Abstract This specification discloses a water-disposal process and system which includes a surge tank in which oil is automatically withdrawn from an oil phase on top of the water at a rate to maintain a constant oil blanket on the water. The oil is withdrawn through a conduit which is secured to a buoy which floats at the oil-water interface. The buoy thus supports the oil inlet of the conduit a fixed distance above the oil-water interface to maintain the thickness of the oil phase constant as the water level varies within the tank. The tank further comprises means for alternately filling and emptying the tank of water between predetermined upper and lower levels. The sides of the tank between these levels are thus contacted with the oil phase to provide corrosion protection.
In a water-disposal system, the combination comprising: a surge tank adapted to receive water conTaining oil which separates into a lower water phase and an upper oil phase within said tank, means for withdrawing water from said tank, a conduit extending from the interior to the exterior of said tank for the separate withdrawal of oil therefrom, said conduit having an inlet in fluid communication with the interior of said tank, means for maintaining said conduit inlet spaced a fixed distance above the interface between said oil and water phases whereby the thickness of said oil phase remains constant as the elevation of said interface varies, said last-named means comprising a buoy to which said conduit is secured, said buoy having a density between the densities of oil and water and being adapted to float at the interface between the oil and water phases whereby said conduit inlet is supported above the interface by said buoy at said fixed distance, and means for intermittently allowing said tank to fill with water to a predetermined upper level therein and thereafter emptying water from said tank to a predetermined lower level therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 2 further comprising a water inlet line opening into said tank at a location below said predetermined lower level.