Abstract: To study the properties of a multiphase fluid under pressure flowing along a duct, such as the petroleum stream produced by an oil well, a fraction of the fluid is taken from a substantially vertical first length of the duct within which the fluid is agitated and flows upwards, and this fraction is transferred into a separator receptacle with the top of said receptacle being connected to a second length of the duct located downstream from the first length and at a slightly lower pressure relative thereto. Thereafter, the volume ratio of the liquid phases can be determined, e.g. by pouring them into the separator receptacle and measuring the levels thereof, or by causing the liquid emulsion to flow through an appropriate sensor device and where the emulsion density can be determined by weighing the separator receptacle before and after such a liquid phase/emulsion pouring step.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for separating oil/water/gas from a marginal field by using a combination of a coarse separator with short treatment duration which separates into three flows where one obtains an oil concentration of over 70%, a water concentration of over 70% and a gas quality for burning off, where the oil and water flows are treated in cyclone systems having defined geometric proportions and a gas portion is reinjected into the water injection flows without the use of a compressor. Gas/liquid cyclones may also be used before the choke valve so that the gas pressure is kept, or optionally reinjected or used for injector pump operation of low pressure wells.

Abstract: The method of operating rotating separator apparatus, to which fluid, including gas and liquids is supplied in a fluid jet via a nozzle, which includes separating the liquids from the gas in the stream, at a first zone within the rotating apparatus, and separating the liquids into liquids of differing density at a second zone within the apparatus. The separated liquids are removed via two open weirs which isolate the liquids in the separating zones from the shear forces from scoops within the weir passages. Longitudinal ribs may be provided for structural support, coalescence promotion and fluid recirculation inhibition.

Abstract: A waste treatment device includes a waste holding tank for receiving waste, a solids-gas processor operably connected to the waste holding tank, an aqueous holding tank operably connected to the processor and the waste holding tank and an aqueous purification device operably connected to the aqueous holding tank.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for separating liquid from a slurry of solid particles and liquid contained in a vessel in the presence of a gas, which comprises degasifying the slurry and passing the degasified slurry through a cross-flow filter, and separating the degasified slurry into the liquid and a concentrated slurry. The present invention further relates to a process for the preparation of heavy hydrocarbons, which process comprises contacting a synthesis gas in a reactor vessel with a slurry of solid catalyst particles and a liquid, thereby producing heavy hydrocarbons, and separating the liquid containing heavy hydrocarbons from the slurry by the said method.

Abstract: An improved, membrane-based method of treating gas evolved during natural gas liquids (NGL) stabilization, to separate the very light hydrocarbon gases, methane in particular, from the heavier hydrocarbons. The membrane acts as a demethanizer and establishes a vapor/liquid equilibrium during phase separation that is different than would otherwise obtain. This can increase NGL production and reduce the weight of C.sub.3+ hydrocarbons in the off-gas from the stabilizing phase separators.

Abstract: An improved, membrane-based method of treating gas evolved during gas/oil separation, to separate the very light hydrocarbon gases, methane in particular, from the heavier hydrocarbons. The membrane acts as a demethanizer and establishes a vapor/liquid equilibrium during phase separation that is different than would otherwise obtain. This can increase oil production and reduce the weight of C.sub.4+ hydrocarbons lost in the associated gas.

Abstract: The method of operating rotating separator apparatus, to which fluid, including gas and liquids is supplied in a fluid jet at via a nozzle, which includes separating the liquids from the gas in the stream, at a first zone within the rotating apparatus, and separating the liquids into liquids of differing density at a second zone within the apparatus.

Abstract: A process for removing a water-soluble acid gas from a gaseous stream containing normally gaseous hydrocarbon compounds, hydrogen and the acid gas to produce an aqueous solution containing the dissolved acid gas and having a very low level of normally gaseous hydrocarbon compounds. The gaseous feed stream is contacted with a lean aqueous stream to remove water-soluble acid gas. The resulting acid gas rich aqueous stream is stripped with a hydrogen-rich gas to produce an aqueous stream containing dissolved acid gas and essentially no normally gaseous hydrocarbon compounds.

Abstract: A water deaeration system has a pump in a supply pipe supplying water to a deaeration vessel. A recirculation pipe interconnecting a heat exchanger between the discharge side and the suction side of the supply pump heats a recirculated portion of the water flowing to the deaeration vessel. A vacuum pump having its suction side connected with the deaeration vessel and its discharge side connected to an air-water separator evacuates the air dissolved in the water and the separator then separates seal water and entrained water from the evacuated air. The vacuum pump has a water seal which is supplied by the separated water in the separator by a seal water pipe connected between the separator and the water seal via the hot side of the recirculation seal water heat exchanger. Heat energy introduced into the seal water by the vacuum pump is transferred to the supply water flowing to the deaeration vessel to be deaerated in order to more efficiently strip the air.

Abstract: A degassing system is provided and includes a module for conditioning a liquid to be analyzed. The module includes a container holding a liquid, a degassing chamber, and a holder for the liquid container mounted on top of the degassing chamber. The holder provides stability to the module and contains any liquid spills. In another embodiment, the system includes an autosampler in conjunction with a degassing unit which includes a degassing chamber, a vacuum pump, and tubing for conducting liquid through the degassing chamber, which tubing is permeable to gases in the liquid.