An improved design method for compact vertical separator combined with the theoretical method and numerical simulation

Abstract

Hydrocyclone is mostly used in high efficiency and compact separators to simplify the process flow, and reduce the occupied area and weight of separation equipments. However, the separation outer cylinder size is determined by the traditional Stokes law and the size of traditional droplets, the calculation result would be bigger than expected. So, a new improved design method is put forward in this paper. Firstly, the theoretical calculation is conducted on the effective diameter of the dispersed phase oil droplets according to the droplet coalescence principle and the population balance equation (PBE), and then the numerical simulation verification of multiple load cases is conducted on the two possible maximum particle sizes of the oil droplets by means of the VOF multiphase flow model. Then the floating velocity of oil droplets can be obtained by the droplet sedimentation velocity calculation model, and finally, the size of the outer cylinder of the compact vertical separator can be determined. This method can greatly reduce the size of the outer cylinder of the separator and realize the compactness of the overall structure of the separator. The feasibility of the structure and the reliability of the separation effect have also been verified by field tests.