Patent ID: 8815100
Filing Date: 2014-08-26
Classification: B01D,B04C,E21B

Abstract:
1. A process for separating two liquid phases of different densities in a fluid, the phases having a higher density aqueous phase and a lower density oil phase in crude oil using a liquid/liquid separation cyclone, the cyclone comprising: a separation chamber; a top axial liquid outlet orifice for the lower density oil phase at the top end of said chamber; at least one tangential admission orifice positioned below said top axial liquid outlet orifice for the fluid to be separated; a bottom liquid outlet orifice for the higher density aqueous phase; and a circular planar platform positioned over said bottom outlet orifice; wherein said separation chamber consists essentially of a single cylindrical body which extends at least between said admission orifice(s) and said platform on the same axis as said cylindrical body, the platform being of diameter smaller than that of said cylindrical body; the process comprising the steps of: feeding said tangential admission orifice with said fluid to be separated, forming two volumes of the two liquid phases of different densities, the volumes comprising a central volume of the lower density oil phase in the form of a substantially cylindrical central column supported by said platform, and an annular peripheral volume of the higher density aqueous phase surrounding said central column, recovering the lower density oil phase of said fluid at said top axial liquid outlet orifice, recovering the higher density aqueous phase at said bottom liquid outlet orifice, and enabling the lower density oil phase to be discharged via said top axial outlet orifice and said higher density aqueous phase to be discharged via said bottom outlet orifice, the separation chamber being free of any structural element between said admission orifice(s) and said platform that could substantially interfere with the formation of the central and annular peripheral volumes.