Settling-length optimization by dispersion band positioning apparatus and method

A method comprising:

• selecting a separator characterized by an inlet receiving a mixture comprising first and second liquids;
• establishing in the separator a dispersion band positioned between a bulk flow of the first liquid and the second liquid;
• discharging the first liquid through a first outlet and the second liquid through a second outlet;
• determining a cut of one of the first and second liquids;
• controlling the position of the dispersion band by automatically adjusting a pressure differential between the first and second outlets, based on the cut;
• and
• automatically positioning the dispersion band to equate a first settling distance of the first liquid to a second settling distance of the second liquid.

An apparatus comprising:

• a separator, separating a first liquid and a second liquid from each other;
• the separator, characterized by an inlet receiving a mixture of the first and second liquids and discharging the first and second liquids from respective first and second outlets;
• the separator, establishing a dispersion band therewithin positioned between a bulk of the first liquid and a bulk of the second liquid;
• a control system positioning the dispersion band automatically, based on a cut of one of the first and second liquids discharging from the separator;
• and
• the control system, further programmed to position the dispersion band to effectively equalize the settling length of the first liquid with the settling length of the second liquid.