Abstract
This study presents an approach to determine the dimensions of three-phase separators. First, we designed different vessel configurations based on the fluid properties of an Iranian gas condensate field. We then used a comprehensive computational fluid dynamic (CFD) method for analyzing the three-phase separation phenomena. For simulation purposes, the combined volume of fluid–discrete particle method (DPM) approach was used. The discrete random walk (DRW) model was used to include the effect of arbitrary particle movement due to variations caused by turbulence. In addition, the comparison of experimental and simulated results was generated using different turbulence models, i.e., standard k–ε, standard k–ω, and Reynolds stress model. The results of numerical calculations in terms of fluid profiles, separation performance and DPM particle behavior were used to choose the optimum vessel configuration. No difference between the dimensions of the optimum vessel and the existing separator was found. Also, simulation data were compared with experimental data pertaining to a similar existing separator. A reasonable agreement between the results of numerical calculation and experimental data was observed. These results showed that the used CFD model is well capable of investigating the performance of a three-phase separator.
Highlights
On production units, a multiphase separator is the first surface equipment which is used to separate the produced wellhead fluid into the liquid and gas fractions
This study presents an approach to determine the dimensions of three-phase separators
The discrete random walk (DRW) model was used to include the effect of arbitrary particle movement due to variations caused by turbulence
Summary
A multiphase separator is the first surface equipment which is used to separate the produced wellhead fluid into the liquid and gas fractions. Inappropriate design of three-phase separators is a major obstacle to stable hydrocarbon processing and leads to reduce the efficiency of the entire surface equipment such as: heaters, exchangers and pressure maintenance equipment. When sizing a horizontal separator, it is necessary to choose a seam to seam vessel length and a diameter (Stewart and Arnold 2008). The separator length and diameter are chosen, in order to allow different phases to separate from each other and reach an equilibrium. Much work has been conducted to investigate the aspects of designing threephase separators (GPSA 1998; Smith 1987; Gerunda 1981 and Watkins 1967). The effects of different types of momentum breaker and mist extractor device, feed pipe velocity, particle-size distribution and the main vessel dimensions were discussed in their work
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