Charles L Presley

US Patent:

42331544, Nov 11, 1980

Filed:

Dec 29, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/974528

Inventors:

Charles L. Presley - Houston TX

Assignee:

Kobe, Inc. - Huntington Park CA

International Classification:

B01D 2110

US Classification:

210800

Abstract:

A separation compartment of a multiphase separation vessel receives production fluid from a petroleum well and that fluid separates by gravity into the gas, oil and water phases in the vessel. An adjustable siphon leads from a water space in the separation compartment to a discharge compartment of the vessel. The level of the discharge from the siphon determines the elevation of an oil phase-water phase interface within the separation compartment and the presence of the desired of the fluid phases at a pickup for power fluid. The siphon includes a removable line that permits a change in the elevation of the outlet of the line into the discharge compartment. Preferably, the discharge compartment comprises an upstanding pipe, the top of which acts as a weir for receiving oil from the separation compartment. Oil from the vessel may pass through a cyclone for further separation of solids from the oil and then introduced by a pump back into the well to act as the power fluid for the well. Excess oil is taken off as product in a product stream together with production gas and water.