Side Entry Vane

Inlet Device

Optimal vane design with diffusers for high momentum retrofits

The Vane Inlet Device is designed to be a versatile inlet device A unique diffuser technology is offered for retrofits where the
capable of handling a wide range of fluids, from gas dominated size of the inlet nozzle is too small to accommodate an efficient
to liquid dominated flows. While the inlet device is currently traditional vane inlet device. The diffusers fit around the Vane
considered an industry standard, NOV has optimized the design to Inlet Device and add an additional layer of momentum damping
improve momentum dampening and fluid handling capacity for to further control momentum and minimize recirculation of flow
both separators and scrubbers. For high inlet loading and slugging in the liquid pool below the inlet. The diffuser technology offers
conditions a heavy-duty version of the device, complete with an an attractive alternative to inlet cyclones for high momentum
additional momentum damping ‘diffuser baffle’, is available. applications.

The fluid enters the inlet device and is divided into smaller streams Key advantages
by vanes. Due to the difference in momentum, gas readily slows as
it enters the device disengaging from the liquid stream. The curved • Optimal vane design provides momentum dissipation with
vanes enforce a directional change in the fluids which helps to minimum droplet shattering
encourage further gas-liquid separation and deliver the fluids into a • Robust and open design ideal for slugging conditions and
purpose designed inlet zone of the separator. with minimal pressure drop
• Wide operational range
The device, in conjunction with appropriate baffling, forms part of • Unique diffuser technology retrofitted for constrained systems
the inlet zone. The vane type device can handle segregated and with small inlet nozzle
mixed multiphase flow regimes and provides a versatility that few • Many successful offshore installations
other inlet device types can cater for.

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Top Entry Vane
Inlet Device

Optimal vane design with diffusers for high momentum retrofits

The Top Entry Vane Inlet Device was originally designed to manage A unique diffuser technology is offered for retrofits where the
ultra-high momentum flows associated with debottlenecking size of the inlet nozzle is too small to accommodate an efficient
flare knockout drums. The device has been adapted to allow traditional vane inlet device. The diffusers fit around the Vane Inlet
for application in multiphase separators and can handle a wide Device to further control momentum and minimize adverse effects
range of flow regimes. The device is particularly useful for retrofit creating recirculation of flow in the liquid pool below the inlet.
applications and is often used to replace bulkier and less efficient
cascade tray designs. The equipment has been successfully applied in numerous
offshore separators, often where process conditions are particularly
The fluid enters the top of the inlet device and is divided into challenging and expected to change considerably over the life of
smaller streams by vanes gradually increasing the cross-sectional the field.
area of the incoming flow and therefore reducing velocity and
momentum. Key advantages

The device is considerably more robust and open in design • Attractive solution for top entry inlet nozzle configurations
compared to alternative top entry cascade trays on the market. Our • Robust and open design ideal for slugging conditions and
retrofit experience has demonstrated the weakness of alternative with minimal pressure drop
designs which have been replaced due to mechanical damage or • Wide operational range
inability to adequately dissipate the momentum without significant • Unique diffuser technology retrofitted for constrained systems
entrainment of gas in liquid and droplet shattering. with too small inlet nozzle

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Cyclonic Inlet
Device

Gas-liquid separation for high momentum applications and retrofits

The Inlet Cyclone is a highly efficient inlet device when it comes NOV has dedicated research into understanding the limits of the
to handling high momentum inlet flow. In addition to having a inlet cyclone and has strict requirements for when inlet cyclones
high capacity it also provides bulk separation of gas and liquid at can be used. The result is that we tend to be more conservative
a higher efficiency than most inlet devices. The liquid is injected when it comes to supplying inlet cyclones, often making use of
close to the liquid interface level, giving any entrained water alternative devices. When inlet cyclones are offered, we can be
droplets a shorter distance to travel before reaching the confident that they will work well.
water-continuous phase. Inlet Cyclones are also well suited for
breaking foam generated in the upstream piping. Key advantages

While Inlet Cyclones can be highly efficient, they can also cause a • Well suited for handling high inlet momentum
lot of problems for the separator when operated incorrectly. These • High separation efficiency
problems are mainly related to gas being injected into the liquid • Reduced foaming tendency enabling higher throughput of the
phase, also known as gas blow-by. This can result in generation of separator and reducing OPEX for antifoam chemicals
foam and gas-hindered settling of water droplets. This effect has • Conservative design approach will ensure proper
caused Inlet Cyclones to be generally found unwanted by some performance whenever supplied
operators.

The NOV Cyclonic Inlet Device has key designs features focused on
reducing the possibility for gas blow-by. At the bottom of the tube,
a patented “gas blocker” is installed which helps prevent gas from
entering the liquid outlet in the lower section of the cyclone.

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Gas Baffle

Efficient gas disengagement and demisting early in the vessel

The Gas Baffle is a tortuous baffle that is used to dampen the Inclusion of the gas baffle results in a less liquid loading to the
turbulent gas phase in the inlet zone and to assist with early demister, as well as growth of liquid droplets entrained in gas, thus
gas/liquid disengagement and coalescence. The tortuous path increasing the efficiency of the demister. This results in increased
design helps to encourage primary demisting and coalescence and gas quality, and makes it easier to reach the gas specification,
improves gas distribution across the vessel gas space. especially for high gas loads.

Liquid laden gas flows between baffle elements where the gas Key advantages
is subject to rapid change of direction. The inertia of the liquid
droplet causes them to impinge onto the baffle elements where • Early liquid disengagement
they coalesce. The agglomerated liquid drains down the vertical • Promotes coalescence of liquid droplets
baffles into the liquid pool. • Breaks foam
• Reduces liquid loading on droplet separator
The baffle can break light foam or froth. The baffle elements act as
a wetted surface for the foam to drain onto. Breaking down foam
early in the separator can prevent severe operational problems
further downstream.

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Slotted Baffles

Flow distribution and sloshing mitigation with reduced shear and risk of
blockages
Flow calming baffles within a multiphase separator are essential to For long separators or for FPSO applications, inlet zone baffles
form an efficient inlet zone and to calm and condition fluids as they are followed by additional vertically slotted flow distribution
flow through the vessel or are subjected to motion due to wave baffles. The lower part of the baffles consists of a sand baffle which
motion on the host facility. allows solids to pass through the baffle while still preventing the
shortcutting of liquids.
The Slotted Baffle philosophy has been developed as a response
to challenges experienced when retrofitting separators worldwide. The Slotted Baffle can be supplied either with or without a Gas
The baffles were designed to allow primary turbulence (created by Baffle depending on the gas quality specification and tendency of
inlet fluids or motion) to be controlled without imparting excessive foaming.
secondary turbulence such as jetting (which is often observed in
low porosity baffles). The Slotted Baffles have been successfully Key advantages
applied in the retrofitting of numerous separators on offshore
installations, often where traditional perforated baffles tend to • Efficient liquid hold up without interfering with the liquid and
become blocked by asphaltenes, inorganic scale, or calcium interface levels inside vessel
naphthenates. The large distance between the baffle elements • Optimal liquid distribution and minimal jetting and shear
reduce the risk of fouling. imposed on emulsions
• Reduced mixing of separated fluids passing through baffle
A typical baffle configuration that creates the inlet zone of a repeatedly during each transit on FPSO
separator consists of one Horizontally Slotted Baffle, followed by
a Vertically Slotted Baffle, creating a boundary that will dissipate
turbulence and the increased inlet momentum of a slug entering
the vessel.

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Perforated
Baffles

Flow distribution and sloshing mitigation baffles

Flow calming baffles within a multiphase separator are essential to The Perforated Baffle can be supplied either as partial or full
form an efficient inlet zone and to calm and condition fluids as they diameter depending on the application. The use of Perforated
flow through the vessel or are subjected to motion due to wave Baffles is limited to applications without significant scaling
motion on the host facility. potential.

The perforated distributor baffle has a uniform pattern of holes Key advantages
which ensures even flow of fluids into the gravity separation
section of the separator. The size and net free area (NFA) of the • Contain the turbulence of the incoming fluids creating an
holes vary depending on vessel size, process conditions, and inlet zone and providing an even distribution of fluids into the
whether the unit is installed on a moving structure. The openings downstream separation zone
are formed as circular holes to achieve an open area, typically • Create a boundary that will dissipate the increased inlet
equivalent to 20-35% of the total area of the plate. momentum of a slug entering the vessel reducing the
disruption to the separation zone
A typical baffle configuration that creates the inlet zone of a • Increase the natural frequency of the liquid phase in the
separator consists of one or two Perforated Baffles creating a separator to avoid resonance
boundary that will dissipate turbulence and the increased inlet • Dampening of motion effects to prevent tripping alarm levels
momentum of a slug entering the vessel. For long separators, this and avoid polluting outlets
is followed by flow distribution baffles. Equally spaced Perforated
Baffles are also used to protect against sloshing in separators on
floating assets. The lower part of the baffles consists of a sand
baffle which allows solids to pass through the baffle while still
preventing the shortcutting of liquids.

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Plate Pack
Coalescer

Enhanced separation for increased throughput or reduced vessel size

A Plate Pack Coalescer will improve the liquid/liquid separation The plate pack spacing, length, and inclination angle are optimized
performance and offer an opportunity to reduce the size and based on the process conditions and service. Focus is on providing
weight of a new separator or increase the throughput of a improved separation without compromising the mitigation for
revamped vessel. fouling. Plate packs are normally used for clean service. If light
sand production is expected the coalescing plates should be
The NOV Plate Pack Coalescer comprises an assembly of inclined sloped at 60 degrees to improve drainage.
plates arranged in an ‘inverted v’ configuration. When placed in
the oil phase, entrained water droplets settle onto the top surface Plate Pack Coalescers have excellent motion dampening
of the plates where they coalesce. The coalesced droplets drain capabilities, enabling their use to minimize surface waves and
off the surface of the plate to the interface region. The inverted V sloshing effects in separation equipment on floating production
configuration allows solids to settle out of the plate pack into the units. For FPSOs, a reinforced plate pack is used, to ensure that the
base of the separator. design can withstand the high forces.

As the flow between the plates is laminar and the distance a Key advantages
dispersed droplet must travel to hit a surface is short, smaller
droplets can be separated compared to an open gravity settler. • Increased liquid/liquid separation efficiency
This will increase the performance after a retrofit of an existing • Limits size of separator
separator thereby increasing the throughput or enable a reduced • Dampens surface waves and sloshing
vessel size of a new separator. • Modular system for implementation on retrofit

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Vane Pack Mist
Eliminator

Vane profile design selected to meet the needs of the application

The Vane Pack Demister is a reliable and cost-efficient alternative Pressure drop is low (a few millibars) and unlike wire mesh pads, a
for demisting at low to moderate pressures. It is widely used for properly designed Vane Pack Mist Eliminator is not likely to block,
horizontal separators due to its compact design, low pressure drop, even in fouling service. The operation is however limited to low and
and robustness to fouling. moderate operating pressures. With increasing pressures, typically
above 20-40 bar, depending on the fluid properties, performance
Liquid laden gas enters the Vane Pack and flows between vanes decreases due to the reduced density difference between gas and
where the gas is subject to several changes of direction. The inertia liquid as well as reduced surface tension leading to re-entrainment
of the liquid droplet causes them to impinge onto the vanes where of accumulated liquid on the vane.
they coalesce on the wetted surface of the vane. The agglomerated
liquid is gathered in a liquid hopper underneath the vanes and Key advantages
drained through a downcomer system.
• Compact
Vane packs can be of no-pocket, single-pocket, or double-pocket • Cost-efficient
design. Selection of the most appropriate design is carried out • Fouling service robustness
by considering the required separation efficiency, the fouling • Low pressure drop
potential, and the expected liquid loading. Double pocket design
has superior performance compared to single or no-pocket designs
with regards liquid drainage, but a higher susceptibility for fouling.
Double pocket vane packs are the most common due to the
superior efficiency.

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Sand Pan
System

Engineered for reduced erosion and plugging risk

Sand removal is a critical function within separators as To de-sand the separator, jetting nozzles on each side of the sand
accumulated sand may plug other internals, cause corrosion, and pan will push the deposited sand towards the bottom of the
interfere with fluid flow patterns to reduce separation efficiency. separator (close to the sand pans).

Sand pans comprise a series of inverted troughs fitted along the The drain valves from the sand pan pickup pipework are then
bottom of the separator which connect the area inside the trough opened to cause sand and water (sand slurry) to flow out of the
to the vessel drain system. The edges of each side of the trough vessel to the downstream processing system.
are serrated to achieve an open area between the trough and the
vessel wall. Running along each side of the trough are the jet pipes A minimum under-pressure of 1-2 bar is required in the drain-pipes
and spray jets which are directed along the base of the vessel. The to enable the sand pan system to operate. If this is not possible, an
sand removal system is divided in sections. Sand removal from the eductor can be installed downstream of the drain valves.
sections occurs sequentially to prevent disruption of the process
and to minimize the size of the jet water supply and drain system. Key advantages

The unique sand pan top discharge design significantly reduces • Low sand erosion effects when jetting
the effect of erosion on the dump valves compared to bottom • System designed to minimize risk of clogging pipes and
discharge type systems. In a bottom discharge design, serious valve eductors
erosion may occur when the valve is opening. With a top discharge • Cost-efficient sand handling solution
system, the flow is relatively clean until the valve is fully opened.

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Tore Online Vessel
Desanding

Sand removal with controlled slurry concentration and without

negatively affecting the water quality
Produced sand accumulating in separators is one of the major The fluidizing effect created by Tore is localized and does not have
factors limiting oil and gas production. The Tore® Online Vessel the same negative effect on the water phase and water quality as is
Desander technology is effectively removing sand without the experienced with most jetting systems. Sand can be removed from
negative side effects experienced with conventional technologies. the vessel without a spike in sand or oil concentration in produced
water for reinjection or discharge.
The Tore is a highly effective solids fluidization device with the D.
unique feature that it will work perfectly even when completely A. Motive fluids inlet
buried in sand. It is thus the choice of operators expecting high B. Swirl chamber induces spin
solids loading who are aware of the limits of conventional sand C. Solids fluidized in vortex,
handling technologies. There are more than 5,000 Tore devices in transported via discharge pipe
operation worldwide. D. Slurry discharge B.

The Tore unit operates by generating a vortex which fluidizes

the sand in the area next to the device. The vortex is created A. C.
by introducing fluid tangentially into the swirl chamber. This
establishes a swirling motion which passes through the foot of the
Tore. When fluidized, sand is drawn by the central core of the vortex Key advantages
towards the discharge tube. With a predictable and controlled
sand slurry concentration, sand can be transported without risk of • Only 0.25-0.5 bar suction pressure required
blocking downstream sand cleaning equipment. • Accepts dirty motive water and limited quantity (16 m3/h each
section of 4 Tore units)
• Tolerates high sand levels without risk of blockage
• Constant and controlled slurry concentration

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Mesh Pad

Efficient agglomeration and demisting for a wide operational range

Mesh Pads are widely used as agglomerators and demisting At high gas flow, the mesh agglomerator operates in flooded
devices. The design provides excellent performance for a wide condition where the main intention is to coalesce droplets into
operating range, but with limited gas handling capacity. The use is larger sizes which will be removed by the downstream demisting
limited to non-fouling service. device (often cyclones).

Mesh type agglomerators and demisters consist of knitted metal At low flow, the mesh agglomerator takes over from the
wire in a pad. When gas flows through the pad, liquid droplets downstream demisting device and acts as the demisting device
impinge onto the wire surface and coalesce to a size where itself. An agglomerator will significantly increase the overall
they become large enough to disengage from the wire and fall performance of the separator.
to the liquid section of the separator. Oleophilic materials can
be incorporated into the metallic mesh design to create a more The Mesh Pad is made of sections small enough to be installed
efficient ‘co-knit’ Mesh Pad. through the manway. Their use is limited to clean service where it
is not likely that the dense mesh could become clogged.
When used as a demisting device, the Mesh Pad is limited
to moderate gas and liquid loading to avoid liquid escaping Key advantages
through the Mesh Pad. The Mesh Pad however provides excellent
performance at turndown conditions and at high pressures where • Efficient at high operating pressure
other demisting devices like vane packs have limited efficiency. The • Good turndown performance
Mesh Pad is for that reason widely used in combination with other • Cost efficient
demisting technologies as agglomerators. • Produces low pressure drop

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Demisting
Cyclones

Compact solution for demisting of high-pressure gas

The NOV Axial Flow Cyclone (AFC) is designed to provide a solution Critical parts of the AFC are made using high precision
for high performance gas demisting, even for high pressure manufacturing techniques to ensure consistency in performance.
applications. The AFC offers a wide operational range and high
gas capacity with a moderate pressure drop. The wide operating A mesh pad coalescer may be installed upstream the demisting
range and high gas capacity makes it possible to not only reduce cyclones to improve coalescence of fine droplets, thus further
and optimize vessel sizes for new builds, but also offers a flexible improving the high efficiency of the cyclone. The high gas capacity
solution for debottlenecking of different applications. of the AFC means that a smaller area is required compared to
other demisting devices, making it ideal for compact separators or
As wet gas enters the cyclone, it is put into rotation by a static retrofit applications. The demister can be used in both vertical and
swirl element. This result in high centrifugal force, causing liquid horizontal arrangements.
droplets entrained in the gas to be forced towards the cyclone wall.
The liquid droplets are accumulated at the wall and form a thin
film which is drained through slots in the tube wall downstream
of the swirl element. The dry gas moves to the core of the cyclone
and exits the cyclone. Key advantages

To increase efficiency, a fraction of the gas is extracted together • High gas capacity
with the liquid. The gas is then separated from liquid and • Large operational range
reintroduced into the cyclone through low pressure regions inside • Efficient for moderate/high liquid load
the cyclone. Recycling of the gas increases the velocity through • Low fouling risk
the drainage slits, which also results in a lower risk of fouling. • Foam breaking characteristics due to high inertia exerted by
The cyclone has been developed with the specific emphasis on the spinning gas
minimizing re-entrainment of liquid, which is especially important • Aerodynamic flow paths reduce unwanted turbulence and
for high-pressure applications. enhance liquid removal characteristics

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Demisting Cyclone
Bundle

Optimal solution for compact demisting of wet gas

The NOV Demisting Cyclone Bundle is a compact separator Depending on existing infrastructure and location of the device, the
designed to remove fine mist from a gas stream. The device liquid can either be drained by gravity to an upstream separator or
consists of several demisting cyclones bundled together in a small can be collected in a separate liquid accumulation chamber which
pipe spool and can be used either as a means of debottlenecking can be emptied intermittently through a drain valve.
existing separators suffering from excessive liquid carryover, or as a
stand-alone device where wet gas needs to be demisted. The high gas capacity of the axial flow cyclones (AFC) means
that less area is required for demisting of gas compared to other
The gas enters the unit through the gas inlet nozzle, which is the demisting devices, making it ideal for compact separators or
same size as the connecting piping. The piping is then expanded retrofit applications.
in order to fit enough demisting cyclone tubes, determined by the
maximum gas flow. Key advantages

As wet gas enters the cyclone tubes, it is put into rotation by a static • High gas capacity
swirl element. This result in high centrifugal force, causing liquid • Large operational range
droplets entrained in the gas to be forced towards the cyclone wall. • Efficient for moderate/high liquid load
The liquid droplets are accumulated at the wall and form a thin • Low fouling risk
film which is drained through slots in the tube downstream of the • Foam breaking characteristics due to high inertia exerted by a
swirl element. The dry gas moves to the core of the cyclone and spinning gas
exits the cyclone. • Aerodynamic flow paths reduce unwanted turbulence and
hance liquid removal characteristics
To increase efficiency; a fraction of the gas is extracted together
with the liquid. The gas is then separated from liquid and
reintroduced into the cyclone through low pressure regions inside
the cyclone.

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