A Novel Compact and Controllable Inline Separator: Field and Laboratory Tests

摘要

The demand for cheaper oil and gas production is ever increasing. Because of this, the market forces the processing equipment, e.g. separators, to become more efficient, compact, and lighter in weight. At the same time, the flexibility of operation of this equipment cannot be compromised. A compact, controllable inline separator, the 'SwirlSep', is developed to support the oil and gas production to be more efficient and cost effective. Field tests with the SwirlSep as a demister/desander are presented. The tests primarily focus on the removal of liquids and sand from a gas well during well cleaning. Results show that the removal of liquids varies between 98% and over 99% at very low (0.6%) and higher (20%) pressure drop, respectively. The overall efficiency of solids removal was determined to be 99.4%. Impressive is that results were achieved with flows significantly lower compared to its design capacity (down to less than 21%). Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and laboratory experiments focus on flow stability and the performance of the SwirlSep during bulk separation. A CFD of bulk separation using the SwirlSep, in combination with experimental observations showed that the SwirlSep is a suitable technology to have optimum gas and liquid quality; not only as demister and desander, but also as bulk gas/liquid separator.