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(Redirected from Production separator)
A 'separator' for petroleum production is a large drum designed to separate production fluids into their constituent components of oil, gas and water. It works on the principle that the three components have different densities, which allows them to stratify when moving slowly with gas on top, water on the bottom and oil in the middle. Any solids such as sand will also settle in the bottom of the separator.
Gas can be removed from the top of the drum by virtue of being gas. Oil and water are separated by a baffle at the end of the separator, which is set at a height close to the oil-water contact, allowing oil to spill over onto the other side, while trapping water on the near side. The two fluids can then be piped out of the separator from their respective sides of the baffle.

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See also

See also

★ Natural gas condensate

★ Oil production plant

★ Petroleum