Gas-liquid separator and related methods
An apparatus is provided for separating a liquid from a gas-liquid mixture. The apparatus has an enclosure having an inlet and an outlet defining a flow path for the gas-liquid mixture. The apparatus includes a plurality of plates in the enclosure that are arranged in the flow path between the inlet and outlet, with the plates being configured to coalesce liquid from the gas-liquid mixture contacting the plates. A reservoir may be in fluid communication with the plates and be positioned to receive fluid coalesced by the plates. The plates may be arranged so as to create a turbulent flow of the gas-liquid mixture flowing from the inlet toward the outlet.
1. An apparatus for separating a liquid from a gas-liquid mixture, comprising: an enclosure having an inlet and an outlet defining a flow path for the gas-liquid mixture between said inlet and said outlet and a pair of sidewalls; a plurality of stacked plates in said enclosure and arranged in the flow path between said inlet and outlet, said plates being configured to coalesce liquid from the gas-liquid mixture contacting said plates; and a side seal located between one of said sidewalls and said plurality of stacked plates and contacting said plurality of plates.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said plates are arranged so as to create a turbulent flow of the gas-liquid mixture flowing from said inlet toward said outlet.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the gas-liquid mixture comprises a mixture of air and oil, and further wherein said plates are configured to coalesce oil captured by engagement with said plates of the air-oil mixture flowing from said inlet toward said outlet.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a reservoir in fluid communication with said plates and positioned to receive fluid coalesced by said plates.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein said plates include a plurality of ports for directing liquid coalesced by said plates into said reservoir.
6. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein said enclosure includes an evacuation port in communication with said reservoir for evacuating liquid from said reservoir.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said plates are arranged so that the gas-liquid mixture flows over respective surfaces of said plates in a generally sinusoidal flow profile.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a plurality of spacers separating pairs of adjacent ones of said plates.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of said plates has a generally horizontal orientation along the length of said plate and includes bidirectional corrugations extending along the length of said plate and in a direction transverse to the length of said plate.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said plates are made of polypropylene.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of said plates has an oleophilic surface.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
an air-forcing device in fluid communication with said outlet for drawing the gas-liquid mixture from said inlet to said outlet.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the side seal is spaced from said one of said sidewalls.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 , further comprising:
a vertically-extending barrier proximate said inlet, said side seal cooperating with said barrier to direct flow of the gas-liquid mixture between said plates.
15. The apparatus of claim 13 , further comprising:
an undulated baffle engaging said side seal and said sidewall for restricting lateral movement of said plates within said enclosure.
16. The apparatus of claim 13 , further comprising:
a pair of side seals contacting said plates and spaced from said sidewalls; and
a pair of front gaskets cooperating with said side seals to direct flow of the gas-liquid mixture between said plates.
17. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a deflector located proximate said inlet for creating a turbulent flow of the gas-liquid mixture flowing between said inlet and said outlet.
18. A system for providing lubrication to a metal-working operation, comprising:
a first enclosure including a metal-working tool in an interior thereof;
a supply of lubricating gas-liquid mixture in fluid communication with said interior of said first enclosure and configured to direct the gas-liquid mixture toward a working interface of said metal-working tool;
a second enclosure in fluid communication with said first enclosure and having an inlet and an outlet defining a flow path for the gas-liquid mixture flowing from said first enclosure between said inlet and said outlet; and
a plurality of stacked plates in said second enclosure and arranged in the flow path between said inlet and outlet, said plates being configured to coalesce liquid from the gas-liquid mixture contacting said plates.
19. The system of claim 18 , further comprising:
a reservoir in said enclosure and in communication with said plates for receiving liquid coalesced by said plates, wherein said reservoir is in fluid communication with said supply of lubricating gas-liquid mixture for recycling liquid collected in said reservoir.
20. A method of separating a liquid from a gas-liquid mixture, the method comprising:
forcing a stream of the gas-liquid mixture into an enclosure having a pair of sidewalls; directing
the stream between a plurality of stacked plates within said enclosure to thereby coalesce liquid from the gas-liquid mixture;
locating a side seal between one of the sidewalls and the plurality of stacked plates and contacting the plurality of stacked plates; and
evacuating substantially liquid-free gas from said enclosure.
21. The method of claim 20 , further comprising:
disrupting flow of the gas-liquid mixture entering the enclosure to thereby make the flow thereof turbulent.
22. The method of claim 20 , further comprising:
forcing substantially all portions of the stream to flow between the stacked plates.
23. The method of claim 20 , further comprising: spacing the side seal from the one of the sidewalls.