Study of Foam Flow in a Gas-Liquid Cylindrical Cyclone (GLCC) Compact Separator

Abstract

Aqueous foam flow behavior in a Gas-Liquid Cylindrical Cyclone (GLCC) is studied experimentally and theoretically with the objective of determine the operational envelop for foam break up. An existing experimental two-phase facility was modified to enable foam flow characterization. Several experimental data were acquired for aqueous foam using a compact inlet cyclone. These include: foam characterization in static trap sections, and foam flow behavior in the cyclone. Saint-Jalmes et al. (2000) model has been modified for characterization of foam evolution in static trap sections including the prediction of the drainage interface height with time. In addition, a new model for the prediction of the operational envelop for foam break up in the cyclone based on foam characteristics was developed. Good agreement is observed between the experimental data and the predictions of the models. It can be concluded that depending on the operational conditions the GLCC can act either as a foam breaker or as a foam generator. The developed model for the prediction of the operational envelop for foam break up separates these two modes of operations of the GLCC.