Patent ID: 6267877
Filing Date: 2001-07-31
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
Apparatus for separating oil from a water based emulsion, said apparatus comprising:a tank structure configured to contain the emulsion, said tank structure defining a lower settling chamber with an opening at a terminal upper end of said lower settling chamber, and further defining an upper settling chamber communicating with said lower settling chamber through said opening such that oil in the emulsion can rise from said lower settling chamber to said upper settling chamber to form an oil layer floating on the water at a level spaced upward from said opening;an isolation valve interposed between said lower and upper settling chambers;a first upper outlet valve shiftable from a normally closed condition to an open condition draining a gravitational flow of water from said upper settling chamber so as to draw the oil layer downward toward said opening;a second upper outlet valve shiftable from a normally closed condition to an open condition draining a gravitational flow of the oil from said upper settling chamber, said tank structure having a frusto-concical wall portion which is tapered downward away from said opening so as to direct the oil downward away from said opening upon said draining of the oil from said upper settling chamber; anda lower outlet valve shiftable from a normally closed condition to a open condition draining a gravitational flow of water from said lower settling chamber.