Petroleum - Oil Production - Separation - Separators

Vertical Separator Capabilities:

For applications with low or medium gas to oil ratios and the possibility of large liquid surges, the high-pressure vertical separator will perform exceptionally well. This design is also capable of handling applications that contain sand and other sediments. All standard units are designed per ASME Code, Section VIII.

Horizontal Separators:
Suited for applications with high gas to oil ratios and minimal liquid surging, the horizontal separators will provide years of trouble-free service. All standard units are designed per ASME code, Section VIII.


Operation:
The well stream or product flow, consisting of a mixture of liquids and gases, enters the separator through the inlet connection and collides with the inlet deflector – forcing the fluid to change direction and contact the vessel wall. This action pushes the gases to the top of the vessel and allows the fluids to fall to the bottom. The gases are scrubbed through the demister section of the vessel. The demister causes the gas flow to change direction constantly – breaking out remaining entrained liquid particles that form droplets and fall back to the settling section. The gas is released out of the gas outlet connection.

The oil and water discharge is controlled by liquid level controls which hold the fluid in retention long enough to provide sufficient separation time.

Two phase separators are designed to hold the fluid in the accumulation section for one to two minutes. This allows gases in the solution to break out from the liquid. The liquid is then dumped to storage.

Three phase separators must be designed with slightly different internals to operate properly. The retention time is also raised to three to five minutes. This allows the oil to separate from the free water. Both products are then dumped to storage.