Abstract: A centrifugal filter element is inserted into a pipeline to provide a dry oil stream for analysis. A moisture sensing probe is inserted along the central axis of the centrifugal filter to sense the properties of the dry oil stream therein. A second probe is inserted into the pipeline to sense the properties of the undried oil. Comparison of the output of the two probes reveals the water content of the oil in the pipeline.

Abstract: The basic water and sediment (BS&W) system compares a wet stream to a dry stream of the same oil in two electrical capacitance cells. A numerical zero offset is employed in the comparison to compensate for voltage output differences between the cells. The dry cell builds a small increase in its inherent offset from the wet cell because of its lower flow rate, which buildup is swept away when the wet fluid is run through both cells at a higher flow rate to determine the zero offset. To cancel the zero offset, the present invention alternates the flow to the two cells so that each cell experiences the same sequence of events alternately.

Abstract: Capacitance cells comprising concentric tubes are maintained clean of sediment in the space between the inner and outer tubes where capacitance is measured by (1) suspending fibrous strands in the fluid flow outside the inner tube and/or (2) partially plugging the inner tube to increase flow outside the inner tube.

Abstract: Temperature variations of fluid streams within a BS&W recorder system are controlled by heat exchange and recycling through the pump to reduce waxing and capacitance measurement errors.

Abstract: A process is provided for measuring the water and sediment content of a wet stream which is predominantly non-aqueous. The process requires removing a sample of the wet stream, extracting a dry stream sample from the wet stream sample, and comparing the dielectric constants of the wet and dry streams. Leakage of any of the wet stream sample into the dry stream sample will adversely affect the comparison of dielectric constants. Accordingly, periodically the apparatus used for the process is checked for leakage by blocking conduits carrying the dry stream sample to a holding chamber.

Abstract: An improvement is provided in a process for measuring BS&W in crude oil by centrifugal separation of dry oil from wet oil and comparison of the dielectric constants of the two, the improvement being the use of at least two seals separating a dry oil chamber from a wet oil chamber and means for flushing the space between the seals with dry oil.

Abstract: A skimmer is provided for removing oil from the surface of a body of water. The skimmer comprises a funnel-shaped floating weir, a flexible disk suspended thereabove and having an edge contacting the water surface around the weir, suction for removing oil from the bottom of the weir and a vessel for collecting the removed oil.