In-line separator for crude oil

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG.
1, an embodiment of the device of the present invention is shown comprised of outer envelope 10 of generally cylindrical configuration having inlet port 11 centered in upstream extremity 15, radially directed exit port 14 adjacent downstream extremity 16, and orifices 57 and 58 through which exit tubes 12 and 13 respectively pass in fluid-tight engagement.
The device is generally intended for operation in a manner such that the long center axis of the outer envelope is vertically oriented, thereby causing said upstream extremity to be the upper extremity and the downstream extremity to be the lower extremity.
A stand 17 may optionally be utilized to support the device in its vertical operational position.
The upper and lower extremities of the outer envelope are integral with the cylindrical sidewall thereof and outwardly convex, thereby forming a vessel capable of retaining high internal pressures.
Cylindrically contoured interior chamber 18 is concentrically positioned within outer envelope 10 so as to form an intervening first or outer annular space 19.
Said interior chamber is closed at its upper extremity 20, said closure being achieved by an integral continuation of cylindrical sidewall 21 convexly contoured in the direction away from said sidewall.
The lower extremity 22 of said interior chamber, contoured substantially in mirror-image opposition to upper extremity 20, contains exit orifices 23 and 24, and entrance port 25.
Orifice 23 communicates with oil exit tube 12.
Orifice 24 permits passage therethrough of gas exit tube 13.
Entrance port 25 communicates with outer annular space 19 which directs oil and gas into said interior chamber.
A continuous spiral vane 26 is helically disposed about interior chamber 18 and within outer annular space 19.
The inside edge 27 of the vane is attached to the exterior surface of cylindrical sidewall 21.
The outside edge 28 of said vane is in close-fitting contact with inside surface 29 of the cylindrical sidewall of outer envelope 10