The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 19, 1996
Filed:
Jan. 31, 1995
Gary W Sams, Tulsa, OK (US);
Floyd L Prestridge, Sapulpa, OK (US);
Merle B Inman, Tulsa, OK (US);
Dennis K Manning, Claremore, OK (US);
National Tank Company, Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for augmenting the coalescence of water in a water-in-oil emulsion. The apparatus includes a tubular vessel having a cylindrical side wall and opposed ends. A tangential inlet in the cylindrical side wall is adjacent one of the vessel ends. A tubular electrode having an external diameter less than the internal diameter of the vessel extends concentrically within the vessel from the one end less than the entire length of the vessel. An elongated electrode extends axially and concentrically within the tubular electrode from the one end. An outlet is provided in the one end between the tubular electrode and the elongated electrode. The inlet and outlet serve to cause fluid to initially flow through the vessel in a circumferential path outside the tubular electrode and thereafter axially through the tubular electrode to the outlet. An electrical potential is applied between the electrodes and the vessel.