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:
Jul. 18, 2000
Filed:
Jun. 24, 1998
Applicant:
Inventor:
Christopher K Shaw, Claremore, OK (US);
Assignee:
Baker Hughes, Ltd., London, GB;
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
E21B / ; E21B / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
166265 ; 166105 ; 166369 ; 210170 ; 210747 ; 210787 ; 405128 ;
Abstract
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for separating fluids using one or more hydrocyclone separators and a mixer disposed upstream from the hydrocyclone separators. The mixers are preferably static or rotary type mixers which mix the fluids prior to their delivery into the hydrocyclone separator. Using mixers provides a more homogeneous mixture of oil and water to the hydrocyclone separators in order to increase the efficiency of the separation. By controlling the degree of mixing it is also possible to substantially avoid the formation of emulsions.