalescer end cap located in the second open coalescer end, the coalescer being arranged adjacent to the second open separator end and in communication with the axial flow separator fluid; wherein (a) and (b) are arranged sequentially.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a filter-coalescer device comprising at least one filter-coalescer arrangement, the at least one filter-coalescer arrangement comprising: (a) at least one pre-filter comprising: a hollow porous medium having a first open pre-filter end and a second open pre-filter end; and a closed pre-filter end cap located in the first open pre-filter end; (b) a first inertial separator comprising: (i) a vortex generator comprising helical blades, the vortex generator being in fluid communication with the at least one pre-filter; and (ii) an axial flow separator comprising a first open separator end and a second open separator end. (a) a hollow cylindrical axial flow body with a first open end, the axial flow separator is connected to the vortex generator fluid; (c) a coalescer comprising a porous coalescer medium, a first open coalescer end and a second open coalescer end, and a closed coalescer end cap located in the second open coalescer end, the coalescer is arranged adjacent to the second open separator end and is connected to the axial flow separator fluid; the filter coalescer device further comprises (d) a second inertial separator comprising a plurality of blades and/or a mesh pad, the second inertial separator is connected to the coalescer fluid; wherein (a), (b), (c) and (d) are arranged in sequence.

In some aspects of the filter-coalescer configuration and filter-coalescer apparatus, at least one prefilter includes a prefilter coupler engageable with the second open prefilter end, wherein the vortex generator is disposed in the prefilter coupler; and the axial flow separator includes a separator coupler engageable with the first open separator end.

In some aspects of the filter-coalescer arrangement, the filter-coalescer device, and the coalescer arrangement, the hollow cylindrical axial flow body comprises a porous medium, or the hollow cylindrical axial flow body comprises radial grooves.

In some embodiments, the hollow cylindrical axial flow body comprises a wedge-shaped body having a diameter that increases toward the coalescer.

In another aspect, a filter-coalescer system comprises: I. a filter-coalescer apparatus comprising at least one filter-coalescer arrangement, the at least one filter-coalescer arrangement comprising: (a) at least one prefilter comprising: a hollow porous medium having a first open prefilter end and a second open prefilter end; and a closed prefilter end cap located in the first open prefilter end; (b) a first inertial separator comprising: (i) a vortex generator comprising helical blades, The vortex generator is in fluid communication with the at least one pre-filter; and (ii) an axial flow separator comprising a hollow cylindrical axial flow body having a first open separator end and a second open separator end, the axial flow separator being in fluid communication with the vortex generator; (c) a coalescer comprising a porous coalescer medium, a first open coalescer end and a second open coalescer end, and a closed coalescer end cap located in the second open coalescer end, the coalescer being adjacent to the second open separator. The filter-coalescer device is configured at one end and is in fluid communication with the axial flow separator; the filter-coalescer device further comprises (d) a second inertial separator comprising a plurality of blades and/or mesh pads, the second inertial separator being in fluid communication with the coalescer; wherein (a), (b), (c) and (d) are configured in sequence; II. wherein the filter-coalescer device is configured in a pressure vessel, the pressure vessel comprising a pressure vessel inlet, a pressure vessel outlet, a first chamber, a first liquid port, a first tube sheet, a second The first chamber comprises a pressure vessel inlet, a prefilter, and the first liquid port; the second chamber comprises the first inertial separator and the second liquid port, wherein the first tube sheet separates the first chamber from the second chamber; the third chamber comprises the coalescer, the second inertial separator, the third liquid port, and the pressure vessel outlet, wherein the second tube sheet separates the second chamber from the third chamber.

In some preferred embodiments, the pressure vessel further comprises a first end plate and a second end plate; wherein the first chamber comprises the first end plate, and the third chamber comprises the second end plate, and the closed prefilter end cap in the first open prefilter end contacts the first end plate, the second open prefilter end contacts the first tube sheet, the first open coalescer end cap contacts the second tube sheet, and the closed coalescer end cap in the second open coalescer end contacts the second end plate.

In another aspect, a filter coalescer system comprises: I. at least one filter coalescer configuration comprising: (a) at least one prefilter comprising: a hollow porous medium having a first open prefilter end and a second open prefilter end; and a closed prefilter end cap positioned in the first open prefilter end; (b) a first inertial separator comprising: (i) a vortex generator comprising helical blades, the vortex (i) an axial flow separator comprising a hollow cylindrical axial flow body having a first open separator end and a second open separator end, the axial flow separator being in fluid communication with the swirl generator; and (ii) a coalescer comprising a porous coalescer medium, a first open coalescer end and a second open coalescer end, and a closed coalescer end cap located in the second open coalescer end. , the coalescer is disposed adjacent to the second open separator end and is in fluid communication with the axial flow separator; the filter coalescer system further comprises a curved plate below the coalescer; wherein (a), (b) and (c) are disposed in sequence; II. wherein the filter coalescer is disposed in a pressure vessel, the pressure vessel comprising a pressure vessel inlet, a pressure vessel outlet, a first chamber, a first liquid port, a first tube sheet, a second chamber The first chamber comprises a pressure vessel inlet, the prefilter, and the first liquid port, the second chamber comprises the first inertial separator and the second liquid port, wherein the first tube sheet separates the first chamber from the second chamber, and the third chamber comprises the coalescer, the bent plate, and the pressure vessel outlet, wherein the second tube sheet separates the second chamber from the third chamber.

In one aspect of the filter-coalescer system, the pressure vessel has a first end before at least one prefilter and the pressure vessel inlet, and a second end after the second inertial separator (if present) and the pressure vessel outlet, wherein the first end has a knurled openable hatch and the second end is closed.

In a preferred embodiment, the filter-coalescer system comprises two or more filter-coalescer configurations disposed in a pressure vessel, typically 3 or more, for example, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, or 7 or more, disposed in a pressure vessel.

In some aspects, the filter-coalescer system further comprises parallel filter-coalescer arrangement support rails, including parallel pre-filter rails and parallel coalescer rails, to facilitate removal and, if necessary, replacement of at least one pre-filter and/or one aspect of the filter-coalescer arrangement.

In another aspect, a coalescer system comprises: I. at least one coalescer arrangement comprising: (a) an inertial separator comprising: (i) a swirl generator comprising helical blades; and (ii) an axial flow separator comprising a hollow cylindrical axial flow body having a first open separator end and a second open separator end, the axial flow separator being in fluid communication with the swirl generator; (b) a coalescer comprising a porous coalescer medium, a first open coalescer end and a second open coalescer end, and a closed coalescer end cap located in the second open coalescer end, the coalescer being arranged adjacent to the second open separator end and in fluid communication with the axial flow separator; the coalescer system further comprising: a curved plate below the coalescer; wherein (a) and (b) are arranged in sequence; II. wherein the coalescer is arranged in a pressure vessel, the pressure vessel comprising a pressure vessel inlet, a pressure vessel outlet, a first chamber, a first liquid port, a first tube sheet, a second chamber, a second liquid port, a second tube sheet, a third chamber, and a third liquid port; the first chamber comprises the pressure vessel inlet and the first liquid port; the second chamber comprises the inertial separator and the second liquid port, wherein the first tube sheet separates the first chamber from the second chamber; the third chamber comprises the coalescer, the curved plate, the third liquid port, and the pressure vessel outlet, wherein the second tube sheet separates the second chamber from the third chamber.

In some preferred aspects, the pressure vessel further comprises an end plate, wherein the third chamber comprises the end plate, the first open coalescer end cap contacts the second tube plate, and the closed coalescer end cap in the second open coalescer end contacts the second end plate.

In one aspect of the coalescer system, the pressure vessel has a first end before the pressure vessel inlet and a second end after the coalescer and the pressure vessel outlet, wherein the first end has a knitted openable hatch and the second end is closed.

In a preferred aspect, the coalescer system comprises two or more coalescer arrangements disposed in a pressure vessel, typically 3 or more, e.g., at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, or 7 or more coalescer arrangements disposed in a pressure vessel.

In some aspects, the coalescer system further comprises coalescer arrangement support rails, comprising coalescer rails, to facilitate removal and, if necessary, replacement of the coalescer arrangement.

In another aspect, an inertial separator is provided, comprising: (i) a vortex generator comprising helical blades; and (ii) an axial flow separator comprising a hollow cylindrical axial flow body having a first open separator end and a second open separator end, the hollow cylindrical axial flow body comprising an inner hollow cylindrical porous metal element and an outer hollow cylindrical metal mesh.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an inertial separator includes: (i) a vortex generator including spiral blades; and (ii) an axial flow separator including a hollow cylindrical axial flow body having a first open separator end and a second open separator end, the hollow cylindrical axial flow body including radial grooves.

In some aspects, the inertial separator further includes a handle disposed on a front portion of the inertial separator.

In one aspect of the inertial separator, the radial slots include reverse blades that are angled outwardly toward the first open separator end.

A method of maintaining a filter coalescer system according to an aspect of the present invention is provided, wherein the filter coalescer system comprises: I. a filter coalescer apparatus comprising at least one filter coalescer arrangement, the at least one filter coalescer arrangement comprising: (a) at least one prefilter comprising: a hollow porous medium having a first open prefilter end and a second open prefilter end; and a closed prefilter end cap located at the first open pre-filter end; (b) a first inertial separator comprising: (i) a vortex generator comprising spiral blades, the vortex generator being in fluid communication with the at least one pre-filter; and (ii) an axial flow separator comprising a hollow cylindrical axial flow body having a first open separator end and a second open separator end, the axial flow separator being in fluid communication with the vortex generator; (c) a coalescer comprising The filter-coalescer device comprises a porous coalescer medium, a first open coalescer end and a second open coalescer end, and a closed coalescer end cap located in the second open coalescer end, wherein the coalescer is disposed adjacent to the second open separator end and is in fluid communication with the axial flow separator; the filter-coalescer device further comprises (d) a second inertial separator comprising a plurality of blades and/or a mesh pad, wherein the second inertial separator is in fluid communication with the coalescer fluid. wherein (a), (b), (c) and (d) are sequentially arranged, and II. wherein the filter-coalescer device is arranged in a pressure vessel having a first end and a second end and comprising a pressure vessel inlet, a pressure vessel outlet, a first chamber, a first liquid port, a first tube sheet, a second chamber, a second liquid port, a second tube sheet, a third chamber and a third liquid port; and a parallel filter-coalescer arrangement a support rail disposed along a lower surface of the filter-coalescer arrangement in the pressure vessel; the first chamber comprising the pressure vessel inlet, the prefilter, and the first liquid port; the second chamber comprising the first inertial separator and the second liquid port, wherein the first tube sheet separates the first chamber from the second chamber; the third chamber comprising the coalescer, the second inertial separator, the third liquid port, and the pressure vessel inlet; The pressure vessel outlet is characterized in that the second tube sheet separates the second chamber from the third chamber; the first end of the pressure vessel is located before the at least one pre-filter and the pressure vessel inlet, and the second end of the pressure vessel is located after the second inertial separator and the pressure vessel outlet, wherein the first end has a spliced openable hatch that covers the front end when closed, and the second end is closed; the method comprises: opening the releasable latch of the splice to separate the at least one pre-filter and the vortex generator from the axial flow separator and the coalescer; removing the at least one pre-filter and the vortex generator from the pressure vessel by sliding the at least one pre-filter and the vortex generator along the parallel filter-coalescer arrangement support rails including parallel pre-filter rails and through the opened latch ; sliding the replacement at least one pre-filter and the vortex generator into the pressure vessel by sliding the at least one pre-filter and the vortex generator through the opened latch and along the parallel filter-coalescer arrangement support rails including parallel pre-filter rails until the at least one pre-filter and the vortex generator are connected to the axial flow separator and the coalescer; and closing the spliced openable latch.

A method of maintaining a filter-coalescer system according to another aspect of the present invention is provided, wherein the filter-coalescer system comprises: I. a filter-coalescer apparatus comprising at least one filter-coalescer arrangement, the at least one filter-coalescer arrangement comprising: (a) at least one pre-filter comprising: a hollow porous medium having a first open pre-filter end and a second open pre-filter end; and a closed pre-filter end cap located in the first open pre-filter end; (b) a first inertial separator comprising: (i) a vortex generator comprising helical blades, the vortex generator being in fluid communication with the at least one pre-filter; and (ii) an axial flow separator comprising a hollow cylindrical axial flow main body having a first open separator end and a second open separator end. (c) a coalescer comprising a porous coalescer medium, a first open coalescer end and a second open coalescer end, and a closed coalescer end cap located in the second open coalescer end, the coalescer being disposed adjacent to the second open separator end and being in fluid communication with the axial flow separator; and (d) a filter coalescer device comprising a porous coalescer medium, a first open coalescer end and a second open coalescer end, and a closed coalescer end cap located in the second open coalescer end. Step d) comprising a second inertial separator comprising a plurality of blades and/or a mesh pad, the second inertial separator being in fluid communication with the coalescer; wherein (a), (b), (c) and (d) are arranged in sequence; II. wherein the filter-coalescer device is arranged in a pressure vessel having a first end and a second end and including a pressure vessel inlet, a pressure vessel outlet, and a pressure vessel inlet. a first chamber, a first liquid port, a first tube sheet, a second chamber, a second liquid port, a second tube sheet, a third chamber, and a third liquid port; and parallel filter-coalescer arrangement support rails arranged along a lower surface of the filter-coalescer arrangement in the pressure vessel; the first chamber includes the pressure vessel inlet, the prefilter, and the first liquid port; the second chamber includes the first inertial separator and the second liquid port, wherein the first tube sheet separates the first chamber from the second chamber; the third chamber includes the coalescer, the second inertial separator, the third liquid port, and the pressure vessel outlet, wherein the second tube sheet separates the second chamber from the third chamber; wherein the first end of the pressure vessel is located at the at least one prefilter and before the pressure vessel inlet, and the second end of the pressure vessel is located after the second inertial separator and the pressure vessel outlet, wherein the first end has a knitted openable hatch, the knitted openable hatch covers the front end when closed, and the second end is closed; the method comprising: opening the knitted openable latch by disposing the filter coalescer along The parallel filter-coalescer arrangement support rails slide through the open latch to remove the filter-coalescer arrangement from the pressure vessel; sliding a replacement filter-coalescer arrangement into the pressure vessel by sliding the replacement filter-coalescer arrangement through the open latch and along the parallel filter-coalescer arrangement support rails; and closing the spliced openable latch.

A method of maintaining a filter coalescer system according to an aspect of the present invention is provided, wherein the filter coalescer system comprises: I. at least one filter coalescer arrangement comprising: (a) at least one prefilter comprising: a hollow porous medium having a first open prefilter end and a second open prefilter end; and a closed prefilter end cap located in the first open prefilter end; (b) ) a first inertial separator comprising: (i) a vortex generator comprising spiral blades, the vortex generator being in fluid communication with the at least one pre-filter; and (ii) an axial flow separator comprising a hollow cylindrical axial flow body having a first open separator end and a second open separator end, the axial flow separator being in fluid communication with the vortex generator; (c) a coalescer comprising a porous coalescer a filter-coalescer arrangement comprising a first open coalescer end and a second open coalescer end, and a closed coalescer end cap located in the second open coalescer end, the coalescer being disposed adjacent to the second open separator end and in fluid communication with the axial flow separator, the filter-coalescer arrangement further comprising a curved plate below the coalescer; wherein (a), (b), and (c) are disposed sequentially; II. wherein the filter-coalescer arrangement is disposed in a pressure vessel having a first end and a second end and comprising a pressure vessel inlet, a pressure vessel outlet, a first chamber, a first liquid port, a first tube sheet, a second chamber, a second liquid port, a second tube sheet, and a third chamber; and parallel filter-coalescer arrangement support rails extending along a lower surface of the filter-coalescer arrangement in the pressure vessel. The invention relates to a method for preparing a pressure vessel having a first chamber comprising a pressure vessel inlet, a prefilter and a first liquid port; a second chamber comprising a first inertial separator and a second liquid port, wherein the first tube sheet separates the first chamber from the second chamber; the third chamber comprising the coalescer, the curved plate below the coalescer, and the pressure vessel outlet, wherein the second tube sheet separates the second chamber from the third chamber; wherein the first end of the pressure vessel is located before the at least one prefilter and the pressure vessel inlet, and the second end of the pressure vessel is located after the pressure vessel outlet, wherein the first end has a spliced openable hatch, the spliced openable hatch covers the front end when closed, and the second end is closed; the method comprises: opening the spliced openable hatch; a latch to separate the at least one pre-filter and the vortex generator from the axial flow separator and the coalescer; removing the at least one pre-filter and the vortex generator from the pressure vessel by sliding the at least one pre-filter and the vortex generator along the parallel filter-coalescer arrangement support rails including the parallel pre-filter rails and through the opened latch; and removing the at least one pre-filter and the vortex generator from the pressure vessel by replacing the at least one pre-filter and the vortex generator with the at least one pre-filter. Sliding the at least one pre-filter and the vortex generator through the opened latch and along the parallel filter-coalescer arrangement support rails including parallel pre-filter rails to slide the at least one pre-filter and the vortex generator into the pressure vessel until the at least one pre-filter and the vortex generator are connected to the axial flow separator and the coalescer; and closing the spliced openable latch.

A method for maintaining a filter-coalescer system according to another aspect of the present invention is provided, wherein the filter-coalescer system comprises: I. at least one filter-coalescer assembly, comprising: (a) at least one pre-filter, comprising: a hollow porous medium having a first open pre-filter end and a second open pre-filter end; and a closed pre-filter end cap located in the first open pre-filter end; (b) a first inertial separator, comprising: (i) a vortex generator comprising spiral blades, the vortex generator being in fluid communication with the at least one pre-filter; and (ii) an axial flow separator, comprising a hollow cylindrical axial flow body having a first open separator end and a second open separator end. , the axial flow separator is in fluid communication with the vortex generator; (c) a coalescer comprising a porous coalescer medium, a first open coalescer end and a second open coalescer end, and a closed coalescer end cap located in the second open coalescer end, the coalescer being disposed adjacent to the second open separator end and in fluid communication with the axial flow separator, the filter coalescer system further comprising a curved plate below the coalescer; wherein (a), (b) and (c) are disposed in sequence; II. wherein the filter coalescer is disposed in a pressure vessel having a first end and a second end and comprising a pressure vessel inlet, a pressure vessel outlet, a first chamber, a first liquid port, a first a tube sheet, a second chamber, a second liquid port, a second tube sheet, a third chamber; and parallel filter-coalescer arrangement support rails arranged along a lower surface of the filter-coalescer arrangement in the pressure vessel; the first chamber includes the pressure vessel inlet, the prefilter, and the first liquid port; the second chamber includes the first inertial separator and the second liquid port, wherein the first tube sheet separates the first chamber from the second chamber; the third chamber includes the coalescer, the bent plate, and the pressure vessel outlet, wherein the second tube sheet separates the second chamber from the third chamber; wherein the first end of the pressure vessel is located before the at least one prefilter and the pressure vessel inlet, and The second end of the pressure vessel is located after the pressure vessel outlet, wherein the first end has a spliced openable hatch, the spliced openable hatch covers the front end when closed, and the second end is closed; the method comprises: opening the spliced openable latch, disposing the filter coalescer along the parallel filter coalescers The filter coalescer arrangement is configured to remove the filter coalescer arrangement from the pressure vessel by sliding an arrangement support rail through the open latch; sliding a replacement filter coalescer arrangement into the pressure vessel by sliding the replacement filter coalescer arrangement through the open latch and along the parallel filter coalescer arrangement support rails; and closing the spliced openable latch.

A method for maintaining a coalescer system according to another aspect of the present invention is provided, wherein the coalescer system comprises: I. at least one coalescer assembly comprising: (a) an inertial separator comprising: (i) a vortex generator comprising spiral blades; and (ii) an axial flow separator comprising a hollow cylindrical axial flow body having a first open separator end and a second open separator end, the axial flow separator being in fluid communication with the vortex generator; (b) a coalescer comprising a porous coalescer medium, a first open coalescer end and a second open coalescer end, and a a closed coalescer end cap in the second open coalescer end, the coalescer being disposed adjacent the second open separator end and in fluid communication with the axial flow separator, the coalescer system further comprising a curved plate below the coalescer; wherein (a) and (b) are disposed sequentially; II. wherein the coalescer is disposed in a pressure vessel having a first end and a second end and comprising a pressure vessel inlet, a pressure vessel outlet, a first chamber, a first liquid port, a first tube sheet, a second chamber, a second liquid port, a second tube sheet, a third chamber, and a third liquid port; and a coalescer A support rail is configured along the lower surface of the filter coalescer in the pressure vessel; the first chamber includes the pressure vessel inlet and the first liquid port; the second chamber includes the inertial separator and the second liquid port, wherein the first tube sheet separates the first chamber from the second chamber; the third chamber includes the coalescer, the bent plate, the third liquid port and the pressure vessel outlet, wherein the second tube sheet separates the second chamber from the third chamber; wherein the first end of the pressure vessel is located before the pressure vessel inlet, and the second end of the pressure vessel is located before the pressure vessel inlet. after the pressure vessel outlet, wherein the first end has a hinged openable hatch, the hinged openable hatch covering the forward end when closed, and the second end is closed; the method comprising: opening the hinged openable latch, removing the coalescer arrangement from the pressure vessel by sliding the coalescer arrangement along coalescer arrangement support rails and through the opened latch; sliding a replacement coalescer arrangement into the pressure vessel by sliding the replacement coalescer arrangement through the opened latch and along coalescer arrangement support rails; and closing the hinged openable latch.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for removing solid contaminants and separating liquid contaminants from a gas stream is provided, the method comprising passing the gas stream through a filter-coalescer apparatus comprising at least one filter-coalescer arrangement, the at least one filter-coalescer arrangement comprising: (a) at least one pre-filter comprising: a hollow porous medium having a first open pre-filter; end and a second open pre-filter end; a closed pre-filter end cap located in the first open pre-filter end; and an optional pre-filter coupler engageable with the second open pre-filter end; (b) a first inertial separator comprising: (i) a vortex generator comprising helical blades, the vortex generator being in fluid communication with the pre-filter; and (ii) an axial flow separator , comprising a hollow cylindrical axial flow body having a first open separator end and a second open separator end, the axial flow separator being in fluid communication with the vortex generator; (c) a coalescer comprising a porous coalescer medium, a first open coalescer end and a second open coalescer end, and a closed coalescer end cap located in the second open coalescer end, the coalescer being adjacent to The second open separator end is configured and communicates with the axial flow separator fluid; the filter-coalescer device further includes (d) a second inertial separator including a plurality of blades and/or mesh pads, the second inertial separator being communicated with the coalescer fluid; wherein (a), (b), (c) and (d) are configured in sequence and remove solid and liquid contaminants from the airflow.

For example, in one embodiment, the method includes: allowing gas to enter an inlet of a pressure vessel having a filter-coalescer device disposed therein; allowing the gas to flow from the outside to the inside through at least one pre-filter; separating liquid from the gas, wherein the separated liquid enters a first storage tank from the outside of the at least one pre-filter, and the liquid-depleted gas passes along the hollow porous medium of the pre-filter and passes through a first inertial separator including a vortex generator and an axial flow separator including a hollow axial flow body; separating additional liquid from the gas. Liquid, the separated liquid enters the second storage tank from the outside of the axial flow main body, wherein the gas further depleted of liquid enters the hollow coalescer along the hollow axial flow main body; additional liquid is separated from the gas, wherein the liquid passes from the outside of the coalescer and the gas passes along the hollow coalescer and passes through the second inertial separator, additional liquid is separated from the gas, the additional liquid enters the third storage tank, and the gas further depleted of liquid passes through the second inertial separator and passes through the outlet of the pressure vessel.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for removing solid contaminants and separating liquid contaminants from an air stream is provided, the method comprising passing the air stream through at least one filter-coalescer arrangement, the at least one filter-coalescer arrangement comprising: (a) at least one pre-filter comprising: a hollow porous medium having a first open pre-filter end and a second open pre-filter end; a closed pre-filter end cap located in the first open pre-filter end; and an optional pre-filter coupler engageable with the second open pre-filter end; (b) a first inertial separator comprising: (i) a vortex generator comprising helical blades, the vortex generator being coupled to the first inertial separator; pre-filter fluid communication; and (ii) an axial flow separator, comprising a hollow cylindrical axial flow body having a first open separator end and a second open separator end, the axial flow separator being in fluid communication with the swirl generator; (c) a coalescer, comprising a porous coalescer medium, a first open coalescer end and a second open coalescer end, and a closed coalescer end cap located in the second open coalescer end, the coalescer being arranged adjacent to the second open separator end and in fluid communication with the axial flow separator, wherein a curved plate is arranged below the coalescer; wherein (a), (b) and (c) are arranged in sequence and remove solid and liquid contaminants from the gas stream.

For example, in one embodiment, the method includes: allowing gas to enter an inlet of a pressure vessel having one or more filter-coalescer arrangements disposed therein; allowing the gas to pass through a hollow cylindrical prefilter by flowing from the outside to the inside; separating liquid from the gas, wherein the separated liquid enters a first storage tank from outside the prefilter, and the liquid-depleted gas passes along the hollow portion of the prefilter and through a first inertial separator including a vortex generator and An axial flow separator includes a hollow axial flow body; separating excess liquid from gas, the separated liquid entering a second storage tank from outside the axial flow body, wherein further liquid-depleted gas flows along the hollow axial flow body into a hollow coalescer; separating excess liquid from gas, wherein the liquid is discharged from outside the coalescer and discharged along a curved plate into the second storage tank, and the gas passes along the hollow coalescer and out of a pressure vessel through an outlet of the pressure vessel. Aspects of the method may include passing the separated liquid along the curved plate and through a conduit connected by a pipe to guide the coalesced liquid from the coalescer to the second storage tank.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for removing solid contaminants and separating liquid contaminants from a gas stream is provided, the method comprising passing the gas stream through at least one coalescer arrangement, the at least one coalescer arrangement comprising: (a) an inertial separator comprising: (i) a vortex generator comprising helical blades; and (ii) an axial flow separator comprising a hollow cylindrical axial flow body having a first open separator end and a second open separator end, the axial flow separator (a) and (b) are sequentially arranged to remove solid and liquid contaminants from the gas stream.

For example, in one embodiment, the method includes: passing gas into an inlet of a pressure vessel having one or more coalescer arrangements disposed therein; separating liquid from the gas, wherein the separated liquid enters a first storage tank and the liquid-depleted gas passes through an inertial separator including a vortex generator and an axial flow separator including a hollow axial flow body; separating the liquid from the gas; The method further comprises separating liquid from the coalescer, wherein the separated liquid enters a second storage tank from outside the axial flow main body, wherein further liquid-depleted gas flows along the hollow axial flow main body into a hollow coalescer; separating additional liquid from the gas, wherein the liquid is discharged from outside the coalescer and discharged along the curved plate into a third storage tank, and the gas passes along the hollow coalescer and out of the pressure vessel through the pressure vessel outlet. Aspects of the method may include passing the separated liquid along the curved plate and through a conduit connected by a pipe to guide the coalesced liquid from the coalescer to the third storage tank.

Advantageously, aspects of the present invention can allow for the use of shorter filter and/or coalescer elements (having lower weight than conventional filter/coalescer elements) and smaller pressure vessels, while maintaining desired separation efficiency and throughput based on varying process conditions without requiring additional filter area. Smaller vessels provide a smaller footprint and can reduce costs (e.g., less expensive filter/coalescer elements or coalescer elements; in terms of reduced energy used to operate the system and/or produce the filter-coalescer apparatus and/or produce the filter-coalescer system or coalescer system).

In some aspects, the second inertial separator and/or pre-filter can be eliminated, which can further reduce the size of the vessel and further reduce costs.

In another advantage, the filter-coalescer system and the coalescer system can be maintained, for example, by removing the prefilter and/or filter-coalescer arrangement from the pressure vessel and inserting a replacement prefilter and/or filter-coalescer arrangement into the pressure vessel, or removing the coalescer arrangement from the pressure vessel and inserting a replacement coalescer arrangement into the pressure vessel.

The application is suitable for processing a variety of gases, such as any industrial gas, such as natural gas, hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, biomass gas, etc., where it is necessary to remove/separate, for example, particulates and aqueous fluids (such as crude oil, oil, and other hydrocarbons) entrained in the gas.

Each of the components of the present invention will now be described in more detail below, where like components have like reference numerals.

In the aspects shown in FIG. 1A to FIG. 1D , a plurality of filter-coalescer assemblies are arranged in a filter-coalescer device, which is arranged in an aspect of a filter-coalescer system.

The illustrated filter coalescer device 600 includes a filter coalescer arrangement 500 (three filter coalescer arrangements are shown in FIG. 1A ; see also FIG. 1B - FIG. 1D ) comprising: (a) at least one prefilter 100 comprising: a hollow porous medium 150 (optionally a pleated hollow porous medium) having a first open prefilter end 151 and a second open prefilter end 152; 2 and 3. (b) a first inertial separator 200 comprising: (i) a vortex generator 210 comprising spiral blades 211 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 ); (ii) a first inertial separator 200 comprising: (i) a vortex generator 210 comprising spiral blades 211 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 ); (iii) a first inertial separator 200 comprising: (i) a vortex generator 210 comprising spiral blades 211 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 ); (iv) a first inertial separator 200 comprising: (i) a vortex generator 210 comprising spiral blades 211 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 ); (v ... 3C to 3D, the vortex generator is in fluid communication with at least one pre-filter 100; and (ii) an axial flow separator 250, comprising a hollow cylindrical axial flow body 255 having a first open separator end 261 and a second open separator end 262 (see FIG. 2; see also FIG. 4G to FIG. 4I for axial flow separator 250'), the axial flow separator being in fluid communication with the vortex generator 210 (c) a coalescer 300 comprising a hollow porous coalescer medium 301, a first open coalescer end 311 and a second open coalescer end 312, and a closed coalescer end cap 360 located in the second open coalescer end 312, the end cap including a handle 365; see FIG4C ), the coalescer being disposed adjacent to the second open separator end 262 and being in fluid communication with the axial flow separator 250.

The illustrated filter-coalescer device 600 includes (d) a second inertial separator 450 comprising a plurality of vanes (a separator is sometimes referred to as a "valve assembly" having vanes sometimes referred to as a "herringbone pattern"; typically parallel corrugated vanes maintained at a fixed distance apart) 470 and/or one or more mesh pads 480 (see FIG. 1E , which shows an illustrative mesh pad 480; a separator is sometimes referred to as a "pad eliminator"; it may also include a herringbone pattern), the second inertial separator 450 being in fluid communication with the coalescer 300; wherein (a), (b), (c), and (d) are arranged in sequence. However, while the filter-coalescer apparatus 600 may include a plurality of filter-coalescer assemblies, it will typically include a single second inertial separator 450.

The illustrated aspect of the filter-coalescer apparatus 600 includes one or more (typically at least two or more) filter-coalescer arrangements 500 configured in the filter-coalescer system 2000, which is illustrated as including a pressure vessel 1000, the pressure vessel including a pressure vessel inlet 1001, a pressure vessel outlet 1002, a first chamber 1100, a first liquid port 1101 for allowing the separated liquid to enter the first storage tank 1102, a first tube sheet 1150, a second chamber 1200, a second liquid port 1201 for allowing the separated liquid to enter the second storage tank 1202, a second tube sheet 1250, a third chamber 1100, and a pressure vessel inlet 1001. 300, and a third liquid port 1301 for allowing the separated liquid to enter the third storage tank 1302; the first chamber 1100 includes a pressure vessel inlet 1001, at least one pre-filter 100, and a first liquid port; the second chamber 1200 includes a first inertial separator 200 and a second liquid port, wherein a first tube sheet 1150 separates the first chamber 1100 from the second chamber 1200; the third chamber 1300 includes a coalescer 300, a second inertial separator 450, a third liquid port, and a pressure vessel outlet 1002, wherein a second tube sheet 1250 separates the second chamber 1200 from the third chamber 1300.

The tube sheet has concentric holes that divide the interior of the pressure vessel into three chambers, and gaskets provide a hermetic seal between the components and the tube sheet. Gaskets at the second open prefilter end 152 (in those embodiments that include a prefilter), the inertial separator (see, for example, FIG. 13 ), and the first open coalescer end 311 provide seals between the prefilter and the coalescer and tube sheet. In some embodiments, the diameter of the holes in the second tube sheet is smaller than the diameter of the holes in the first tube sheet.

The pressure vessel 1000 has a first end 1000A before at least one pre-filter and the pressure vessel inlet, and a second end 1000B after a second inertial separator and the pressure vessel outlet, wherein the first end has a crimped openable hatch 1400 and the second end is closed.

FIG2 (see also FIG6A ) shows an aspect of a filter-coalescer arrangement 500 of a filter-coalescer device 600 , which includes: at least one prefilter 100 ; a first inertial separator 200 including a vortex generator 210 , an axial flow separator 250 ; and a coalescer 300 , as described with respect to FIG1A .

FIG3A illustrates in more detail the prefilter 100, which includes a hollow porous medium 150 having a first open prefilter end 151 and a second open prefilter end 152, both of which are closed by a first end cap 160. FIG3A also shows a prefilter adapter/gasket 155 in the second open prefilter end 152 (for forming an airtight seal against the first tube sheet between the first and second chambers) and a first coupler 159, wherein a vortex generator 210 including spiral blades 211 disposed in the coupler and in fluid communication with the hollow interior of the prefilter (see also FIG3B-3D ). Using Figures 3B and 3C as reference, the first coupler 159 includes a notch 159A for engaging the second coupler 259 (see, eg, Figures 4A, 4B, and 5A-5C).

As shown in Figures 1B to 1D, 7A to 7B, and 7E to 7F, the pre-filter 100 may have an optional baffle 111 above the porous medium. The baffle 111 is disposed below the inlet of the pressure vessel and extends, for example, approximately half the length of the pre-filter, extending from approximately the middle of the pre-filter toward the first inertial separator. The baffle may be desirable to prevent the pre-filter from directly contacting the mixed fluid entering the inlet of the pressure vessel.

4A to 4C illustrate in more detail the coalescer 300, which includes a hollow porous coalescer medium 301, a first open coalescer end 311 and a second open coalescer end 312, and a closed coalescer end cap 360 located in the second open coalescer end 312 ( FIG. 4C shows the closed end cap 360 including a handle 365 that can engage with a capture feature of the second end plate of the filter coalescer device; see FIG. 7D and FIG. 7F ). The coalescer is disposed adjacent to the second open separator end 262 and is in fluid communication with the axial flow separator 250.

4A-4B also show a coalescer adapter/gasket 355 (for forming a gas-tight seal between the second and third chambers against the second tube sheet; a rear view is shown in FIG4D ) in the first open coalescer end 311 for connection to a second open separator end 262 of an axial flow separator 250 (one embodiment of the first inertial separator 200) comprising a hollow cylindrical axial flow body 255, wherein the first open separator end 261 of the axial flow separator 250 is connected to a second coupler 259 including a tab 259A that is insertable into a recess 159A of the first coupler 159, wherein, as shown in FIG5A-5C , after the tab is inserted into the recess, twisting/rotating either or both couplers allows them to be coupled together.

FIG4E shows a second coupler in a cross-sectional view, which also shows an aspect of the first inertial separator 200 including the vortex generator 210 and the axial flow separator 250, wherein the axial flow separator 250 includes a hollow axial flow body 255 and radial grooves 256 providing reverse radial blades 257, and FIG4F shows a flow guide for liquid to pass through the reverse radial blades of the hollow axial flow body and gas to pass through the second end of the hollow axial flow body 262.

4G to 4I show another embodiment of the first inertial separator 200 ′, which includes a vortex generator 210 and an axial flow separator 250 ′. The axial flow separator 250 ′ includes a hollow axial flow body 255 ′ having a first open separator end 261 ′ and a second open separator end 262 ′. The axial flow separator 250 ′ includes a porous medium 258 . 4H shows a vortex generator and an axial flow separator, which includes a hollow axial flow body including the porous medium shown in FIG. 4G , and also shows a metal mesh 258A surrounding the outside of the porous medium. FIG. 4I shows the flow direction of the liquid through the porous medium 258 and mesh 258A of the hollow axial flow body and the gas through the second end of the hollow axial flow body 262′. As in the configuration shown in, for example, FIG4B , the first open separator end 261′ of the axial flow separator 250′ is connected to a second coupler 259, which includes a tab 259A that can be inserted into the recess 159A of the first coupler 159, wherein, as shown in FIG5A to FIG5C , after the tab is inserted into the recess, twisting/rotating either or both couplers allows them to be coupled together.

Figure 4J shows a commercially available axial flow separator 250", which includes a hollow axial flow body 255" having a first open separator end 261" and a second open separator end 262", which is suitable for use as part of a first inertial separator according to an aspect of the present invention (e.g., having a vortex generator and, optionally, a first coupler and a second coupler, as described above).

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4J , the hollow cylindrical axial flow body 255″ includes a wedge-shaped body (see, for example, the tubular outlet member 100 in U.S. Patent 7,879,123, incorporated by reference) with a diameter increasing from a first open end 261″ toward a second open end 262″ and a coalescer.

FIG6A is a diagram showing an embodiment of a filter-coalescer arrangement 500 of a filter-coalescer device 600, wherein the filter-coalescer arrangement 500 includes: at least one pre-filter 100; a first inertial separator 200 including a vortex generator 210, an axial flow separator 250, wherein the axial flow separator 250 includes an axial flow body 255 having radial grooves 256 providing reverse radial blades 257; and a coalescer 300 (wherein the coalescer 300 is also described with respect to FIG9A , and the system includes a curved plate 350 ′ below the coalescer), wherein the first inertial separator is arranged between the pre-filter and the coalescer. As shown in FIG6B , which shows an enlarged detail “A” of FIG6A , the vortex generator 210 includes spiral blades 211 (showing four blades spaced about a central pin; the vortex generator rotates the fluid flow passing over the blades, and the axial flow separator 250/250′/250″ removes bulk liquid from the gas flow and reduces the liquid concentration reaching the coalescer, leaving the clean gas behind. open axial flow splitter and into the coalescer core), wherein the first open splitter end 261 (also applies to 261' and 261") of the axial flow splitter 250 is connected to a second coupler 259, the second coupler 259 includes a tab 259A that inserts into the recess 159A of the first coupler 159, and one or both of the couplers are twisted/rotated to provide a secure engagement.

In the aspects shown in Figures 7A-7F, a plurality of filter-coalescer arrangements 500 (seven arrangements are shown, a smaller or larger number may be utilized; this also applies to the filter-coalescer arrangements 500 described below) may be arranged in a pressure vessel. Figures 7A and 7B show a top view and a side view (Figure 7A is a top view; Figure 7B is a side view); Figure 7C shows a front view including a first end plate 501; Figure 7D shows a rear view including a second end plate 502, wherein the first end plate 501 has a first end plate first surface 501A and a first end plate second surface 501B, and the second surface 501B is adjacent to the first end of at least one pre-filter; and the second end plate 502 has a second end plate first surface 502A and a second end plate second surface 502B, and the first surface 502A is adjacent to the second end of the agglomerator; Figures 7E and 7F show a perspective front view and a perspective rear view, respectively). 7D and 7F also show a capture feature 555 in the second end plate 502 (second end plate first surface 502A) for the handle 365 (see FIG4C and FIG7G ) on the end cap 360 at the second end of the coalescer. As shown in FIG7G , the capture feature 555 depicted includes spaced parallel walls 556 extending from a central support 557 on the upper side of the second end plate, wherein the walls are spaced apart by a distance slightly greater than the width of the handle 365, and the plate 502 has a partial crescent-shaped opening 558 on either side on the central support 557.

In some aspects, when assembling and/or maintaining the apparatus 600/600A in the system 2000 (see also FIG. 8A-8B and FIG. 11A-11B as described below; see also the system 2000′ as described below with respect to FIG. 9A-9D , and the system 2000A as described below with respect to FIG. 12A-12F ), when inserting the configuration 500/coalescer configuration 500A (see FIG. 12A-12F ) When installing or disengaging the prefilter 100 (e.g., involving decoupling and disengaging the prefilter and swirl generator from the axial flow separator and coalescer), the handle 365 can be engaged in the capture feature 555/555' to ensure proper assembly, and/or once engaged, the arrangement can be rotated to disengage the coupler (if present), thereby allowing removal of the prefilter and holding the coalescer in place for insertion of a replacement prefilter and reengagement of the coupler.

As will be discussed below, in those aspects including the coalescer arrangement 500A, the handle 365 can be engaged in the capture feature 555' to ensure proper assembly, and/or once engaged, the arrangement can be rotated to disengage the coalescer arrangement, thereby allowing the coalescer arrangement to be removed and subsequently inserted into a replacement coalescer arrangement.

When inserting the arrangement 500/500A into the pressure vessel 1000, 1000', 1000" (typically from the inlet side), it may be desirable for the holes in the second tube sheet 1250 to be smaller than the holes in the first tube sheet 1150 so that the gasket associated with the coalescer 300 slides through more easily.

As mentioned above, the device 600 in the system 2000 (and the device in the system 2000′, and the device 600A in the system 2000A as described below) can be assembled and/or maintained, for example, the filter-coalescer arrangement 500 can be inserted into the pressure vessel for assembly, or the filter-coalescer arrangement 500 or pre-filter 100 can be removed from the pressure vessel, and a replacement filter-coalescer arrangement 500 or pre-filter 100 can be inserted, wherein the pre-filter can be removed and replaced after the coupler is disengaged. Using Figures 8A and 8B as illustrative references, during insertion, removal and replacement, the filter coalescer arrangement 500 slides along parallel filter coalescer arrangement support rails 575 including parallel pre-filter rails 585 and parallel coalescer rails 595 (shown as being arranged along the lower surface (beneath) the filter coalescer arrangement in the pressure vessel), and during removal and replacement of the pre-filter 100, the pre-filter slides along the parallel pre-filter rails 585. Removal and replacement of the coalescer arrangement 500A may follow a generally similar procedure, wherein the coalescer arrangement 500A slides along coalescer rails 595' (rails disposed along (above) the upper surface of the coalescer arrangement), typically without the use of a coupler.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 9A to 9D, a plurality of filter coalescer configurations are configured in another embodiment of a filter coalescer system. The illustrated filter coalescer configuration 500 includes: (a) at least one pre-filter 100 comprising: a hollow porous medium 150 (optionally a pleated hollow porous medium) having a first open pre-filter end 151 and a second open pre-filter end 152 (the pre-filter optionally includes a perforated metal core (core not shown) typically having a minimum open area of 30%), optionally (b) a first inertial separator 200 comprising: (i) a vortex generator 210 comprising spiral blades 211 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 3C to FIG. 3D , wherein the vortex generator is connected to at least one pre-filter 10; and (ii) a first inertial separator 200 comprising: (i) a vortex generator 210 comprising spiral blades 211 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 3C to FIG. 3D , wherein the vortex generator is connected to at least one pre-filter 10; and (iii) a first inertial separator 200 comprising: (i) a vortex generator 210 comprising spiral blades 211 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 3C to FIG. 3D , wherein the vortex generator is connected to at least one pre-filter 10; and (iv) a first inertial separator 200 comprising: (i) a vortex generator 210 comprising spiral blades 211 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 3C to FIG. 3D , wherein the vortex generator is connected to at least one pre-filter 10; and (v ... 00 fluid communication; and (ii) an axial flow separator 250, comprising a hollow cylindrical axial flow body 255 having a first open separator end 261 and a second open separator end 262 (see FIG. 2 ; see also FIG. 4G to FIG. 4J for axial flow separators 250′ and 250″), the axial flow separator being in fluid communication with the vortex generator 210; (c) a coalescer 30 0, which includes: a hollow porous coalescer medium 301, a first open coalescer end 311 and a second open coalescer end 312, and a closed coalescer end cap 360 located in the second open coalescer end 312, the end cap including a handle 365; see Figure 4C), the coalescer is arranged adjacent to the second open separator end 262 and is in fluid communication with the axial flow separator 250.

However, with respect to the coalescer 300 in the configuration 500, the depicted aspect of the system 2000' also has a curved plate 350' in contact with the second end plate 502 and the second tube sheet 1250, the curved plate having a first end 351' in contact with the second tube sheet and a second end 352' in contact with the second end plate, the curved plate being disposed below the hollow coalescer 300 and surrounding a lower portion of the coalescer and partially surrounding the sides of the coalescer for separating the gas from the gas. Excess liquid (e.g., droplets) is removed from the coalescer and passed along the curved plate (exhaust) and into the second reservoir through the exhaust point 353' (located between the first end 351' and the second end 352') (thereby minimizing or preventing the coalesced liquid from re-entering the clean air flow and isolating the flow from each individual coalescer as the air flow is directed upward), and gas is passed along the hollow coalescer and out of the pressure vessel through the outlet of the pressure vessel. Preferably, the curved plate covers in the range of 50% to 75% of the side of the coalescer (see Figure 9E). In some embodiments, the curved plate has a radius that varies along the length of the coalescer, the housing has a larger radius R1 at the discharge point 353' and smaller radii R2, R3 at ends 351' and 352', respectively (see Figure 9B), and includes a conduit 354' connected by a pipe to direct the coalesced liquid from the coalescer to a second storage tank.

As shown in FIG. 9E , near the discharge point 353 ′ of the curved plate 350 ′, where the plate surrounds the lower portion and the sides of the coalescer, the gap between the plate and the lower portion of the coalescer is narrower than the gap between the plate and the sides of the coalescer.

7D and 7F , the capture feature 555 ′ for receiving a handle as shown in FIG. 11A (see also FIG. 15D , 15F , 16A and 16B ) lacks the center support 557 and the opening 558 , thereby providing a surface area on the second plate 502 or end plate 512 for the second end 352 ′ of the curved plate 350 ′ to rest against.

System 2000' also differs from system 2000 in that system 2000' does not require a second inertial separator, a third liquid port, or a third storage tank.

The illustrated embodiment of the filter-coalescer arrangement 500 is configured in a filter-coalescer system 2000′, which is illustrated as comprising a pressure vessel 1000′, the pressure vessel comprising a pressure vessel inlet 1001, a pressure vessel outlet 1002, a first chamber 1100, a first liquid port 1101 for allowing the separated liquid to enter a first storage tank 1102, a first tube sheet 1150, a second chamber 1200, a second liquid port 1201 for allowing the separated liquid to enter a second storage tank 1202, a second tube sheet 1250, and a third chamber 1300; the first chamber 1100 comprising The system comprises a pressure vessel inlet 1001, at least one prefilter 100, and a first liquid port; a second chamber 1200 comprising a first inertial separator 200 and a second liquid port, wherein a first tube sheet 1150 separates the first chamber 1100 from the second chamber 1200; a third chamber 1300 comprising a coalescer 300, a curved plate 350', and a conduit 354' (the system 2000' does not have a second inertial separator, a third liquid port, or a third storage tank), a pressure vessel outlet 1002, wherein a second tube sheet 1250 separates the second chamber 1200 from the third chamber 1300.

As described with respect to aspects of system 2000, in the depicted aspect of system 2000', the tubesheet has concentric holes that divide the interior of the pressure vessel into three chambers. Gaskets at the second open prefilter end 152 and the first open coalescer end 311 provide a seal between the prefilter and coalescer and the tubesheet. In some aspects, the diameter of the holes in the second tubesheet is smaller than the diameter of the holes in the first tubesheet.

The pressure vessel 1000' has a first end 1000A before at least one pre-filter and the pressure vessel inlet, and a second end 1000B after the pressure vessel outlet, wherein the first end has a crimped openable hatch 1400 and the second end is closed.

The aspects of the invention described with reference to Figures 12A-12F, 13, 14A-14B, 15A-15F, 16A, and 16B have many elements similar or identical to those previously described, and function in a similar manner. However, in contrast to the above aspects relating to the filter-coalescer arrangement 500, the filter-coalescer arrangement includes: (a) at least one prefilter comprising: a hollow porous medium having a first open prefilter end and a second open prefilter end; and a closed prefilter end cap located in the first open prefilter end; (b) an inertial separator comprising: (i) a vortex generator comprising helical blades, the vortex generator being in fluid communication with the at least one prefilter; and (ii) an axial flow separator, (a) a hollow cylindrical axial flow body having a first open separator end and a second open separator end, the axial flow separator being in communication with the vortex generator fluid; (c) a coalescer comprising a porous coalescer medium, a first open coalescer end and a second open coalescer end, and a closed coalescer end cap located in the second open coalescer end, the coalescer being disposed adjacent to the second open separator end and in communication with the axial flow separator fluid; wherein (a), (b) and (c) are disposed in sequence, with reference to The aspects of the invention described in Figures 12A-12F, 13, 14A-14B, 15A-15F, 16A, and 16B relate to a coalescer configuration 500A comprising: (a) an inertial separator comprising: (i) a vortex generator comprising helical blades; and (ii) an axial flow separator comprising a hollow cylindrical axial flow body having a first open separator end and a second open separator end, the hollow cylindrical axial flow body comprising radial grooves; or, The hollow cylindrical axial flow body comprises an inner hollow cylindrical porous metal element and an outer hollow cylindrical metal mesh; wherein the axial flow separator is connected to the vortex generator fluid; and (b) a coalescer, which comprises a porous coalescer medium, a first open coalescer end and a second open coalescer end, and a closed coalescer end cap located in the second open coalescer end, the coalescer is arranged adjacent to the second open separator end and is connected to the axial flow separator fluid; wherein (a) and (b) are arranged in sequence.

In the aspects shown in Figures 12A to 12F, a plurality of coalescer arrangements 500A are arranged in an aspect of a coalescer system 2000A. The depicted coalescer arrangement 500A comprises: (a) an inertial separator 200A comprising: (i) a vortex generator 210 comprising spiral blades 211; and (ii) an axial flow separator 250 comprising a hollow cylindrical axial flow body 255 having a first open separator end 261 and a second open separator end 262, an adapter/gasket 290 (providing a front portion) attached to the first open separator end 261, the adapter/gasket having a front face 290A and a back face 290B, the front face 290A including a handle 267A, the back face 290B being attached to the flow body 255 (see Figures 13 and 14). A to 14B; an axial flow separator 250' including a hollow cylindrical axial flow body 255' as shown in Figures 4G to 4I can also be used); the axial flow separator is in fluid communication with the vortex generator 210; (b) a coalescer 300, which includes: a hollow porous coalescer medium 301, a first open coalescer end 311 and a second open coalescer end 312, and a closed coalescer end cap 360 located in the second open coalescer end 312, the end cap including a handle 365 (see Figures 4C and 13), the coalescer is configured adjacent to the second open separator end 262 and is in fluid communication with the axial flow separator 250. According to the depicted aspect of the inertial separator 200A, the separator 200A typically does not include a coupler. The gasket in 290 creates an airtight seal around the first tube sheet between the first and second chambers, and the gasket in the adapter/gasket 355 creates an airtight seal around the second tube sheet between the second and third chambers.

With respect to the coalescer 300 in configuration 500A, the illustrated embodiment of system 2000A also has a curved plate 350' in contact with the end plate 512 and the second tube sheet 1250, the curved plate having a first end 351' in contact with the second tube sheet and a second end 352' in contact with the end plate 512, the curved plate being disposed below the hollow coalescer 300 and surrounding the lower portion of the coalescer and partially surrounding the sides of the coalescer for separating additional liquid from the gas. The coalescer is configured to remove liquid (e.g., droplets) from the coalescer, wherein excess liquid is passed (exhausted) from outside the coalescer and along the curved plate and into the third storage tank 1300 through the exhaust point 353' (located between the first end 351' and the second end 352') (thereby minimizing or preventing the coalesced liquid from re-entering the clean air stream and isolating the air stream from each individual coalescer as the air stream is directed upward), and gas is passed along the hollow coalescer and from the pressure vessel through the outlet of the pressure vessel. Preferably, the curved plate covers a range of 50% to 75% of the side of the coalescer (see Figures 12E and 12F). In some embodiments, the curved plate has a radius that varies along the length of the coalescer, the housing has a larger radius R1 at the discharge point 353' and smaller radii R2, R3 at ends 351' and 352', respectively (see Figure 12B), and includes an optional conduit 354A' connected by a pipe to direct the coalesced liquid from the coalescer to a third storage tank.

As shown in Figures 12E to 12F, near the discharge point 353' of the curved plate 350', where the plate surrounds the lower portion and the side of the coalescer, the gap between the plate and the lower portion of the coalescer is narrower than the gap between the plate and the side of the coalescer.

7D and 7F , the capture feature 555 ′ (see also FIG. 11A ) for receiving a handle as shown in FIG. 15D , 15F , 16A , and 16B lacks the center support 557 and the opening 558 , thereby providing a surface area on the second plate 502 or end plate 512 for the second end 352 ′ of the curved plate 350 ′ to rest against.

The difference between system 2000A and system 2000' is that system 2000A includes a third liquid port and a third storage tank.

The illustrated embodiment of the filter-coalescer arrangement 500A is configured in a filter-coalescer system 2000A, which is illustrated as including a pressure vessel 1000″, the pressure vessel including a pressure vessel inlet 1001, a pressure vessel outlet 1002, a first chamber 1100, a first liquid port 1101 for allowing the separated liquid to enter a first storage tank 1102, a first tube sheet 1150, a second chamber 1200, a second liquid port 1201 for allowing the separated liquid to enter a second storage tank 1202, a second tube sheet 1250, and a third chamber 1300 for allowing the separated liquid to enter a second storage tank 1202. The first chamber 1100 includes a pressure vessel inlet 1001 and a first liquid port. The second chamber 1200 includes an inertial separator 200A and a second liquid port, wherein a first tube sheet 1150 separates the first chamber 1100 from the second chamber 1200. The third chamber 1300 includes a coalescer 300, a curved plate 350', a third liquid port 1301, an optional conduit 354A', and a pressure vessel outlet 1002. A second tube sheet 1250 separates the second chamber 1200 from the third chamber 1300.

As described with respect to the aspects of systems 2000 and 2000', in the depicted aspect of system 2000A, the tubesheet has concentric holes that divide the interior of the pressure vessel into three chambers. A gasket at the first open coalescer end 311 provides a seal at the second tubesheet. In some aspects, the diameter of the hole in the second tubesheet is smaller than the diameter of the hole in the first tubesheet.

The pressure vessel 1000" has a first end 1000A before the pressure vessel inlet and a second end 1000B after the pressure vessel outlet, wherein the first end has a crimped openable hatch 1400 and the second end is closed.

A variety of prefilters, coalescers, and secondary inertial separators (if present; such separators are sometimes referred to as "pad eliminators" and "blade packs") are suitable for use with aspects of the present invention and are commercially available.

The prefilter can comprise a depth filter (e.g., with a tightest pore structure on the downstream side and a coarser pore structure on the upstream side) and/or comprise pleated and/or corrugated media. The prefilter can be configured as a media pack, and in some embodiments, as a corrugated pleated pack. In some embodiments, the prefilter comprises fiber or fiberglass. While prefilters primarily remove particulates from a fluid stream, in some embodiments, they pre-treat dispersed liquid phases by coalescing some of the liquid.

Typically, coalescers provide a minimum efficiency of 99.97% at 0.3 microns. Coalescers can include a combination of media and/or can be configured as media packs, in some aspects, as corrugated and/or pleated packs. The coalescer is covered by a coalescer sleeve (e.g., a nonwoven media) that directs large droplets of coalesced liquid out of the airstream.

Typically, a second inertial separator (if present) removes large droplets (e.g., >10 microns) from the gas stream.

Typically, the tanks are removable for cleaning and each has a valve for draining the collected liquid. Preferably, they each have an automatic level sensor to actuate the valve.

Some components according to embodiments of the present invention may be monolithic, preferably manufactured via additive manufacturing (sometimes referred to as "additive layer manufacturing" or "3D printing"). They are typically formed by repeatedly depositing metal powders bonded together with an activatable binder (e.g., binder spraying, sometimes referred to as "drop-on powder"), typically followed by agglomeration of the powders, such as by sintering. Some components can be manufactured together via additive manufacturing in a continuous operation at substantially the same time. Any suitable additive manufacturing equipment may be used, and various production 3D printers are suitable and commercially available.

All references (including publications, patent applications, and patents) cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

Unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context, the use of the terms "a," "an," "the," "at least one," and similar referents in the context of describing the present invention (especially in the context of the claims below) should be understood to cover both the singular and the plural. Unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context, the use of the term "at least one" followed by a list of one or more items (e.g., "at least one of A and B") should be understood to mean one item (A or B) or any combination of two or more of the listed items (A and B) selected from the listed items. Unless otherwise indicated, the terms "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to"). Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise indicated. No language in the specification should be construed as implying any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

The preferred aspects of the invention are described herein, including the best mode of carrying out the invention known to the inventors. Variations of those preferred aspects may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect those skilled in the art to adopt such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend to practice the invention in other ways than those specifically described herein. Therefore, if permitted by applicable law, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter described in the claims attached hereto. Furthermore, unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by the context, the invention covers any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof.

100: Prefilter 150: Hollow porous media 151: First open prefilter end 152: Second open prefilter end 155: Prefilter adapter/gasket 159: First coupler 159A: Recess 160: Closed prefilter end cap 161: Handle 200: First inertial separator 210: Vortex generator 211: Helical blades 250, 250', 250": Axial flow separator 255, 255', 255": Hollow cylindrical axial flow body 256: Axial grooves 257: Opposing radial blades 258: Porous media 258A: Metal mesh 259: Second coupler 259A: Tab 261, 261', 261": First open separator end 262, 262', 262": Second open separator end 267A: Handle 290: Adapter gasket 290A: Front 290B: Back 300: Coalescer 301: Hollow porous coalescer medium 311: First open coalescer end 312: Second open coalescer end 350': Bent plate 351': First end 352': Second end 353': Discharge point 354', 354A': Conduit 355: Coalescer adapter/gasket 360: Closed coalescer end cap 365: Handle 450: Second inertial separator 470: Blades 480: Screen pad 500, 500A: Filter coalescer configuration 501: First end plate 501A: First end plate, first surface 501B: First end plate, second surface 502: Second end plate 502A: Second end plate, first surface 502B: Second end plate, second surface 512: End plate 555, 555': Capture feature 556: Parallel walls 557: Center support 558: Crescent-shaped opening 575: Filter coalescer configuration support rails 585: Prefilter rails 595,595': Coalescer rails 600,600A: Filter-coalescer assembly 1000,1000',1000": Pressure vessel 1000A: First end 1000B: Second end 1001: Pressure vessel inlet 1002: Pressure vessel outlet 1100: First chamber 1101: First liquid port 1102: First storage tank 1150: First tube sheet 1200: Second chamber 1201: Second liquid port 1202: Second storage tank 1250: Second tube sheet 1300: Third chamber 1301: Third liquid port 1302: Third storage tank 1400: Openable hatch 2000, 2000', 2000A: Filter-coalescer system R1: Larger radius R2, R3: Smaller radius

FIG. 1A is a diagram showing a filter-coalescer configuration and a filter-coalescer apparatus configured in a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a filter-coalescer system according to an embodiment of the present invention (the diagram shows three filter-coalescer configurations configured in the system), and also diagrammatically showing the entry of gas into an inlet of a pressure vessel in which one or more filter-coalescer configurations are configured; the entry of gas through a hollow cylindrical pre-filter by flow from the outside to the inside; the separation of liquid from the gas, wherein the separated liquid enters a first storage tank from the outside of the pre-filter, and the liquid-depleted gas passes along the hollow portion of the pre-filter and through a first inertial separator including a vortex generator. An axial flow separator comprising a hollow axial flow body; separating excess liquid from the gas, the separated liquid entering a second storage tank from the exterior of the axial flow body, wherein the gas further depleted of liquid flows along the hollow axial flow body into a hollow coalescer; separating excess liquid (e.g., droplets) from the gas, wherein the liquid passes from the exterior of the coalescer, and the gas passes along the hollow coalescer and through a second inertial separator of a filter-coalescer device, separating excess liquid from the gas, the excess liquid entering a third storage tank, and the further liquid-depleted gas passing through the second inertial separator (comprising a blade assembly or a mesh pad) and exiting the pressure vessel through the outlet of the pressure vessel. Figures 1B through 1D illustrate a filter-coalescer system according to aspects of the present invention, without showing the gas and liquid flow paths shown in Figure 1A. Figure 1B shows a side, partially cutaway view; Figure 1C shows a front perspective view of the filter-coalescer system shown in Figure 1B; and Figure 1D shows a rear perspective view of the filter-coalescer system shown in Figure 1B. Figure 1E shows an exemplary mesh pack suitable for use with aspects of the present invention. FIG2 is a diagram showing a perspective view of an assembled filter-coalescer arrangement comprising: a prefilter; an inertial separator including a vortex generator and an axial flow separator (including an axial flow body having radial grooves); and a coalescer of the filter-coalescer arrangement shown in FIG1A according to an aspect of the present invention. FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing the prefilter shown in FIG2 , including a closed end cap at a first end and a first coupler at a second end. FIG3A shows a side view, and FIG3B shows a rear view of the first coupler and the vortex generator disposed therein. Figures 3C and 3D are diagrams showing enlarged views of the second end of the first coupler, also showing the vortex generator (Figure 3C is a perspective view; Figure 3D is a cross-sectional view). Figures 4A and 4C are diagrams showing the axial flow body and coalescer shown in Figure 2 , including the second coupler and the axial flow body at the first end of the coalescer (also showing the adapter and gasket between the second end of the axial flow body and the first end of the coalescer), and a closed end cap including a handle at the second end of the coalescer. Figure 4A shows a side view, Figure 4B shows a perspective view of the second coupler and the adjacent axial flow body in the second coupler, and Figure 4C shows the closed end cap and handle. Figure 4D shows the front portion of an adapter/gasket for connection to the first end of a coalescer. Figure 4E shows a cross-sectional view of a second coupler, which also shows a first inertial separator comprising a vortex generator and an axial flow separator, the axial flow separator comprising a hollow axial flow body and radial grooves providing opposing radial blades. Figure 4F shows a flow guide for guiding liquid through the opposing radial blades of the hollow axial flow body and gas through the second end hollow axial flow body. Figures 4G through 4I show another embodiment of the first inertial separator comprising a vortex generator and an axial flow separator, the axial flow separator comprising a hollow axial flow body containing a porous medium. Figure 4G shows a perspective view, and Figure 4H shows a partially exploded view of a vortex generator and an axial flow separator. The axial flow separator includes a hollow axial flow body containing a porous medium as shown in Figure 4G , along with a metal mesh surrounding the exterior of the porous medium. Figure 4I shows the flow directions of liquid through the porous medium and mesh of the hollow axial flow body, and gas through the second end of the hollow axial flow body. Figure 4J shows another axial flow separator including a hollow axial flow body suitable for use with aspects of the present invention. Figures 5A through 5C illustrate the alignment (Figure 5A), engagement (Figure 5B), and coupling (Figure 5C) of a first coupler and a second coupler. FIG6A is a diagram illustrating a coalescer-filter arrangement comprising a prefilter, an inertial separator including a vortex generator and an axial flow separator, and a coalescer. The axial flow separator comprises an axial flow body provided with radial grooves, and the inertial separator is disposed between the prefilter and the coalescer of the filter-coalescer arrangement. FIG6B is a diagram illustrating an enlarged detail "A" shown in FIG6A. FIGS. 7A to 7F are diagrams illustrating multiple filter-coalescer arrangements that can be deployed in a pressure vessel according to aspects of the present invention. Figures 7A and 7B show top and side views (Figure 7A is a top view; Figure 7B is a side view); Figure 7C shows a front end view including a first end plate; Figure 7D shows a rear end view including a second end plate; Figures 7E and 7F show perspective front and rear views, respectively). Figures 7D and 7F also show a capture feature in the second end plate for a handle on the end cap at the second end of the coalescer. [Figure 7G] is a diagram showing an enlarged perspective top view of the capture feature in the second end plate (on the right) and a handle on the end cap at the second end of the coalescer (on the left). Figures 8A and 8B are diagrams showing perspective front and rear views, respectively, of parallel filter-coalescer arrangement support rails, including parallel prefilter rails and parallel coalescer rails (shown arranged along the lower surface (beneath) the filter-coalescer arrangement in a pressure vessel) for removing and replacing the prefilter with or without a coalescer, wherein the prefilter rails are connected to the first end plate and the first tube plate, and the coalescer rails are connected to the second tube plate and the second end plate. [Figures 9A] to [Figure 9D] are diagrams showing another embodiment of a filter-coalescer configuration configured in a cross-sectional view of a filter-coalescer system according to an embodiment of the present invention (the diagrams show three filter-coalescer configurations configured in the system), and also diagrammatically showing the entry of gas into an inlet of a pressure vessel in which one or more filter-coalescer configurations are configured; the entry of gas through a hollow cylindrical pre-filter by flowing from the outside to the inside; the separation of liquid from the gas, wherein the separated liquid enters a first storage tank from the outside of the pre-filter, and the liquid-depleted gas passes along the hollow portion of the pre-filter and passes through a first inertial separator including a vortex generator and an axial flow separator including a hollow axial flow body; and the separation of liquid from the gas. The present invention relates to a method for separating liquid from the gas by separating the liquid from the gas. The method further comprises: separating liquid from the gas by separating the ... A conduit communicates with the curved plate and is connected via piping to direct the coalesced liquid from the coalescer to a second storage tank. [Figure 9E] shows a cross-sectional view through the filter system shown in Figures 9A-9D near the discharge point of the curved plate, wherein the plate surrounds the lower portion of the coalescer and a portion of the side of the coalescer, wherein the gap between the plate and the lower portion of the coalescer is narrower than the gap between the plate and the side of the coalescer. Figure 9E also shows a capture feature in the second end plate for a handle on the end cap at the second end of the coalescer. [Figures 10A]-10F] are diagrams illustrating a plurality of filter-coalescer configurations and curved plates that can be deployed in a pressure vessel according to aspects of the present invention. Figures 10A and 10B show a top view and a side view (Figure 10A is a top view; Figure 10B is a side view); Figure 10C shows a front end view including a first end plate; Figure 10D shows a rear end view including a second end plate; Figures 10E and 10F show a perspective front view and a perspective rear view, respectively). Figures 11A and 11B show perspective front and rear views, respectively, of a parallel filter-coalescer configuration support rail system, including parallel prefilter rails and parallel coalescer rails for removing and replacing prefilters with or without coalescers. The prefilter rails are connected to the first end plate and the first tube sheet, and the coalescer rails are connected to the second tube sheet and the second end plate. The figures also show a capture feature. Figure 11A also shows a capture feature in the second end plate for a handle on the end cap at the second end of the coalescer. FIG12A is a diagram showing a coalescer arrangement and an embodiment of a coalescer apparatus configured in a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a coalescer system according to an embodiment of the present invention (the diagram shows three filter coalescer arrangements configured in the system), and also diagrammatically showing an inlet for admitting gas into a pressure vessel in which one or more coalescer arrangements are configured; some liquid is separated from the gas (e.g., large liquid particles may settle out due to, for example, gravity) and enters a first storage tank, the liquid-depleted gas passes through an inertial separator including a vortex generator and an axial flow separator, the axial flow separator including a hollow axial flow body; additional liquid is separated from the gas, and the separated liquid is discharged from the axial flow body. and a second storage tank, wherein further liquid-depleted gas flows along the hollow axial flow body into a hollow coalescer, the coalescer system having a curved plate below and partially surrounding the sides and surrounding a lower portion of the hollow coalescer; separating additional liquid (e.g., droplets) from the gas, wherein the additional liquid passes (exhausts) from outside the coalescer and along the curved plate and enters a third storage tank through a discharge point (thereby minimizing or preventing the coalesced liquid from re-entering the clean gas stream and isolating the flow from each individual coalescer as the gas flow is directed upward), and the gas passes along the hollow coalescer and from the pressure vessel through an outlet of the pressure vessel. Optional conduits communicate with the curved plate and are connected via pipes to direct the coalesced liquid from the coalescer to the third chamber and the third storage tank. Figures 12B through 12D illustrate a coalescer system according to aspects of the present invention, without illustrating the gas and liquid flow paths shown in Figure 12A. Figure 12B shows a side, partially sectional view; Figure 12C shows a front perspective view of the coalescer system shown in Figure 12B; and Figure 12D shows a rear perspective view of the coalescer system shown in Figure 12B. Figures 12E to 12F show cross-sectional views through the filter system shown in Figures 12A to 12D near the discharge point of the curved plate, wherein the plate surrounds the lower portion of the coalescer and a portion of the side of the coalescer, wherein the gap between the plate and the lower portion of the coalescer is narrower than the gap between the plate and the side of the coalescer. FIG13 is a diagram showing an assembled perspective view of a coalescer arrangement comprising: an inertial separator including a vortex generator and an axial flow separator, the axial flow separator comprising a hollow cylindrical axial flow body having a first open separator end and a second open separator end. In the embodiment illustrated herein, the hollow cylindrical axial flow body includes radial grooves; and a coalescer of the coalescer arrangement shown in FIG12A according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 14A and 14B are diagrams showing the embodiment of the inertial separator shown in FIG13 in a front perspective view (FIG. 14A) and a side view (FIG. 14B), also showing a handle disposed on the front portion of the inertial separator. Figures 15A through 15E illustrate various coalescer configurations that can be deployed in a pressure vessel according to aspects of the present invention. Figures 15A and 15B show top and side views (Figure 15A is a top view; Figure 15B is a side view). Figure 15C shows a front end view including a first tube sheet; Figure 15D shows a rear end view including an end plate adjacent to the second end of the coalescer (optionally, the second end can be joined to provide a common end plate, which is generally configured similarly to the second end plate 502 shown for other aspects); Figures 15E and 15F show perspective front and rear views, respectively. Figures 15D and 15F also show a capture feature on the end plate for a handle on the end cap at the second end of the coalescer. Figures 16A and 16B are diagrams showing perspective front and rear views, respectively, of a coalescer rail arrangement including a coalescer rail for removal and replacement, wherein the coalescer rail is connected to the second tube sheet and the end plate. These figures also show capture features.

100: Pre-filter

150: Hollow porous medium

151: First open pre-filter end

152: Second open pre-filter end

200: First Inertial Separator

250: Axial flow separator

255: Hollow cylindrical axial flow body

300: Coalescer

301: Hollow porous coalescer medium

311: First open coalescer end

312: Second open coalescer end

360: Close the coalescer end cap

450: Second Inertial Separator

470:Leaf

480: Net pad

500: Filter coalescer configuration

600: Filter coalescer device

1000: Pressure vessel

1000A: First end

1000B: Second end

1001: Pressure vessel inlet

1002: Pressure vessel outlet

1100: First Chamber

1101: First liquid port

1102: First Storage Tank

1150: First tube sheet

1200: Second Chamber

1201: Second liquid port

1250: Second tube sheet

1300: Third Chamber

1301: Third Liquid Port

1302: Third Slot

1400: The hatch can be opened.

2000: Filter Coalescer System

Claims (4)

A coalescer arrangement comprising: (b) an inertial separator comprising: (i) a vortex generator comprising helical blades; and (ii) an axial flow separator comprising a hollow cylindrical axial flow body having a first open separator end and a second open separator end, the hollow cylindrical axial flow body comprising radial grooves; or, the hollow cylindrical axial flow body comprising an inner hollow cylindrical porous metal element and an outer hollow cylindrical metal mesh; wherein the axial flow separator is in fluid communication with the vortex generator; and (b) A coalescer comprising a porous coalescer medium, a first open coalescer end, a second open coalescer end, and a closed coalescer end cap located at the second open coalescer end, the coalescer being disposed adjacent to the second open separator end and in fluid communication with the axial flow separator; wherein (a) and (b) are disposed sequentially. An inertial separator comprises: (i) a vortex generator comprising spiral blades; and (ii) an axial flow separator comprising a hollow cylindrical axial flow body having a first open separator end and a second open separator end, the hollow cylindrical axial flow body comprising an inner hollow cylindrical porous metal element and an outer hollow cylindrical metal mesh. An inertial flow separator as claimed in claim 2, comprising a handle disposed on a front portion of the inertial flow separator. A filter-coalescer arrangement includes an inertial separator comprising: (i) a vortex generator comprising helical blades; and (ii) an axial flow separator comprising a hollow cylindrical axial flow body having a first open separator end and a second open separator end, the hollow cylindrical axial flow body comprising a porous medium.