A combined degassing and flotation tank for separation of a water influent
containing considerable amounts of oil and gas. A rotational flow is
created in the tank which forces the lighter components such as oil and
gas droplets towards an inner concentric cylindrical wall where they
coalesce and rise to the surface of the liquid and are removed via the
outlet. The heavier parts are forced down where the heavy particles sink
to the lower part where they can be removed as a sludge. The water is
discharged via an outlet in the lower part of the tank. The combined
degassing and flotation tank is particular suited for use in oil
production at sea for removal of oil and gases from water streams before
the water is returned to the sea.