Vapor recovery apparatus and method for oil and gas wells

摘要

A vapor recovery apparatus has a first vessel forming a column with upper and lower ends. Liquid, such as oil containing gas enters the bottom of the first column and flows op to a liquid outlet. Heat is applied to the rising oil, wherein the oil foams. Gas escapes into the upper end. The foam flows into a second column and along a roughened surface. The bubbles in the foam break apart, releasing the gas. The oil flows down the second column to an outlet. A compressor may be used to withdraw the gas and provide hot compressed gas to beat the rising oil in the first column.

主权项

1. A vapor recovery apparatus for processing liquid produced from a well, the produced liquid containing gas, comprising:
a) an inner vessel having a lower end, an intermediate portion, a liquid inlet, a liquid outlet, a first liquid path between the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet, the inner vessel liquid outlet being vertically above the liquid inlet; b) an outer vessel having a closed lower end and a closed upper end and an interior, the inner vessel liquid outlet and inner vessel intermediate portion located in the outer vessel interior, the inner vessel liquid outlet communicating with the outer vessel interior, an outer vessel liquid outlet located in a lower portion of the outer vessel, a gas outlet at the outer vessel upper end; c) a heat exchanger located so as to provide heat to liquid located in the first liquid path; d) a second liquid path extending from where the liquid enters the outer vessel from the inner vessel to a liquid level in the outer vessel.