US 5,524,665 AGranted

Level control system for gas-liquid separators

AssigneeAtlantic Richfield Company

InventorMiroslav M. Kolpak

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Abstract

A gas-liquid separator system having a control system for controlling and maintaining a "normal" liquid level in the separator vessel. The system is capable of operating without the need for external power (e.g. electric, etc.) or the need for process gas to operate the valves. Also, the system is "fail safe" since the control valves for both the gas and liquid from the vessel will be in an open position if the control system fails. The system has control valve units on both the liquid and the gas outlets of the vessel. Each control valve unit is basically similar in constructon and has a valve element moveable between an open and a closed position by changes in differential pressure across a diaphram. The valve units are connected to the vessel and to each other to sense and response to any changes in the differential pressure between the top and the bottom of the vessel to open or close the respective valves to maintain or to reattain the normal level in the vessel.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A control system for controlling the level of liquid in a gas-liquid separator vessel having a liquid outlet conduit and a gas outlet conduit;

said control system comprising:
a liquid valve unit fluidly connected in said liquid outlet conduit, said unit comprising:
a housing;
a valve element in said housing which allows flow through said liquid conduit when in an open position and which blocks flow through said liquid outlet conduit when in a closed position;
and
pressure-responsive means (a) for maintaining said valve element in said open position while said liquid is at a desired level in said vessel and (b) for moving said valve element towards said closed position when the level of the liquid in the vessel drops below said predetermined level;
and
a gas valve unit fluidly connected in said gas outlet conduit, said unit comprising:
a housing;
a valve element in said housing which allows flow through said gas conduit when in an open position and which blocks flow through said gas outlet conduit when in a closed position;
and
pressure-responsive means (a) for maintaining said valve element in said open position while said liquid is at or above a desired level in said vessel and (b) for moving said valve element towards said closed position when the level of the liquid in the vessel rises above said predetermined level.

9 more elements

A gas-liquid separator system comprising:

a gas-liquid separator vessel having an inlet and a gas outlet conduit and a liquid outlet conduit;
a control system for controlling the level of liquid in said gas-liquid separator vessel, said control system comprising:
a liquid valve unit fluidly connected in said liquid outlet conduit, said unit comprising:
a housing;
a valve element in said housing which allows flow through said liquid conduit when in an open position and which blocks flow through said liquid outlet conduit when in a closed position;
and
pressure-responsive means (a) for maintaining said valve element in said open position while said liquid is at a desired level in said vessel and (b) for moving said valve element towards said closed position when the level of the liquid in the vessel drops below said predetermined level;
and
a gas valve unit fluidly connected in said gas outlet conduit, said unit comprising:
a housing;
a valve element in said housing which allows flow through said gas conduit when in an open position and which blocks flow through said gas outlet conduit when in a closed position;
and
pressure-responsive means (a) for maintaining said valve element in said open position while said liquid is at or above a desired level in said vessel and (b) for moving said valve element towards said closed position when the level of the liquid in the vessel rises above said predetermined level.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.