Swirling Flow Regimes and Gas Carry-Under in Gas–Liquid Cylindrical Cyclone Separator in a Separated Outlet Configuration

Abstract

Abstract Gas carry-under (GCU) and the corresponding gas volume fraction (GVF) in the gas–liquid cylindrical cyclone (GLCC©)2 liquid outlet occurs even within its normal operational envelope (OPEN). Few studies are available on GLCC, GCU, and GVF, which have been carried out in a GLCC operated in a metering loop configuration. This study focuses on GLCC GCU and GVF in swirling flow under separated outlet configuration with active control, which increases the GLCC OPEN significantly. A state-of-the-art test facility is used to acquire extensive GCU and GVF data for both air–water and air–oil flow in a 3″ diameter GLCC. The GLCC is equipped with three sequential trap sections to measure the instantaneous GVF and gas evolution in its lower part below the inlet. Also, gas trap sections are installed in the GLCC liquid outlet leg to measure the overall time-averaged GCU and GVF. The extensive acquired data shed light on the complex flow behavior in the lower part of the GLCC and its effect on the GCU and GVF in the GLCC. Tangential wall jet impingement from the GLCC inlet is the cause of gas entrainment and swirling in the lower GLCC body. The swirling flow mechanisms in the lower part of the GLCC are identified, which affect the GCU and GVF. The liquid viscosity and surface tension also affect the results. The GCU and GVF in the GLCC liquid outlet reduce as the superficial liquid velocities are increased for both air–oil and air–water flows, whereby the superficial gas velocities do not have a significant effect. The GCU and GVF for air–water flow are three orders of magnitude lower as compared to the air–oil flow.