Econova Inc.

Thought Preserve, LLC

Thought Preserue, LLC

D Andrew Bell

C Michael Miller

Ngai Keung Tam

A system operating as a centrifugal, liquid-liquid separator may be controlled, and even optimized, by automatic control of back pressure to establish an optimum position of the dispersion band therein. Optimizing to minimize impurities (from each other) in each of two separated phases is possible, even simultaneously, by reliance on a processor setting the settling lengths of both heavy and light phases at the same value. Settling length, defined in accordance with the invention, reflects a settling velocity multiplied by a residence time. Equating these lengths, for droplets of each in the other liquid, provides superior results over conventional settling theory maximizing settling area. Equalization of residence times did not provide an improvement over conventional settling theory.

Dynamic, influent-constituent-based, separator control apparatus and method

A centrifugal, liquid-liquid separator is controlled, first by automatic control of back pressure to position of the dispersion band and equalize the settling lengths of both heavy and light phases. In line testing of a parameter reflecting the BS&W content of output oil controls withdrawal from a tank, and throughput rate through the separator. Output always meets a predetermined specification established on a daily basis by a market price and quality (contamination limit, maximum BS&W) for oil. Control provides assurance that all of a particular load in a tank will meet specification, and that it cannot change significantly before refining. Once the adjustment of the separator system reaches its lowest flow limit, processing halts, to assure that the oil quality is optimized. The controller may be used on any tank of separated oil to assure that no oil is withdrawn 'out of spec.'

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Farmington, UT, United States of America

D Andrew Bell