Apparatus for separating dispersed phases for fluid mixtures

DETAILED DESCRIPTION We claim: 1.
An apparatus for separating dispersed phases from a feed mixture of fluids of different densities, the apparatus comprising a fluid separation chamber, having a vertical axis and conically shaped bottom portion, a tubular vertically arranged side wall which is coaxial to said vertical axis and a substantially flat top portion, said chamber being provided with a first, second and third fluid outlet port for allowing discharge of fluids of different densities from the chamber, said ports being located at different levels relative to said vertical axis of the chamber; said first fluid outlet port being located at the lower portion of said conical bottom portion, said second fluid outlet port being located in said tubular side wall and said third fluid outlet port being located near the top of the fluid separation chamber, above said second fluid outlet port, fluid inlet means for introducing said feed mixture into the chamber, said fluid inlet means comprising at least one tubular neck portion in which a cluster of elongated fibers is arranged such that in use the fibers are along part of their length compressed between the walls of the neck portion, said at least one tubular neck portion being located at a selected level between said top portion and said bottom portion of the chamber, and said at least one tubular neck portion being connected to a single fluid feed pipe by conduit means, said conduit means being provided with valve means for guiding the fluid flow into said at least one neck portion.
2.
The apparatus of claim 1 having more than one tubular neck portion, and wherein each said at least one tubular neck portion is oriented at an angle of about 90.
degree.
relative to said vertical axis.
3.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one tubular neck portion is mounted in a substantially radial orientation on said tubular side wall of the chamber at a position opposite to said second fluid outlet port.
4.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one tubular neck portion has a substantially cylindrical shape and is secured to said tubular side wall of the chamber by a substantially conical transition portion