NUMERICAL MODELING OF THE SEPARATION OF LIQUID AND GASEOUS PHASES OF HYDROCARBON MIXTURES IN A VORTEX CHAMBER

Abstract

Analysis of the separation process in a vortex chamber is based on the assumption of phase equilibrium existence in the system. Dynamic processes occurring while phases moving in a vortex chamber contribute to the separation of the liquid and gaseous phases of hydrocarbon mixtures. Thus, the transition of the fluid to a metastable state in the vortex chamber will occur in less time than using the traditional methods.Based on the developed model of a vortex chamber in ANSYS FLUENT a series of numerical experiments were carried out. The influence of various parameters on the amount of removal of liquid and gaseous phases of hydrocarbon mixtures was determined. Indicators of the properties of the liquid phase have the greatest impact on the dynamics of the removal of liquid with gas, while the characteristics of the gas phase can be neglected due to their statistical insignificance.When studying the design of a vortex chamber, the smallest removal is observedwhen the inlet pipe is installed further from the top of the chamber (more recessed into the flow). The H/D ratio has less influence, but the offset decreases monotonically as the H/D parameter increases. The influence of the flow rate and the ratio of phases formed in the nozzles on the amount of carryover indicates that with an increase in the gas phase in the incoming flow, the removal of liquid increases. The inlet rate has a less influence.Statistical processing and regression analysis of the results of numerical modeling were carried out. Empirical equations for calculating the amount of droplet liquid removal from the vortex chamber are obtained. The dispersion value was calculated and the significance of the regression coefficients was checked. Based on the results of assessing homogeneity, reproducibility, and adequacy, a conclusion was made about the suitability of the developed model for calculations.