Method and apparatus for equalizing of variations of density in a streaming fluid

Claim 3

A method according to claim 1, wherein during step (d) said first portion is stored at a vertical level which is higher than a vertical level of said fluid flow.

Claim 4

A method according to claim 2, wherein said reintroducing of step (e) is accomplished by the influence of gravity which draws said first portion into said fluid flow.

Claim 5

A method according to claim 3, wherein during step (c) said dividing is achieved due to an increase in pressure in said fluid flow upstream from said flow inducing device caused by said flow resistance.

Claim 6

A method according to claim 4, wherein said flow inducing device is a vortex chamber.

Claim 7

A method according to claim 1, wherein said fluid flow includes at least two fluids of differing densities, the relative proportions of which at any point in time are variable.

Claim 8

A method according to claim 6, wherein said fluids are oil and gas.

Claim 9

A slug catcher for equalizing variations of density in a fluid flowing in a pipeline arrangement, comprising: a flow inducing device, through which said fluid flows, providing increased resistance to said fluid flow when the density of said fluid flow increases; an inlet pipe, through which said fluid flows, connected to said flow inducing device; a riser pipe connected to said inlet pipe; a collector unit connected to said riser pipe; an outlet pipe connected to said flow inducing device; wherein when the density of said fluid flow is less than a first density value, said fluid flow passes completely through said flow inducing device, and when the density of said fluid flow is at a second density value which is greater than said first density value, said flow inducing device causes an increase in pressure to occur in said inlet pipe forcing a first portion of said fluid flow to enter said collector unit via said riser pipe while a second portion of said fluid flow passes through said flow inducing device and into said outlet pipe, and means for reintroducing said first portion back into said inlet pipe upstream of said flow inducing device when the density of the fluid flow decreases below said first density value.

Claim 10

A slug catcher for equalizing variations of density in a fluid flowing in a pipeline arrangement, comprising: a flow inducing device, through which said fluid flows, providing increased resistance to said fluid flow when the density of said fluid flow increases; an inlet pipe, through which said fluid flows, connected to said flow inducing device; a riser pipe connected to said inlet pipe; a collector unit connected to said riser pipe; an outlet pipe connected to said flow inducing device; wherein when the density of said fluid flow is less than a first density value, said fluid flow passes completely through said flow inducing device, and when the density of said fluid flow is at a second density value which is greater than said first density value, said flow inducing device causes an increase in pressure to occur in said inlet pipe forcing a first portion of said fluid flow to enter said collector unit via said riser pipe while a second portion of said fluid flow passes through said flow inducing device and into said outlet pipe, and means for reintroducing said first portion back into said inlet pipe upstream of said flow inducing device when the density of the fluid flow decreases below said first density value.

Claim 11

A slug catcher according to claim 8, further comprising an overflow pipe in communication with said collector unit and said outlet pipe.

Claim 12

A slug catcher according to claim 9, further comprising a coupling, between the overflow pipe and the outlet pipe, having the form of a T-piece.

Claim 13

A slug catcher according to claim 9, further comprise a coupling, between the overflow pipe and the outlet pipe, having the form of a Y-piece.

Claim 14

A slug catcher according to claim 8, wherein said flow inducing device is a vortex chamber.

Claim 15

A slug catcher according to claim 12, wherein the vortex chamber has a conical design.

Claim 16

A slug catcher according to claim 12, wherein the vortex chamber is a bistable type.

Claim 17

A slug catcher according to claim 8, wherein the flow inducing device is a valve.

Claim 18

A slug catcher according to claim 8, wherein the collector unit is a pressure tank which is mounted vertically above the flow inducing device.

Claim 19

A slug catcher according to claim 8, wherein the collector unit is provided with a floater which floats in the first portion of said fluid flow in said collector and prevents the flow of said first portion into the overflow pipe when the amount of said first portion reaches a predetermined level.

Claim 20

A slug catcher according to claim 8, further comprising an inlet connecting the riser pipe to the collector unit and being designed as an elongated, horizontally directed pipe with a tight termination and with downwardly directed slots.