Downflow coalescing for emulsion treater

Claim 1

A horizontal treater to effect separation of plural mixed and/or emulsified fluids such as oil, gas and water comprising: a vessel divided into: a first compartment at one end of said vessel to receive the inlet of said fluids and to effect controlled removal of substantial portions of unmixed gas and water, a second compartment at the other end of said vessel having a heater therein to create partial water contaminated oil, and third and fourth compartments between said first and second compartments to receive overflow of said partial water contaminated oil, a substantially horizontal single bed coalescing section in said third compartment positioned so as to be submerged in oil above the normal water level therein; a flow conduit for said mixed or emulsified fluids from said first to said second compartment across said third and fourth compartments; means to meter said partial water contaminated oil from said second compartment into said third for substantially vertical downward flow across said coalescing section from top to bottom; means to meter fluids from below said coalescing section into said fourth compartment; and means to remove separated fluids from said compartments as needed.