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US 4,846,780 AGranted
Centrifuge processor and liquid level control system
AssigneeExxon Production Research Company
InventorsJimmie G. Galloway, Lonny R. Kelley, Mark E. Ehrhardt, Tracy A. Fowler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A centrifugal method and apparatus capable of separating a fluid stream composed of a plurality of components with differing specific gravities. The stream contemplated for separation is that of a producing oil well with components of oil, water, natural gas, and particulates. The method and apparatus use centrifugal forces to separate the gaseous, solid, and liquid components from each other. After separation is completed, detector and sensor arrangements are used to maintain liquid levels in the separator and to control the removal of the individual separated fluids from the apparatus.
Claims42
A method for separating the components of a stream comprised of plurality of fluids having different specific gravities, said method comprising the steps of:
- introducing the stream into a rotor having a rotor wall and opposed first and second end portions and a plurality of fluid removal sections attached to the rotor;
- rotating the rotor to cause a radial separation of the fluids wherein the fluids are forced outward to the rotor wall forming a plurality of fluid layers so that the fluid layer adjacent to the rotor wall has the greatest relative specific gravity and the successive layers approaching the rotor's rotational axis have successively lower specific gravities so that interfaces form between each separated fluid;
- detecting the position of each interface by means of detectors;
- and
- removing the individual fluids by flowing each fluid into a fluid removal section and removing each individual fluid from the rotor by opening a fluid scoop passage in response to said detecting of each interface when each fluid layer reaches a specified thickness.
2 more elements
A method for separating the components of a stream comprised of a plurality of fluids having different specific gravities and particulates, said method comprising the steps of:
- introducing the stream into a centrifuge having an inner rotor and a main rotor, the inner rotor being inside the main rotor and having a concaved rotor wall, the main rotor having a rotor wall and opposed first and second end portions and multiple fluid removal sections attached to the rotor;
- rotating the inner rotor to create a centrifugal force sufficient to move the particulates against the inner rotor wall;
- removing the separated particulates from the inner rotor;
- spilling the plurality of fluids out of the inner rotor and into the main rotor;
- rotating the main rotor to cause a radial separation of the fluids wherein the fluids are forced outward to the main rotor wall forming a plurality of fluid layers so that the fluid layer adjacent to the rotor wall has the greatest relative specific gravity and successive layers approaching the rotor's rotational axis have successively lower specific gravities;
- detecting the position of each interface by means of detectors;
- and
- removing the individual fluids by flowing each fluid into a fluid removal section and removing each individual fluid from the rotor by opening a fluid scoop passage in response to said detecting of each interface when each fluid layer reaches a specified thickness.
5 more elements
A method for centrifugally separating components of a stream which is comprised of a first liquid and a second liquid, said first liquid being heavier than the second liquid, said method comprising the steps of:
- continuously introducing said stream into a rotating rotor having a rotor wall and opposed first and second end portions, the first and second liquids rotating in the rotor to form a first liquid layer and a second liquid layer with an interface between the layers;
- sensing movement of the interface between the first and second liquid layers by means of a first sensing means;
- sensing movement of the interface between the first and second liquid layers by means of a first sensing means;
- sensing movement of the inner surface of the second liquid layer by means of a second sensing means:
- extracting the first liquid from the rotor in response to said first sensing means to maintain the interface between the first and second liquids within a predetermined distance from the rotor wall;
- and
- extracting the second liquid from the rotor in response to the second sensing means to maintain the level of the inner surface of the second liquid within a predetermined range.
4 more elements
An apparatus for separating the components of a stream comprised of a plurality of fluids having different specific gravities, said apparatus comprised of:
- a rotor adapted or rotation about an axis, the rotor having a rotor wall and opposed first and second end portions defining an opening inside the rotor;
- a fluid feed flow passage mounted in the opening in the rotor to introduce the stream into the rotor;
- a heavy fluid chamber attached to the rotor;
- a heavy fluid scoop mounted in the opening in the rotor and having a flow passage extending outward from the rotational axis of the rotor and into the heavy fluid chamber for removing heavy fluids from the chamber;
- a light fluid chamber attached to the rotor;
- a light fluid scoop mounted in the opening in the rotor and having a flow passage extending outward from the rotational axis of the rotor and into the light fluid chamber for removing light fluids from the chamber;
- a means for detecting the radial location of a first and a second fluid interface and producing a signal relative thereto;
- a means for regulating flow through the heavy liquid scoop in response to said detecting means in locating the radial position of the first fluid interface;
- and
- a means for regulating flow through the light fluid scoop in response to said detecting means in locating the radial position of the second fluid interface.
7 more elements
An apparatus for separating the components of a stream comprised of a plurality of fluids having different specific gravities, said apparatus comprised of:
- a rotor adapted for rotation about an axis, the rotor having a rotor wall and opposed first and second end portions defining an opening inside the rotor;
- a fluid feed flow passage mounted in the opening in the rotor to introduce the stream into the rotor;
- a heavy fluid chamber attached to the rotor;
- a heavy fluid scoop mounted in the opening in the rotor and having a flow passage extending outward from the rotational axis of the rotor and into the heavy fluid chamber for removing heavy fluids from the chamber;
- a light fluid chamber attached to the rotor;
- a light fluid scoop mounted in the opening in the rotor and having a flow passage extending outward from the rotational axis of the rotor and into the light fluid chamber for removing light fluids from the chamber;
- a weir connected to the rotor adjacent to the light fluid chamber and extending radially inwardly from the rotor wall a distance sufficient to permit light fluids to overflow the weir and enter the light fluid chamber;
- a first detector for radially locating a first fluid layer interface and producing a signal relative thereto;
- a second detector for radially locating a second fluid layer interface and producing a signal relative thereto;
- a first signal converter in communication with the first detector capable of receiving the signal produced by the first detector and producing a varying output signal to a means for regulating flow through the heavy fluid scoop;
- a second signal converter in communication with the second detector capable of receiving the signal produced by the second detector and producing a varying output signal to a means for regulating flow through the light fluid scoop;
- a means for regulating flow through the heavy fluid scoop in response to the varying output signal from the first signal converter, whereby maintaining a specified heavy fluid level;
- and
- a means for regulating flow through the light fluid scoop in response to the varying output signal from the second signal converter, whereby maintaining a specified light fluid level.
11 more elements
An apparatus for separating the components of a stream comprised of a plurality of fluids having different specific gravities, said apparatus comprised of:
- a rotor adapted for rotation about an axis, the rotor having a rotor wall and opposed first and second end portions defining an opening inside the rotor;
- a fluid feed flow passage mounted in the opening in the rotor to introduce the stream into the rotor;
- a heavy fluid chamber attached to the main rotor;
- a heavy fluid scoop mounted in the opening in the rotor and having a flow passage extending outward from the rotational axis of the rotor and into the heavy fluid chamber for removing heavy fluids from the chamber;
- a light fluid chamber attached to the rotor;
- a light fluid scoop mounted in the opening in the rotor and having a flow passage extending outward from the rotational axis of the rotor and into the light fluid chamber for removing light fluids from the chamber;
- a weir connected to the rotor adjacent to the light fluid chamber and extending radially inwardly from the rotor wall a distance sufficient to permit light fluids to overflow the weir and enter the light fluid chamber;
- a first float in the opening in the rotor floating on a first fluid interface and adapted for radial movement with respect to the rotational axis of the rotor;
- a second float in the opening in the rotor floating on a second fluid interface and adapted for radial movement with respect to the rotational axis of the rotor;
- a first detector for radially locating the first float and producing a signal relative thereto;
- a second detector for radially locating the second float and producing a signal relative thereto;
- a first signal converter in communication with the first detector capable of receiving the signal produced by the first detector and producing a varying output signal to a means for regulating flow through the heavy fluid scoop;
- a second signal converter in communication with the second detector capable of receiving the signal produced by the second detector and producing a varying output signal to a means for regulating flow through the light fluid scoop;
- a means for regulating flow through the heavy fluid scoop in response to the varying output signal from the first signal converter, whereby maintaining a specified heavy fluid level;
- and
- a means for regulating flow through the light fluid scoop in response to the varying output signal from the second signal converter, whereby maintaining a specified light fluid level.
13 more elements
An apparatus for separating the components of a stream comprised of a plurality of fluids having different specific gravities and particulates, said apparatus comprised of:
- a main rotor adapted for rotation about an axis, the main rotor having a rotor wall and opposed first and second end portions defining an opening inside the rotor;
- an inner rotor mounted inside of the main rotor adapted for rotation with the main rotor, said inner rotor having an inner rotor wall defining an opening inside the inner rotor and being adapted to receive flow from a fluid feed flow passage;
- a sand/water scoop mounted in the opening in the inner rotor and having a flow passage extending outward from the rotational axis of the main rotor and inner rotor to the wall of the inner rotor for removing sand from the inner rotor;
- a sand/water outlet orifice communicating with the flow passage of the sand/water scoop;
- a water makeup line mounted in the opening in the inner rotor and having a flow passage extending outward from the rotational axis of the main rotor and inner rotor into said inner rotor;
- a water inlet orifice communicating with the flow passage of the water makeup line;
- a fluid feed flow passage mounted in the opening in the inner rotor to introduce the stream into the inner rotor;
- a heavy fluid chamber attached to the main rotor;
- a heavy fluid scoop mounted in the opening in the rotor and having a flow passage extending outward from the rotational axis of the main rotor and into the heavy fluid chamber for removing heavy fluids from the chamber;
- a light fluid chamber attached to the rotor;
- a light fluid scoop mounted in the opening in the rotor and having a flow passage extending outward from the rotational axis of the main rotor and into the light fluid chamber for removing light fluids from the chamber;
- a weir connected to the main rotor adjacent to the light fluid chamber and extending radially inwardly from the rotor wall a distance sufficient to permit light fluids to overflow the weir and enter the light fluid chamber;
- a first detector for radially location a first fluid layer interface and producing a signal relative thereto;
- a second detector for radially locating a second fluid layer interface and producing a signal relative thereto;
- a first signal converter in communication with the first detector capable of receiving the signal produced by the first detector and producing a varying output signal to a means for regulating flow through the heavy fluid scoop;
- a second signal converter in communication with the second detector capable of receiving the signal produced by the second detector and producing a varying output signal to a means for regulating flow through the light fluid scoop;
- a means for regulating flow through the heavy fluid scoop in response to the varying output signal from the first signal converter, whereby maintaining a specified heavy fluid level;
- and
- a means for regulating flow through the light fluid scoop in response to the varying output signal from the second signal converter, whereby maintaining a specified light fluid level.
16 more elements
An apparatus for separating the components of a stream comprised of a plurality of fluids having different specific gravities and particulates, said apparatus comprised of:
- a main rotor adapted for rotation about an axis, the main rotor having a rotor wall and opposed first and second end portions defining an opening inside the main rotor;
- an inner rotor mounted inside of the main rotor adapted for rotation with the main rotor, said inner rotor having an inner rotor wall defining an opening inside the inner rotor and being adapted to receive flow from a fluid feed flow passage;
- a sand/water scoop mounted in the opening in the inner rotor and having a flow passage extending outward from the rotational axis of the main rotor and inner rotor to the wall of the inner rotor for removing sand from the inner rotor;
- a sand/water outlet orifice communications with the flow passage of the sand/water scoop;
- a water makeup line mounted in the opening in the inner rotor and having a flow passage extending outward from the rotational axis of the main rotor and inner rotor into said inner rotor;
- a water inlet orifice communicating with the flow passage of the water makeup line;
- a fluid feed flow passage mounted in the opening in the inner rotor to introduce the stream into the inner rotor;
- a heavy fluid chamber attached to the main rotor;
- a heavy fluid scoop mounted in the opening in the rotor and having a flow passage extending outward from the rotational axis of the main rotor and into the heavy fluid chamber for removing heavy fluids from the chamber;
- a light fluid chamber attached to the rotor;
- a light fluid scoop mounted in the opening in the rotor and having a low passage extending outward from the rotation axis of the main rotor and into the light fluid chamber for removing light fluids from the chamber;
- a weir connected to the main rotor adjacent to the light fluid chamber and extending radially inwardly from the rotor wall a distance sufficient to permit light fluids to overflow the weir and enter the light fluid chamber;
- a first float in the opening in the main rotor floating on a first fluid interface and adapted for radial movement with respect to the rotational axis of the rotor;
- a second float in the opening in the main rotor floating on a second fluid interface and adapted for radial movement with respect to the rotational axis of the rotor;
- a first detector for radially locating the first float and producing a signal relative thereto;
- a second detector for radially locating the second float and producing a signal relative there to;
- a first signal converter in communication with the first detector capable of receiving the signal produced by the first detector and producing a varying output signal to a means for regulating flow through the heavy fluid scoop;
- a second signal converter in communication with the second detector capable of receiving the signal produced by the second detector and producing a varying output signal to a means for regulating flow through the light fluid scoop;
- a means for regulating flow through the heavy fluid scoop in response to the varying output signal from the first signal converter, whereby maintaining a specified heavy fluid level;
- and
- a means for regulating flow through the light fluid scoop in response to the varying output signal from the second signal converter, whereby maintaining a specified light fluid level.
18 more elements
An apparatus for separating the compounds of a stream comprised of a plurality of fluids having different specific gravities, said apparatus comprised of:
- a rotor adapted for rotation about an axis, the rotor having a rotor wall, and opposed first and second end portions defining an opening inside the rotor;
- a fluid feed flow passage mounted in the opening in the rotor to introduce the stream into the rotor;
- a liner attached to the rotor creating a flow passage between the liner and the rotor along the rotor;
- a heavy fluid chamber attached to the rotor;
- a heavy fluid scoop mounted in the opening in the rotor and having a flow passage extending outward from the rotational axis of the rotor and into the heavy fluid chamber for removing heavy fluids from the chamber;
- a light fluid chamber attached to the rotor;
- a light fluid scoop mounted in the opening in the rotor and having a flow passage extending outward from the rotational axis of the rotor and into the light fluid chamber for removing light fluids from the chamber;
- a weir connected to the rotor adjacent to the light fluid chamber and extending radially inwardly from the rotor wall a distance sufficient to permit light fluids to overflow the weir and enter the light fluid chamber;
- a skim oil fluid chamber attached to the rotor;
- a skim oil fluid removal scoop mounted in the opening in the rotor and having a flow passage extending outward from the fluid feed flow passage and into the skim oil fluid chamber, whereby removing skim oil from the chamber for reseparating in the rotor;
- a first detector for radially locating a first fluid layer interface and producing a signal relative thereto;
- a second detector for radially locating a second fluid layer interface and producing a signal relative thereto;
- a first signal converter in communication with the first detector capable of receiving the signal produced by the first detector and producing a varying output signal to a means for regulating flow through the heavy fluid scoop;
- a second signal converter in communication with the second detector capable of receiving the signal produced by the second detector and producing a varying output signal to a means for regulating flow the light fluid scoop;
- a means for regulating flow through the heavy fluid scoop in response to the varying output signal from the first signal converter, whereby maintaining a specified heavy fluid level;
- and
- a means for regulating flow through the light fluid scoop in response to the varying output signal from the second signal converter, whereby maintaining a specified light fluid level.
14 more elements
An apparatus for separating the components of a stream comprised of a plurality of fluids having different specific gravities, said apparatus comprised of:
- a rotor adapted for rotation about an axis, the rotor having a rotor wall and opposed first and second end portions defining an opening inside the rotor;
- a fluid feed flow passage mounted in the opening in the rotor to introduce the stream into the rotor;
- a liner attached to the rotor creating a flow passage between the liner and the rotor along the rotor;
- a heavy fluid chamber attached to the rotor;
- a heavy fluid scoop mounted in the opening in the rotor and having a flow passage extending outward from the rotational axis of the rotor and into the heavy fluid chamber for removing heavy fluids from the chamber;
- a light fluid chamber attached to the rotor;
- a light fluid scoop mounted in the opening in the rotor and having a flow passage extending outward from the rotational axis of the rotor and into the light fluid chamber for removing light fluids from the chamber;
- a weir connected to the rotor adjacent to the light fluid chamber and extending radially inwardly from the rotor all a distance sufficient to permit light fluids to overflow the weir and enter the light fluid chamber;
- a skim oil fluid chamber attached to the rotor;
- a skim oil fluid removal scoop mounted in the opening in the rotor and having a flow passage extending outward from the fluid feed flow passage and into the skim oil fluid chamber, whereby removing skim oil from the chamber for reseperation in the rotor;
- a first float in the opening in the main rotor floating on a first fluid interface and adapted for radial movement with respect to the rotational axis of the rotor;
- a float in the opening in the main rotor floating on a second fluid interface and adapted for radial movement with respect to the rotational axis of the rotor;
- a first detector for radially locating the first float and producing a signal relative thereto;
- a second detector for radially locating the second float and producing a signal relative thereto;
- a first signal converter in communication with the first detector capable of receiving the signal produced by the first detector and producing a varying output signal to a means for regulating flow through the heavy fluid scoop;
- a second signal converter in communication with the second detector capable of receiving the signal produced by the second detector and producing a varying output signal to a means for regulating flow through the light fluid scoop;
- a means for regulating flow through the heavy fluid scoop in response to the varying output signal from the first signal converter, whereby maintaining a specified heavy fluid level;
- and
- a means for regulating flow through the light fluid scoop in response to the varying output signal from the second signal converter, whereby maintaining a specified light fluid level.
16 more elements
An apparatus for separating the components of a stream comprised of a plurality of fluids having different specific gravities and particulates, said apparatus comprised of:
- a main rotor adapted for rotation about an axis, the main rotor having a rotor wall and opposed first and second end portions defining an opening inside the rotor;
- an inner rotor mounted inside of the main rotor adapted for rotation with the main rotor, said inner rotor having an inner rotor wall defining an opening inside the inner rotor and being adapted to receive flow from a fluid feed flow passage;
- a sand/water scoop mounted in the opening in the inner rotor and having a flow passage extending outward from the rotational axis of the main rotor and inner rotor to the wall of the inner rotor for removing sand from the inner rotor;
- a sand/water outlet orifice communications with the flow passage of the sand/water scoop;
- a water makeup line mounted in the opening in the inner rotor and having a flow passage extending outward from the rotational axis of the main rotor and inner rotor into said inner rotor;
- a water inlet orifice communicating with flow passage of the water makeup line;
- a fluid feed flow passage mounted in the opening in the inner rotor to introduce the stream into the inner rotor;
- a liner attached to the main rotor creating a flow passage between the liner and the main rotor along the main rotor;
- a heavy fluid chamber attached to the main rotor;
- a heavy fluid scoop mounted in the opening in the rotor and having a flow passage extending outward from the rotational axis of the main rotor and into the heavy fluid chamber for removing heavy fluids from the chamber;
- a light fluid chamber attached to the main rotor;
- a light fluid scoop mounted in the opening in the rotor and having a flow passage extending outward from the rotational axis of the main rotor and into the light fluid chamber for removing light fluids from the chamber;
- a weir connected to the main rotor adjacent to the light fluid chamber and extending radially inwardly from the rotor wall a pre-selected distance sufficient to permit light fluids to overflow the weir and enter the light fluid chamber;
- a skim oil fluid chamber attached to the main rotor;
- a skim oil fluid removal scoop mounted in the opening in the rotor and having a flow passage extending outward from the fluid feed flow passage and into the skim oil fluid chamber, whereby removing skim oil from the chamber for reseparation in the main rotor;
- a first detector for radially locating as first fluid layer interface and producing a signal relative thereto;
- a second detector for radially locating a second fluid layer interface and producing a signal relative thereto;
- a first signal converter in communication with the first detector capable of receiving the signal produced by the first detector and producing a varying output signal to a means for regulating flow through the heavy fluid scoop;
- a second signal converter in communication with the second detector capable of receiving the signal produced by the second detector and producing a varying output signal to a means for regulating flow through the light fluid scoop;
- a means for regulating flow through the heavy fluid scoop in response to the varying output signal from the first signal converter, whereby maintaining a specified heavy fluid level;
- and
- a means for regulating flow through the light fluid scoop in response to the varying output signal from the second signal converter, whereby maintaining a specified light fluid level.
19 more elements
An apparatus for separating the components of a stream comprised of a plurality of fluids having different specific gravities and particulates, said apparatus comprised of:
- a main rotor adapted for rotation about an axis, the main rotor having a rotor wall and opposed to first and second end portions defining an opening inside the rotor;
- an inner rotor mounted inside of the main rotor adapted for rotation with the main rotor, said inner rotor having an inner rotor wall defining an opening inside the inner rotor and being adapted to receive flow from a fluid feed flow passage;
- a sand/water scoop mounted in the opening in the inner rotor and having a flow passage extending outward from the rotational axis of the main rotor and inner rotor to the wall of the inner rotor for removing sand from the inner rotor;
- a sand/water outlet orifice communications with the flow passage of the sand/water scoop;
- a water makeup line mounted in the opening in the inner rotor and having a flow passage extending outwardly from the rotational axis of the main rotor and inner rotor into said inner rotor;
- a water inlet orifice communicating with the flow passage of the water makeup line;
- a fluid feed flow passage mounted in the opening in the inner rotor to introduce the stream into the inner rotor;
- a liner attached to the main rotor creating a flow passage between the liner and the main rotor along the main rotor;
- a heavy fluid chamber attached to the main rotor;
- a heavy fluid scoop mounted in the opening in the rotor and having a flow passage extending outward from the rotational axis of the main rotor and into the heavy fluid chamber for removing heavy fluids from the chamber;
- a light fluid chamber attached to the main rotor;
- a light fluid scoop mounted in the opening in the rotor and having a flow passage extending outward from the rotational axis of the main rotor and into the light fluid chamber for removing light fluids from the chamber;
- a weir connected to the main rotor adjacent to the light fluid chamber and extending radially inwardly from the rotor wall a distance sufficient to permit light fluids to overflow the weir and enter the light fluid chamber;
- a skim oil fluid chamber attached to the main rotor;
- a skim oil fluid removal scoop mounted in the opening in the rotor and having a flow passage extending outward from the fluid feed flow passage and into the skim oil fluid chamber, whereby for removing skim oil from the chamber for reseparation in the main rotor;
- a first float in the opening in the main rotor floating on a first fluid interface and adapted for radial movement with respect to the rotational axis of the rotor;
- a second float in the opening in the main rotor floating on a second fluid interface and adapted for radial movement with respect to the rotational axis of the rotor;
- a first detector for radially locating the first float and producing a signal relative thereto;
- a second detector for radially locating the second float and producing a signal relative thereto;
- a first signal converter in communication with the first detector capable of receiving the signal produced by the first detector and producing a varying output signal to a means for regulating flow through the heavy fluid scoop;
- a second signal converter in communication with the second detector capable of receiving the signal produced by the second detector and producing a varying output signal to a means for regulating flow through the light fluid scoop;
- a means for regulating flow through the heavy fluid scoop in response to the varying output signal from the first signal converter, whereby maintaining a specified heavy fluid level;
- and
- a means for regulating flow through the light fluid scoop in response to the varying output signal from the second signal converter, whereby maintaining a specified light fluid level.
21 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.