evaluating the processing capacity of a seperator

[farrukhmateen]

Dear Friends Hello,

I need to enquire as whether their is a method to quantify the maximum amount of liquid (water and condensate) being handled by a three phase seperator.

For instance if i already have a 3phase horizontal sep in my plant and i want to analyze whether it can be used for a feed stream with higher liquid content how can i re-evaluate its processing capability while ensuring that it will provide sufficeint residence time for phase seperation. its rated for 50mmscfd gas, 10 bpd water and 600bpd condensate.

Would appreiciate if you could point me to a book or any article on this. I hope the question doesnt seems confused.

Thanks

[vivek68]

Dear Friends Hello,

I need to enquire as whether their is a method to quantify the maximum amount of liquid (water and condensate) being handled by a three phase seperator.

For instance if i already have a 3phase horizontal sep in my plant and i want to analyze whether it can be used for a feed stream with higher liquid content how can i re-evaluate its processing capability while ensuring that it will provide sufficeint residence time for phase seperation. its rated for 50mmscfd gas, 10 bpd water and 600bpd condensate.

Would appreiciate if you could point me to a book or any article on this. I hope the question doesnt seems confused.

Thanks

for adequacy check of existing separator

You need to check the liquid hold up time or residence time allotted for condensate & water in original sizing given in manufacturer data sheets. Time selected is based on temp, density,viscosity etc.

first you enter new liquid flow rates data in your software / calculation and the new residence time calculated need to be reviewed for separation.

secondly, the new liquid flow rates need to be checked for their outlet nozzle/piping and control valves in old lines.

hope u have got the answer.

[alzuhd]

Dear farrukhmateen
At the dnd of the day, u need to determine the new service conditions that u r aiming at investigation first
then u either employ a simulation package to apply the new conditions which will basically output for u the flow rates for the different scenarios u like to investigate
or
alternatively u employ process calcualtations (like the ones in GPSA) and find out the suitable mass balance as related to retention times and hold mup capacities
as a general rule, if the separator u have in the field has a larger capacity indicated in the data sheet, the separator will be more flexible to changes in the input three phase medium or it will form a bottle neck for u

[farrukhmateen]

thanks guys, ill check this up and get back to ylu with my results.