Patent ID: 6709500
Filing Date: 2004-03-23
Classification: B01D,B03C

Abstract:
A system for separating immiscible water, oil and gas components of a mixed phase stream comprising:an elongated sloped vessel having a first end and an opposed second end in which the second end is higher in elevation than the first end, the vessel having a water outlet and an oil outlet adjacent said vessel first end, a mixed phase stream inlet and a gas outlet adjacent said vessel second end; at least one vortex tube positioned within said vessel, each vortex tube having an upper gas outlet, a lower liquid outlet and a tangential stream inlet in communication with said vessel mixed phase stream inlet wherein within each vortex tube, centrifugal action separates the stream into gas and liquid components; a partition wall within said vessel and adjacent said first end thereof having an upper edge that forms a weir over which the oil component flows into an oil outlet compartment in communication with said oil outlet, the weir forming a liquid level within said vessel and an oil/water interface being formed below the liquid level; and a sloped diverter baffle within said vessel spaced between said partition wall and said vessel second end over which liquid flows as it moves towards said water and oil outlets, an upper edge of the diverter baffle being lower in elevation than said oil/water interface.