Patent ID: 8136600
Filing Date: 2012-03-20
Classification: B01D,E21B

Abstract:
1. A subsea vertical separator capable of separating produced wellbore fluids into a liquid phase and a gas phase, such separator comprising: (a) an intermediate casing within an outer casing, forming a first annulus; (b) an inner casing within the intermediate casing, forming a second annulus; (c) a fluid inlet in communication with the first annulus; (d) a gas outlet in communication with the second annulus; (e) a liquid passage in the inner casing for conducting separated liquid phase fluids, wherein the liquid passage has a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet; (f) a pump assembly comprising a pump positioned within the intermediate casing having (i) a pump intake and (ii) a pump discharge in fluid communication with the liquid inlet of the liquid passage; (g) a motor assembly positioned below the pump assembly to drive the pump; and (h) an isolation baffle positioned between the inner casing and intermediate casing at or above the pump assembly, whereby separated liquid phase fluids accumulating in the second annulus above the isolation baffle are directed primarily to pass (i) from the second annulus into the first annulus above the isolation baffle, (ii) back into the second annulus at a location below the isolation baffle and at or below the motor assembly, and (iii) into the pump intake above the motor assembly.