US Patent 8092692 Apparatus and method for separating immiscible fluid components

A separator apparatus for separating immiscible fluid components of different specific gravities. A body includes an internal flow channel for a mixture of fluid components to be separated. A rotation generating device brings the fluid mixture to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the flow channel. An extraction device withdraws a central part of the rotating fluid mixture flowing through the flow channel. A bubble introducer introduces micro-sized gas bubbles into the fluid mixture so as to thereby enhance the separation of the fluid components. Also a method for separating immiscible fluid components of different specific gravities.