US3769999A

US3769999A - Liquid separator system and apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3769999A
Application number: US00342860A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Flanagan; J Carter
Original assignee: J Flanagan; J Carter
Current assignee: Sist-Keramik-Raumheizung GmbH; SUMMIT OILFIELD SERVICES COMPANY A TX CORP
Priority date: 1973-03-19
Filing date: 1973-03-19
Publication date: 1973-11-06
Anticipated expiration: 1990-11-06

Abstract

Apparatus for separating liquid from gas, particularly in natural gas field operations. The apparatus comprises a separator tank included in a gas pipeline, a liquid separator valve, and a tube having an inlet portion within the tank to maintain condensate or other liquid within the same at a desired level and an outlet portion connecting with the valve. The valve itself comprises a body with enlarged inlet chamber, a rising passage communicating therewith, a circumferential groove about the rising passage, downwardly extending passages spaced on opposite sides of the rising passage, and an outlet passage communicating with the same. The valve includes a floating disc within an upper chamber and seating atop the rising passage, the disc being provided with one or more concentric grooves on its under surface to reduce fluid turbulence. An outlet fitting engages the housing in communication with the outlet passage, the fitting being provided with a central orifice of desired dimension to control the flow to a tank or other exterior facility.

Description

United States Patent 1 Flanagan et al.

. Nov. 6, 1973 i 1 LIQUID SEPARATOR SYSTEM AND APPARATUS [76] Inventors: James P. Flanagan, P.O. Box 245;

Jack L. Carter, P.O. Box 464,

both of Hooker, Okla.

22 Filed: -Mar. 19,1973 21 Appl. No.: 342,860

- Related US. Application Data 7 [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 126,718, March 22, 1971,

abandoned.

[52] US. Cl 137/183, 137/590, 137/204 [51] Int. Cl Fl6t l/00 [58] Field of Search 137/183, 200, 590, 137/204 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,512,544 5/1970 Hilmar 137/183 3,376,885 4/1968 Cusi 137/183 2,945,505 7/1960 Hansen.... 137/183 3,275,020 9/1966 Fujiwara 137/195 Primary Examiner-w-Alan Cohan Attorney-John Howard Joynt [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for separating liquid from gas, particularly in natural gas field operations. The apparatus comprises a separator tank included in a gas pipeline, a liquid separator valve, and a tube having an inlet portion within the tank to maintain condensate or other liquid within the same at a desired level and an outlet portion connecting with-the valve. The valve itself comprises a body with enlarged inlet chamber, a rising passage communicating therewith, a circumferential groove about the rising passage, downwardly extending passages spaced on opposite sides of the rising passage, and an outlet passage communicating with the same. The valve includes a floating disc within an upper chamber and seating atop the rising passage, the disc being provided with one or more concentric grooves on its under surface to reduce fluid turbulence. An outlet fitting engages the housing in communication with the outlet passage, the fitting being provided with a central orifice of desired dimension to control the flow to a tank or other exterior facility. 7

7 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENIEDnnv 5 ma SHEET 18F 4 INVENTORS James R F/an Jack Carter agan BY Jfl, A

' ATTORNEY PATENIEUNUV 6 I973 SHEET 2 [IF 4 SHEET 3 BF 4 PATENTEDxnv 6 I915 INVENTORS James P Flanagan Jack Gaiar 779 ATTORNEY P-ATENTEDNUV .6 I975 3.769.999

Q INVENTORS James P F/anagm Jack Cgrfer AV/Q ATTORNEY ll LIQUID SEPARATOR SYSTEM AND APPARATUS C ROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation of our copending application Ser. No. 126,718, filed Mar. 22, 1971 and entitled Liquid Separator System and Apparatus now abandoned.

As a matter of introduction, our invention is concerned with apparatus and equipment for natural gas field operations, more particularly apparatus for separating out the liquid hydrocarbons such as condensate, distillate or the like, entrained with the gaseous hydrocarbons coming from a well.

One of the objects of our invention is the provision of a system, apparatus, equipment and the like for reliably and efficiently separating the liquid components or indeed any solid components from the gaseous components as taken from a natural gas well. Another is the provision of a simple, comparatively inexpensive valve for reliably and automatically separating liquid from gas, which valve is light in weight, easy to handle, simple to install and inexpensive to maintain. I

Other objects of the invention in part will become ap parent during the course of the description which follows and in part more particularly pointed to hereinafter.

Our invention, then, may be viewed as comprising a novel combination of structural elements, arrangement of parts, and interrelation between each of the same with one or more of the others, all as described herein, the nature of which invention is more particularly set out in the claims at the end of this specification.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the oil and natural gas industries, especially in gathering gas from a flowing natural gas well, we find that a certain amount of condensate occurs in the gas stream. The condensate,;of course, is in the form of liquid hydrocarbons. And it is most desirable that the condensate, as well as any distillate, foreign matter or the like, be separated from the gas stream before passing the gas on to the consumer. 'Actually, it is necessary that the condensate, distillate and the like beseparated wellin advance of passing the gas through a measuring device and thence on to the consumer-purchaser.

While various proposals have been advancedfor removing liquid such as condensate, salt water and solid foreign matter from gas lines, such as float controls, constant gas-bleed pilot controls, diaphragm-operated motor valves and low pressure pilot regulators, the separating apparatus, equipment and devices employed are lacking in one or more desired characteristics. More particularly, the apparatus and devices of the prior art are large, heavy and cumbersome, the valve involved commonly amounting to some 75 to 100 pounds. And much of the equipment and apparatus of the prior art becomes unreliable in moderate temperature operation, that is, at temperatures only so low as 60 F. Additionally, most of the apparatus,.equipment and devices of the prior art are costly to produce as well as costly to install and maintain. Even at best, the apparatus and devices of the prior art do not adequately and reliably separate the condensate, distillate and the like from the gas stream.

And, while various steam traps are known in the art, such, for example, as those described in the U5. Pat. No. 2,817,353, issued to Midgette, and the US. Pat.

No. 3,376,883 of Cusi, we find that such steam traps are not applicable to the separation of condensate, distillate and the like from the product of anatural gas well to achieve a liquid-free gas for delivery to the purchaser. Although these valves may operate satisfactorily on liquids mixed with water or similar liquids which do not convert to a gaseous state when reduced from a higher pressure to a lower pressure at normal outdoor temperatures, they are not suited to the separation of liquid from gaseous components-of such fluids as by drocarbons, having critical points of pressure below which liquid flashes into the gaseous state, or above which the gas sharply converts to the liquid state. Particular reference is made to the normal butane, with a boiling point at atmospheric pressures of-31 F isobutane, with a boiling point of 1 1 F. and normal pentane, with a boiling point of 97 F. At constant temperature, instead of constant pressure their boiling points or flash points lie within a range which we find must be reckoned with, for with the valves of the prior art, one or more of the hydrocarbons encountered in natural gas field operations flash over from liquid to gas upon passing through the trap and sharply interrupt its operation.

One of the particular objects of our invention, therefore, is to provide simple, efficient, reliable and comparatively inexpensive .apparatus and devices with a minimum of moving parts for automatic removal of condensate, distillate, foreign matter and the like from a natural gas line, this in order to supply liquid-free gas to the purchaser-consumer.

Another object is to provide such devices that, moreover, are suited to other oilfield applications as, for example, in dumping accumulated liquids in drips on gas lines, remove liquid condensate from headers supplying gas compressors, and in general to relieve fuel lines and the like from liquid problems; that is, to provide dump valves and ensure the supply of liquid free gas to a compressor, boiler or other facility.

SUMMARY OF THEINVENTION In the liquid separator system and apparatus of our invention, we provide a separator tank located at some desirable point in a natural gas line. Gas passing through the line at high velocity is fed into the tank and thence out and away from'the tank. Hydrocarbons, condensate, distillate and the like tend to accumulate in the tank, this by virtue of gravity action. The level of the accumulated liquid is maintained at a constant value by way of a tube conveniently located midway between the top and the bottom of the tank.

Fluid (both gas and liquid) taken into the inlet portion of the tube is passed on to what we call a liquid separator valve located outside of the tank, the tube serving to stabilize the fluid column before passing the same on to the valve and, in a measure, determining the liquid cycle frequency. This valve serves the function of freely passing liquid from tank to the exterior, conveniently to an outside storage tank, and yet closing off the passage of gas when the level of the liquid in the separator tank falls below the inlet portion of the tube. As such, the valve comprises a body fashioned of stainless steel with appropriate openings and internal control valve element.

Our valve essentially comprises an opening in the form of an enlarged chamber conveniently cylindrical and horizontal corinecting'with the intake tube. This chamber communicates with a chamber or passage of lesser dimension accepting fluid from the separator tank and passing it on to a vertical rising passage letting into an enlarged head chamber.

Resting atop the rising passage noted is a floating disc, the function of which appears more fully hereinafter. The construction is such that a solid column of gasfree liquid approaches the bottom of the floating disc. This assures a full liquid cycle of operation, without the presence of overriding gas.

The valve body is further provided with a plurality of downwardly extending passages equally spaced about the rising passage. For a best conbination of results, we provide at least one passage on one side of the rising vertical passage and another on the opposite side of the vertical passage. The downwardly extending passages lead into an outlet chamber in the body of the valve. Secured to the valve body, as by threaded engagement, we provide a fitting with central orifice of desired dimension. Fitting, or separate orifice discs, as desired, are dimensioned to the particular installation, particularly the quantity of liquid to be handled, the density of liquid, and the relative proportions of liquid and gas involved.

Further control, of course, is had by way of the floating disc mentioned which seats atop the vertical rising passage of the valve body. This disc is fashioned of a hardened stainless steel and is of a dimension falling just short of the diameter of the upper valve body chamber.

While seating on the top of the rising passage in the valve body, the disc is free to move upwardly in sufficient amount to permit a flow of liquid, the upward movement being arrested by a nub on the upper portion of the chamber. Liquid from the separator tank entering the inlet tube and passing into the inlet chamber of the valve body and thence to the more restricted chamber and the rising vertical passage, strikes against the disc, lifts the same and is deflected radially outwardly and then downwardly into the circumferential groove around the rising vertical passage and into the downwardly extending passages, thence to the outer chamber, the orifice disc or fitting, and to the exterior. With the outward flow of fluid there is a self-cleaning action.

The floating disc is held in its upward position against the nub on the upper wall of the upper chamber of the valve body by virtue of the continued flow of liquid.

When the level of the liquid in the separator tank has fallen to a point at or immediately below the intake of the inlet tube, the flow of liquid ceases and a flow of gas commences under the pressures involved. Gas entering the inlet tube and passing into the separator valve is directed upwardly against the bottom surface of the floating disc, thence radially outwardly and downwardly through circumferential groove and downward passages. The flow of the gas is at high velocity.

lnstantaneously'with the flow of gas there develops a reduced pressure beneath the surface of the disc. This is overbalanced by the pressures existing above the surface of the disc, that is, within the upper chamber, with the result that the disc snaps down and blocks the further flow of gas. The action involved is the known Bernoulli effect." The floating disc maintains its closed position under the action of the upper chamber pressure acting on the entire upper surface of the disc as against the pressure on the lower surface acting only on the smaller surface in communication with the rising passage of the valve body. When the liquid in the separator tank again rises, liquid then enters the valve, forcing the disc upwardly and permitting the flow of liquid through the valve and to the exterior, as described above.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings, illustrating a preferred embodiment of our invention:

FIG. 1 presents a vertical sectional view of a separator tank as employed in the pipeline of a natural gas field with indication of a connection, with intake funnel, leading exteriorly thereof to a separator valve and on to some further facility.

FIG. 2 shows, on enlarged scale, the intake funnel of FIG. 1 with certains parts being broken away to better show others.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the funnel of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show elevation, largely in section and on enlarged scale, of the separator valve shown in FIG. 1 with the valve in two differing positions of operation.

FIGS. 6 and 7, respectively, are end and plan views with certain portions being shown in section of the valve shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, as respectively taken along the lines 6-6 and 77 of FIG. 5.

FIGS. 8 and 9, respectively, are end view and longitudinal section view of the valve as taken along the lines 8-8 and 99 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 is a detached view of the floating disc employed in the valve of our invention as seen from the underside, and finally,

FIGS. 11 and 12, respectively, are elevation, largely in section, and end views of an alternate embodiment of the valve of our invention.

Like reference characters denote like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now more particularly to the practice of our invention, and directing attention to FIG. 1 of the drawings, we employ a separator tank 10 which conveniently is mounted horizontally with appropriate incoming and outgoing gas lines (not shown). Tank 10 is provided with a protuberance 10a supplied with mounting flange 10b and sight glass 100.

An inlet tube 11 passing through flange 10b is maintained in proper horizontal position with inlet funnel 12 extending downwardly and in communication with the liquid 13 within the tank. Funnel 12 is maintained on inlet tube 11 by way of

suitable couplings

12a and 11a (see also FIG. 2) and retards any whirlpool effect, thus restricting the flow of gas into the inlet tube during the liquid cycle of operation. The funnel is conveniently provided with an entering screen 12b across its mouth as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 to exclude foreign matter of solid form, e.g., sand,- rust, scale or the like.

Gas within tank 10 is at substantial pressure, this on the order of some 20 to 1000 pounds per square inch, ordinarily about 200 to 400 psi. The liquid in tank 10 is forced into funnel l2, thence by way of inlet tube 11 on to the separator valve 14 and dump line 15 to a receiving tank (not shown) or otherwise to the exterior where atmospheric pressures obtain. The pressure differences across the separator valve thus are on the order of some 5 to almost 1000 psi, or more particularly, almost 200 to about 400 psi. With excessive pressure drop across the valve, there results a drop in temperature a drop in pressure of about 100 psi causes a drop in temperature of about F.), with the formation of water and possible freezing.

Now separator valve 14 (see FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9) comprises a body portion 16, conveniently. fashioned of stainless steel, with inlet chamber 16a, head chamber 16b and outlet chamber 160. Fluid (either liquid or gas) enters valve 14 by way of inlet tube 11 suitably connecting with the inlet or entering chamber 16a by way of coupling 17. Chamber 16a is large and of substantial dimension. Letting off of chamber 16a is an upwardly slanting passage 16d of reduced dimension, this communicating with a vertical rising passage 16e which conducts the fluid upwardly. This construction minimizes turbulence and, moreover, serves to eliminate the likelihood of gas entrapment at the top of chamber 16a.

Seated atop the vertical rising passage l6e isa floating disc 18, against which is presented a solid column of liquid. This disc is of somewhat smaller dimension that that of the upper or head chamber 16b, so as to allow-a small space 19 between the outer edge of disc 18 and walls 16b of the upper chamber. Disc 18 (see FIG. 10) is provided with a plurality of circumferential grooves 18a and 18b on the under surface thereof, the function of which is more particularly indicated hereinafter. 7

With floating disc 18 seating atop the vertical rising passage 16c, any flow of gas, liquid or mixtures of the same is initially blocked from entering the circumferential groove 16f provided in the valve body and centering around the rising passage 16c. The circumferential passage itself communicates with a plurality of downwardly extending passages (see FIG. 7) which, for a best combination of results, are in the form of

twin passages

16g and 16g, located on one side of rising passage l6e and further twin passages 16h and 16h, located on the other side of the rising passage. The paired twin passages serve to minimize turbulent effects at the critical point just below disc 18 and provide balance to the activation of this disc and, respectively, communicate with further passages l6i and l6j (see FIG. 6). These let into outlet chamber 16c formed in the valve body (see FIG. 4).

Oil or gas finding its way to the outlet chamber, as described hereinafter, is restricted in its outward flow by way of orifice disc 20 maintained in position by way of coupling Zia-21b threadedly engaging the body of

valve

14 and 16k. Disc 20 is provided with a central orifice opening 20a of a size dimensioned according to the quantity and the proportion of gas and liquid coming from the gas well. The orifice disc serves to provide a back-pressure on the hydrocarbon so that it will remain in a liquid state. As noted above, at the usual temperatures of valve operation, a pressure in excess of a critical minimum figure must be maintained, for otherwise the liquid hydrocarbon flashes over to the gaseous state and the valve closes prematurely. In operation, a series of orifice discs 20 are available with differing dimensions of orifice 20a. For wells with a high proportion of condensate, distillate or the like, or of the heavier hydrocarbons, a disc of larger orifice dimension is selected, whereas, for a well producing a lesser proportion of liquid, or of lighter hydrocarbons, a disc with smaller orifice is employed. The orifice serves to achieve a desired backpressure; it is not intended to control the volume of liquid passing through the valve. For example, with 66 gravity fluid, a l/32 inch orifice conveniently is employed, for with a smaller orifice the separator valve very well may fail to open and the liquid then may be carried to the consumer along with the gas.

Now liquid entering separator valve 14 from separator tank 11 by way of funnel 12, line 11, proceeds to enlarged chamber 16a, upwardly slanting passage 16d and vertical rising passage 16c, as generally described above, and impinges on the lower central surface of the disc 18. The force is sufficient to sharply move disc 18 in an upwardly direction (see FIG. 5), the disc striking nub 22a of control head 22 threadedly engaging the valve body 16, as at l6m-22b, with o-ring 23 assuring a tight seal. The liquid then flows radially outwardly and into the circumferential groove 16f, thence downwardly through the paired twin passages l6gg and 16hh to the paired passages 161' and 16 (see FIG. 9) communicating with outlet chamber 16c. And from the outlet chamber the liquid passes through orifice 20a and line 15 to the exterior, that is, to a suitable storage tank (not shown) or other facility.

Some small bit of fluid is inclined to pass around the exterior periphery of floating disc 18 and into the head chamber 16b. The amount, of course, is insignificant.

The flow from tank 10 continues until the surface of liquid 13 falls to the level of the inlet and screen 12b of funnel 12. It is at this point that gas under pressure in the upper portions of tank 10 then tends to enter funnel 12, line 11, thence to entering chamber 16a of valve 14 and out through slanting passage 16d, vertical rising passage 16:: to the floating disc 18. And with the flow of this gas under pressure, gas striking the disc is inclined to proceed radially outwardly and into the circumferential groove 16f, downwardly through twin passages to the further passage and on to outlet chamber 16c and through orifice 20a.to the exterior. With the outward flow of gas in striking the bottom of disc 18 a self-cleaning action is effected, as noted above. A very small portion may tend to proceed around the outer periphery of disc 18 and into the upper or head chamber 16b. In any event, however, the pressures in rising passage and head chamber are momentarily equalized.

Almost instantaneously with the flow of gas in the manner indicated, the pressure on the under surface of disc 18 is sharply reduced because of the Bernoulli effect, and the disc snaps down to block any further flow of gas. The action results from a combination of the reduced pressure on the underside of the disc and the pressures normally obtaining on the upper side of the disc. The disc tends to remain in the closed position because the pressures on the upper side of the disc act throughout the entire upper surface, whereas the pressure on the lower side acts solely on the small area communicating with the vertical rising passage.

Any turbulence resulting from the rapid flow of gas through the valve is minimized by way of concentric grooves 18a and 18b provided on the lower surface of disc 18. We find that the disc rises more uniformly than where there is employed a disc with plain lower surface.

Disc 18 is maintained in its downward position, that is, in the position closing off the passage 162 until such time as the pressures above and below the disc become equalized or until such time as the level of the liquid in tank 10 rises up to or above the entrance of funnel 12. As to the former situation, the pressures obtaining in head chamber 16b are relieved somewhat by way of a finite groove 18c on the under surface of disc 18 (see FIG. 10). Gas in chamber 16b gradually is bled by way of finite groove 180 into circular groove l6fand thence to the exterior by way of the downward passages 16gg and l6h-h, communicating passages l6i and l6j, outlet chamber 16c, orifice 20a and outlet line 15. A self-cleaning action here too is had. When the pressures become equalized, or the outlet pressure falls below that of the inlet, the disc snaps up, that is the valve suddenly is opened and the gas cycle repeats itself as discussed above. The valve closes when the control head pressure amounts to about 40 percent of the inlet pressure; it opens when the head pressure falls to about 23 percent of the inlet pressure.

And as to the situation where the level ofliquid in the tank rises up to or above the mouth of funnel l2, liquid enters the valve and is freely passed therethrough by way of the lift of disc 18, as also more particularly discussed above. The amount of gas so relieved adds but an insignificant amount to the oil passed into the exterior tank or other facility.

While the best combination of operating characteristics is had with the separator valve of our invention having an upwardly slanting passage leading off from the inlet chamber, as described above, good results are had with a valve of modified or alternate construction in which the passage of reduced size lets in horizontally to the vertical rising passage.

Giving attention to the alternate embodiment as shown in FIG. 11, separator valve 34, with valve body 36, inlet chamber 360, head chamber 36b, and outlet chamber 36c, communicates with tank 10 by way of inlet tube 11 and coupling 17. The inlet chamber 36a lets into the passage 36d of reduced size which in turn communicates with vertical rising passage 362, thence to a floating disc 38. Importantly, the upper wall surface of the reduced passage 36d is flush with the upper wall surface of the inlet chamber 36a as shown more particularly in FIG. 12. Any mixture of gas and oil fed into chamber 36a permits the gas to be floated up into the vertical rising passage 36e and against the disc 38. This construction assures a freedom from gas entrapment. Gas entrapment, we find, leads to erratic action of disc 38.

As a further modification of the construction of our separator valve, more fully discussed above, we provide an outlet orifice disc integral with a portion of the coupling threadedly engaging outlet line 15. Notably, we provide coupling part 41a threadedly engaging valve body 36 at 36k with part 41b threadedly engaging the outlet line 15. The portion 41b of the coupling is provided with a closed end portion 4112' with central orifice conveniently designated 50. Orifice 50 illustratively is shown as of greater dimension than orifice 20a of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, more particularly discussed above, this to accommodate gas and liquid drawn from the well in which a greater portion of liquid is present.

In conclusion, it will be seen that we provide in our invention a liquid separator system and apparatus in which the objects hereinbefore set forth are effectively achieved. In our system and apparatus, there is had reliable and effective separation of condensate, distillate and foreign matter from gas drawn from a well before passing the gas on to a consumer-purchaser. Additionally, we provide a separator valve which reliably and automatically separates liquid from gas, which valve is comparatively light in weight, easy to install and inexpensive to maintain.

Since many embodiments may be made of our invention and since various changes may be made in the embodiments described above, it is to be understood that all matter described herein, or shown in the accompanying drawings, is to be taken as illustrative and not by way of limitation.

We claim:

1. In apparatus for separating out any liquid from the gas in natural gas field operations, the combination comprising a line from said gas field; a horizontally disposed separator tank connecting therewith; a liquid separator valve connecting with said tank; and tube with inlet portion positioned within said tank midway between top and bottom thereof having an outlet portion connecting with said valve, said separator valve including a body portion with head chamber, large entering chamber with smaller vertical rising passage communicating therewith, a circumferential groove about said rising passage, downwardly extending passages communicating with said circumferential groove and on opposite sides thereof, an outlet chamber communicating with said downwardly extending passages, a floating disc within said head chamber and seating atop said rising passage, and an outlet fitting with central interchangeable restricted orifice therein secured to said valve body portion and communicating with said outlet chamber.

2. In natural gas field operations, a valve for separating out any liquid from the natural gas comprising a body portion with head chamber, large entering chamber, a passage of smaller dimensions slanting upwardly from the top interior surface of said entering chamber, vertical rising passage communicating therewith, a circumferential groove about said rising passage, a plurality of downwardly extending passages, these being spaced on opposite sides of said rising passage and communicating with said circumferential groove, a further passage communicating with said oppositely spaced downwardly extending passages, and an enlarged outlet chamber communicating with said further passage; a floating disc within said head chamber seating atop said rising passage and normally closing off communication between rising passage and circumferential groove; and interchangeable outlet fitting means, with restricted orifice, secured to said body portion and communicating with said outlet chamber.

3. A valve for separating gas from liquid found in natural gas comprising a body portion with head chamber, large entering chamber with inward passage of reduced size taking off from the upper interior surface of the same and smaller vertical rising passage communicating with said inward passage of reduced size, a circumferential groove about said rising passage, a plurality of downwardly extending twin passages, these being spaced on opposite sides of said rising passage and communicating with said circumferential groove, a further passage communicating with said oppositely spaced downwardly extending passages, and an enlarged outlet chamber communicationg with said further passage; a floating disc within said head chamber seating atop said rising passage and normally closing off communication between rising passage and circumferential groove; and interchangeable outlet fitting means, with restricted orifice, secured to said body portion and communicating with said outlet chamber.

4. A valve for separating gas from liquid found in natural gas comprising a body portion with head chamber, large entering chamber and smaller vertical rising passage communicating therewith at top thereof, a circumferential groove about said rising passage, two pair of downwardly extending passages, these being spaced on opposite sides of said rising passage and communicating with said circumferential groove, a further passage communicating with said oppositely spaced downwardly extending passages; a floating disc within said head chamber seating atop said rising passage and nor mally closing off communication between said rising passage and circumferential groove; and interchangeable outlet fitting means, with restricted orifice, secured to said body portion and communicating with said further passage, said floating disc being provided with a plurality of circumferential grooves on the bottom surface thereof.

5. A valve for separating gas from liquid comprising a body portion with head chamber, large entering chamber and smaller vertical rising passage directly communicating therewith at the top thereof, a circumferential groove about said rising passage, two pair of downwardly extending passages, these being spaced on opposite sides of said rising passage and communicating with said circumferential groove, a further passage communicating with said downwardly extending passages; a floating disc within said head chamber seating atop said rising passage and normally closing off communication between rising passage and circumferential groove; an outlet fitting communicationg with the exterior threadedly engaging said body portion of the valve and communicating with said further passage; and an interchangeable disc, with restricted orifice, removably positioned between said further passage and said outlet fitting.

6. A valve for separating gas from liquid comprising a body portion with head chamber, large entering chamber and smaller vertical rising passage communicating therewith at the upper interior surface thereof, a circumferential groove about said rising passage, a plurality of pairs of downwardly extending passages, the pairs being spaced on opposite sides of said rising passage and communicating with said circumferential groove, a corresponding plurality of further passages communicating with said downwardly extending passages, and an outlet chamber connecting with said further passages; a floating disc within said head chamber seating atop said rising passage and normally closing off communication between said rising passage and circumferential groove; and an interchangeable outlet fitting, with integral restricted orifice, secured to said body portion and communicating with said outlet chamber.

7. A valve for separating gas from liquid comprising a body portion with head chamber, large entering chamber, a passage of smaller dimension slanting upwardly from the top interior surface of said entering chamber, vertical rising passage communicating therewith, a circumferential groove about said rising passage, a plurality of pairs of downwardly extending passages, the pairs being spaced on opposite'sides of said rising passage and'communicating with said circumferential groove, a corresponding plurality of further passages communicating with said downwardly extending passages, and an enlarged outlet chamber communicating with said further passages; a floating disc within said head chamber seating atop said rising passage and closing off communication between rising passage and circumferential groove; and interchangeable outlet fitting means, with restricted orifice, secured to said body portion and communicating with said outlet chamber, said floating disc being provided with a plurality of circumferential grooves on the bottom surface thereof and a radial slot extending across said grooves and outwardly to the edge of said disc.

Claims

4. A valve for separating gas from liquid found in natural gas comprising a body portion with head chamber, large entering chamber and smaller vertical rising passage communicating therewith at top thereof, a circumferential groove about said rising passage, two pair of downwardly extending passages, these being spaced on opposite sides of said rising passage and communicating with said circumferential groove, a further passage communicating with said oppositely spaced downwardly extending passages; a floating disc within said head chamber seating atop said rising passage and normally closing off communication between said rising passage and circumferential groove; and interchangeable outlet fitting means, with restricted orifice, secured to said body portion and communicating with said further passage, said floating disc being provided with a plurality of circumferential grooves on the bottom surface thereof.

7. A valve for separating gas from liquid comprising a body portion with head chamber, large entering chamber, a passage of smaller dimension slanting upwardly from the top interior surface of said entering chamber, vertical rising passage communicating therewith, a circumferential groove about said rising passage, a plurality of pairs of downwardly extending passages, the pairs being spaced on opposite sides of said rising passage and communicating with said circumferential groove, a corresponding plurality of further passages communicating with said downwardly extending passages, and an enlarged outlet chamber communicating with said further passages; a floating disc within said head chamber seating atop said rising passage and closing off communication between rising passage and circumferential groove; and interchangeable outlet fitting means, with restricted orifice, secured to said body portion and communicating with said outlet chamber, said floating disc being provided with a plurality of circumferential grooves on the bottom surface thereof and a radial slot extending across said grooves and outwardly to the edge of said disc.