Gravity Actuated Flow Control Apparatus and Method

A flow control apparatus comprising:

• a vessel;
• a sealing component comprising:
• an upper plate assembly;
• a lower plate assembly;
• and
• a plate connector rod connecting said upper plate assembly to said lower plate assembly;
• a vapor equalization line;
• a liquid inlet line comprising a substantially vertical segment;
• and
• a liquid outlet;
• wherein:
• said sealing component is vertically displaceable within said vessel;
• said liquid inlet line substantially vertical segment is fluidly connected to a sump of said vessel;
• an upper internal section of said vessel above said upper plate assembly is in fluid communication with said liquid inlet line, directly or indirectly, via said vapor equalization line;
• when liquid in said substantially vertical segment of said liquid inlet line provides sufficient force to a bottom surface of said lower plate assembly and causes said sealing component to be displaced sufficiently upward, liquid in said sump flows out through said liquid outlet;
• and
• said flow control apparatus comprises a feature selected from the group consisting of:
• a pre-filter assembly;
• at least a portion of an interior wall of said vessel comprising a surface material having a low coefficient of friction;
• and
• both a pre-filter assembly and at least a portion of an interior wall of said vessel comprising a surface material having a low coefficient of friction.