Portable and modular separator/collector device

1. A modular waste liquid separator and collector device, comprising the following component modules: a support structure comprising: a frame and a foot structure pivotally coupled to the frame, the foot structure being movable between a first position wherein it is essentially parallel with the frame and a second position in which it is essentially perpendicular to the frame; and a locking and stabilizing device for locking and stabilizing the foot structure and the frame in said essential perpendicular orientation; a droplet separator connectable to said support structure; and a waste liquid chute device; wherein said component modules are individually portable.

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the support structure and the waste liquid collector are foldable with respect to each other.

3. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the frame is essentially rectangular, having two side bars and at least one cross-bar connecting the side bars, and wherein the foot structure comprises two foot bars pivotally coupled between the ends of the respective foot bar, to one end of each of the side bars, and wherein there is provided at least one stabilizing strut connected or connectable to the frame and a foot bar, respectively, so as to lock the frame and foot bar in said essentially perpendicular orientation with respect to each other.

4. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the droplet separator comprises a frame having upper and lower frame segments and side segments connecting said upper and lower segments, and droplet separating elements provided in the frame, said droplet separating elements capable of conveying droplets downwards by gravity so as to collect In the lower segment, the droplets being separated from a flow of a mixture of liquid and gas impacting said separating elements during use.

5. The device according to claim 4 , wherein said lower frame segment comprises a drain for draining liquid that has collected in the lower frame segment.

6. The device according to claim 5 , further comprising tubing coupled to the drain for conveying the waste liquid to a waste liquid reservoir.

7. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the waste liquid collector comprises at least two parts, pivotally connected so as to be foldable, a first part adapted to be positioned with its free end adjacent to the front side of the droplet separator, and a second part adapted to extend away from the first part in an unfolded state.

8. The device according to claim 7 , wherein the waste liquid collector is connectable to the frame or to the separator or both.

9. A method of providing a waste liquid separator and collector device, comprising

providing a support structure module;

providing a droplet separator module connectable to said support structure module;

providing a waste liquid collector module;

locating said modules individually at a place of use; and

assembling said modules to an operative unit, wherein the support structure module further comprises a frame and a foot structure and the step of locating said modules includes the step of rotating the frame about a pivot axis located on the foot structure.

10. The method according to claim 9 , comprising hand carrying said modules to the place of use.

11. The method according to claim 9 , comprising transporting said modules to the place of use by mechanical means.

12. The method according to claim 9 , further comprising the step of locking the frame in place with respect to the foot structure.

13. A modular waste liquid separator and collector device, comprising the following component modules: a support structure comprising: a separate frame and a foot structure rigidly connectable to each other so as to form a combination comprising an upright frame and a horizontal foot, and a locking and stabilizing device for locking and stabilizing the foot and frame structures in an essentially perpendicular orientation with respect to each other; a droplet separator connectable to said support structure; and a waste liquid chute device; wherein said component modules are individually portable.

14. The device according to claim 13 , wherein the support structure and the waste liquid collector are foldable with respect to each other.

15. The device according to claim 13 , wherein the frame is essentially rectangular, having two side bars and at least one cross-bar connecting the side bars, and wherein the foot structure comprises two foot bars pivotally coupled between the ends of the respective foot bar, to one end of each of the side bars, and wherein there is provided at least one stabilizing strut connected or connectable to the frame and a foot bar, respectively, so as to lock the frame and foot bar in said essentially perpendicular orientation with respect to each other.

16. The device according to claim 13 , wherein the droplet separator comprises a frame having upper and lower frame segments and side segments connecting said upper and lower segments, and droplet separating elements provided in the frame, said droplet separating elements capable of conveying droplets downwards by gravity so as to collect in the lower segment, the droplets being separated from a flow of a mixture of liquid and gas impacting said separating elements during use.

17. The device according to claim 16 , wherein said lower frame segment comprises a drain for draining liquid that has collected in the lower frame segment.

18. The device according to claim 17 , further comprising tubing coupled to the drain for conveying the waste liquid to a waste liquid reservoir.

19. The device according to claim 13 , wherein the waste liquid collector comprises at least two parts, pivotally connected so as to be foldable, a first part adapted to be positioned with its free end adjacent to the front side of the droplet separator, and a second part adapted to extend away from the first part in an unfolded state.

20. The device according to claim 19 , wherein the waste liquid collector is connectable to the frame or to the separator or both.