Patent US7014757B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US7014757B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Integrated three phase separator
Assignee: Process Equipment and Service Co Inc
•
Filing: 2003-10-14
•
Granted: 2006-03-21
•
Expires: 2023-10-14
Abstract
Abstract An integrated three phase separator for separation of natural gas, hydrocarbon liquids, and water or brine. The separator includes a cylindrical vertical separation unit having a closed top and an opposed, open bottom. A cylindrical horizontal separation unit has a pair of opposed ends, a first, closed end and a second, open end. A tubular elbow connection includes a pair of ends, one end connected to the open bottom of the vertical separation unit and another end connected to the open end of the horizontal separation unit so that the vertical separation unit and horizontal separation unit are in fluid connection with each other. A metering plate within the tubular elbow connection retains natural gas in the horizontal unit while permitting gentle release of liquid into the horizontal unit.
Inventors
- 👤 James E. Rhodes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:20
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/34; B; B01; B01D; B01D17/00; B01D17/005; B01D17/02; B01D17/0208; B01D17/0211; B01D17/0217
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
An integrated three phase separator for separation of natural gas, hydrocarbon liquid, and water or brine, which separator comprises: a cylindrical vertical separation unit having a substantially closed top, an opposed bottom, a fluid inlet and a gas outlet; a cylindrical horizontal separation unit having a first substantially closed end and a second end, a water or brine outlet and a hydrocarbon liquid outlet; a tubular elbow connection having a pair of ends, one said end connected to said bottom of said vertical separation unit and another said end connected at said second end of said horizontal separation unit; and metering plate means within said tubular elbow connection to retain said natural gas in said horizontal unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
An integrated three phase separator for separation of natural gas, hydrocarbon liquid, and water or brine, which separator comprises: a cylindrical vertical separation unit having a substantially closed top, an opposed bottom, a fluid inlet and a gas outlet; a cylindrical horizontal separation unit having a first substantially closed end and a second end, a water or brine outlet and a hydrocarbon liquid outlet; a tubular elbow connection having a pair of ends, one said end connected to said bottom of said vertical separation unit and another said end connected at said second end of said horizontal separation unit; and metering plate means within said tubular elbow connection to retain said natural gas in said horizontal unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
An integrated three phase separator as set forth in claim 1 wherein said vertical separation unit, said horizontal separation unit, and said tubular elbow connection each have the same diameter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
An integrated three phase separator as set forth in claim 1 wherein said metering plate means includes a flat plate juxtaposed at an angle to an axis of said vertical separation unit and at an angle to an axis of said horizontal unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
An integrated three phase separator as set forth in claim 3 wherein said flat plate is juxtaposed at approximately a 30° angle to said vertical unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
An integrated three phase separator as set forth in claim 1 wherein said metering plate means includes a flat plate extending across a diameter of said tubular elbow connection, and having a truncated base to permit liquid flow therethrough.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
An integrated three phase separator as set forth in claim 5 including a slot in said metering plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
An integrated three phase separator as set forth in claim 1 including a fluid inlet from a well head into said vertical separation unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
An integrated three phase separator as set forth in claim 7 wherein said fluid inlet is tangential to said vertical unit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
An integrated three phase separator as set forth in claim 1 including a natural gas outlet from said top of said vertical separation unit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
An integrated three phase separator as set forth in claim 1 including an equalizer/condenser line extending between said horizontal unit and said vertical unit to balance gas pressure in said units.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
An integrated three phase separator as set forth in claim 10 including a supply gas dryer line extending from said equalizer/condenser line.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2613811A
Cited
US2726729A
Cited
AT191811B
Cited
US3312044A
Cited
US3394530A
Cited
US3476678A
Cited
US3443694A
Cited
US4132645A
Cited
US4257895A
Cited
JPS56137026A
Cited
US4583998A
Cited
US4650579A
Cited
WO1986003252A1
Cited
US4708793A
Cited
US4797262A
Cited
US4860591A
Cited
US4978373A
Cited
US5204000A
Cited
US5526684A
Cited
US5326474A
Cited
US5480547A
Cited
US5415776A
Cited
US20020162806A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2009-03-20 | 2009-09-19 | 2010-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-03-20 | 2013-09-19 | 2014-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-03-20 | 2017-09-19 | 2018-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |