Patent ID: 8778159
Filing Date: 2014-07-15
Classification: B01D,B03C,C10G

Abstract:
1. A separator apparatus for separating oil and water in a flow-stream from an oil well, comprising: a gravity settling vessel in which the flow-stream separates into a lower water layer and an upper oil layer, the gravity settling vessel including a flow-stream inlet; a compact electrostatic coalescer (CEC) including electrically isolated electrodes, for coalescing water droplets; a coalescer feed line, having a first orifice within the settling vessel, wherein the first orifice is configured to provide an off-take stream from an emulsion layer formed between the upper oil layer and the lower water layer, the off-take stream being taken from the settling vessel to the CEC; a return line from the CEC to the settling vessel, for returning the off-take stream; wherein the first orifice of the coalescer feed line is provided at a position downstream from the flow-stream inlet of the settling vessel, and an orifice of the return line is located in the settling vessel downstream from said first orifice; a first blockage plate extending upwardly from a bottom of the settling vessel high enough to substantially block any further flow of the lower water layer and the emulsion layer, but not preventing the upper oil layer from flowing past said first blocking plate; and a second blockage plate in the settling vessel upstream of the first blockage plate to provide a blockage to part the flow-stream, wherein the first orifice of the coalescer feed line is located at one side of the second blockage plate and the orifice of the return line is located at another side of the second blockage plate; wherein said second blockage plate does not extend to above the oil layer and provides a blockage to a flow of the emulsion layer through the settling vessel.