Internally baffled, horizontal flow, vertical oil skimmer

DETAILED DESCRIPTION An internally baffled, horizontal flow, vertical oil separator is useful for separation of oil from a mixture of oil and water.
The separator comprises a vertically elongated vessel having an inlet for an oil and water mixture on one vertical side, a means for recovering oil from the surface of the water and an outlet for the recovered oil in fluid communication with the recovery means, a water outlet substantially below the oil outlet, and baffles internal in the vessel and between the inlet and the outlets; such that the oil and water must flow in a substantially horizontal direction, such that the horizontal direction of flow is changed by a total of at least 360.
degree.
between the inlet and the outlets such that the average horizontal distance of the fluid flow is at least three times the average horizontal distance between the inlet and the outlets, and such that separation of the oil and water mixture can occur during the horizontal flow to form an upper oil and a lower water layer.
In one aspect, the vessel can have a trap below the inlet adapted for retention of particulate solids settling from the horizontally flowing fluids.
In another aspect, the separator can have a fluid distributor in fluid communication with the inlet so that the fluids are distributed over the vertical interval of the horizontally flowing fluid cross-section.
In yet another aspect, the separator can have a coalescing medium mounted between the baffles such that the horizontal fluid flow must pass therethrough to enhance separation.