OIL WATER SEPARATION APPARATUS
First Claim
1. An oil-water subsea separation vessel comprising:
- (a) at least one inlet for introducing an oil-water mixture;
(b) a flow path for conducting the oil-water mixture;
(c) at least one oil-water separation structure having a multifunctional surface, the structure being located within the flow path; and
(d) at least one fluid outlet;
wherein the multifunctional surface is superhydrophobic with respect to water, and either oleophilic or superoleophilic with respect to oil.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In one aspect, the present invention provides a subsea separation vessel for the separation of a mixture comprising oil and water comprising (a) at least one inlet for introducing a oil-water mixture; (b) a flow path for conducting the oil-water mixture; (c) at least one oil-water separation structure; and (d) at least one fluid outlet. The oil-water separation structure includes a multifunctional surface. The oil-water separation structure is located within the flow path and wherein the multifunctional surface is superhydrophobic with respect to water, and either oleophilic or superoleophilic with respect to oil. A method for separating oil from an oil-water mixture is also provided.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An oil-water subsea separation vessel comprising:
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(a) at least one inlet for introducing an oil-water mixture; (b) a flow path for conducting the oil-water mixture; (c) at least one oil-water separation structure having a multifunctional surface, the structure being located within the flow path; and (d) at least one fluid outlet; wherein the multifunctional surface is superhydrophobic with respect to water, and either oleophilic or superoleophilic with respect to oil. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A subsea separation vessel for the separation of a mixture comprising oil and water comprising:
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(a) at least one inlet for introducing a oil-water mixture; (b) a flow path for conducting the oil-water mixture; (c) at least one cyclonic separator comprising a multifunctional surface, the cyclonic separator being disposed within the flow path; and (d) a plurality of fluid outlets; wherein the multifunctional surface is superhydrophobic with respect to water, and either oleophilic or superoleophilic with respect to oil.
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16. A method for separating oil from an oil-water mixture comprising:
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(a) introducing an oil-water mixture into an oil-water subsea separation vessel via an inlet; (b) conducting the oil-water mixture along a flow path comprises within the oil-water subsea separation vessel; (c) contacting the oil-water mixture with at least one oil-water separation structure having a multifunctional surface, the separation structure being located within the flow path, to provide an oil-rich fraction and a water-rich fraction, and wherein the multifunctional surface is superhydrophobic with respect to water, and either oleophilic or superoleophilic with respect to oil; and (d) separating the oil-rich fraction from the water-rich fraction. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification