Patent GB-964169-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for separating gas and liquid from a gas/liquid mixture
IPC: B01D45/14
Filed: 1963-06-21
Abstract: 964,169. Centrifugal separators. SHELL INTERNATIONALE RESEARCH MAATSCHAPPIJ N.V. June 21, 1963, No.24899/63.. Heading B2P. An apparatus for separating gas and oil from a gas-oil mixture product in an oil well comprises a rotatable cup-shaped member 1, Fig. 1, means for rotating the member 1, vanes 7 radially arranged within the member 1, means for supplying the gas-oil mixture to the top of the member 1, a tube 5 for draining separated oil from a point near the bottom of the member 1 and means for discharging separated gas from the top of the member 1. The member 1 is supported by bearings 3, 4 within a protective housing 2 and has a preferably conical bottom 6 which may be provided with wearresisting nozzles 10 for discharge of sand which may be present in the mixture. The housing 2 is provided with openings 12 in its upper end and may also have similar opening 13 at its lower end. The tube 5 may be connected to the member 1 by the vanes 7 in which case its open lower end is at a short distance from the bottom of the member as shown ; alternatively, the lower end of the tube is connected to the bottom by welding or threading and openings are provided in its lower portion. The upper end of the tube 5 passes through the bearing 3 and communicates with the inlet of a well pump. The bottom 6 of the member 1 is connected to a hollow journal 8 closed by a baffle 9. The member 1 is rotated by a prime mover which may be arranged above the member, in which case the tube 5 is connected to the prime mover shaft which is preferably hollow and connected at its other end to the well pump. Alternatively, the prime mover is arranged below the member 1 and its shaft is connected to the end of the journal 8. The prime mover may be an electric motor or a hydraulic turbine and various arrangements regarding the location of the particular prime mover relative to the well pump are described. In operation, the whole assembly including the prime mover and the pump is lowered down to the bottom of the well through a casing 11 which may be provided with openings for the entry of the gas-oil mixture from the oil-producing formation. Due to the action of the pump, the mixture flows in the direction of the arrows 14, and 15 if openings 13 are provided, enters the member 1 where separation as a result of centrifugal force takes place. The oil is thrown on to the wall of the member 1 and falls to the bottom where it is removed through the tube 5 as shown by arrow 16, while the gas bubbles move radially inwards and rise along the outer wall of the tube 5 where they escape through the upper part of the openings 12 as shown by arrow 17 and pass through the space 18 between the casing 11 and the oil production tubing (not shown). In Fig. 2, gas discharge is improved by the provision of a ring- shaped member 19 arranged coaxially with the tube 5 and preferably having straight radial vanes between its inner wall and the tube 5. The upper parts 7A of the vanes 7 extending over the member 19 are preferably curved in the direction of rotation 21 of the tube 5. In modifications, the member 19 is extended upwards to form a tubular member containing straight vanes. The upper parts of the vanes 7 extending over the tubular member may be straight or curved.