초록 ▼

The present invention is a centrifuge method and apparatus for separating the components of a stream, particularly a wellstream. Centrifugal force is used to separate solid and liquid components from gaseous components, and the combined action of centrifugal force and countercurrent flow is used to

The present invention is a centrifuge method and apparatus for separating the components of a stream, particularly a wellstream. Centrifugal force is used to separate solid and liquid components from gaseous components, and the combined action of centrifugal force and countercurrent flow is used to separate a first liquid, such as crude oil, from a second liquid, such as water. In addition, the combined action of centrifugal force and countercurrent flow can be used to separate a heavy gas, such as carbon dioxide, from a light gas, such as hydrocarbon gas.

대표청구항 ▼

A method for separating the components of a stream which is comprised of a first liquid, a second liquid and gas, said first liquid being lighter than said second liquid, said method comprising the steps of: (a) introducing said stream into a centrifuge rotor having a rotor wall and opposed first an

A method for separating the components of a stream which is comprised of a first liquid, a second liquid and gas, said first liquid being lighter than said second liquid, said method comprising the steps of: (a) introducing said stream into a centrifuge rotor having a rotor wall and opposed first and second end portions; (b) rotating said rotor at a speed which creates a centrifugal force sufficient to cause a radial separation of said gas from said liquids, said liquids thereby being forced outward to form a liquid layer adjacent to said rotor wall, said liquid layer being separated from said gas by a liquid/gas interface; (c) inducing countercurrent flow in said liquid layer such that the direction of flow adjacent to said interface is toward said first end portion and such that the direction of flow adjacent to said rotor wall is toward said second end portion, said countercurrent flow and said centrifugal force acting together to axially separate said first liquid and said second liquid by forcing said first liquid to flow toward said first end portion and by forcing said second liquid to flow toward said second end portion; and (d) extracting said separated first liquid, second liquid and gas from said rotor.