Patent ID: 7261120

Claim:
A stream splitting device for splitting one or more two-phase inlet streams comprising a light phase fluid and a heavy phase fluid into two or more two-phase outlet streams with the desired ratio of light phase to heavy phase in each outlet stream, the device comprising: a phase separation vessel or container comprising: one or more inlet stream inlets for said inlet stream; a heavy phase collection region; and a light phase collection region at a higher level than said heavy phase collection region; and two or more suction channels or conduits, at least one for each of said outlet streams, each suction channel or conduit comprising: at least one heavy phase inlet communicating with said heavy phase collection region; at least one light phase inlet communicating with said light phase collection region and located at a higher level than said at least one heavy phase inlet; and at least one outlet stream outlet for communication with outlet stream flow conduits downstream of the device; said at least one light phase inlet being located between said at least one heavy phase inlet and said at least one outlet stream outlet; wherein said one or more inlet stream inlets each define a respective inlet stream entrance located above said heavy phase collection region.