Fluid flow control and isolation

A method for separating an admixture of two immiscible fluids having different densities, comprising the steps of:

• providing a vessel defining a volume comprising a top zone, a medial zone and a bottom zone, said vessel having (1) an inlet means for accepting said admixture into said volume, said volume sufficient to allow said admixture to separate, and (2) an outlet means in said medial zone for withdrawing a separated liquid having lesser density;
• providing said vessel with baffle means extending upwardly within the volume of said vessel defining a space within said baffle means from the bottom of said vessel to the top of said vessel with means for permitting fluid flow through said baffle means from outside said baffle means to inside said baffle means only in the top zone and the bottom zone of said volume;
• providing said vessel with standpipe conduit means extending through said vessel and terminating in open communication with said medial zone within the space defined by said baffle means to thereby convey a separated liquid having greater density from said vessel to the exterior of said vessel;
• and
• feeding an admixture of two immiscible fluids having different densities to said vessel;
• separating said admixture into a separated liquid having lesser density and a separated liquid having greater density;
• and
• conveying said separated liquid having greater density through said standpipe conduit means from said vessel to the exterior of said vessel.