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:
Aug. 20, 2002
Filed:
May. 25, 2000
Applicant:
Inventor:
David John Parkinson, Bristol, GB;
Assignee:
Merpro Products LTD, Nailsea, GB;
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
C02F 1/38 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
C02F 1/38 ;
Abstract
A method and apparatus for providing a preliminary separation of production fluid. A vessel ( ) has an annular inlet ( ) opening upwardly at the bottom of the vessel. The inlet has means ( ) for causing the mixture to swirl to generate a vortex. A first outlet ( ) for an oil continuous flow is provided at the center of the annular inlet. A second outlet ( ) for a water continuous phase is provided towards the bottom of the vessel and spaced from the first outlet. The oil and water are separated under centrifugal forces caused by the swirl and the oil is drawn down through the center of the vortex for discharge through the first outlet ( ).