Water-oil emulsion separator

Claim 1

A separator for breaking an emulsion comprised of an aqueous component having a greater specific gravity than a produced component, the latter being comprised of a liquid hydrocarbon component and particulated solids, said separator having means for handling an overload of said aqueous component and comprising: a receiving tank; means defining an expansion chamber at the receiving tank upper end; an emulsion permeable stabilizer means positioned in said receiving tank to form an inlet chamber and an emulsion separating compartment below said expansion chamber; a downflow inlet means for receiving a stream of said emulsion in said inlet chamber said emulsion permeable stabilizer means being aligned to receive emulsion entering said receiving tank, and to discharge a non-turbulent flow thereof into said separating compartment to cause an upward flow of the liquid hydrocarbon component whereby to form a floating pad thereof at the surface of the aqueous component; first discharge means in communication with the separating compartment to conduct the aqueous component therefrom; and second discharge means in communication with said expansion chamber to conduct either the liquid hydrocarbon component, or the aqueous component therefrom, said second discharge means including a plurality of discharge ports opening into said expansion chamber being spaced vertically apart to sequentially drain aqueous component which rises into the expansion chamber as a result of said aqueous component overloading the receiving tank.