Coalescer filter and method

Abstract

A coalescer filter is illustrated for removing material from a gas wherein a collection of liquid coalesced by passing a gaseous stream upwardly within a coalescing material packed in an upright cylindrical housing is facilitated by creating a pressure drop in a tube .[.by venturi action.]. .Iadd.in an inlet air stream .Iaddend.and communicating the pressure drop to a canister. The use of a float valve is also illustrated for controlling the discharge of liquid collected in a sealed drainage canister receiving coalesced liquid from a lower portion of an upright column or housing containing coalescing material through which a gaseous stream is passed upwardly.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A coalescer filter for removing a liquid from a gas comprising: an upright housing;   coalescing material packed in said housing   an inlet .Iadd.conduit .Iaddend.for gas through which an unfiltered gaseous stream enters a lower portion of said upright housing and is directed upwardly into said coalescing material;   a drainage opening positioned laterally of said inlet .Iadd.conduit .Iaddend.receiving liquid coalesced in said housing;   a canister below said inlet .Iadd.conduit .Iaddend.for collecting said liquid from said drainage opening; and   a tube extending upwardly from said canister into said gaseous stream .Iadd.in said inlet conduit .Iaddend.creating a pressure .[.drop in said tube.]. .Iadd.differential between said drainage opening and said canister;.Iaddend.   whereby a negative pressure gradient is created in said canister facilitating a flow of liquid into said canister.   
     
     
       2. The structure set forth in claim 1 including a drain in said canister for controlling discharge of liquid therefrom. 
     
     
       3. The structure set forth in claim 2 wherein said drain includes a float valve. 
     
     
       4. A coalescer air filter comprising an upright cylindrical housing containing coalescing: material;   an air inlet .Iadd.conduit .Iaddend.through which an unfiltered air stream enters a central lower portion of said upright housing and is directed upwardly into said coalescing material;   a drainage opening positioned laterally of said air inlet .Iadd.conduit .Iaddend.receiving liquid coalesced in said housing;   a canister below said air inlet .Iadd.conduit .Iaddend.for collecting said liquid from said drainage opening; and   an air tube extending upwardly from said canister into said air stream .Iadd.in said inlet conduit;.Iaddend.   whereby a pressure .[.drop in said air tube.]. .Iadd.differential between said drainage opening and said canister .Iaddend.caused by said air .[.flow.]. .Iadd.stream .Iaddend.facilitates a flow of liquid into said canister by reducing air pressure in said canister.   
     
     
       5. A coalescer air filter comprising: an upright cylindrical housing containing coalescing material packed therein;   an air inlet .Iadd.conduit .Iaddend.through which an unfiltered air stream enters a lower portion of said upright housing and is directed upwardly into said coalescing material;   a drainage opening positioned laterally of said air inlet .Iadd.conduit .Iaddend.receiving liquid coalesced in said housing;   a canister for collecting said liquid from said drainage opening;   a tube extending from said canister into said air stream .Iadd.in said inlet conduit; .Iaddend.and   a float valve in said canister controlling the discharge of liquid collected in said canister;   whereby a pressure .[.drop in said tube.]. .Iadd.differential between said drainage opening and said canister .Iaddend.caused by said air stream facilitates a flow of liquid into said canister by reducing air pressure in said canister.   
     
     
       6. The structure set forth in claim 5 including an upright housing containing a filter carried in side by side relation with said first mentioned upright housing receiving air from an upper portion of said first mentioned housing for downward movement through said filter. .[. 
     
     
       7.  The method of removing liquids from an air stream comprising the steps of: providing an upright cylindrical housing containing coalescing material:   forming an air stream in said cylindrical housing upwardly through said coalescing material;   causing said liquids contained within said air stream to coalesce and flow downwardly by gravity in a direction opposite to the upward flow of said gaseous stream; and   causing a pressure drop in a canister receiving coalesced liquids by positioning a tube having one end in said canister and the other end in said air stream to create a pressure drop in said canister.].. .[.   
     
     
       8.  The method of removing liquids from air comprising the steps of: forming an air stream;   providing an upright cylindrical housing containing coalescing material;   introducing air to said cylindrical housing through said coalecing material;   causing liquids contained within said air to coalesce and flow downwardly; and   causing a pressure drop in a canister positioned below said housing receiving coalescend liquids by positioning a tube having one end in said canister and the other end in said air stream to create a pressure drop in said canister..].   
     
     
       9. The method set forth in claim .[.8.]. .Iadd.11 .Iaddend.including the step of utilizing a float drain in said canister to drain coalesced liquid therefrom. 
     
     
       10. The method set forth in claim .[.8.]. .Iadd.11 .Iaddend.including the step of positively expelling coalesced contaminants from said canister utilizing an automatic filter drain in a bottom of said canister. .Iadd. 
     
     
       11.  The method of removing liquids from air comprising the steps of: forming an inlet air stream;   providing an upright cylindrical housing containing coalescing material;   introducing said inlet air stream to said cylindrical housing through an inlet air conduit and thence upwardly through said coalescing material;   causing liquids contained within said air to coalesce and flow downwardly;   causing a pressure drop in a canister positioned below said housing receiving coalesced liquids by positioning a tube having one end in said canister and the other end in said inlet air stream in said conduit prior to passage through said coalescing material to create a pressure drop in said canister;   draining said liquids from a lower portion of said housing through an opening spaced laterally of said inlet air conduit with the aid of said pressure drop in the canister..Iaddend.