Patent ID: 7531099

Claim:
A three phase separator which comprises: a horizontal tank forming a fluid container having an inlet to said container to permit entry of a three phase fluid; an oil box within said fluid container having a bottom spaced above a bottom of said fluid container and at least one baffle separating said oil box from said fluid container; a water box within said fluid container having a bottom spaced above the bottom of said fluid container and at least one baffle separating said water box from said container; a water removal mechanism in communication with said water box to draw water therefrom; an oil removal mechanism in communication with said oil box to draw oil therefrom; a gas outlet to remove gas from said container; and a slot through said at least one baffle of said water box to permit entry of said water from said fluid container into said water box in the event of a water surge, said slot positioned below a top of said oil box baffle.