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Separators Classification

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38 views35 pages

Separators Classification

Uploaded by

Mannel matuidi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Classification

of Separators
Contents
Separation Process
Principles of Separation
Separator Classification
Separation
Process
The process can be described as:

Three phase separation (oil, gas and water)


or
Two phase separation (gas and total liquid)

2-phase separation 3-phase separation


PRINCIPLES OF
SEPARATION
 Gravity Separation
 Separation System Problems
Two factors are necessary for separators to
function:

1. The fluids to be separated must be


insoluble in each other.

2. One fluid must be lighter than the other.

Separation depend upon the effect of gravity


to separate fluids.

If they are soluble in each other, no separation


is possible with gravity alone.
Gravity Separation

Since a separation depends upon gravity to


separate the fluids.
The ease with which two fluids can be
separated depends upon:

The difference in the density


In the process of separating gas from liquid .

Separation takes place in two stages:

1. Separate liquid
mist from the gas
phase.

2. Separate gas in
the from of foam
from the liquid
phase.
The gas remains in the separator long
enough for mist to drop out.

The flow of the gas through the separator


is slow enough (no turbulence) which will
keep the gas stream stirred up so that the
liquid has chance to drop out.
Separation System
Problems
Dust
may cause :

1. Erosion of compressor intake valves.


2. Plugging of small orifices in various
controlling and process equipment.
Oil fogs and mists :

Create process equipment problems

because they contaminate:

 lubricants,

 Chemical, &
 Desiccants
CLASSIFICATION
OF SEPARATORS
Depend on :-

The shape of the vessel.


The number of the fluids to be
separated.
The Shape of the Vessel
Separators are commonly manufactured in three
basic shapes:
 Horizontal Separator

 Vertical Separator

 Spherical Separator
Horizontal Separator

This type of vessels has a large interface area


between liquid and gas, therefore results in
more separation.

When the gas capacity is a design criterion, the


horizontal vessel is more economical in high-
pressure separators.

However, liquid level control is more critical


than that of a vertical separator.
Two Phase

Three Phase
Usage
Horizontal separators are most efficient where
larger amounts of solution gas (dissolved gas) are
present in the oil (Liquid).

The greater area or oil (Liquid) surface in this


vessel configuration provides optimum conditions
for entrapped gas to be freed from the liquid.

Single-barrel horizontal separators have largely


supplanted double-barrel vessels, although
double-barrels are still preferred by some
operators for slugging conditions.
Advantages
 For a given oil and gas capacity, the
horizontal usually will be cheaper than a
vertical.
 A horizontal configuration will be mere
adaptable to skid-mounting and on-skid
piping.
 For a given size, more area is available for
settling in the liquid phase. Thus, the
horizontal conforms to three phase
operation better than does a vertical.
 If heating coils or sand jets are required,
horizontal configuration is more adaptable.

 Foamy crudes are processed more


effectively in a horizontal than in a vertical.
The greater surface area between the gas
and liquid phases is an asset in allowing
free passage of collapsed foam to the liquid
section of the separator.
Disadvantages
 Horizontal separators normally have less
liquid surge capacity than a vertical of
comparable oil and gas capacity, and

 Liquid level control is more critical than


with a vertical type.
Vertical Separators

Usage
This type is capable of handling large
slugs of liquid without carryover to the
gas outlet.

Is best suited for well streams with low


liquid content and high gas volume and
is usually recommended, when the gas-
oil ratio is high.
Two Phase Three Phase
Advantages
 Liquid level and control not as critical
as for horizontal;
 Easier and cheaper to design for surge
capacity;
 With certain designs, more extraneous
material (for example, sand, mud, and
corrosion products) can be handled;
and
 Usually easier to clean.
Disadvantages
 More expensive,
 Does not adapt to skid-mounted
assemblies as well as do
horizontals in most cases, and
 Requires a larger diameter for the
same gas capacity.
Spherical Separators
Usage
About ten years ago, spherical separators
were popular due to their low price.

These types of separators are:


 Compact vessels arrangement, and
 Provide good gas separation.
The liquid level control is very critical.
These separators are not as popular today
because of their limitations.

However, they are still used in small scale


operations.
The Number of Fluids to be
Separated
Normally, fluids to be separated are either in
two or three phases.

If there are two fluids, such as gas and liquid,


the separator to be used is a two -phase
separator, may be horizontal or vertical type.

If three fluids are separated, such as, gas oil


and water, the vessel to be used is a three-
phase separator.
The number of phases refers
to the number of streams that
leave the vessel, and not the
number of phases that are in
the inlet stream.
Two-Phase Separators
The flow in horizontal or vertical separators is
similar. The well stream enters the inlet side
and strikes a baffle.

Forward motion is stopped temporarily with


the heavy liquids falling to the bottom of the
vessel.

Gas and liquid spray continue through


straightening vanes, which cause liquid drops
to form and drop intro the accumulation
section.
Two Phase
Three-Phase Separators
This type handles gas plus two immiscible
liquid phases.

The two liquid phases might be oil and water,


glycol and oil, etc.

The potential application of three phase


separators occurs where space is a major
consideration.
Three Phase
Thank you

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