WO2015084879A1

WO2015084879A1 - Coalescing device and methods for use of the same

Info

Publication number: WO2015084879A1
Application number: PCT/US2014/068218
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kevin E. Collier
Original assignee: Collier Group, Inc.
Priority date: 2013-12-02
Filing date: 2014-12-02
Publication date: 2015-06-11

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods for coalescing fluids are disclosed. In one non- limiting embodiment, a device includes a fluid inlet in communication with a plurality of spaced apart chambers each extending between a first end and an opposite second end. In this embodiment at least one of the chambers includes a vane structured to influence rotation of a fluid received from the fluid inlet and a tapered portion positioned between the vane and the second end. Additional and/or alternative embodiments, forms, features and aspects are disclosed herein.

Description

COALESCING DEVICE AND METHODS FOR USE OF THE SAME

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/910,731, filed December 2, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure generally relates to the processing of a fluid, and more particularly but not exclusively, to devices and methods for coalescing a fluid in order to help facilitate separation of the fluid into its base components. Many operations involve fluids which may need to be coalesced and coalescing the fluids may be desired for a variety of reasons. Coalescence of fluids may facilitate processing such as purification and/or separation into different fractions of components from which the non-processed fluid is composed. The composition of a non-processed fluid may vary, but in some forms, for example, it may be composed of hydrocarbons, water, solids, and/or gases.

The claimed subject matter is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate examples of where the present disclosure may be utilized.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure generally relates to the coalescing of a fluid, and more particularly but not exclusively to devices, systems and methods for coalescing fluids.

In one non-limiting embodiment, a device includes a fluid inlet in communication with a plurality of spaced apart chambers each extending between a first end and an opposite second end. In this embodiment at least one of the chambers includes a vane structured to influence rotation of a fluid received from the fluid inlet and a tapered portion positioned between the vane and the second end.

In another non-limiting embodiment, a device includes a manifold member with a fluid inlet in communication with a manifold chamber and a plurality of chambers in communication with the manifold chamber and configured to receive a fluid passed into the manifold chamber from the fluid inlet. In this embodiment each of the chambers includes a lateral opening configured to receive fluid from the fluid inlet and to induce a rotational force on a fluid received from the manifold chamber.

In yet another non-limiting embodiment, a method of coalescing a fluid may include directing the fluid into a coalescing device including at least one chamber and a tapered portion in the at least one chamber. The method also includes inducing rotational flow of the fluid inside the at least one chamber and accelerating rotation of the rotating fluid at the tapered portion. In this embodiment the method includes passing the rotating fluid into at least one elongate conduit in fluid communication with the at least one chamber. In one aspect, the rotational flow coalesces the rotating fluid to form a first fraction, a second fraction and a third fraction in the at least one elongate conduit. In another aspect, the first fraction includes hydrocarbons and is positioned toward a center of the at least one elongate conduit, the second fraction includes water and is positioned laterally of the first fraction, and the third fraction includes solids and is positioned laterally of the second fraction.

In alternative embodiments, devices and methods for coalescing fluids are disclosed.

This Summary introduces a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential characteristics of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice. The features and advantages may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary operating environment of a coalescing device.

Figures 2A-2C are perspective views of an embodiment of a coalescing device. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a manifold of the coalescing device of Figures

2A-2C.

Figures 4A-4B are exploded perspective views of a chamber assembly of the coalescing device of Figures 2A-2C.

Figures 5A-5B are perspective and plan views, respectively, of a portion of the chamber assembly of the coalescing device of Figures 2A-2C.

Figures 6A-6B are perspective and plan views, respectively, of a portion of the chamber assembly of the coalescing device of Figures 2A-2C.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the chamber assembly of the coalescing device of Figures 2A-2C.

Figures 8A-8B are section views of a portion of the coalescing device taken along view line 8A/8B-8A/8B of Figure 2A.

Figure 9 is a section view of a portion of the coalescing device taken along view line 9-9 of Figure 2B.

Figure 10 is a perspective, schematic illustration of a portion of coalescing device of Figures 2A-2C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For purposes of promoting an understanding of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the following embodiments and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the described subject matter, and such further applications of the disclosed principles as described herein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the disclosure. It is to be understood that the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a component surface" includes reference to one or more of such surfaces.

The present disclosure generally relates to processing fluids, and more particularly but not exclusively to a coalescing device that may be included in a fluid processing system. For example, Figure 1 provides a schematic illustration of a non-limiting example of a system 10 for processing fluids and that includes a coalescing device. In one form, the system 10 is configured to process a fluid that may include hydrocarbons, water, solids, and/or gases.

The system 10 includes a pump 40 in fluid connection with a coalescing device

50. The pump 40 receives the fluid and accelerates the fluid into the coalescing device 50. The coalescing device 50 imparts rotational flow on the fluid such that the fluid begins to coalesce into fractions. The coalesced fluid travels from the coalescing device 50 to a separation tank 60. Inside the separation tank 60, the fluid may further develop different fractions.

A first fraction 66 of the fluid travels out of the separation tank 60 and is directed to the pump 40 to be further processed by the coalescing device 50 and the separation tank 60. A second fraction 64 which may be composed more predominantly of water exits the separation tank 60 and travels to a rotary electro-coagulator 70. A third fraction 62 which may be composed more predominantly of hydrocarbons exits the separation tank 60 through an outlet.

The second fraction 64 travels from the separation tank 60 to the rotary electro coagulator 70, which further processes the second fraction 64 of the fluid. The processed fluid travels from the rotary electro coagulator 70 to vacuum clarifiers 80 and 82. Portions of the fluid exit the vacuum clarifiers 80 and 82 and travel through a first filter 90, a second filter 94, and/or a third filter 98.

The system 10 illustrates an example of an operating environment of the coalescing device 50. However, the coalescing device 50 may be operated in other operating environments and/or other systems for processing fluids.

Turning to Figures 2A-2C, which illustrate perspective views of one non-limiting embodiment of the coalescing device 50, further details of the coalescing device 50 will be provided. In the illustrated form, the device 50 includes a manifold 100 and a chamber assembly 500. The manifold 100 includes a manifold inlet 102 configured to permit fluid to enter into the device 50 and a manifold inlet flange 104. As illustrated, the chamber assembly 500 is formed of a first portion 200, a second portion 300, and a third portion 400 stacked and coupled one on top of another. The first portion 200 includes cyclone outlets 210 oriented transversely to the manifold inlet 102. Fluid injection ports 202 are positioned on the first portion 200 and fluid injection ports 402 are positioned on the third portion 400. For the sake of clarity, only some of the fluid injection ports 202, the fluid injection ports 402, and the cyclone outlets 210 are labeled in the Figures.

As illustrated for example in Figure 2C, channels 114, 116 and 118 extend through the manifold 100 to facilitate coupling of the manifold 100 to the chamber assembly 500 with a number of fasteners, although alternative coupling arrangements are contemplated. Channels 214 and 216 extend through the first portion 200 and correspond to channels 114 and 116 of the manifold 100. Channels 418 extend through the third portion 400 and correspond to channels 118 of the manifold 100. As illustrated, the channels 114, 116 and 118 of the manifold 100 may be aligned with corresponding channels 214, 216, and 418 and the manifold 100 may be coupled to the chamber assembly 500 by any suitable fastener such as a bolt. For the sake of clarity, only a portion of the channels 114, 116, 118, 214, 216, and 418 are labeled in the Figures.

With continued reference to Figure 2C, the chamber assembly 500 includes lateral openings 302 defined by the second portion 300. Each of the lateral openings 302 corresponds to a chamber that will be described in further detail below.

Turning now to Figure 3, the manifold 100 will be described in further detail.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the manifold 100. As illustrated, the manifold 100 includes a manifold chamber 106 in fluid communication with the manifold inlet 102. Stated alternatively, when present a fluid may flow freely from the manifold inlet 102 to the manifold chamber 106. The manifold chamber 106 is configured to distribute fluid travelling through the manifold 100 to the lateral openings 302 of the second portion 300. The manifold 100 includes support members 108 positioned around channels 116 and configured to provide structural support to the manifold chamber 106 and the manifold 100.

Further details of the chamber assembly 500 are provided in connection with

Figures 4A-4B. Figures 4A-4B are exploded perspective views of the chamber assembly 500 of the coalescing device 50. As illustrated, the first portion 200 defines first chamber portions 206, the second portion 300 defines second chamber portions 306, and the third portion 400 defines third chamber portions 406. Collectively, the first chamber portions 206, the second chamber portions 306 and the third chamber portions 406 form chambers 506 (see for example Figure 8A-8B), that will be discussed in further detail below. The first portion 200 includes flanges 204 corresponding to flange recesses 308 on the second portion 300. Similarly, the third portion 400 includes flanges 404 corresponding to flange recesses 304 on the second portion 300. The flanges 204, 404 and corresponding flange recesses 204, 304 contribute to coupling the first, second and third portions 200, 300, 400 to one another and to seal the chambers of the chamber assembly 500.

As illustrated, channels 222, 322, and 422 extend through the chamber assembly 500 to couple the first portion 200, the second portion 300 and the third portion 400 to one another. As illustrated, the channels 222, 322, and 422 may be aligned with one another and the first portion 200, the second portion 300 and the third portion 400 may be coupled to one another by any suitable fastener such as a bolt received in these channels. For the sake of clarity, only a portion of the channels 222, 322, and 422 have been labeled in the Figures.

With reference to Figures 5A-5B, the second portion 300 will be described in further detail. As illustrated, the second portion 300 includes a vane 312 which is configured to induce rotational flow in fluid travelling through the lateral opening 302 as represented by the arrows shown in Figure 5B. In the illustrated form, the vane 312 partially occludes the lateral opening 302 and defines a channel 310 narrower than the lateral opening 302. Fluid travelling from the lateral opening 302 to the narrower channel 310 is accelerated in a rotational direction along the walls of the chamber 506.

The chambers 506 include a longitudinal axis 508 extending through the chambers 506 (see for example Figure 9). The lateral openings 302 include a longitudinal axis 314 extending transverse to the longitudinal axis 508 of the chambers 506. As illustrated for example in Figure 5B, the longitudinal axis 314 is offset from the longitudinal axis 508 such that the axes do not intersect. Such an offset configuration may induce rotational flow in addition to or independent to the vane 312. Specifically, in the illustrated configuration, for example, the offset configuration and the vane 312 both contribute to induce rotational flow.

In non-illustrated configurations, the vane 312 may be omitted and rotation flow in the fluid may be induced via the direction and/or positioning of the lateral opening 302 with respect to the cyclone chamber. For example, in one form, if the vane 312 is omitted in the configuration illustrated in Figure 5B, then the offset configuration of the lateral opening 302 may cause a rotational effect in the opposite direction of the arrows of Figure 5B. In the illustrated positioning of the lateral opening 302, the longitudinal axis 314 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 508. In non-illustrated configurations, the lateral opening 302 may be positioned such that the longitudinal axis 314 is transverse to, but not perpendicular to, the longitudinal axis 508. Such configurations may induce rotational flow or contribute to inducing rotational flow along with other features.

Turning now to Figures 6A-6B, the second portion 300 will be described in further detail. The outlet 210 is configured to receive an elongate conduit 220 (see for example Figure 9). Figure 6B illustrates the outlet 210 and the neck 208 in further detail. The neck 208 may interface with the conduit body 220 and prohibit the elongate conduit 220 from being inserted further into the outlet 210. The neck 208 and/or the outlet 210 may be configured to retain the elongate conduit 220 inside of the outlet 210. In non- illustrated configurations, the outlet 210 and the elongate conduit 220 may be threaded to fasten the elongate conduit 220 to the chamber assembly 500. In other configurations, the elongate conduit 220 may be coupled to the chamber assembly 500 with any suitable fastener.

Figure 7 illustrates the third portion 400 in further detail. As illustrated, the third portion 400 at least partially occludes the third chamber portion 406. In the illustrated form, the conduit 408 is positioned at the center of the third chamber portion 406, although other configurations are contemplated.

Figures 8A-8B are cross-sectional views of a portion of the chamber assembly 500. As illustrated, a plurality of chambers 506 are formed by first chamber portions 206, second chamber portions 306 and third chamber portions 406. An outlet 210 is positioned on a first end of each chamber 506 and a second end of each chamber 506 may be at least partially occluded by the third portion 400. As illustrated, each chamber includes a tapered portion 218 extending between a neck 208 and the corresponding second chamber portion 306.

A conduit 408 extends between each chamber and a corresponding fluid injection port 402. The fluid injection ports 402 permit a substance to be injected at a location adjacent to the second ends of the chambers 506. The fluid injection ports 202 permit a substance to be injected into the chambers at the tapered portion 218.

As illustrated for example in Figure 8B, the flanges 204 of the first portion 200 are sized and shaped to fit inside corresponding flange recesses 308 of the second portion 300. Similarly, the flanges 404 of the third portion 400 are sized and shaped to fit inside corresponding flange recesses 304 of the second portion 300. When the first portion 200, the second portion 300, and the third portion 400 are coupled to one another (as illustrated for example in Figure 8A), the flanges 204, 404 and corresponding flange recesses 308, 304 contribute to sealing the cyclone chambers 506.

Figure 9 illustrates a cross-sectional schematic view of an example fluid flowing through a portion of the device 50. In the illustrated form, the device 50 includes an elongate conduit 220 defined by a conduit body 228. As illustrated, the outlet 210 is sized and shaped to receive a first end 224 of the elongate conduit 220. The first end 224 of the elongate conduit 220 is received in the outlet 210 and coupled to the chamber assembly 500 at the first portion 200.

It is contemplated that device 50 may be used in connection with a variety of different fluids. However, for the sake of illustration, operation of the device 50 will be described with respect to a fluid that includes hydrocarbons, water and solids amongst other possible components. In some circumstances, at least some of the components of the fluid entering the device 50 are immiscible and homogenously (or semi- homogenously) dispersed in the fluid. For example, the fluid may include portions of hydrocarbons and solids particles dispersed in water.

The fluid including hydrocarbons, water, and solids is passed through the manifold inlet 102 and then dispersed into the manifold chamber 106 of the manifold 100. The manifold chamber 106 then distributes the fluid into the lateral openings 302 of the second portion 300. The configuration of the lateral openings 302 and the chambers 506 induces rotational flow inside of the chamber as represented by cyclone 234. The rotating fluid then passes through the tapered portion 218 which promotes enhanced rotational forces and rotational acceleration of the fluid.

The rotating fluid then travels through the outlet 210 into the elongate conduit 220 and begins to coalesce based on the properties of the fluid. These properties include, for example, viscosity, density, phase, velocity, miscibility, solubility and particle diameter. Coalescing is also affected by other factors such as rotational forces within the chamber and the elongate conduit 220 and flow characteristics of the fluid. In some circumstances, coalescing of the fluid is primarily driven by density differences of the components and the rotational forces.

Certain components of the fluid, such as solids 230, tend to travel outward in the elongate conduit 220. Other components of the fluid, such as oil 232, tend to travel toward the center of the elongate conduit 220. Other components of the fluid, such as water 236, tend to be positioned in between the oil and solids fractions. The coalescing may include combining the dispersed portions of hydrocarbons into larger hydrocarbon portions and combining the dispersed solids particles into larger solids portions.

As coalescing continues, the rotating fluid coalesces into a first fraction 232, a second fraction 236, and a third fraction 230. The first fraction 232 generally includes hydrocarbons and is positioned toward a center of the elongate conduit 220. The second fraction 236 generally includes water and is positioned laterally of or toward the body 228 of the conduit 220 relative to the first fraction 232. The third fraction 230 generally includes solids and is positioned proximate the conduit body 228 and exterior to the second fraction 232. As the rotating fluid continues to travel through the elongate conduit 220, the coalescing of the first, second, and third fractions 232, 236, 230 continues and the rotational speed of the cyclone 234 decreases. The coalesced fluid including the first, second, and third fractions 232, 236, 230 may travel from the device 50 into the separation tank 60 of Figure 1 or to another component in an alternative system. The device 50 positioned upstream of the separation tank 60 may increase the separation efficiency of the separation tank 60.

With continued reference to Figure 9, the device 50 includes a conduit 212 extending between the cyclone chamber and the fluid injection port 202. As discussed above, the fluid injection port 202 permits a substance to be injected into a respective chamber 506 at the tapered portion 218 and the fluid injection port 402 permits a substance to be injected at a location adjacent to the second end of the chamber. In some applications, the substance injected through the fluid injection port 202 may be an emulsion breaking substance and/or the substance injected through the fluid injection port 402 may be an agglomerating substance. When an agglomerating substance is used, it is contemplated that at least a portion of it will travel to the third fraction 230, and when the emulsion breaking substance is used, it is contemplated that at least a portion of it will travel to the first fraction 232. The agglomerating substance and/or the emulsion breaking substance may contribute to the coalescence of the fluid.

As discussed above, the chamber 506 includes the longitudinal axis 508 extending there through. In the illustrated form, the conduit 408 is positioned at the center of the third chamber portion 406 such that the longitudinal axis 508 extends through the center of the conduit 408. The lateral opening 302 includes a longitudinal axis 314 extending through the center of the lateral opening 302. As illustrated, the longitudinal axis 508 is extending orthogonally to the longitudinal axis 314, although other configurations are contemplated, including forms where the axes extend transversely but not orthogonally to one another. Fluid injection port 202 includes a longitudinal axis 226 extending through the center of the fluid injection port 202. As illustrated, the longitudinal axis 226 is extending orthogonally to the longitudinal axis 508, although other configurations are contemplated including forms where the axes extend transversely but not orthogonally to one another.

The positioning of the first, second, and third fractions 232, 236, 230 may increase the effectiveness of the agglomerating substance and/or the emulsion breaking substance. In one aspect, the positioning of the fluid injection port 402 at the center of the chamber 506 may facilitate delivering the emulsion breaking substance to the first fraction 232. In another aspect, the positioning of the fluid injection port 202 at the edge of the chamber 506 and/or at the tapered portion 218 may facilitate delivering the agglomerating substance to the third fraction 230.

Figure 10 illustrates a portion of the chamber assembly 500 in further detail. As illustrated, the channels 214 extend through the first portion 200, and the channels 418 extend through the third portion 300. Similarly, channels 422, 322, and 222 are aligned and extend through the chamber assembly 500 to couple the first portion 200, the second portion 300, and the third portion 400 to one another.

The chamber assembly 500 may be formed out of a solid material, such as metal, by any suitable formation technique, for example, casting and/or machining. Although the illustrated embodiment of the chamber assembly 500 is formed of the first portion 200, the second portion 300, and the third portion 400, in non-illustrated embodiments the chamber assembly 500 and/or the manifold 100 may be formed out of a single member. The features of the device 50 may be formed by machining or drilling the single member. In one non-limiting embodiment, a device includes a fluid inlet in communication with a plurality of spaced apart chambers each extending between a first end and an opposite second end. In this embodiment at least one of the chambers includes a vane structured to influence rotation of a fluid received from the fluid inlet and a tapered portion positioned between the vane and the second end.

In one form of this embodiment, each of the plurality of chambers includes a vane structured to influence rotation of a fluid received from the fluid inlet and a tapered positioned portion between the vane and the second end.

In another form of this embodiment, the fluid inlet extends transversely to a longitudinal axis of the spaced apart chambers.

In yet another form of this embodiment, the spaced apart chambers each include a lateral opening configured to receive a fluid from the fluid inlet. In one aspect of this form, the vane of the at least one chamber is positioned in-line with and extends across a portion of the lateral opening.

In still another form of this embodiment, the device includes a first fluid injection port structured to facilitate injection of a fluid into the at least one chamber at a location adjacent to the vane. In one aspect of this form, the fluid injection port extends transversely to a flow path entering the at least one chamber. In another aspect of this form, the device includes a second fluid injection port structured to facilitate injection of a fluid into the at least one chamber at a location downstream of the vane. In yet another aspect of this form, the second fluid injection port extends transversely to the first fluid injection port.

In yet another form of this embodiment, the second end of each of the plurality of chambers is configured to facilitate discharge of a fluid from the device.

In still another form of this embodiment, the at least one chamber includes a cylindrical portion positioned between the tapered portion and the second end.

In yet another form of this embodiment, the fluid inlet is positioned in a manifold member. In one aspect of this form, the manifold member includes a manifold chamber in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and each of the plurality of chambers.

In yet another non-limiting embodiment, a method of coalescing a fluid includes directing the fluid into a coalescing device including at least one chamber and a tapered portion in the at least one chamber. In this embodiment the method includes inducing rotational flow of the fluid inside the at least one chamber and accelerating rotation of the rotating fluid at the tapered portion. The method also includes passing the rotating fluid into at least one elongate conduit in fluid communication with the at least one chamber. In one aspect, the rotational flow coalesces the rotating fluid to form a first fraction, a second fraction and a third fraction in the at least one elongate conduit. In another aspect, the first fraction includes hydrocarbons and is positioned toward a center of the at least one elongate conduit, the second fraction includes water and is positioned laterally of the first fraction, and the third fraction includes solids and is positioned laterally of the second fraction.

In one form of this embodiment, the method includes injecting an emulsion breaking substance into the fluid and at least a portion of the emulsion breaking substance travels to the first fraction.

In another form of this embodiment, the method includes injecting an agglomerating substance into the fluid and at least a portion of the agglomerating substance travels to the third fraction.

In yet another form of this embodiment, the method includes discharging the first fraction, the second fraction and the third fraction into a separation tank.

In alternative embodiments, device and methods and for coalescing fluids are disclosed.

The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the disclosure is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A device, comprising:

a fluid inlet in communication with a plurality of spaced apart chambers each extending between a first end and an opposite second end, wherein at least one of the chambers includes a vane structured to influence rotation of a fluid received from the fluid inlet and a tapered portion positioned between the vane and the second end.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of chambers includes a vane structured to influence rotation of a fluid received from the fluid inlet and a tapered positioned portion between the vane and the second end.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the fluid inlet extends transversely to a longitudinal axis of the spaced apart chambers.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the spaced apart chambers each include a lateral opening configured to receive a fluid from the fluid inlet.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the vane of the at least one chamber is positioned in-line with and extends across a portion of the lateral opening.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a first fluid injection port structured to facilitate injection of a fluid into the at least one chamber at a location adjacent to the vane.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the fluid injection port extends transversely to a flow path entering the at least one chamber.

8. The device of claim 6, further comprising a second fluid injection port structured to facilitate injection of a fluid into the at least one chamber at a location downstream of the vane.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the second fluid injection port extends transversely to the first fluid injection port.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the second end of each of the plurality of chambers is configured to facilitate discharge of a fluid from the device.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one chamber includes a cylindrical portion positioned between the tapered portion and the second end.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the fluid inlet is positioned in a manifold member.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the manifold member includes a manifold chamber in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and each of the plurality of chambers.

14. A device, comprising:

a manifold member including a fluid inlet in communication with a manifold chamber; and

a plurality of chambers in communication with the manifold chamber and configured to receive a fluid passed into the manifold chamber from the fluid inlet;

wherein each of the chambers includes a lateral opening configured to receive fluid from the fluid inlet and to induce a rotational force on a fluid received from the manifold chamber.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein each of the chambers includes a tapered portion positioned downstream of the fluid inlet.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein each of the chambers includes a vane structured to enhance rotation of the fluid received from the manifold chamber.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the vane is positioned in-line with and extends across a portion of the lateral opening.

18. The device of claim 14, wherein each of the chambers includes a first fluid injection port structured to facilitate injection of a fluid into each of the chambers.

19. The device of claim 14, further comprising a plurality of elongate conduits configured to receive fluid from each of the chambers.

20. A method of coalescing a fluid including water, hydrocarbons and solids, comprising:

directing the fluid into a coalescing device including at least one chamber and a tapered portion in the at least one chamber;

inducing rotational flow of the fluid inside the at least one chamber and accelerating rotation of the rotating fluid at the tapered portion; and

passing the rotating fluid into at least one elongate conduit in fluid communication with the at least one chamber, wherein the rotational flow coalesces the rotating fluid to form a first fraction, a second fraction and a third fraction in the at least one elongate conduit;

wherein the first fraction includes hydrocarbons and is positioned toward a center of the at least one elongate conduit, the second fraction includes water and is positioned laterally of the first fraction, and the third fraction includes solids and is positioned laterally of the second fraction.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising injecting an emulsion breaking substance into the fluid, wherein at least a portion of the emulsion breaking substance travels to the first fraction.

22. The method of claim 20, further comprising injecting an agglomerating substance into the fluid, wherein at least a portion of the agglomerating substance travels to the third fraction.

23. The method of claim 20, further comprising discharging the first fraction, the second fraction and the third fraction into a separation tank.