Abstract: A separator suitable for separating a crude oil feed containing gas into gas and liquid the separator comprising a vessel (4) having an inlet (6) for feed disposed so that feed introduced under a pressure gradient is caused to form a downwardly flowing vortex of liquid from which an upwardly flowing vortex of gas separates, an upper outlet (10) for the vortex of gas comprising a pipe (8) extending downwardly into the vessel from the top thereof, a lower outlet (16) for the liquid, the vessel further having located therein below the inlet (6) a downwardly extending hollow truncated cone (12) or cylinder to provide a surface for the downwardly flowing vortex of liquid, the walls (7) of the vessel (4) being spaced apart from the cone to provide therebetween a disengaging chamber (15) and an outlet (20) for the discharge of gas from the disengaging chamber.

Abstract: A cyclone separator for separating a crude oil feed containing gas and water into (i) gas, (ii) liquid oil and (iii) water comprises a vessel having an inlet disposed so that feed introduced under a pressure gradient is caused to form a downwardly flowing liquid vortex from which gas separates, an upper outlet for the gas, a hollow cylinder or small angle cone whose internal surface provides a surface for the liquid vortex, the walls of the vessel being spaced from the cone to define therebetween a disengaging chamber, an outlet for gas from the disengaging chamber, a first lower outlet for the liquid oil and a second lower outlet for the water.

Abstract: A foaming crude oil is separated into (i) liquid oil containing not more than 10% by volume of gas and (ii) gas containing not more than 200 parts per million of liquid oil by passing the foaming crude oil into a cyclone separator which has means for controllably adjusting the size of the inlet thereto and in which the ratio of the diameter of the vortex finder to the diameter of the vessel in the region of the inlet is from about 0.40 to 0.80, and which is also provided with a disengaging chamber and means for maintaining a minimum liquid level in said disengaging chamber.