STUDY OF SUPERSONIC SEPARATION OF ASSOCIATED PETROLEUM GAS USING UNISIM DESIGN R400

Abstract

Utilization and use of associated petroleum gas is an important task of oil and gas companies. Therefore, the use of low-cost and effective technology solutions will enable oil companies to increase the utilization of associated petroleum gas. One of the methods of development of associated petroleum gas treatment technology is the use of low-temperature supersonic gas-dynamic separation. That technology based on the passage of gas stream through supersonic nozzle. The adiabatic gas expansion results in deep gas cooling due to heat energy of gas transforms into stream kinetic energy. When gas stream direction changes condensed components are dropped to the inner wall and removed by centrifugal force. Valuable components recovery (C 3 +) and meeting hydrocarbon dew point and water dew point temperatures of transported gas are the main ways to use supersonic technology today. The article discusses the effects of inlet stream pressure and temperature changing, pressure drop through the separation device changing and the composition of the stream changing on supersonic separation. Study has been conducted using UniSim Design R400 software. Knowing the nature of process parameters impact on process outcome it is possible to predict products quantity and quality and the applicability of the process with some accuracy. Simulation allows to adapt design facilities of device to specific conditions of gas purification and drying process, also it becomes possible to optimize process parameters for sufficient gas components production.