Abstract: A gas/liquid phase separator includes a fluid inlet, a vapor outlet, a liquid outlet, and first and second valves disposed in fluid communication with the liquid outlet. Both valves are controllable in response to a fluid level in the gas/liquid phase separator. Both valves are further disposed in parallel fluid communication with each other. A method of controlling a liquid level in the phase separator includes sensing an amount of liquid in the phase separator, sensing a system pressure, and selectively opening a valve disposed in fluid communication with the phase separator to drain the liquid.

Abstract: A device for separating fluid mixtures, in particular for separating water from oil, includes a vacuum container (10) with several sub-chambers (26, 44, 40). At least one liquid constituent of the fluid mixture can be transported from the vacuum container after separation, by a transport device (12). The other constituents can be extracted from the vacuum container (10) in the form of gas and/or steam, using a vacuum pump (20). One of the sub-chambers (26) of the vacuum container (10) houses a heating device (28, 30), which heats the fluid mixture. The fluid mixture is guided into an additional sub-chamber (40), and is separated into its constituents by traversing a packed bed. Even cold and consequently viscous fluid mixtures can be supplied, due to the heating device, for separation inside the aforementioned vacuum container.

Abstract: A low flow rotary separator includes a housing that defines a separator chamber and a liquid/gas mixture inlet. A shaft driven by a motor includes a plurality of disks in frictional contact with the mixture to drive the liquid outward against an inner wall of the separator and displace gas to a central region about the shaft. The liquid exits through a liquid outlet valve into a high-pressure storage container. The pressure of the liquid is increased to allow flow into the high-pressure storage container by a pump driven by the shaft. A level control valve closes in response to a predetermined pressure differential between liquid in the feed line and liquid within the separator chamber to allow liquid flow through an outlet check valve.

Abstract: A multi-phase separation system utilized to remove contaminants from fluids includes a pre-filtering module for filtering a contaminated fluid to provide a filtered contaminated fluid. A condenser module receives the filtered contaminated fluid and a contaminated gas phase for condensing the contaminated gas phase to a contaminated liquid. A phase reaction chamber converts the filtered contaminated fluid to a contaminated mist wherein the mist is subjected to a low energy, high vacuum environment for providing a first change of phase by separating into a contaminated gas phase and a liquid mist phase. The contaminated gas phase is carried out of the phase reaction chamber by a carrier air. A vacuum pump provides the low energy, high vacuum environment in the phase reaction chamber and delivers the contaminated gas phase to the condenser module for condensation providing a second change of phase.

Abstract: A gas liquid separator comprising at least two containers, a first container for separating gas from a gas liquid mixture and a second container for receiving gas reduced or gas free liquid. The first container has an outlet port to the second container below the level of the gas for the gas reduced or gas free liquid and a separate outlet port for the separated gas. The second container has a height taller than the height of the first container to enable it to hold enough volume of the gas reduced or gas free liquid that can exert pressure on the liquid inside the first container so that the separated gas is forced to escape from the gas outlet port of the first container while allowing the gas reduced or gas free liquid to exit at a separate outlet port of the second container.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating liquid from a gas stream. The apparatus includes an elongated housing having a cylindrical inner surface and a gas stream inlet that is tangential to the side wall of the housing so as to cause the entering gas stream to swirl within the housing. A gas stream outlet is located at the top of the housing and a liquid outlet at the bottom. The gas stream outlet can include an elongated tubular member that extends into the housing and has an opening that is located below the housing gas stream inlet. Liquid components of the gas stream separate from the stream under the influence of centrifugal forces that are created by the swirling flow path of the stream within the housing. A liquid outlet and liquid outlet valve are provided for maintaining a minimum level of liquid within the housing so as to maintain a liquid seal within the housing. A level indicator may optionally be provided to monitor the liquid level within the housing.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for separating and measuring solids from multi-phase well fluids. The apparatus comprises a separator; an upper solids level and a lower solids level sensor, both connected to the separator; a dump valve operatively connected to the separator; and a control module operatively connected to the dump valve to move the dump valve between an open and a closed position. The upper solids level sensor generates a first signal when the upper level of accumulated solids-within the separator reaches a pre-determined upper level. The lower solids level sensor generates a second signal when the upper level of accumulated solids within the separator reaches a predetermined lower level. The control module receives the first and second generated signals such that upon receipt of the first signal the control module causes the dump valve to open and upon receipt of the second signal the control module causes the dump valve to close.

Abstract: A gas liquid centrifugal separator includes a cylindrical vessel having an axis extending in a vertical direction, an exhaust port in a top wall of the vessel which discharges gas separated from a liquid-gas mixture, a drainage port provided in a bottom wall of the vessel which discharges liquid separated from the liquid-gas mixture, and an introducing port in a peripheral wall of the vessel which introduces the mixture into the vessel. Gas-liquid separation is conducted by an inverted conical liquid surface formed in an upper separating chamber of the vessel as a result of the mixture traveling circumferentially along an inner peripheral surface of the vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus for separation of the fluid flow flowing through a pipeline into a light fraction and a heavier fraction has a tubular casing (2) arranged to constitute a section of the pipeline proper, a spin element (5) for rotation of the fluid flow at the upstream end of the casing (2), and a discharge element (12) downstream of the spin element (5) having opening (13) for discharge of the light fraction and possibly entrained heavier fraction. The apparatus also has a control separator (25) connected to the discharged element (12) and arranged to separate entrained heavier fraction from the light fraction, and a control system including a level transmitter (42) indicating the level of separate heavier fraction in the separator, and a level control unit (43) connected to the level transmitter (42) and to a drain valve (40, 41) in a separator outlet (28) for the light fraction.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is an automated system for transporting and deoxygenating a solution. The system is designed to: 1) transport a solution through a deoxygenating device 2) continuously monitor the oxygen content of the deoxygenated solution 3) collect the solution in a reservoir and automatically maintain solution level 4) automatically dispense the solution as requested and 5) perform automated solution prepare, startup, and shutdown operations.

Abstract: An air-liquid separating method and apparatus for compressed air. The high pressure air output from an air compressor is transferred through a transfer tube to pass through the cooling tube of a cooling tank. The cooling tube has a diameter larger than that of the transfer tube so that the high pressure air goes from a smaller room into a larger room and the pressure is relieved. The temperature of the high pressure air is lowered due to relief of the pressure and the pressure of the vapor is, approximately the saturated vapor pressure. The cooled high pressure air is further transferred to an air-liquid separating tank. The temperature of the air is lowered to the dew point due to further relief of pressure. At this time, the vapor contained in the high pressure air is condensed into liquid water which drops onto the bottom of the air-liquid separating tank and separates from the air.

Abstract: A process and apparatus therefore in which a sludge treatment stage 24 is controlled in response to the density or solids content of the sludge includes flowing sludge along a flow line 1 towards the treatment stage, taking a sample from the flow line 1, degassing the sample to produce a degassed sample, measuring the density or solids content of the degassed sample, and utilizing the measured degassed density or solids content of the degassed sample for controlling the treatment stage 24.

Abstract: A gas liquid centrifugal separator conducts a gas-liquid separating treatment of a mixture comprising a liquid and a gas contained in the liquid to separate the gas and the liquid from each other. The separator includes a cylindrical vessel having an axis extending in a vertical direction, an exhaust port provided in a top wall of the cylindrical vessel for discharging the separated gas, a drainage port provided in a bottom wall of the cylindrical vessel for discharging the separated liquid, and an introducing port provided in a peripheral wall of the cylindrical vessel for introducing the mixture into the cylindrical vessel in order to conduct the gas-liquid separation treatment utilizing an inverted conical liquid surface formed by causing the mixture to travel circumferentially travel along an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical vessel. Thus, the separation of the mixture into the gas and the liquid can be conducted reliably, and the internal structure of the cylindrical vessel can be simplified.

Abstract: An apparatus for degassing and preventing gelation in a viscous liquid stored in a reservoir tank is provided. For a viscous liquid such as one that has a viscosity higher than 5000 cp, a reservoir tank that has a cavity for holding the liquid is first provided which is equipped with a liquid feed conduit and a liquid output conduit. The liquid feed conduit is configured in J-shape with an inlet end at a top of a first vertical section in fluid communication with a liquid source tank and an outlet end at an opposite end of a second vertical section of the J-shape conduit protruding above a liquid level stored in the tank cavity. A U-section of the liquid feed conduit is generally immersed in the viscous liquid.

Abstract: It has been discovered that a mechanical device may be used to effectively displace a first undesired gas from within a liquid with a second desired or at least inert gas. The device is a vessel that receives the liquid containing the first gas and passes the liquid through a series of gasification chambers. Each gasification chamber has at least one mechanism that ingests and mixes a second gas into the liquid thereby physically displacing at least a portion of the first gas into a vapor space at the top of each gasification chamber from which it is subsequently removed. There is an absence of communication between the vapor spaces of adjacent chambers. The ingesting and mixing mechanisms may be a dispersed air flotation mechanism, and may be a conventional depurator. The liquid now containing the second gas and very little or none of the first gas is removed from the vessel for use.

Abstract: A system for separating a liquid and a gas including a separation vessel (30) with an inlet (28) for a gas/liquid mixture. Outlets (40, 42) for the fluids are disposed at different heights in the vessel. The outlets are controlled by turn-up vortex amplifiers (fluidic valves TuVAs) that include a supply port (40, 42), a control port (36, 38) and an outlet port (48, 50). The control port is supplied from the vessel at an intermediate level between the outlets, so that a change of flow in the control port alters resistence to flow through the valve.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of energy from a pressurised well stream containing a gas/liquid mixture, the process comprising: treating the well stream to a pre-separation process to separate it into gaseous and liquid phases, selecting appropriate proportions of said separated gaseous and liquid phases, recombining said selected proportions, and supplying the recombined mixture to the inlet of a rotary separation turbine, wherein said components are separated and energy is recovered from the flow by rotation of the turbine, said proportions of said gaseous and liquid phases being selected to produce an optimum mixture for supply to the rotary separation turbine.

Abstract: Connected in a water circuit for cooling or heating gaseous fuel in a fuel system for a gas turbine plant is a gas/liquid separation apparatus which serves to separate gases contained in the water from the water, and to detect them. The container of the separation apparatus is split up by a partition into a water entry chamber and a water exit chamber. The incoming water flow is split up in the water entry chamber into an upward-flowing and a downward-flowing water flow. Located above the water is a gas-filled space into which gas bubbles disperse. The upward-flowing water flows over an overflow weir, and the downward-flowing water flows into the water exit chamber through openings in the lower region of the partition. The separation apparatus thus includes a calm, free water level in the water entry chamber, and an irrotational flow from the water exit chamber.

Abstract: The system removes contaminating gases, such as radon, from water using a bubbling action. Contaminated water is sprayed together with air through a duct to a bottom region of a bubbling container. The water and air move generally in the same direction through the system, allowing the flow rate to be varied while maintaining forced air/water contact. The aerated contaminated water bubbles upwardly through the bubbling container and passes through one or more diffusing or mixing plates causing the aerated contaminated water to further break out contaminating gases into the air. At the top region of the bubbling container, the contaminating gases are vented while the decontaminated water flows into a tank. The decontaminated water can then be pumped to a desired location, for example, to a house water system.

Abstract: A system for controlling one or more borehole pumps includes a receiver/separator tank. The receiver/separator tank includes a body having a sealable top cap, an electronics panel, a separator housing, a separator cap that divides the electronics panel from the separator housing, and an inlet base at a second end of the body and dimensioned to maintain entry pipes in appropriate positions. The tank further includes a fluid outlet pipe; a gas pipe; a safety line; a supply line; an exhaust line; a propellant line; a fluid return line; and a spiral diffuser. The spiral diffuser is connected to the fluid return line to disperse fluid received through the return line at an angle to separate gas contained in the fluid. Pressure from the fluid causes the spiral diffuser to spin within the separator housing, and thus, separating gas contained within the fluid from the fluid.

Abstract: A polluted water purification apparatus includes a pump 2 and nozzles 4 for delivering polluted water from a polluted water region to a pressure tank T; a gas supplying device 9, 10 for supplying a gas, e.g. oxygen, to the pressure tank; a water level controlling device 5, 6; a degasifier (e.g. 15); and a discharging device 13 for returning the polluted water to the polluted water region. The degasifier periodically discharges gas from the pressure tank in order to prevent toxic gaseous substances (e.g. ammonia) which accumulate in an upper portion of the pressure tank from re-polluting the water therein whenever a concentration of gas in the pressure tank reaches or exceeds a predetermined level.

Abstract: A method for removing THMs and dissolved oxygen from water, including supplying the water into an upper portion of an air stripping container, passing the water generally downward toward a lower portion and through a first packing material, introducing air into the lower portion for flow generally upward toward the upper portion and generally against the flow of the water whereby at least some THMs undergo a phase change from liquid to gas and are carried generally upward with the air, supplying the water to an upper region of a vacuum degassing container, passing the water generally downward toward a lower region and through a second packing material, and dispensing the water from the lower region.

Abstract: An enclosed tank with a liquid inlet, a liquid outlet, a gas inlet, and a gas outlet. A liquid is forced to flow turbulently through the tank. Simultaneously a scrubbing gas is pumped through the tank. Turbulence induced in the liquid encourages gasses dissolved in the liquid to transfer to the scrubbing gas and thence to exit the gas outlet. Liquid pressure is provided externally to the invention, such as by a water utility or house water pump. The liquid inlet has a nozzle that injects the liquid against baffles in the tank to create turbulence. The liquid level in the tank is stabilized by controlling the scrubbing gas pressure. A lower layer of liquid and an upper layer of scrubbing gas are maintained in the tank as they flow through the tank together. Various liquid level stabilizing means are shown as examples. An electronic feedback system optionally controls the scrubbing gas flow rate according to the contamination level of the liquid.

Abstract: An automatic control apparatus for effecting the continuous removal of contaminants, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from a process fluid, such as water used to wash print towels or the like. The apparatus includes a pump for circulating wash water from a washer to a treatment tank. A diffuser is provided for air stripping the contaminants from the wash water in the tank. The diffused gas is exhausted through a vent in the tank, and a contaminant emissions concentration sensor detects the composition of VOCs in the exhaust. A controller signals the pump to vary the circulation based on the emissions concentration detected by the sensor. The wash water is continuously recirculated to the washer until a predetermined emissions concentration is reached. A drain in the tank releases the treated wash water to the environment.

Abstract: An aeration system for removing radon and other volatile compounds from a water or other liquid source. Water supplied from a well and/or water pressure/storage tank enters an aeration tank and is sprayed through a clog resistant nozzle. The nozzle creates a cone shaped spray of very fine water droplets or particles. Such spraying exposes the maximum amount of water surface area to the air stream and hence removes about 50% of the existing radon and other volatile compounds contained within the water. The sprayed water is then collected and fills the aeration tank and the collected water is then exposed to a source of high pressure, filtered air which is blown through a conventional sparger to vigorously agitate and aerate the sprayed and collected water in the aeration tank thereby removing any remaining radon and other volatile compounds from the water.

Abstract: A water trap for a sample gas flow includes a housing 1 fastened to a holder 2. The housing 1 has a tank 3 for receiving liquids and gases. Above the tank 3, the housing 1 contains a first chamber divided by a first hydrophobic membrane 10. The lower divided part 12 of the first chamber is connected to the sample gas flow via the holder 2 on the inlet side and to the gas space in the tank 3 on the outlet side. The upper divided part 11 of the first chamber is connected to a gas analyzer 4 via the holder 2 and is connected to a vacuum. The housing 1 contains a second chamber divided by a second hydrophobic membrane 20. The lower divided part 22 of the second chamber is connected to the gas space in the tank 3 at a point 18 which is located lower in the direction of the liquid level and relative to the entry of the connection line from the first chamber. The upper divided part 21 of the second chamber is connected to a volume flow meter 8 and to the same vacuum.

Abstract: In a method for recovering vapors during the dispensing of a bituminous product into a tank, an inlet opening of the tank is closed with a fitting. The bituminous product is dispensed into the tank via the fitting. The bituminous product emits vapors inside the tank. The vapors are exhausted from the tank without direct contact of the vapors with moving parts. The vapors are transported to a condenser, and condensed to a liquid in the condenser. The condensed liquid is returned to the tank via the fitting.

Abstract: The separator and discharger device for waste fluids in dental plants comprises a separator chamber internally of which a depression is created. A cannula aspirating fluids from a patient's mouth is connected to the separator chamber. Aspirated liquids are discharged into a bottom of the chamber and then removed by means of a drainage pump, while air sent into the separator chamber is extracted from an upper part of the chamber. The drainage pump, downstream of which a single-acting valve is located, is started up when a liquid level in the chamber reaches a predetermined level. The drainage pump is always started up in a state of full immersion in the liquid, even when the single-acting valve is malfunctioning.

Abstract: A deaerating apparatus for removing a gas from a liquid, including a liquid container rotatable and storing the liquid from which the gas is to be removed, a rotating device for rotating the liquid container, a sucking device for absorbing the gas from the liquid container; a feed-out device for feeding out the liquid stored in the liquid container, a liquid introducing pipe for introducing the liquid into the liquid container, a gas exhausting pipe for exhausting the gas from the liquid container, a liquid feed-out pipe for feeding out the liquid from the liquid container, and a head member which is removably placed on the liquid container, with the head member in contact with the liquid container. With the head member separated a predetermined interval from the liquid container, the liquid container is rotated to collect the gas contained in the liquid to the center of the liquid container. Then, the gas in the liquid container is absorbed, with the liquid container semi-closed.

Abstract: An absorber fluid return circuit is provided for a volatile liquid vapor recovery system. The vapor recovery system includes at least one adsorbent bed for capturing volatile liquid vapor, a vacuum pump for regenerating the adsorbent bed, an absorber tower for condensing volatile liquid vapor and an absorber fluid source. The absorber fluid return circuit includes an absorber fluid return pump having an inlet and outlet and a first conduit for directing absorber fluid from the absorber tower to the inlet of the return pump. A second conduit directs absorber fluid from the outlet of the return pump to the absorber fluid source. A variable speed motor drives the return pump. The variable speed motor is controlled by a controller operatively connected to a sensor for sensing the level of absorber fluid in the absorber tower, a variable speed AC drive for varying the speed of the drive motor.

Abstract: The device serves for mixing and degassing a free-flowing compound (5), in particular a casting resin containing filler. The device has an evacuable container (1, 6) of cylindrical design, the container axis (2) of which is aligned essentially in the vertical direction. Provided in the interior of the container is a rotatable plate (13), fastened on an axially guided shaft (12), for distributing compound (5) fed into the container (1, 6), as well as a thin-layer degassing system (14) which can be heated and cooled and degasses the compound (5) fed by the distributing plate (13). A stirrer homogenizes the degassed compound collected in the interior of the container. The thin-layer degassing system (14) occupies the major part of the space present between the shaft (12) and the wall of the container (1, 6).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for eliminating trapped air from a liquid flow by using a buffer tank and an electrical control box such that substantially all the trapped air are accumulated in the buffer tank and further, when the tank is optionally equipped with a sensor system, the liquid flow can be shut-off when the liquid level in the buffer tank drops below a threshold level to prevent the trapped air from accidentally flowing into a process machine.

Abstract: A water purifier which works in accordance with the membrane distillation principle includes a degassor for degassing incoming crude water prior to commencing the membrane distillation precess; a membrane for the membrane distillation of degassed water; and an outlet which functions to discharge a residual quantity of degassed undistilled water when a degassed undistilled water level has fallen to a predetermined lower level in a container which receives the crude water to be purified. The container is provided with an upper level sensor and a lower level sensor and a temperature sensor. The upper level sensor functions to activate the start of circulator for the circulation of crude water through the degassor, and also to activate the start of crude water heater. When the level of water in the container falls, the lower level sensor functions to activate opening of the outlet means so as to discharge remaining undistilled water.

Abstract: A spiral or auger type gas-liquid separator, particularly for well production fluid flow, includes a vertically oriented conduit section having a spiral separator element disposed therein and around a central gas discharge conduit. The inlet to the gas discharge conduit is disposed adjacent the discharge end of the separator element and includes a liquid carryover control mechanism comprising a closure member which is operable to shut off fluid flow into the gas discharge conduit when high liquid flow rates or liquid slug flow passes through the separator. The shutoff closure member is connected to a float actuator responsive to liquid accumulation to actuate the closure member to move to a closed position. A coil spring biases the closure member toward a valve open condition.

Abstract: An improved liquid/gas separator is disclosed for separating liquid and gas from a mixture that is mostly gas, within a zero gravity or variable gravity working environment. The separator includes a main housing that defines a pre-swirl chamber for receiving a liquid/gas mixture and an adjacent cylindrical separator chamber for containing liquid and gas separated from the mixture. A main shaft is rotationally secured along an interior longitudinal axis of the main housing and includes a hub portion defining exhaust slots in fluid communication with an exhaust duct within the hub for passing gas out of the separator chamber. A plurality of apertured coalescing disks are secured to the hub portion of the main shaft within the separator chamber for rotationally impacting liquid droplets and directing any droplets, bubbles or sheets of liquid formed on the disks away from the shaft toward and into a rotating liquid ring formed adjacent an interior circumference of the separator chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing undesirable compounds such as radon, volatile organics, hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide and methane from contaminated well water which utilizes a recirculating system which is selectively operable to decrease the contamination of the treated water below a given level wherein the contaminant removal is achieved by providing an interface between the radon contaminated water and air in order to allow the undesirable compounds such as radon, volatile organics, hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide and methane to move from the water into the air due to the greater affinity therefore. The apparatus is designed to be used with a conventional residential or small commercial water well supply system and maximizes radon removal preferably by aspirating or baffling a gravity feed radon removal system for water which may include passing thereof through mass transfer packing material.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for conducting gas-liquid reactions, comprising a vessel having at least one ascending flow chamber and at least one descending flow chamber. The vessel is especially useful in conducting high cell density fermentation processes, for maintaining a predetermined and relatively high gas holdup within the vessel and simultaneously preventing foaming through hydrodynamics.

Abstract: To remove gas bubbles from a viscous liquid (L) to be dispensed, the liquid (L) is introduced with a first pressure in a thin, broad jet into a sealed chamber (15) which is partially filled with the liquid (L), with the result that the gas bubbles can escape from the introduced liquid. A second pressure, which is lower than the first pressure, prevails in the chamber (15), with the result that gas bubbles present in the liquid expand and burst. The difference between the first pressure, with which the liquid is introduced into the chamber (15), and the second pressure, prevailing in the chamber (15), is constant.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for degassing a mix of cement and a polymeric binding agent including filler material and/or fiber. The apparatus includes a vacuum chamber and a mechanism for adjusting the pressure inside the vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber has an upper inlet zone including an inlet port, a lower discharge zone including a discharge port and an intermediate zone therebetween. Structure is provided adjacent to the inlet port which is open to the atmosphere for guiding the mix toward the inlet port. Structure is also positioned in the intermediate zone of the vacuum chamber for receiving, distributing and expediting the degassification of the free falling mix entering the vacuum chamber through the upper inlet port. A vacuum seal is provided by the mix entering the inlet port and by the degassed mix exiting the discharge port.

Abstract: A liquid/gas separator has a pipe section receiving a liquid/gas mixture to be separated and discharging gas that is substantially free of liquid. A first drain (8) is coupled to the upstream end of the pipe section for draining liquid that has undergone preliminary separation from the gas. A plurality of fixed vanes (15,16) are arranged in a pair of vane sets positioned in the pipe section downstream of the first drain. The vane sets are concentrically mounted in the pipe section to form a radially inner vane set and a radially outer vane set. The vanes of each vane set are disposed about the axis of the pipe section and oriented to impart a swirl to the liquid/gas mixture causing further separation of the liquid from the gas. A second drain (9) downstream of the vanes drains liquid that is separated from the gas by the vanes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for degassing a high viscosity fluid wherein a vacuum chamber is oriented vertically and adapted for receiving a fluid at its top end and discharging it from a reservoir at its bottom end, the chamber having an assembly having a slotted wide-mouthed nozzle and a channel slide member mounted within the top end so as to receive a fluid fed into the chamber. The nozzle is adapted for spreading the fluid onto the surface of the slide member which is angularly positioned downwardly towards the reservoir such that fluid on the slide member surface exhibits laminar flow as it moves downwardly. A vacuum drawn on the chamber effects a release of any gaseous materials contained within the fluid as it moves down the slide surface and into the reservoir where it may be drawn out for application by one or more nozzles.

Abstract: A vertical continuous degassing apparatus for degassing a mix of at least one member selected from the group consisting of a liquid, a mix of liquids, a mix of a liquid and solids and combinations thereof comprising: a vacuum chamber, a mechanism for adjusting the pressure therein, the vacuum chamber having an upper inlet zone including an inlet port, a lower discharge zone including a discharge port, and an intermediate zone therebetween. An annular skirt is positioned in the intermediate zone of the vacuum chamber for receiving, distributing and expediting the degassification of the mix entering the vacuum chamber through the upper inlet port. A vacuum seal is provided by the mix entering the inlet port and by the degassed mix exiting the discharge port.

Abstract: An atmospheric deaerator unit having a vessel divided into an atmospheric section and a low pressure section, the low pressure section containing steam supply line for deaerating a water spray circulated from the atmospheric section through a water circulating line using a series of spray heads for spraying water into the low pressure section, the circulating line communicating between the low pressure section and the atmospheric section, the atmospheric section having a vent open to atmosphere with a vent condenser to purge vented non-condensible gases from the atmospheric section, and, the low pressure section being pressure protected by a water column conduit communicating between the vessel sections to return overflow water and blow-through excess pressurized steam and vapor from the pressurized section to the atmospheric section, the unit being controlled by a steam control valve using pressure of the pressurized section or water temperature in the atmospheric section.

Abstract: Oil and gas well production flow is gathered in field common line manifolds and conducted through a separator to make a coarse separation of gas from liquid and minimize slug flow in the conduits leading from the manifolds to further separation, treatment and pumping facilities. A liquid level signal transmitter provides a signal to a valve controller which controls separate liquid and gas discharge flow control valves or a variable speed pump to maintain a set point level of liquid in the separator. Liquid level control is accomplished automatically by varying the flow from the fluid discharge conduit which is connected to the lower pressure flow line, which is usually the gas flow line. Manifold pressures may be sensed to prevent exceeding a predetermined pressure in the manifolds and the well flow lines.