Apparatus for generating an antifoam spray curtain in a liquid and gas separating vessel

A method and apparatus for generating an antifoam spray curtain in a liquid and gas separating vessel comprises a plurality of spray nozzles 24 configured to generate a substantially horizontal curtain of liquid droplets 14 at a predetermined level so as to suppress and/or contain a foam layer 20 below the curtain. The apparatus may be incorporated in a liquid and gas separating vessel such as an oil and gas separator 10. The separator may have a gas space 16 above a liquid (oil) level 18 and the foam layer 20 forms on top of the liquid. Preferably two parallel liquid manifolds 22 include a number of the horizontally directed spray nozzles 24. The manifolds 22 may be arranged above the liquid level 18 in the gas space 16 and project across a width of the separator 10 such that liquid droplets emerging from the spray nozzles 24 generate a horizontal curtain 14 substantially across the entire width of the separator. Advantageously the apparatus is more effective at suppressing foam than a system in which liquid droplets are sprayed vertically downward from a height.