INDEX:

1
2
3
4
5
5A
5B
5C
5D
6
6A
6B
6C
6D

Discussion
Nomenclature
References
Standard Separator Sizes as per API
Separator sizing with mist extractor
Two Phase (Gas - Oil) Vertical Separator as per API 12J
Two Phase (Gas - Oil) Horizontal Separator as per API 12J
Three Phase (Gas - Oil - Water) Vertical Separator as per API 12J
Three Phase (Gas - Oil - Water) Horizontal Separator as per API 12J
Separator sizing without mist extractor
Two Phase (Gas - Oil) Vertical Separator As per Petroleum and Gas Field Processing
Two Phase (Gas - Oil) Horizontal Separator as per Petroleum and Gas Field Processing
Three Phase (Gas - Oil - Water) Vertical Separator as per Petroleum and Gas Field Processing
Three Phase (Gas - Oil - Water) Horizontal Separator as per Petroleum and Gas Field Processing

Prepared by:
Ajay S. Satpute
Sr. Process Engineer
Ramboll Consulting Engineering, Qatar

DISCUSSION

This spreadsheet provides an easy and simple approach to (2/3 phase and vertical/horizontal) separat
Formulae and references are also provided for process engineers to edit/duplicate this work (file is NO
password protected).

There is as much art as there is science to properly design a separator. Three main factors should be
considered in separator sizing:
1) vapor capacity, 2) Liquid capacity, and 3) operability.
The vapor capacity will determine the cross-sectional area necessary for gravitational forces t
the liquid from the vapor.
The liquid capacity is typically set by determining the volume required to provide adequate residence
de-gas the liquid or allow immiscible liquid phases to separate.
Operability issues includ
separators ability to deal with solids if present, unsteady flow/liquid slugs, turndown, etc. Finally, the
design will usually result in an aspect ratio that satisfies these requirements in a vessel of reasonable
These factors often result in an iterative approach to the calculations.

Two sets of calculations are carried out here.

1. Separators with Mist Extractors and
2. Separators without Mist Extractors
Several useful guidelines for separator design are provided below;
Momentum & Velocity criteria for nozzles (Source: DEP 31.22.05.12 - Gen.- 2008)
Inlet Nozzle
No Internal
Half open pipe
Schoepentoeter used as inlet device
Gas outlet Nozzle
Liquid outlet Nozzle
Selection guideline for separator types
System Characteristics
Large vapour, less liquid Load (by volume)
Large liquid, less vapour Load (by volume)
Large vapour, large liquid Load (by volume)
Liquid-liquid separation
Liquid-solid separation
Level setting in the separator
Level type

Level Alarm High High (LAHH)

Level Alarm High (LAH)
Normal Alarm Level (NAL)
Level Alarm Low (LAL)

Level Alarm Low Low (LALL)

Typical K factors for the sizing of wire mesh demisters (Source: IPS-E-PR-880, 1997)
Separator type
Horizontal (with vertical pad)
Spherical
Vertical or horizontal (with horizontal pad)
At atmospheric pressure
At 2100 kPa
At 4100 kPa
At 6200 kPa
At 10300 kPa
Wet steam
Most vapours under vacuum
Salt and caustic evaporators

INDEX

mple approach to (2/3 phase and vertical/horizontal) separator sizing.

d for process engineers to edit/duplicate this work (file is NOT

o properly design a separator. Three main factors should be

ity, and 3) operability.

e the cross-sectional area necessary for gravitational forces to remove

rmining the volume required to provide adequate residence time to

uid phases to separate.
Operability issues include the
esent, unsteady flow/liquid slugs, turndown, etc. Finally, the optimal
o that satisfies these requirements in a vessel of reasonable cost.
pproach to the calculations.

re.
nd
tractors

sign are provided below;

zzles (Source: DEP 31.22.05.12 - Gen.- 2008)
Momentum or Velocity Limit
Max. Momentum, m V2m 1400 Pa
Max. Momentum, m V2m 2100 Pa
Max. Momentum, m V2m 8000 Pa
Max. Momentum, g V2g,out 4500 Pa
Maximum velocity, 1 m/s

es
Type of Separator
Vertical
Horizontal
Horizontal
Horizontal
Vertical

Level setting

30 60 seconds or 200 mm whichever is greater

30 60 seconds or 200 mm whichever is greater
60% of horizontal separator
30 60 seconds or 200 mm whichever is greater
30 60 seconds or 200 mm whichever is greater Should be
at least 200 mm above the vessel bottom or maximum
interface level

e mesh demisters (Source: IPS-E-PR-880, 1997)

K factor (m/s)
0.122 to 0.152
0.061 to 0.107
0.055 to 0.107
0.107
0.101
0.091
0.082
0.064
0.076
0.061
0.046

NOMENCLATURE
A
Aw

total cross sectional area of the separator.

Ao

cross sectional area of the separator occupied by oil, ft 2

Ag

cross sectional area of the separator occupied by gas, ft 2

CD

D
h
hg

drag coefficient
vessel internal diameter, in.
bubble or drop diameter, m
vessel diameter, ft
liquid height, in.
gas-phase space height, in.

ho

oil pad height, in.

hw
K
Leff or L

water pad height, in.

mesh capacity factor, ft/sec
effective length of the vessel where separation occurs, ft

Lss or Ls

seam-to-seam vessel length, ft

NLL
P
Qc

normal liquid level, %

operating pressure, psia
continuous liquid-phase flow rate, bbl/day

Qg

gas flow rate, MMSCFD or ft3/s

Qo

oil flow rate, bbl/day

W or Qw

water flow rate, bbl/day

Reynolds number
operating temperature, R
liquid settling volume
max. allowable velocity through secondary separation section

d
dm

Re
T
V
Va
Vm

cross sectional area of the separator occupied by water, ft 2

Z
c

velocity of the mixture, m/s

gas compressibility
continuous phase dynamic viscosity, cp

water dynamic viscosity, cP

density, lbm/ft3

liquid density, lbm/ft3

oil density, lbm/ft3

mean density of mixture, kg/m3

water density, lbm/ft3

gas density, lbm/ft3

INDEX

REFERENCES
http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Vapor-liquid_separator
API 12J, Specification for oil and gas separators, 1989
http://petrowiki.org/Separator_sizing
http://www.cheresources.com/invision/topic/11856-selecting-vertical-separator-ld-ratio/
Petroleum and Gas Field Processing - Hussein K. Abdel-Aal, Mohamed Aggour, M. A. Fahim

http://books.google.com.qa/books?id=BZOPlA-SmMUC&pg=PA97&lpg=PA97&dq=%22three+phase
%22+separator+L/D+ratio+%22GPSA
%22&source=bl&ots=u979BoWCxd&sig=p13fCbqS52y7bE3eGRDtfj7nGq0&hl=en&sa=X&ei=s9dMVJH
http://www.cheresources.com/invision/topic/17158-three-phase-separator-design-suggestion-needed/
wO4tIK4BQ&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=%22three%20phase%22%20separator%20L%2FD%20ratio
%20%22GPSA%22&f=false
http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Vapor-liquid_separator
http://www.chemicalforums.com/index.php?topic=8913.0
http://www.chemicalforums.com/index.php?topic=9252.0
http://www.cheresources.com/invision/topic/41-sizing-a-flash-tank-or-vapor-liquid-separator/
http://www.eng-tips.com/faqs.cfm?fid=1153
http://process-designs.com/

http://www.razifar.com/cariboost_files/Design_20Two_20Phase_20Separators_20Within_20the_20Right
s.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Souders%E2%80%93Brown_equation

http://books.google.com.qa/books?id=lpA83iVcaGYC&pg=PA159&lpg=PA159&dq=Kh+
%3D+1.25+Kv+separator&source=bl&ots=fV8ewKHkag&sig=q70X8xfxPnk9MBMHgaEFwLhIhU&hl=en&sa=X&ei=M-NVVPepM4XWPfaLgYAI&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=
IPS-E-PR-880, 1997
%20%3D%201.25%20Kv%20separator&f=false
GPSA - Engineering Data Book (12th Ed)

tor-ld-ratio/

r, M. A. Fahim

7&dq=%22three+phase

&hl=en&sa=X&ei=s9dMVJHiHKvcy
esign-suggestion-needed/
rator%20L%2FD%20ratio

iquid-separator/

_20Within_20the_20Right_20Limit

9&dq=Kh+

ir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Kh

INDEX

STANDARD SEPARATOR SIZES AS PER API INDEX

D [in] x H or L [ft]
12 in x 5 ft
12 in x 7 ft
12 in x 10 ft
16 in x 5 ft
16 in x 7 ft
16 in x 10 ft
20 in x 5 ft
20 in x 7 ft
20 in x 10 ft
24 in x 5 ft
24 in x 7 ft
24 in x 10 ft
30 in x 5 ft
30 in x 7 ft
30 in x 10 ft
36 in x 5 ft
36 in x 7 ft
36 in x 10 ft
36 in x 15 ft
42 in x 7 ft
42 in x 10 ft
42 in x 15 ft
48 in x 7 ft
48 in x 10 ft
48 in x 15 ft
54 in x 7 ft
54 in x 10 ft
54 in x 15 ft
60 in x 7 ft
60 in x 10 ft
60 in x 15 ft

Two Phase (Gas - Oil) Vertical separator: As per API 12J

Qo

'o
o
P
T'
T
MW
t
Z
g
H
K
NLL

3000 bbl/d
0.70
40 oAPI

Gas rate
Oil rate
Gas specific gravity
Oil density

0.83
814.5 psia
80 oF

Oil specific gravity

Operating pressure
Operating temperature

540
20.3
1
0.84
0.013
10
0.30
30%

Operating temperature
Molecular weight
Retention time (Refer Table 2)
Gas compressibility
Gas viscosity
Shell height (assume)
Refer Table 1
Normal liquid level (assume)

R
lb/lbmole
minutes
o

cP
ft
ft/s

CALCULATIONS
Step 1:
Determine gas and oil properties
g
3.4 lb/ft3
Gas operating density
o

51.5 lb/ft3

Yellow boxes are input boxes.

INPUT PARAMETERS
Qg
25 mmscfd

SCHEMATIC

EQUATIONS

TABLES
Table 1

Oil operating density

Height, ft

Souders-Brown equation

5
10

Step 2:
Va

1.13 ft/s

Qg,a

4.55 ft3/s

Actual volume flow of gas

Ag,min

4.03 ft2

Minimum gas flow area

Oil Gravities

Minimum ID of separator

Above 35 oAPI

Dmin

27 in

Table 2

20 to 30 oAPI
Dselected

30 in
10 ft
4.0 unitless

Next larger and appropriate size

Shell height
Refer Note 4

2.6 bbl

Liquid volume (excluding bottom head)

3777 bpd

Liquid capacity of separator should be

more than 3000 bpd (input value)

H
H/D

10 to 20 oAPI

Step 3:

Manipulate NLL and H to get

appropriate W.

NOTES
1. The maximum allowable superficial velocity calculated from the above factors is for separators normally having a wire mesh mist extracto
rate should allow all liquid droplets larger than 10 microns to settle out of gas.
2. Additional resource for K factor from GPSA Engineering Data Book:
Pressure, barg
K factor, m/s
Adjustment of K factor for pressure
0
0.11
Pressure, psig
% of Design value
7
0.11
Atm.
100
21
0.10
150
90
42
0.09
300
85
63
0.08
600
80
105
0.07
1150
75
GPSA Notes:
1. K = 0.107 at a gauge pressure of 7 bar. Subtract 0.003 for every 7 bar above a gauge pressure of 7 bar.
2. For glycol or amine solutions, multiply above K values by 0.6 - 0.8.
3. Typically use one-half of the above K values for approximate sizing of vertical separators without mesh pads.
4. For compressor suction scrubbers and expander inlet separators, multiply K by 0.7 - 0.8.
3. Additional resource for retention times from gas Conditioning and Processing, Volume 2.
Natural gas-oil
1 to 3 minutes
Lean oil surge tanks
10 to 15 minutes
Fractionation feed surge tanks
8 to 15 minutes
Refrigerant surge tanks
4 to 7 minutes
Refrigerant econonomizers
2 to 3 minutes
4. As per GPSA, typical vertical H/D ratios are normally in the 2 to 4 range.

INDEX

1
Typical K factor
range
0.12 to 0.24
0.18 to 0.35

2
Retention time,
minutes (Typical)
1
1 to 2
2 to 4

e mesh mist extractor. This

Two Phase (Gas - Oil) Horizontal Separator: As per API 12J

Qo

'o
o
P
T'
T
MW
t
Z
g
K
NLL
L

3000 bbl/d
0.70
40 oAPI

SCHEMATIC
Gas rate
Oil rate
Gas specific gravity
Oil density

0.83
814.5 psia
80 oF

Oil specific gravity

Operating pressure
Operating temperature

540
20.3
1
0.84
0.012
0.5
30%
10

Operating temperature
Molecular weight
Retention time (Refer Table 2)
Gas compressibility
Gas viscosity
Refer Table 1
Normal liquid level (assume)
Shell Length (assume)

R
lb/lbmole
minutes
o

cP
ft/s
ft

CALCULATIONS
Step 1:
Determine gas and oil properties
g
3.4 lb/ft3
Gas operating density
o
Step 2:
Va

51.5 lb/ft3

Yellow boxes are input boxes.

INPUT PARAMETERS
Qg
25 mmscfd

EQUATIONS

TABLES
Table 1

Oil operating density

Length, ft
10
Other Lengths

Souders-Brown equation

1.881 ft/s

Qg,a

4.55 ft3/s

Actual volume flow of gas

Ag,min

2.42 ft2

Minimum gas flow area

Oil Gravities

Assume

Above 35 oAPI

Dmin

4 in

Table 2

Ag,min

2.42 ft2

20 to 30 oAPI

Error
Dselected

0.00

10 to 20 oAPI

L
L/D

30 in
10 ft
4.0 unitless

Next larger and appropriate size

Shell length
Refer Note 4

Step 3:
V
W

3 bbl
3644 bpd

Liquid volume (excluding bottom head)

Liquid capacity of separator should be
more than 3000 bpd (input value)

Manipulate NLL and L to get

appropriate W.

NOTES
1. The maximum allowable superficial velocity calculated from the above factors is for separators normally having a wire mesh mist extracto
rate should allow all liquid droplets larger than 10 microns to settle out of gas.
2. Additional resource for K factor from GPSA Engineering Data Book:
Pressure, barg
K factor, m/s
Adjustment of K factor for pressure
0
0.11
Pressure, psig
% of Design value
7
0.11
Atm.
100
21
0.10
150
90
42
0.09
300
85
63
0.08
600
80
105
0.07
1150
75
GPSA Notes:
1. K = 0.107 at a gauge pressure of 7 bar. Subtract 0.003 for every 7 bar above a gauge pressure of 7 bar.
2. For glycol or amine solutions, multiply above K values by 0.6 - 0.8.
3. For compressor suction scrubbers and expander inlet separators, multiply K by 0.7 - 0.8.
3. Additional resource for retention times from gas Conditioning and Processing, Volume2.
Natural gas-oil
1 to 3 minutes
Lean oil surge tanks
10 to 15 minutes
Fractionation feed surge tanks
8 to 15 minutes
Refrigerant surge tanks
4 to 7 minutes
Refrigerant econonomizers
2 to 3 minutes
4. As per GPSA, typical horizontal L/D ratios are normally in the 2.5 to 5 range.

INDEX

12J

1
Typical K factor
range, ft/s
0.4 to 0.5
0.4 to 0.5 x (L/10)0.56

2
Retention time,
minutes (Typical)
1
1 to 2
2 to 4

wire mesh mist extractor. This

Three Phase (Gas - Oil - Water) Horizontal Separator: As per API 12J
Gas rate

Qo

8000 bbl/d

Oil rate

Qw

3000 bbl/d
0.70
40 oAPI

Water rate
Gas specific gravity
Oil density

'o
o
P
T'

0.83
250 psia
60 oF

Oil specific gravity

Operating pressure
Operating temperature

T
MW
H
to

520
20.3
18
5

Operating temperature
Molecular weight
Shell height (assume)
Oil retention time (Refer Table 2)

tw
Z
g
K
NLL

R
lb/lbmole
ft
minutes
o

5 minutes
0.84
0.013 cP
0.35 ft/s
50%

Water retention time (Refer Table 2)

Gas compressibility
Gas viscosity
Refer Table 1
Normal liquid level (assume)

CALCULATIONS
Step 1:
Determine gas and oil properties
g
1.1 lb/ft3
Gas operating density
o
Step 2:
Va

51.5 lb/ft3

SCHEMATIC

Yellow boxes are input boxes.

INPUT PARAMETERS
Qg
8 mmscfd

EQUATIONS

TABLES
Table 1

Oil operating density

Height, ft
5
10

Souders-Brown equation

2.4 ft/s

Qg,a

4.58 ft3/s

Actual volume flow of gas

Ag,min

1.92 ft2

Minimum gas flow area

Oil Gravities

Table 2

Dmin

19 in

Assume

Above 35 oAPI

Dselected

96 in

Next larger (than Dmin) and

appropriate size

Below 35 oAPI

18 ft

Shell height

H/D

2.3 unitless

100+ oF

Refer Note 4

80+ oF
60+ oF

Step 3:
V
W

81 bbl
11602 bpd

Liquid volume (excluding bottom head)

Liquid capacity of separator should be
more than 11000 bpd (input value)

Manipulate NLL, D and H to

get appropriate W.

NOTES
1. The maximum allowable superficial velocity calculated from the above factors is for separators normally having a wire mesh mist extract
rate should allow all liquid droplets larger than 10 microns to settle out of gas.
2. Additional resource for K factor from GPSA Engineering Data Book:
Pressure, barg
K factor, m/s
Adjustment of K factor for pressure
0
0.11
Pressure, psig
% of Design value
7
0.11
Atm.
100
21
0.10
150
90
42
0.09
300
85
63
0.08
600
80
105
0.07
1150
75
GPSA Notes:
1. K = 0.107 at a gauge pressure of 7 bar. Subtract 0.003 for every 7 bar above a gauge pressure of 7 bar.
2. For glycol or amine solutions, multiply above K values by 0.6 - 0.8
3. Typically use one-half of the above K values for approximate sizing of vertical separators without mesh pads
4. For compressor suction scrubbers and expander inlet separators, multiply K by 0.7 - 0.8
3. Additional resource for retention times from gas Conditioning and Processing, Volume2.
Natural gas-oil
1 to 3 minutes
Lean oil surge tanks
10 to 15 minutes
Fractionation feed surge tanks
8 to 15 minutes

Refrigerant surge tanks

4 to 7 minutes
Refrigerant econonomizers
2 to 3 minutes
4. As per GPSA, typical horizontal H/D ratios are normally in the 2 to 4 range.

INDEX

r API 12J

1
Typical K factor
range, ft/s
0.12 to 0.24
0.18 to 0.35

2
Retention time,
minutes (Typical)
3 to 5

5 to 10
10 to 20
20 to 30

wire mesh mist extractor. This

Three Phase (Gas - Oil) Horizontal Separator: As per API 12J

Gas rate

Qo

8000 bbl/d

Oil rate

Qw

3000 bbl/d
0.70
40 oAPI

Water rate
Gas specific gravity
Oil density

'o
o
P
T'

0.83
250 psia
60 oF

Oil specific gravity

Operating pressure
Operating temperature

T
MW
L
to

520
20.3
18
5

Operating temperature
Molecular weight
Shell Length (assume)
Oil retention time (Refer Table 2)

tw
Z
g
K
NLL

R
lb/lbmole
ft
minutes
o

5 minutes
0.84
0.013 cP
0.35 ft/s
50%

Water retention time (Refer Table 2)

Gas compressibility
Gas viscosity
Refer Table 1
Normal liquid level (assume)

CALCULATIONS
Step 1:
Determine gas and oil properties
g
1.1 lb/ft3
Gas operating density
o
Step 2:
Va

51.5 lb/ft3

SCHEMATIC

Yellow boxes are input boxes.

INPUT PARAMETERS
Qg
8 mmscfd

EQUATIONS

TABLES
Table 1

Oil operating density

Length, ft

Souders-Brown equation

10
Other Lengths

2.388 ft/s

Qg,a

4.58 ft3/s

Actual volume flow of gas

Ag,min

1.92 ft2

Minimum gas flow area

Oil Gravities

Dmin

2.4 in

Assume

Above 35 oAPI

Ag,min

1.92 ft2

Error

0.00

Dselected
L
L/D

78 in

Table 2

Below 35 oAPI
100+ oF
Next larger (than Dmin) and
appropriate size

80+ oF

18 ft
Shell length
2.8 unitless Refer Note 4

60+ oF

Step 3:
V
W

77 bbl
11036 bpd

Liquid volume (excluding bottom head)

Liquid capacity of separator should be
more than 11000 bpd (input value)

Manipulate NLL, D and L to

get appropriate W.

NOTES
1. The maximum allowable superficial velocity calculated from the above factors is for separators normally having a wire mesh mist extract
rate should allow all liquid droplets larger than 10 microns to settle out of gas.
2. Additional resource for K factor from GPSA Engineering Data Book:
Pressure, barg
K factor, m/s
Adjustment of K factor for pressure
0
0.11
Pressure, psig
% of Design value
7
0.11
Atm.
100
21
0.10
150
90
42
0.09
300
85
63
0.08
600
80
105
0.07
1150
75
GPSA Notes:
1. K = 0.107 at a gauge pressure of 7 bar. Subtract 0.003 for every 7 bar above a gauge pressure of 7 bar.
2. For glycol or amine solutions, multiply above K values by 0.6 - 0.8
3. For compressor suction scrubbers and expander inlet separators, multiply K by 0.7 - 0.8
3. Additional resource for retention times from gas Conditioning and Processing, Volume2.
Natural gas-oil
1 to 3 minutes
Lean oil surge tanks
10 to 15 minutes

Fractionation feed surge tanks

Refrigerant surge tanks
Refrigerant econonomizers
4. As per GPSA, typical horizontal L/D ratios are

8 to 15 minutes
4 to 7 minutes
2 to 3 minutes
normally in the 2.5 to 5 range.

INDEX

PI 12J

1
Typical K factor
range, ft/s
0.4 to 0.5
0.4 to 0.5 x (L/10)0.56

2
Retention time,
minutes (Typical)
3 to 5
5 to 10
10 to 20
20 to 30

a wire mesh mist extractor. This

Two Phase (Gas - Oil) Vertical Separator: As per "Petro

Processing - Hussein K. Abdel-Aal, Mohamed Aggo
INPUT PARAMETERS
Qg
15 mmscfd
Qo
3000 bbl/d

'o
o

0.6
35.0 oAPI

0.85
985 psia

T'

60 oF

T
t
Z
g
dm

520 oR
3 minutes
0.84
0.013 cP
100 Micron

Gas rate
Oil rate
Gas specific gravity
Oil density
Oil specific gravity
Operating pressure
Operating temperature
Operating temperature
Retention time (Refer Table 1)
Gas compressibility
Gas viscosity
Smallest oil droplet size to be removed

CALCULATIONS
Step 1:
Determine gas and oil properties
g
Gas operating density
3.7 lb/ft3
o
Step 2:
Cd
u
Re
Cd
Error
Step 3:
D2
Dmin
Step 4:
DH
2

53.0 lb/ft3

Oil operating density

Determine Cd
1.13 Assume
0.41 ft/s
56

Drag coefficient
Settling velocity of oil droplet
Reynolds no.

1.16
0.00

Click me

Use goal seek to get error zero, by changing

asssumed Cd

Check for gas capacity constraint

974 in2
31.2 in

Minimum allowable vessel diameter for separation

of oil droplets down to 100 micron

Check for liquid capacity constraint

77085

Try different combinations of D.

TABLE 1

H = Height of oil column

H = Height of oil column

D, in

Ls
SR
D

Ls, ft

H, in

SR

30
36
42
48
54
60

85.7
59.5
43.7
33.5
26.4
21.4

13.5
11.3
10.5
10.1
10.0
10.1

5.4
3.8
3.0
2.5
2.2
2.0

66

17.7

10.3

1.9

72

14.9

10.6

1.8

78
84
90

12.7
10.9
9.5

10.9
11.2
11.6

1.7
1.6
1.6

11.3 ft
3.8
36.0 in

Seam to seam length (select from Table 1)

Slenderness ratio (typical value 3 to 4) (select from Table 1)
Separator diameter (select from Table 1)

NOTES
1. As per GPSA, typical vertical H/D ratios are normally in the 2 to 4 range.

INDEX

As per "Petroleum and Gas Field

hamed Aggour, M. A. Fahim"

Yellow boxes are input

boxes.

SCHEMATIC

EQUATIONS

TABLE 2 (Ref. API 12J)

Retention time,
Oil Gravities
minutes (Typical)
Above 35 oAPI
1

e 1)
ect from Table 1)
1)

20 to 30 oAPI

1 to 2

10 to 20 oAPI

2 to 4

Two Phase (Gas - Oil) Horizontal Separator: As per "Petroleum and Gas Field Process
- Hussein K. Abdel-Aal, Mohamed Aggour, M. A. Fahim"

'o

0.6
35.0 oAPI

o
P

0.85
985 psia

T'

60 oF

T
t
Z
g

0.013 cP
100 Micron

NLL

Oil rate
Gas specific gravity
Oil density
Oil specific gravity
Operating pressure
Operating temperature

520 oR
3 minutes
0.84

dm

Gas rate

Yellow boxes are input boxes.

INPUT PARAMETERS
Qg
15 mmscfd
Qo
3000 bbl/d

Operating temperature
Retention time (Refer Table 2)
Gas compressibility
Gas viscosity
Smallest oil droplet size to be removed
Normal Liquid Level

50%

CALCULATIONS
Step 1:
Determine gas and oil properties
g
Gas operating density
3.7 lb/ft3
o

SCHEMATIC

EQUATIONS

Oil operating density

53.0 lb/ft3
Determine Cd

Step 2:
Cd

1.2 Assume
0.40 ft/s
55
1.19

u
Re
Cd
Error

0.00

Click
Click me
me

Drag coefficient
Settling velocity of oil droplet
Reynolds no.
Use goal seek to get error zero, by changing
asssumed Cd

Step 3:
LD

Check for gas capacity constraint

83 in.ft

Step 4:

Check for liquid capacity constraint

D2L

12852 in2.ft

Try different combinations of D.

TABLE 1

Lg, ft

D, in

Ls
SR

Ls, ft
(gas)

Lo, ft

Ls, ft (oil)

SR = 12
Governing ls (oil or
case
gas)/D

13.85

14.35

357.00

Liquid
476.0 Capacity

952.00

12

6.93

7.93

89.25

Liquid
119.0 Capacity

119.00

24

3.46

5.46

22.31

Liquid
29.8 Capacity

14.88

30

2.77

5.27

14.28

Liquid
19.0 Capacity

7.62

36

2.31

5.31

9.92

Liquid
12.4 Capacity

4.14

42

1.98

5.48

7.29

Liquid
9.8 Capacity

2.80

48

1.73

5.73

5.58

Liquid
8.1 Capacity

2.02

54

1.54

6.04

4.41

Liquid
6.9 Capacity

1.53

60

1.39

6.39

3.57

Gas
6.1 capacity

1.28

66

1.26

6.76

2.95

Gas
5.5 capacity

1.23

72

1.15

7.15

2.48

Gas
5.0 capacity

1.19

12.4
4.1

ft

TABLE 2 (Ref. API 12J)

Oil Gravities
Above 35 oAPI
20 to 30 oAPI
10 to 20 oAPI

Seam to seam length (select from Table 1)

Slenderness ratio (typical value 3 to 5) (select from Table 1)

36

in

Separator diameter (select from Table 1)

NOTES
1. As per GPSA, typical horizontal L/D ratios are normally in the 2.5 to 5 range.
2. If D>30", Ls = 2.5 + Lo;
Else, Ls = (4/3)*Lo
Ref. http://process-designs.com/separators_and_scrubbers/separators_and_scrubbers.jsp

INDEX

as Field Processing
m"

I 12J)
Retention time,
minutes (Typical)
1
1 to 2
2 to 4

Three Phase (Gas - Oil - Water) Vertical Separator: As per "Petroleum and Gas Fi
Processing - Hussein K. Abdel-Aal, Mohamed Aggour, M. A. Fahim"
Gas rate
Oil rate
Water rate

'o

27.6 oAPI

Oil density

o
o

0.89

Oil specific gravity

Z
P

1.04
0.65
0.89
250 psia

T'

95 oF

Oil viscosity

20 cP

T
tw
to

Water specific gravity

Gas specific gravity
Gas compressibility
Operating pressure
Operating temperature

555 oR
10 minutes
15 minutes

0.013 cP

Operating temperature
Water retention time (Refer Table 2)
Oil retention time (Refer Table 2)
Gas viscosity

dm,w

500 Micron

Smallest water droplet size to be removed

dm,o

100 Micron

Smallest oil droplet size to be removed

CALCULATIONS
Step 1:
Determine gas and oil properties
g
Gas operating density
0.89 lb/ft3
o

SCHEMATIC

Yellow boxes are input boxes.

INPUT PARAMETERS
Qg
8 mmscfd
Qo
8000 bbl/d
Qw
3000 bbl/d

EQUATIONS

Oil operating density

55.5 lb/ft3
Determine Cd

Step 2:
Cd

2.07 Assume
0.65 ft/s
22
2.09
0.00 Click me

u
Re
Cd
Error
Step 3:
D2min

Drag coefficient
Settling velocity of oil droplet
Reynolds no.
Use goal seek to get error zero, by changing
asssumed Cd

Determine minimum diameter for water droplet settling

28428 in2

Dmin

168.6 in

Step 4:
D2min

Check for gas capacity constraint

1475 in2

Dmin

38.4 in

Dmin

168.6 in

Larger of Step 2 and 3 values

Step 5:
Check for liquid capacity constraint
D2(Ho + Hw)
1286400 in3
Try different combinations of D.
TABLE 1

Ls

SR = 12 Ls
/D

Ho + Hw, in Ls, ft

D, in

TABLE 2 (Ref. API 12J)

Oil Gravities

Retention time, mi
(Typical)
3 to 5

16

5025

425.1

318.8

Above 35 oAPI

20

3216

274.3

164.6

Below 35 oAPI

24

2233

192.4

96.2

30

1429

125.4

50.2

80+ oF 10 to 20

36
42
48
54
60
120
132

993
729
558
441
357
89
74

89.0
67.6
53.9
44.6
38.1
20.8
20.5

29.7
19.3
13.5
9.9
7.6
2.1
1.9

60+ oF 20 to 30

20.8 ft

Seam to seam length (select from table 1)

100+ oF 5 to 10

SR
D
Qg

2.1
120.0 in
86 mmscfd

Slenderness ratio (typical value 1.5 to 3) (select from Table 1)

Separator diameter (select from Table 1)
Calculated gas capacity for selected L & D (Should be more than 8 MMSCFD - input value)

NOTES
1. As per GPSA, typical vertical H/D ratios are normally in the 2 to 4 range.

m and Gas Field

Fahim"

etention time, minutes

Typical)

to 5

to 10

0 to 20

0 to 30

INDEX

t value)

INPUT PARAMETERS
Qg
8 mmscfd

Gas rate

Qo

8000 bbl/d

Oil rate

Qw

3000 bbl/d

Water rate

'o

27.5 API

Oil density

0.89

Oil specific gravity

20 cP

1.04
0.65
0.89
250 psia
95 oF

Z
P
T'
T
tw
to
g

555
10
15
0.013

Oil viscosity
Water specific gravity
Gas specific gravity
Gas compressibility
Operating pressure
Operating temperature

R
minutes
minutes
cP
o

Operating temperature
Water retention time (Refer Table 2)
Oil retention time (Refer Table 2)
Gas viscosity

dm,w

500 Micron

Smallest water droplet size to be removed

dm,o

100 Micron

Smallest oil droplet size to be removed

NLL

Yellow boxes are input boxes.

Three Phase (Gas - Oil - Water) Horizontal Separator: As per "Petroleum and Gas Fie
Hussein K. Abdel-Aal, Mohamed Aggour, M. A. Fahim"

50%

Normal liquid level due to oil and water

CALCULATIONS
Step 1:
Determine gas and oil properties
g
0.89 lb/ft3
Gas operating density
o

55.5 lb/ft3

EQUATIONS

Oil operating density

Determine Cd

Step 2:
Cd

2.07 Assume
0.65 ft/s
22
2.09
0.00 Click me

u
Re
Cd
Error
Step 3:
Ho,max

Drag coefficient
Settling velocity of oil droplet
Reynolds no.
Use goal seek to get error zero, by changing asssumed C d

Determine minimum diameter for water droplet settling

36.0 in

Aw / A

Ao + Aw = NLL * A

0.10

Ho / D

0.315 Assume

Aw / A

0.13
0.00 Click me
114 in

Error
Dmax

Use goal seek to get error zero, by changing asssumed H o/D

Maximum allowable vessel diameter

Step 4:
DL

Check for gas capacity constraint

122 in.ft

Step 4:
D2L

Check for liquid capacity constraint

214350 in2ft

Try different combinations of D (smaller than D max).

TABLE 1

Ls (gas)= L
L (gas), ft + D/12,
ft

D, in

SR = L /
Ls (liquid)= 4 L/3, Governing
ft
(D/12)
case

L, ft

12

10.2

11.2

1488.5

1984.7

Liquid
Capacity

1984.7

24

5.1

7.1

372.1

496.2

Liquid
Capacity

248.1

30

4.1

6.6

238.2

317.6

Liquid
Capacity

127.0

36

3.4

6.4

165.4

220.5

Liquid
Capacity

73.5

66

1.9

7.4

49.2

65.6

Liquid
Capacity

11.9

72

1.7

7.7

41.3

55.1

Liquid
Capacity

9.2

TABLE 2 (Ref. API 12J)

Oil Gravities
Above 35 oAPI
Below 35 oAPI
100+ oF
80+ oF

Ls
SR
D
L
Qg

78

1.6

8.1

35.2

47.0

Liquid
Capacity

7.2

84

1.5

8.5

30.4

40.5

Liquid
Capacity

5.8

90

1.4

8.9

26.5

35.3

Liquid
Capacity

4.7

96

1.3

9.3

23.3

31.0

Liquid
Capacity

3.9

102

1.2

9.7

20.6

27.5

Liquid
Capacity

3.2

35.3
4.7
90.0
26.5
156

ft
in
ft
mmscfd

60+ oF

Seam to seam length (select from Table 1)

Slenderness ratio (typical value 3 to 5) (select from Table 1)
Separator diameter (select from Table 1)
Effective length of
the separator
Calculated gas capacity for selected L & D (Should be more than 8 MMSCFD - input value)

NOTES
1. As per GPSA, typical horizontal L/D ratios are normally in the 2.5 to 5 range.

INDEX

oleum and Gas Field Processing A. Fahim"

SCHEMATIC

QUATIONS

ABLE 2 (Ref. API 12J)

Oil Gravities

Retention time, minutes

(Typical)

Above 35 oAPI

3 to 5

Below 35 oAPI
100+ oF

5 to 10

80+ oF

10 to 20

60+ oF

FD - input value)

20 to 30