A flow meter for measuring liquid and gaseous flow rates in a mixed fluid ow has one or more helical fins (17) positioned between a cylindrical sleeve (10) and a core member (11). Centrifugal effects resulting from fluid flow though channels (29) defined between fins (17) sleeve (10) and core (11) separate liquid and gaseous phases, and the gaseous phase passes through bores (28) in the core member (11) to a central cavity (19) substantially closed at an upstream end (12). Liquid flow rate is measured in a channel (16) between the sleeve (10) and core member (11) after removal therefrom of gas, and gaseous flow is measured at an open downstream end (14) of the cavity (19). Flow rates may be measured using, for example, venturis (16,32,33,27,30,31). After measurement of the flow rates the liquid and gaseous phases are allowed to remix.

A method and device for separating a continuous phase from at least one dispersed phase, with the phases having different densities. A mixture of the phases to be separated is supplied into a device including at least one cylindrical chamber vertically disposed and at least one static helically-shaped member is accommodated in the chamber. At least one face of the helically-shaped member is formed by a helicoidal surface. A maximum free path of a dispersed phase particle in a radial direction prior to colliding with the helically-shaped member is less than one quarter of a peripheral diameter of the member and, preferably, less than one tenth of an internal diameter of the chamber. The method and apparatus are capable of separating an aqueous phase from an organic phase such as, a petroleum fluid, with the mixture to be separated also possibly including a gaseous phase and a solid phase.

A gas separator connectable between the seating nipple/pump and the mud anchor of a well production line takes advantage of gravitational, shear and centrifugal forces to detrain gas from the formation fluid. An outer cylindrical tube is concentrically secured by upper and lower couplings in relation to an inner cylindrical tube having an axial flow passage and a plurality of radial perforations. The upper coupling is adapted for connection to the seating nipple/pump and the lower coupling is adapted for connection to the mud anchor. The couplings each have a passage therethrough to extend the inner tube axial flow passage in fluid communication between the pump and the mud anchor. The outer cylindrical tube has a plurality of inwardly downwardly centrifugally oriented passages for admitting liquid entrained with gas into an annulus between the tubes and for causing the admitted liquid to flow in a downward spiral in the annulus. The centrifugally oriented passages have irregular sawtooth surfaces extending inwardly downwardly and approximately tangentially in relation to the inner wall of the outer cylindrical tube so as to shear the gas from the fluid and centrifugally cause the gas to move inwardly and the oil and gas combinations to move outwardly in the annulus.

A water management system removes water vapor from the analyte slug that is desorbed from the trap. The water management system includes a device having a passage through which the volatile organic chemicals and water pass, the passage being designed to remove water vapor by swirling action on the stream. The amount of water removed is more than can be accounted for by simple condensation. The invention also includes the adjustment of the temperature of the water management device during the sample concentration cycle to prevent undesired condensation prior to desorption.

A water management system removes water vapor from the analyte slug that is desorbed from the trap. The water management system includes a device having a passage through which the volatile organic chemicals and water pass, the passage being designed to remove water vapor by swirling action on the stream. The amount of water removed is more than can be accounted for by simple condensation. The invention also includes the adjustment of the temperature of the water management device during the sample concentration cycle to prevent undesired condensation prior to desorption.