Patent ID: 9114332
Filing Date: 2015-08-25
Classification: B01D,G01F

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for separating and measuring fluid streams comprising an oil phase, a water phase, and a gas phase, the apparatus comprising: a first generally vertical fluid separator pipe having a top end and a bottom end, an inlet member connected to the vertical fluid separator pipe between the top end and the bottom end, the vertical fluid separator pipe further comprising a first outlet at the top end, the first outlet generally for discharge of the gas phase, and a second outlet at the bottom end, the second outlet generally for discharge of the oil phase and water phase; a first conduit connected to the first outlet; a second generally vertical separator pipe having a first inlet connected to the first outlet and a second inlet connected to the second outlet, wherein a fluid stream flows freely between the first generally vertical fluid separator pipe and the second generally vertical fluid separator pipe during normal operation of said apparatus; an upper interface detection device for detecting the interface between the oil phase and the water phase disposed at a first elevation within the second generally vertical separator pipe; a lower interface detection device for detecting the interface between the oil phase and the water phase disposed at a second elevation within the second generally vertical separator pipe, the first elevation being relatively higher than the second elevation; a first actuated valve which is closed when the interface between the oil phase and the water phase is detected at or above the first elevation and opened when the interface is detected at or below the second elevation; a second actuated valve which is opened when the interface between the oil phase and the water phase is detected at or above the first elevation and closed when the interface is detected at or below the second elevation; an oil outlet line connected to the first actuated valve and in fluid communication with a first outlet of the second vertical separator pipe, and a water outlet line connected to the second actuated valve and in fluid communication with a second outlet of the second vertical separator pipe; a liquid flow meter capable of determining the liquid flow rate from either the oil outlet line or the water outlet line; and processing means operationally connected to the upper interface detection device and the lower interface detection device, to the first actuated valve and to the second actuated valve, the processing means configured to operate the first actuated valve and the second actuated valve such that the level of the interface between the oil phase and the water phase is maintained between the first elevation and the second elevation.