Liquid purification or separation – Constituent mixture variation responsive
Patent
1987-07-31
1989-04-18
Sever, Frank
Liquid purification or separation
Constituent mixture variation responsive
209144, 209211, 210137, 2105121, B01D 17038, B01D 2126
Patent
active
048224847
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
Applicant has already devised cyclone separators of a unique type which can be used in the separation of oil/water mixtures where there is a relatively small amount of oil in the mixture (say less than 5%). Such separators are useful for cleaning the water discharging from a processing system so that it can be discharged directly into the sea without major contamination problems. Generally, separators which are used in such a manner require little if any control other than some control on the flow through the separator system.
There is another processing situation where cyclone separators could find application and that is for separating the product oil from the mixture discharged from the well. The separators of the type mentioned above have been found not to be suitable for use in applications where larger volumes of oil have to be separated. Applicant has devised several types of unique separators which are particularly suitable for this new application. This, however, is not the complete solution as control of these new separators has been found to be difficult particularly in practical situations.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a multiphase mixture treatment system which enables satisfactory separation of the phases in that mixture.
According to the present invention there is provided, a multi-phase mixture treatment system the system comprising: mixture separation apparatus; separated phases are discharged from the mixture separation apparatus; or discharge from the mixture separation apparatus; and analysing means for controlling the flow rate in one or more of said flow lines.
This control means may allow for unattended operation whilst inlet concentrations vary extensively and continuously from, for example, 1% water to 40% water. In addition, the separation apparatus, means of analysis central control means and control equipment may be at remote or removed locations and may be separated by other process equipment such as pumps, vessels and other control means. The analysing means may take any suitable form and is preferably adapted to analyse or interpolate the various volumetric percentages of the particular phases making up the mixture or characteristics reflecting phase concentrations such as density, viscosity and the like. For example, in the particular application of oil/water mixtures, the analysing means may be in the form of capacitance probes.
In some instances, it may be desirable to provide additional information to the controller. For example, information relating to flow rate may be provided by means of flow indicators. Such flow indicators may be in the form of orifice plates or turbine meters by way of example.
The central control means may be for example, a pneumatic or electric controller which is programmable and preset so that it operates in response to information received from the analysing means.
The flow control means may take the form of valves or restrictions to flow such as choke valves and the like.
In certain instances, it may be desirable to reduce the amount of gas or substantially remove it from the mixture prior to the mixture being delivered to the mixture separation apparatus. To this end, means may be provided for separating gas from the mixture and such means may be in the form of a surge tank or the like.
Preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, and in those drawings:
FIGS. 1 to 5 are different system arrangements all in accordance with the system of the present invention; and
FIG. 6 is one example of a practical application of the invention.
Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a system generally indicated at 1 according to the present invention which includes a mixture separating apparatus generally indicated at 2 comprising a cyclone separator 3 of the type for separating relatively large amounts of oil from water. It will be appreciated that separation may not be complete during one pass and further cyclone separators may be required. An infeed flow line
REFERENCES:
patent: 4028228 (1977-06-01), Ferris et al.
Prendergast Gavan J. J.
Webb David A.
Carroll Noel
Sever Frank
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