Fluid purification systems and methods

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods for removing volatiles from fluid systems. The apparatuses and methods include evaporator sections and may include a heater disposed at least in part in the evaporator section, an evaporation tube positioned around the heater, an air inlet adapted for fluid communication with a pressurized air source, and an air outlet adapted for fluid communication with a vacuum source.

1 . An oil and hydraulic fluid purification device, comprising an evaporator section having an oil and hydraulic fluid inlet, an oil and hydraulic fluid outlet, an air inlet adapted for fluid communication with a pressurized air source, an air outlet adapted for fluid communication with a vacuum source, and a heater. 
     
     
         2 . The oil and hydraulic fluid purification device of  claim 1 , further comprising an evaporation tube having a bore extending therethrough and a conically shaped outer surface, wherein the heater extends into the bore forming a narrow fluid heating channel between the bore and the heater. 
     
     
         3 . The oil and hydraulic fluid purification device of  claim 2 , wherein the heater is fitted into the bore such that one of oil and hydraulic fluid will flow within the narrow fluid heating channel and then flow over the conically shaped outer surface of the evaporation tube. 
     
     
         4 . The oil and hydraulic fluid purification device of  claim 3 , wherein the heater has a ridged surface. 
     
     
         5 . The oil and hydraulic fluid purification device of  claim 3 , wherein the evaporation tube bore has a grooved inner surface adjacent the narrow fluid heating channel. 
     
     
         6 . The oil and hydraulic fluid purification device of  claim 3 , wherein the heater has a grooved surface adjacent the narrow fluid heating channel. 
     
     
         7 . The oil and hydraulic fluid purification device of  claim 2 , wherein the evaporation tube is positioned around the heater such that a fluid will flow between the evaporation tube and the heater and then flow over the conically shaped outer surface of the evaporation tube. 
     
     
         8 . The oil and hydraulic fluid purification device of  claim 7 , further comprising a filter section positioned below the evaporator section 
     
     
         9 . The oil and hydraulic fluid purification device of  claim 8 , wherein the evaporation tube is positioned vertically around the heater. 
     
     
         10 . A method of purifying one of oil and hydraulic fluid, comprising:
 causing one of the oil and the hydraulic fluid to flow through an evaporator chamber; and   connecting the evaporator chamber to a pressurized air source and a vacuum air source to create an airflow stream through the evaporator chamber and thereby remove airborne volatiles from one of the oil and the hydraulic fluid passing through the evaporator chamber.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the evaporator chamber is connected to the pressurized air source by tubing. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the evaporator chamber is connected to the vacuum air source by tubing. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the pressurized air source is one of a turbocharger and an engine crankcase. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein one of the oil and the hydraulic fluid is caused to flow into the evaporator chamber through a narrow fluid heating channel formed between a bore in an evaporation tube and a heater. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the heater has a ridged surface.