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In
the final analysis, it is really the economics that determines whether the
wellstream should be cooled, the extent to which it should be cooled, and
the cooling method applicable.
Separator Design
Cal Capacity
Besides calculating the diameter of the separator required for a given gas
capacity, the Souders-Brown relationship can also be used for other designs
such as bubble cap or trayed towers for dehydration and desulfurization
units, and for sizing mist eliminators. The K values given by Sivalls (1977)
for these are as follows:
The gas capacity of spherical separators ill based upon the capacity of the mist extractor.
Ga., and Liquid Separation 103
Note that the gas velocity v. is based upon total separator area , and it is
lly therefore more appropriate to refer to it as the superficial gas velocity. The
gas capacity at standard conditions (14.7 psia and 60 F) , qg,." re-
ported in units of MMscfd (million standard cubic feet per day), is thus
given by:
Equation 4-9 or 4-10 can be used to calculate the separator diameter re-
quired to handle a given gas rate, or to calculate the gas rate that a separator
tor of a given size can handle. The area of the mist extractor required, Am. can
r be obtained as follows:
r
(4-11)
where v", is the gas velocity through the mist extractor, determined using
gas Equation 4-6 with K _ 0.35 for mist extractor (wire mesh type).
gns
on Liquid Capacity
77)
The liquid capacity of a separator depends upon the volume of the separa-
tor available to the liquid, and the retention time of the liquid within the
separator (Sivalls, 1977):
Spherical separators are generally operated at half-full of liquid conditions; the relationship
mentioned assumes this cue. Also, the \'olume is increased by a factor of (0,2)0$ because
spherical separators have greatet rurge capacity due to their Ulape.
Cas arid Liquid Separation 105
6 ft and standard horizontal separators of diameter less than 26 in. are avail-
able and have been used successfully.
High-pressure separators are generally used for high-pressure, high gas-
liquid ratio (gas and gas condensate) wells. In this case, the gas capacity of
in the separator is usually the limiting factor. Low-pressure separators, used
generally for low gas-liquid ratio at low pressures, are subject to the opposite
constraint-they require a high liquid capacity. The separator chosen must
satisfy both the gas as well as liquid capacities. Also, the liquid discharge (o r
d. dump) valve should be designed for the pressure drop available and the liq-
g- uid flow rate (S ivalls. 1977).
Note that as the gas-liquid ratio (C LR) increases, the retention time t de-
creases. The volume of the separator occupied by gas, V c, is given by:
Vc - V - VI.. - V - Wt
Vc = cut - W,CLRt
rs
Therefore:
a- W,CLRt,. V - Wt
a-
On rearranging:
ed
of
V
h) t
id
Thus, for a fixed separator volume V and liquid capacity W, as CLR in-
d)
pt creases, retention time t decreases.
el.
E:ram,lJe 4-1. A separator, to be operated at 1,000 psi a, is required to han-
o- dle a wellstream with gas flow rate 7 MMscfd at a GLR - 40 bbllMMscf.
an Determine the separator size required, for: (1) a vertical separator, (2) a hor-
izontal single-tube separator, and (3) spherical separator. Assume a liquid
hip
(oil + water) density of 52 Ibm /ft3, ideal gas with gravity ., 0.80, an oper-
use ating temperature equal to 110 F', a retention time t - 3 min., and 112 full of
liquid conditions.
106 Ca, Production Engineering
Solution
- 0.466065 K
For a retention time t of 3 min., the liquid settling volume required for each
separator type is (Equation 4-12):