US3971719A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Three-phase separator
Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co
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Filing: 1974-12-09
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Granted: 1976-07-27
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Expires: 1994-12-09
Abstract
Abstract A three-phase separator for processing produced fluids from an oil well is divided into an emulsion, an oil, and water compartments. The separator includes a water weir and controls for automatically adjusting the position of the water weir to maintain the oil-emulsion interface in the emulsion compartment substantially constant.
Inventors
- 👤 Beldon A. Peters
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 17:26
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/34; B; B01; B01D; B01D17/00; B01D17/02; B01D17/0208; B01D17/0214
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
In a three-phase oil field separator which includes an emulsion compartment and an oil compartment separated by an oil weir and a water compartment and a water collection compartment separated by a water bulkhead, the improvement comprising a water weir movably mounted on said bulkhead, liquid level control means automatically responsive to changes in the height of the oil-water interface in said emulsion compartment, and means for raising said water weir attendant to a decrease in the height of said oil-water interface and for lowering said water weir attendant to an increase in the height of said oil-water interface, said means being responsive to said liquid level control means so that the height of the oil-water interface is maintained substantially constant.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a three-phase oil field separator which includes an emulsion compartment and an oil compartment separated by an oil weir and a water compartment and a water collection compartment separated by a water bulkhead, the improvement comprising a water weir movably mounted on said bulkhead, liquid level control means automatically responsive to changes in the height of the oil-water interface in said emulsion compartment, and means for raising said water weir attendant to a decrease in the height of said oil-water interface and for lowering said water weir attendant to an increase in the height of said oil-water interface, said means being responsive to said liquid level control means so that the height of the oil-water interface is maintained substantially constant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said liquid level control means includes an oil-water interface float mounted in said emulsion compartment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said liquid level control means includes a water float mounted in said water compartment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
148 words
A three-phase oil field separator which comprises: a horizontal shell; a fixed weir dividing interior portion of said shell into an emulsion compartment and an oil compartment; a bulkhead dividing another interior portion of said shell into a free-water compartment and water collection compartment; a water weir movably mounted on said bulkhead; a motor mounted on said shell for positioning the height of said water weir; and liquid level control means for detecting changes in the height of oil-water interface within said emulsion compartment and sending a signal to said motor indicative of said changes, said motor in response to said signal being operative to raise said water weir attendant to a decrease in height of said oil-water interface and to lower said water weir attendant to an increase in the height of said oil-water interface so that the height of the oil-water interface is maintained substantially constant.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
148 words
A three-phase oil field separator which comprises: a horizontal shell; a fixed weir dividing interior portion of said shell into an emulsion compartment and an oil compartment; a bulkhead dividing another interior portion of said shell into a free-water compartment and water collection compartment; a water weir movably mounted on said bulkhead; a motor mounted on said shell for positioning the height of said water weir; and liquid level control means for detecting changes in the height of oil-water interface within said emulsion compartment and sending a signal to said motor indicative of said changes, said motor in response to said signal being operative to raise said water weir attendant to a decrease in height of said oil-water interface and to lower said water weir attendant to an increase in the height of said oil-water interface so that the height of the oil-water interface is maintained substantially constant.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
122 words
A three-phase oil field separator which comprises: a horizontal shell; a fixed weir dividing interior portion of said shell into an emulsion compartment and an oil compartment; a bulkhead dividing another interior portion of said shell into a free-water compartment and a water collection compartment; a water weir movably mounted on said bulkhead; liquid level control means for detecting the liquid level in the free-water compartment; and means for raising said water weir attendant to decrease in the height of said oil-water interface and for lowering said water weir attendant to an increase in the height of said oil-water interface, said means being responsive to said liquid level control means to maintain the liquid level within said free water compartment substantially constant.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
122 words
A three-phase oil field separator which comprises: a horizontal shell; a fixed weir dividing interior portion of said shell into an emulsion compartment and an oil compartment; a bulkhead dividing another interior portion of said shell into a free-water compartment and a water collection compartment; a water weir movably mounted on said bulkhead; liquid level control means for detecting the liquid level in the free-water compartment; and means for raising said water weir attendant to decrease in the height of said oil-water interface and for lowering said water weir attendant to an increase in the height of said oil-water interface, said means being responsive to said liquid level control means to maintain the liquid level within said free water compartment substantially constant.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-07-27 | 1980-01-26 | 1980-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-07-27 | 1984-01-26 | 1984-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-07-27 | 1988-01-26 | 1988-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |