Patent EP0313197A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0313197A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Separator
Assignee: Schlumberger UK Holdings Ltd
•
Filing: 1988-09-01
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2008-09-01
Abstract
Abstract A separator for separating a relatively small volume e.g. up to 20% of a less dense liquid from a larger volume of a more dense liquid, for example for separating small volumes of crude oil from produced water from an oil-well, in the form of an elongated tube of reducing cross-sectional area. The separator has at least one tangentially-disposed inlet (5,105) for the mixture of liquids, adjacent the wide end of the separator, an outlet (10, 121) for the more dense compartment at the narrow end, and an axially disposed outlet (11,122) for the less dense component. A further outlet (6, 113) for the more dense component may be provided intermediate the two ends. The two outlets (10, 121 or 6, 113) for the more dense component are provided with pressure control means (85, 93) for controlling the pressure of the more dense component.
Inventors
- 👤 David Douglad Lloyd
- 👤 Peter Gregory Michaluk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 19:13
CPC Classifications
B; B04; B04C; B04C11/00; B01; B01D; B01D17/00; B01D17/02; B01D17/0208; B01D17/0214; B01D17/0217; B04C3/00; B04C3/06; B04C5/00; B04C5/08; B04C5/081; B04C5/14; B04C5/15; B04C5/16; B04C5/181
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 68
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A separator for separating a mixture of liquids into a more dense component and a less dense component characterised in that the separator comprises an elongated tube having a circular cross-section which reduces in diameter from a wide end to a narrow end, at least one tangentially disposed inlet (65, 105) at or adjacent the wide end for the introduction at relatively high velocity of a mixture of liquids to be separated, at least one outlet (11, 122) for the removal of the less dense component on the axis of the separator, and at least one outlet (10, 121) for the removal of the more dense component, positioned in the vicinity of the narrow end of the separator, and pressure control means (13, 93) for controlling the pressure of the more dense component in the vicinity of the outlet for the more dense component.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A separator for separating a mixture of liquids into a more dense component and a less dense component characterised in that the separator comprises an elongated tube having a circular cross-section which reduces in diameter from a wide end to a narrow end, at least one tangentially disposed inlet (65, 105) at or adjacent the wide end for the introduction at relatively high velocity of a mixture of liquids to be separated, at least one outlet (11, 122) for the removal of the less dense component on the axis of the separator, and at least one outlet (10, 121) for the removal of the more dense component, positioned in the vicinity of the narrow end of the separator, and pressure control means (13, 93) for controlling the pressure of the more dense component in the vicinity of the outlet for the more dense component.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The separator according to Claim 1 characterised in that the tube may be of constant taper from a location adjacent the inlet towards the narrow end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A separator according to Claim 2 characterised in that the convergence angle of the tube lies in the range from about 30 to 10 °, the convergence angle being between the separator axis and the tube wall.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A separator according to Claim 3 characterised in that the convergence angle is about 2°.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A separator according to Claim 3 characterised in that the convergence angle is 1.8` .
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A separator according to Claim 2 characterised in that the convergence angle lies in the range from about 1 to about 5'.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A separator according to Claim 1 characterised in that the tube comprises a plurality of frusto-conical portions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A separator according to Claim 1 characterised in that the interior surface of the tube is curved, the degree of curvature decreasing in a direction from adjacent the wide end of the separator towards the narrow end.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A separator according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the size of the outlet (10, 121) for the removal of the more dense component is adjustable.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A separator according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the outlet for the more dense component extends for at least substantially the whole circumference of the tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A separator according to Claim 10 characterised in that the outlet is in the form of a gap (10,121) between the tube (38, 103) and an outlet unit (14, 104).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
A separator according to Claim 11 characterised in that the outlet unit (4, 104) is movable along the axis of the separator to vary the size of the gap (10, 121).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
A separator according to any one of Claims 9, 10, 11 or 12 characterised in that the width of the outlet (10, 121), measured in an axial direction, lies in the range from D M to D M , 70 3.5 D M being the internal diameter of the separator immediately adjacent the inlet.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
A separator according to either Claim 11 or 12 characterised in that the surface of the outlet unit defining the gap is tapered, the cross-sectional area of the surface increasing from the wide end towards the narrow end of the separator.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
A separator according to Claim 14 charac- . terised in that the taper angle -y lies in the range 5° to 90°.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
A separator according to Claim 16 characterised in that the taper angle y is about 30` .
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
A separator according to any one of Claims 14 to 16 characterised in that the surface at the end of the tube defining the gap is tapered, and parallel to the surface of the outlet unit.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
A separator according to any one of Claims 1 - 9 characterised in that the outlet for the more dense component comprises at least one tangentially-disposed port in the opposite sense to the said at least one inlet.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
A separator according to Claim 18 characterised in that the cross-sectional shape of the port is circular, elliptical, rectangular or square.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
42 words
A separator according to Claim 9 characterised in that the size of the outlet for the more dense component is controllable under the influence of at least one sensor for detecting changes in at least one parameter of the mixture of liquids.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
A separator according to any one of the Claims 9 - 20 characterised in that the outlet for the more dense component leads into a closed chamber (12, 92) having means for controlling the pressure therein.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
A separator according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the outlet for the less dense component comprises an axially disposed tube (19, 117) extending towards the interior of the separator from the narrow end thereof.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
33 words
A separator according to Claim 22 characterised in that the tube (19, 117) for the removal of the less dense component is tapered so as to have a sharp edge within the separator.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
A separator according to Claim 22 or 23 characterised in that the tube (19, 117) for the removal of the less dense component has an enlarged diameter outwardly of the separator.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
43 words
A separator according to any one of Claims 22 to 24 characterised in that the internal diameter of the tube (19, 117) for the removal of the less dense component is selected depending on the proportions of the liquid components to be separated.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
79 words
A separator according to any one of Claims 22 to 24 characterised in that the internal diameter of the tube (19, 117) for the removal of the less dense component lies in the range where D 4 is the internal diameter of the separator at the narrow end, D s is the internal diameter of the tube for the removal of the less dense component, and D M is the internal diameter of the separator immediately adjacent the inlet.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
37 words
A separator according to Claim 26 characterised in that the internal diameter of the tube (19, 117) for the removal of the less dense component lies in the range for low concentration of the less dense component.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
78 words
A separator according to any one of Claims 22 - 27 characterised in that the length of the tube for the removal of the less dense component which extends into the separator lies in the range where D M is the internal diameter of the separator immediately adjacent the inlet, and L 4 - is the length of the tube for the removal of the less dense component which extends into the separator from the narrow end thereof.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
69 words
A separator according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that it comprises at least one other, intermediate, outlet (6, 113) for . the more dense component at a predetermined position on the wall of the separator between the two ends, and pressure control means (85) for controlling the pressure of the more dense component in the vicinity of the intermediate outlet for the more dense component.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
27 words
A separator according to Claim 29 characterised in that the size of the intermediate outlet (6, 113) for the removal of the more dense component is adjustable.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
32 words
A separator according to Claim 29 or 30 characterised in that the intermediate outlet (6, 113) for the more dense component extends for at least substantially the whole circumference of the tube.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
32 words
A separator according to Claim 31 characterised in that the intermediate outlet (6, 113) is in the form of a gap between adjacent lengths (2, 3 or 102, 103) of the tube.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
39 words
A separator according to Claim 32 characterised in that at least one of the lengths (2, 3 or 102, 103) of the tube is movable relative to the adjacent length to vary the size of the gap (6, 113).
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
56 words
A separator according to any one of Claims 30, 31, 32 or 33 characterised in that the width of the intermediate outlet (6, 113) measured in an axial direction lies in the range where L 2 is the width of the outlet, and D M is the internal diameter of the separator immediately adjacent the inlet.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
20 words
A separator according to Claim 34 characterised in that the width of the outlet (6, 113) lies in the range
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
45 words
A separator according to either Claim 32 or 33 characterised in that the intermediate outlet (6, 113) may be closed by bringing the two adjacent lengths (2,3 or 102, 103) into contact, the internal diameter of each tube length immediately adjacent the outlet being equal.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
45 words
A separator according to either Claim 32 or 33 characterised in that the surfaces (114, 115) of the adjacent lengths defining the gap are parallel and tapered, the cross-sectional area of each surface increasing from the wide end towards the narrow end of the separator.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
A separator according to Claim 37 characterised in that the taper angle lies in the range 5° to 90°.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
16 words
A separator according to Claim 37 characterised in that the taper angle ω is about 30°.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
38 words
A separator according to Claim 29 or 30 characterised in that the intermediate outlet (6) for the more dense compact comprises at least one tangentially disposed port in the opposite sense of the said at least one inlet.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
22 words
A separator according to Claim 40 characterised in that the cross-sectional shape of the port (6) is circular, elliptical, rectangular or square.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
45 words
A separator according to Claim 29 characterised in that the size of the intermediate outlet (6, 113) for the more dense component is controllable under the influence of at least one sensor for detecting changes in at least one parameter of the mixture of liquids.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
36 words
A separator according to any one of Claims 29 - 42 characterised in that the intermediate outlet (13) for the more dense component leads into a closed chamber (84) having means for controlling the pressure therein.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
75 words
A separator according to any one of Claims 29 - 43 characterised in that the angle of convergence, α, independent of the shape of the tube, between the position A where the internal diameter starts to reduce and the position B immediately adjacent the intermediate outlet(6) for the more dense component closer to the wide end lies in the range from about 30 to 10°, smaller convergence angles being possible down to about 1 5'.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
60 words
A separator according to any one of Claims 29 - 43 characterised in that the angle of convergence, α, independent of the shape of the tube, between the position A where the internal diameter starts to reduce and the position B immediately adjacent the intermediate outlet (6) for the more dense component closer to the wide end is about 2°.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
59 words
A separator according to any one of Claims 29 - 43 characterised in that the angle of convergence, α, independent of the shape of the tube, between the position A where the internal diameter starts to reduce and the position B immediately adjacent the intermediate outlet (6) for the more dense component closer to the wide end is 1.8°.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
64 words
A separator according to Claim 1 characterised in that the tube comprises two lengths, (2, 3 or 102, 103) the first length (2, 102) being tapered and positioned nearer the wide end and the second length (3, 103) being positioned nearer the narrow end, a closeable intermediate outlet (6, 113) for the removal of the more dense component being positioned between the two lengths.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
21 words
A separator according to Claim 47 characterised by comprising a cylindrical inlet section (1, 101) immediately adjacent the inlet (5, 105).
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
24 words
A separator according to Claim 47 characterised in that the convergence angle α of the first length lies in the range 30' - 10°.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
20 words
A separator according to Claim 47 characterised in that the convergence angle a of the first length is about 2°.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
20 words
A separator according to Claim 47 characterised in that the convergence angle a of the first length is 1.8* .
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
61 words
A separator according to any one of Claims 47 - 51 characterised in that the total cross-sectional area of the at least one inlet (5, 105) lies in the range where A 1 is the total cross-sectional area of the at least one inlet and A M is the cross-sectional area of the separator immediately adjacent the at least one inlet.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
61 words
A separator according to any one of Claims 47 - 51 characterised in that the total cross-sectional area of the at least one inlet (5, 105) lies in the range where A 1 is the total cross-sectional area of the at least one inlet and A M is the cross-sectional area of the separator immediately adjacent the at least one inlet.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
39 words
A separator according to any one of Claims 47 - 53 characterised in that the minimum diameter of the first length (2, 102) lies in the range one half to one eighth of the maximum diameter (D M ).
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
25 words
A separator according to Claim 54 characterised in that the minimum diameter of the first length (2, 102)is about one quarter of the maximum diameter.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
42 words
A separator according to any one of Claims 47 - 55 characterised in that the internal diameter of the second length (3, 103) adjacent the intermediate outlet (6, 113) is substantially equal to the minimum diameter of the first length (2, 102).
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
53 words
A separator according to any one of Claims 47 - 55 characterised in that the internal diameter of the second length (3, 103) is constant and lies within the ranae where D 2 is the minimum internal diameter of the first length and, D 3 is the internal diameter of the second length.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
9 words
A separator according to Claim 57 characterised in that
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
52 words
A separator according to any one of Claims 47 - 56 characterised in that the second length (3, 103) is internally tapered over at least part of its length, the maximum diameter being immediately adjacent the intermediate outlet (6, 113) and the angle of taper having a value up to about 5°.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
89 words
A separator according to any one of Claims 47 - 59 characterised in that the overall length (3, 103) of the second length lies in the range where D M is the maximum internal diameter of the separator and L 3 is the overall length of said second length, but the following conditions apply :- and where D 3 is the internal diameter of the second length adjacent intermediate outlet and, 0 4 . is the internal diameter of the second length adjacent the outlet at the narrow end.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
50 words
A separator according to any one of Claims 47 - 60 characterised in that the overall length of the second length (3, 103) lies in the range where L 3 is said overall length of the second length and, D M is the maximum internal diameter of the first length.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
40 words
A separator according to any one of Claims 47 - 60 characterised in that the overall length of the said second length (3, 103) equals seven times the maximum internal diameter (D M ) of the first length (2, 102).
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
66 words
A separator according to any one of Claims 47 - 62 characterised in that the outlet (10, 113) for the more dense component at the narrow end of the separator extends around the whole circumference of the separator, the axial width of the outlet lying in the range where L s is the axial width and, D M is the maximum diameter of the first length.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
40 words
A separator according to Claim 63 characterised in that the outlet (10, 113) for the more dense component at the narrow end of the separator comprises a conical deflector having a taper angle in the range from 5 to 90°.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
56 words
A separator according to any one of Claims 47 - 64 characterised in that the outlet for the less dense component comprises an axially disposed tube (19, 117) at the narrow end of the separator which extends into the second length (3, 103) for a variable distance up to the overall length of the second length.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
42 words
A separator according to Claim 65 characterised in that the distance the tube (19, 117) extends into the second length lies in the range where D M is the maximum internal diameter of the first length, L 4 is the said distance.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
26 words
A separator according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that there is no outlet for the less dense component at the wide end.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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