Abstract: An apparatus for treating contaminated, e.g. oily, water including a floating skimmer (3) for skimming the surface of the contaminated water (2). The contaminated water from the skimmer is fed to a hydrocyclone (6) for separation of the water and contaminant. The hydrocarbon rich stream from the hydrocyclone undergoes further separation using a spear (8).

Abstract: An oil spill recovery system includes a first hydrocyclone separator and optionally a second hydrocyclone separator located on a floating vessel floating on a body of water from which spilled oil is to be recovered. A recovered fluid containing oil and water emulsion and a large amount of free sea water is recovered from the body of water. The first hydrocyclone separator separates the recovered fluid into a first underflow stream containing oily water and a first overflow stream which contains substantially all of said oil and water emulsion. The oily water underflow stream from the first hydrocyclone separator is then directed to a second hydrocyclone separator which separates it into a second underflow stream which is returned to the sea as clean water, and a second overflow stream. The first overflow stream is stored in on-board ship's storage. The second overflow stream may be stored in ship's storage or recycled for further separation.

Abstract: An oil spill recovery system includes a first hydrocyclone separator and optionally a second hydrocyclone separator located on a floating vessel floating on a body water from which spilled oil is to be recover. A recovered fluid containing oil and water emulsion and a large amount of free sea water is recovered from the body of water. The first hydrocyclone separator separates the recovered fluid into a first underflow stream containing oily water and a first overflow stream which contains substantially all of said oil and water emulsion. The vessels having cyclones or centrifugal separators in series for separating oil and water.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for separating a multiphase liquid mixture into a plurality of streams. The invention has particular utility in the oil industry where particulate solids are produced with an oil/water mixture. Preferably, the mixture is first cyclonically separated to remove particulate solids from the oil and water. Then the mixture is delivered to a liquid/liquid hydrocyclone where a substantial portion of the oil is separated from the remaining mixture which now primarily comprises water. The pressure of the remaining mixture is elevated such as by a pump and is then subjected to a further cyclonic separation step to remove any remaining fine solids in the mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrocyclone apparatus which is simple in design, more space efficient, and easier to maintain than prior art designs. The invention comprises a three chamber vessel wherein the inlet chamber is between the outlet and overflow chambers. Therefore, the inlets to the liners are between the plates dividing the vessel into separate chambers and the outlets from the liners extend directly into the end chambers the labyrinth of passages and conduits for the overflow liquid. The present invention includes a no bolt securing arrangement for securing the liners in the vessel. In particular, the liner includes a shoulder portion which abuts one of the dividing plates and an end cap which closes the open end of the vessel being in close proximity to the ends of the liners thereby securing the liners in the opening in the dividing plates. The shoulder further includes lobes to limit rotation of the shoulders.

Abstract: A hydrocyclone separator separates an oil and water stream into an underflow stream containing primarily water and an overflow stream containing a relatively higher oil concentration than the underflow stream. Quality control of both the underflow stream and the overflow stream is of concern, and typically a de-oiling separator is placed downstream on the underflow stream, and a dewatering separator is placed downstream on the overflow stream from the hydrocyclone separator. A degassing separator is also generally utilized upstream of the inlet to the hydrocyclone separator. Various monitoring and control systems are provided for controlling the split ratio of the underflow and overflow streams of the hydrocyclone separator.

Abstract: The invention provides a highly space efficient solution to designing hydrocyclone vessels and the liners that are used therein. Moreover, the invention reduces the maintenance requirements for the vessels by providing the liners as units which are preassembled outside the vessel and installed in and out of the vessel without bolts or other minimally detailed process. The invention primarily includes a three chamber vessel wherein the inlet chamber is between the outlet and reject chambers. Therefore the inlet to the liners is between the plates dividing the chamber into separate chambers and the outlets from the liners extend straight into the end chambers. This avoids having to provide conduits from the reject end of the liner to a reject gallery in the plate or outside the vessel. Secondly, the design incorporated a no bolt design to secure the involute inlet into the liner and secure the liner into the opening in the plate.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved particulate receiving chamber within a centrifugal separation device and more particularly within a decanter centrifuge. The improved receiving chamber reduces particle disintegration of the particulates which is particularly advantageous if the particulates are subjected to a further centrifugal separation step because particle disintegration compromises the clarification achievable by successive centrifugal separators. The preferred embodiment of the particulate receiving chamber includes a plurality of spray nozzles for spraying fluid in the chamber whereby the fluid absorbs the impact forces of the particulates which impact against surfaces within the chamber.

Abstract: In a drilling system where production fluids are produced during the drilling operation, a brine solution is used to prevent development of a filter cake on the formation and thereby in the absence of such filter cake, allow production to occur. A separation system at the surface separates out the gas component of the produced fluids, the fluidized particulate drill cuttings, and produced oil, to return a reusable drilling fluid to the system, which drilling fluid is substantially depleted of hydrocarbons so as to make the fluid usable. The separation system uses a hydrocyclone for processing an oily water phase to thereby minimize the complexity and cost of the oil/water separation portion of the drilling fluids system.

Abstract: A high efficiency small diameter hydrocyclone for separating liquid/liquid constituents of a mixture. An effective separation portion L.sub.e of the hydrocyclone separation chamber begins at a small diameter throat D.sub.T where acceleration and velocity of the mixture cease to increase. This effective portion L.sub.e ends at the underflow outlet from the separation chamber, and has an area to volume ratio that falls within certain limits to thereby promote efficient separation of the mixture, particularly small diameter droplets dispersed therein.

Abstract: A hydrocyclone separator for separating oil and water components of a fluid mixture to provide a more dense water component that is substantially free of oil, having three outlets at the end of the hydrocyclone opposite the inlet end. One of the outlets receives the more dense water component of the mixture. A second of these outlets receives an axial stream of the less dense oil components from the separating chamber. A third outlet is concentrically arranged around the first outlet for the removal of a stream of the oil/water mixture in which one of the components has a presence of the other component which is greater than desired. The stream from this third outlet is then recycled to the inlet end of the separating chamber.

Abstract: A cyclone separator with an inlet and two outlets for separating oil and water from an oil-water mixture wherein the separation chamber has a large diameter inlet end and a smaller diameter underflow outlet end, and is generally comprised of first, second and third chamber portions axially arranged in that order from the larger diameter end to the smaller diameter end, a first inlet portion is followed by a tapered, second portion and then a substantially cylindrical third portion. The overflow is arranged as an axial outlet at the inlet end of the chamber. The underflow outlet end is provided with a cone shaped end portion of increasing diameter in the direction of flow and a choke portion downstream of the cone shaped portion, the choke having a reducing diameter configuration.

Abstract: Liquid separator and method of separating oil and water components of a liquid mixture wherein the oil component is made up of droplets of a less dense phase in a more dense water phase, using a hydrocyclone for separating the components. A less dense component of the mixture separated by the hydrocyclone is passed from the underflow of the hydrocyclone to a filter device for further separation. A residence vessel may be provided upstream of the hydrocyclone for coalescing the mixture prior to passage into the hydrocyclone.

Abstract: A high efficiency hydrocyclone for separating liquid constituents of a mixture wherein one constituent is a dispersed phase in another continuous phase constituent. The separation chamber of the hydrocyclone is configured such that a first steep tapered or curved portion progresses to a second less steeply tapered or curved portion with the beginning of such second less tapered portion being arranged close to the inlet end. A third substantially cylindrical portion extends from the second portion to an underflow outlet and is of an extended length to provide for continued separation of the mixture and particularly to separate smaller droplet sizes of the dispersed phase.

Abstract: A high efficiency hydrocyclone for separating a dispersed liquid phase from a continuous liquid phase in a mixture includes a separation chamber having an effective separation portion L.sub.e that begins where the slope or curve of the portion is less than 2.degree.. The area to volume ratio of this effective portion L.sub.e falls within certain limits which promote more efficient separation, particularly of smaller droplet sizes of the dispersed phase.

Abstract: For separating an oil and water mixture, the mixture is applied to the inlet of a cyclone separator so that the oil emerges from an overflow outlet and the water from an underflow outlet. Sensors measure the purity of the separated water and oil components and under control of a suitable control device, additions are made to the inlet liquid of quantities of oil or water to alter the ratio of oil and water quantities in the inlet mixture in a fashion tending to maintain separation efficiency. The oil and water to be admixed are taken from reservoirs.

Abstract: Cyclone separator for separating liquid components from a liquid mixture, having an axially extending separating chamber (12) with an underflow outlet (22) for outlet of more dense components at one end thereof and an overflow outlet (18) for outlet of less dense components at the other end thereof, the separating chamber having a portion (16) which exhibts a taper, in the direction towards the underflow outlet, the taper angle (half angle to the separating chamber axis) of 11/2.degree. to 3.degree..

Abstract: Liquid separator including a liquid-liquid hydrocyclone (10) and a method for enhancing the operation of the liquid-liquid hydrocyclone in which the mixture to be separated is first passed through a mixing and/or residence vessel (90), such as a cross plate interceptor skimmer.

Abstract: A cyclone separator comprising at least a primary portion having generally the form of a volume of revolution and having a first end and a second end, the diameter at said second end being less than at said first end, at least one inlet, the or each said inlet having at least a tangential component at or adjacent said first end for introducing feed to be separated into the cyclone separator, and the separator further including at least two outlets, one at each end of the primary portion, in which cyclone separator the following parameters are related according to a specified set of design and operating conditions as defined in claim 1: (i) diameter of the primary portion where flow enters, d.sub.1 : (ii) projection of the cross sectional area of x.sup.th inlet, Aix; (iii) diameter of the primary portion at point Z.sub.2, d.sub.2 ; (iv) distance along the cyclone separator axis from the inlet, Z; (v) diameter of the cyclone at Z, d, (vi) axial position of the x.sup.th inlet, Z.sub.

Abstract: A separation system for separating oil and water components of a liquid mixture wherein the oil component is comprised of droplets of a less dense phase in a more dense water phase. The mixture is fed to separation devices including a hydrocyclone for generally reducing the oil in water concentration to less than 500 ppm. The underflow of the hydrocyclone is passed to a downstream flotation device for further separation as by settling, which may be further assisted by liberating gas in the mixture, in the flotation device, to adhere such gas to oil droplets and thereby carry such droplets to the surface of the device. Pressure of fluids leaving the hydrocyclone may be reduced before entering the flotation device. A residence vessel upstream of the hydrocyclone may be provided to precoalese the mixture prior to entering the hydrocyclone.