Separator system

Abstract

A separator system may include a separator for separating a liquid (e.g. an operating liquid received from a liquid ring pump) from a mixture comprising the liquid and another substance; a level indicator coupled to the separator, the level indicator being for indicating a level of the liquid in the separator, the level indicator comprising a tubular member fluidly connected to the separator such that the liquid within the separator may flow from the separator into the tubular member; and a liquid line configured to supply liquid to the separator, the liquid line coupled to the level indicator such that the tubular member is fluidly connected between the liquid line and the separator.

1 : A separator system comprising:
 a separator for separating a liquid from a mixture comprising the liquid and another sub stance;   a level indicator coupled to the separator, the level indicator configured to indicate a level of the liquid in the separator, the level indicator comprising a tubular member fluidly connected to the separator such that the liquid within the separator may flow from the separator into the tubular member; and   a liquid line configured to supply liquid to the separator, the liquid line coupled to the level indicator such that the tubular member is fluidly connected between the liquid line and the separator.   
     
     
         2 : The separator system of  claim 1 , wherein the separator is configured to separate the liquid from a mixture comprising the liquid and a gas or vapour. 
     
     
         3 : The separator system of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular member is at least partially transparent. 
     
     
         4 : The separator system of  claim 1 , further comprising a valve disposed on the liquid line. 
     
     
         5 : The separator system of  claim 4 , further comprising a controller configured to control the valve. 
     
     
         6 : The separator system of  claim 5 , wherein the controller is configured to open the valve for a first predetermined time period. 
     
     
         7 : The separator system of  claim 1 , further comprising a liquid level sensor configured to measure a level of the liquid within a part of the system. 
     
     
         8 : The separator system of  claim 7 , wherein the liquid level sensor is located within the separator or within the level indicator. 
     
     
         9 : The separator system of  claim 5 , further comprising a liquid level sensor configured to measure a level of the liquid within a part of the system, wherein the controller is configured to control the valve based on a measurement from the liquid level sensor. 
     
     
         10 : The separator system of  claim 9 , wherein the controller is configured to either deactivate the level sensor or disregard measurements taken by the level sensor for a second predetermined time period after opening the valve. 
     
     
         11 : A system comprising:
 a liquid ring pump configured to pump, using an operating liquid, a gas or vapour and to output a mixture comprising the operating liquid and the gas or vapour;   a separator fluidly arranged to receive the mixture from the liquid ring pump, the separator being configured to separate the operating liquid from the mixture;   a level indicator coupled to the separator, the level indicator configured to indicate a level of the operating liquid in the separator, the level indicator comprising a tubular member fluidly connected to the separator such that the operating liquid within the separator may flow from the separator into the tubular member; and   an operating liquid make-up line configured to supply new operating liquid to the separator, the operating liquid make-up line coupled to the level indicator such that the tubular member is fluidly connected between the operating liquid make-up line and the separator.   
     
     
         12 : A method for operating a separator system, the separator system comprising a separator configured to separate a liquid from a mixture comprising the liquid and another substance and a level indicator coupled to the separator, the level indicator configured to indicate a level of the liquid in the separator, the level indicator comprising a tubular member fluidly connected to the separator such that the liquid within the separator may flow from the separator into the tubular member, the method comprising:
 causing the liquid to flow into the separator via the tubular member of the level indicator.   
     
     
         13 : The method of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the method further comprises determining that a level of the liquid within the separator is below a threshold liquid level; and   causing the liquid to flow into the separator comprises, responsive to determining that the level of the liquid within the separator is below the threshold liquid level, opening a valve, the valve being disposed along a liquid line configured to supply liquid to the separator, the liquid line coupled to the level indicator such that the tubular member is fluidly connected between the liquid line and the separator.   
     
     
         14 : The method of  claim 13 , wherein:
 determining that the level of the liquid within the separator is below the threshold liquid level comprises processing, by a controller, a measurement taken by a level sensor configured to measure a liquid level; and   causing the liquid to flow into the separator comprises controlling, by the controller, the valve based on the processing of the measurement.   
     
     
         15 : A system comprising:
 a separator configured to separate a liquid from a mixture comprising the liquid and another substance;   a level gauge coupled to the separator; and   a liquid make-up line coupled to the level gauge and configured to supply additional liquid to the separator by causing the liquid to flow through the level gauge.