Concept Proofing of Supersonic Nozzle Separator for CO2 Separation from Natural Gas using a Flow Loop

摘要

The application of supersonic nozzle separator for dehydration and hydrocarbon dew pointing is a field- proven technology.A study was conducted on the potential of the supersonic nozzle separator technology for CO2 separation from natural gas.A proof of concept testing of the supersonic nozzle prototype is being validated via a multiphase flow loop.The setup consists of a multiphase pump,gas-liquid separators and heat exchangers.Pressure transducers were installed along the supersonic nozzle prototype and the pressure reading is recorded by the data acquisition system.Besides pressure, the temperature inlet,primary and secondary outlets of the tube were also monitored.On-line gas sampling system was installed at the inlet and the outlet of the nozzle prototype to monitor the inlet composition and the effect of the phase separation occurred in the tube to the outlet composition.The pressure profile plotted along the prototype was validated with the Computational Fluid Dynamic(CFD)simulation results and significant flow of liquid CO2 was produced during the test.The result of temperature reduction at the nozzle outlet shows that the thermodynamic prediction on gas expansion using de Laval nozzle was proven as per simulation.The outcome from the experiment provides the improvements to the CFD simulation numerical modelling as well as the in- house coding for CO2 separation efficiency.