Increasing the efficiency and capacity of two-phase separators

The increase in the global oil and gas demand is pushing operators to constantly increase production from existing assets. Within these facilities, the separation of oil, water, gas and added chemicals plays a key role in meeting export gas specifications. The carry-over of liquids from a liquid gas separator vessel, however, can easily lead to compressor failure or increase the dewpoint outside specification. Separation of the phases in separators strongly depends on the sizes of the dispersed droplets. The bigger the droplets, the more efficient the separation. By improving the droplet size in the feed stream, the separator capacity can be increased without any modifications to the separator itself or installation of any new additional equipment.

Upstream pressure reducing valves inherently create flow shear, which reduces the mean droplet size. This presentation will review the options available of reduced shear control valves which also maximise droplet size and the advantages this has on separation efficiency for greenfield sites and debottlenecking existing separation facilities.