Fluid trap and method of separating fluids
View Patent ↗A fluid trap apparatus includes an inlet configured to receive a flow of composite fluid into the apparatus. The composite fluid contains at least a first fluid and a second fluid. An outer wall defines an interior chamber. A flow diffuser is interposed within the interior chamber. The flow diffuser directs the flow of the composite fluid to circulate through the interior chamber. The first fluid and the second fluid separate as the composite fluid circulates through the interior chamber. A method of separating a first fluid from a second fluid includes introducing a flow of composite fluid into a separate chamber. A pressure gradient is created within the separation chamber. A flow diffuser is interposed in a flow path between an inlet and an outlet. The flow diffuser directs the flow of the composite fluid within the separation chamber. The first fluid and the second fluid are separated.
1. A fluid trap apparatus comprising:
an inlet configured to receive a flow of a composite fluid into the apparatus, the composite fluid having at least a first fluid and a second fluid;
an outer wall physically connected to the inlet, the outer wall defining an interior chamber;
a flow diffuser interposed within the interior chamber, the flow diffuser directs the flow of the composite fluid to circulate through the interior chamber, wherein the first fluid and the second fluid separate as the composite fluid circulates through the interior chamber;
a first outlet physically connected to the outer wall, the first outlet configured to expel a flow of the separated first fluid out of the apparatus; and
a second outlet disposed through the outer wall and configured to expel a flow of the separated second fluid out of the apparatus, wherein the separated second fluid aggregates about the second outlet, and the second outlet is operable between a first configuration to retain the separated second fluid within the interior chamber and a second configuration to expel the separated second fluid.
2. The fluid trap of claim 1 , further comprising a flow restrictor in fluid communication with the first outlet and the flow restrictor is operable to at least partially occlude the first outlet and the at least partial occlusion of the first outlet creates a pressure gradient between the inlet and the first outlet that forces the second fluid out of the second outlet when the second outlet is in the second configuration.
3. The fluid trap of claim 1 , wherein the inlet has an interior diameter that is larger than an interim diameter of the first outlet that creates a pressure gradient between the inlet and the first outlet which forces the second fluid out of the second outlet when the second outlet is in the second configuration.
4. The fluid trap of claim 1 , further comprising a manually actionable valve in the second outlet, the valve being selectively operable to place the second outlet in the first configuration and the second configuration.
5. The fluid trap of claim 4 , further comprising a membrane, wherein the membrane is permeable to the second fluid and the membrane retains the first fluid about the second outlet.
6. The fluid trap of claim 4 , wherein the inlet has an interior diameter that is larger than an interior diameter of the first outlet which creates a pressure gradient between the inlet and the first outlet which forces the second fluid out of the second outlet when the second outlet is in the second configuration.
7. The fluid trap of claim 1 wherein the flow diffuser is further adjacent the first outlet such that the flow of the first fluid changes direction prior to exiting through the first outlet.
8. The fluid trap of claim 7 , wherein the flow diffuser is further adjacent the inlet such that the flow of the composite fluid changes direction upon entering the interior chamber.
9. The fluid trap of claim 8 , wherein the inlet and the first outlet each extend towards an interior of the interior chamber, and the flow diffuser is located at the center of the interior chamber, such that the first fluid circulates in the interior chamber around the flow diffuser.
10. The fluid trap of claim 9 , wherein the flow diffuser at least partially surrounds the inlet and the first outlet.
11. A method of separating a first fluid from a second fluid of a composite fluid, the method comprising:
introducing a flow of the composite fluid into a separation chamber through an inlet, the separating chamber having a first outlet;
creating a pressure gradient within the separation chamber between the inlet and the first outlet;
interposing a flow diffuser in a flow path between the inlet and the first outlet, the flow diffuser directing the flow of the composite fluid within the separation chamber;
separating the first fluid and the second fluid based upon the first density and the second density;
removing the first fluid from the separation chamber through the first outlet; and
selectively operating a second outlet between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein the second fluid is removed from the separation chamber when the second outlet is in the open configuration.
12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
establishing a pressure gradient between the inlet and the first outlet; and
removing the second fluid through the second outlet due to the pressure gradient.
13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising operating a flow restrictor connected to the first outlet to create the pressure gradient between the inlet and the first outlet.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein operating the second out open configuration at least partially occludes the first outlet.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the second outlet is a valve.
16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the second outlet further comprises a manually actionable valve, and further comprising actuating the valve to place the second outlet in the open configuration.
17. A fluid trap apparatus comprising:
an inlet configured to receive a flow of a composite fluid into the apparatus, the composite fluid having at least a first fluid and a second fluid;
an outer wall physically connected to the inlet, the outer wall defining an interior chamber;
a flow diffuser interposed within the interior chamber, the flow diffuser directs the flow of the composite fluid to circulate through the interior chamber, wherein the first fluid and the second fluid separate as the composite fluid circulates through the interior chamber;
a first outlet physically connected to the outer wall, the first outlet configured to expel a flow of the separated first fluid out of the apparatus; and
a second outlet disposed through the outer wall and configured to expel a flow of the separated second fluid out of the apparatus, wherein the separated second fluid aggregates about the second outlet, and the second outlet is operable between a first configuration to retain the separated second fluid within the open interior and a second configuration to expel the separated second fluid wherein the second outlet cooperates with the first outlet such that operation of the second outlet to the second configuration to expel the second fluid also at least partially occludes the first outlet and a pressure gradient between the inlet and the first outlet forces the second fluid out of the second outlet when the second outlet is in the second configuration.
18. The fluid trap of claim 17 , further comprising:
a valve in the second outlet, the valve being operable to place the second outlet in the first configuration and the second configuration; and
a membrane in the second outlet, wherein the membrane is permeable to the second fluid and the membrane retains the first fluid about the second outlet.
19. The fluid trap of claim 17 , wherein the flow diffuser is positioned adjacent the inlet and the first outlet.
20. The fluid trap of claim 19 , wherein the flow diffuser at least partially surrounds the inlet and the first outlet.