Category Archives for Oil and Water Separation
Three Phase Vertical Separators Sizing
As with vertical two-phase separators, a minimum diameter must be maintained to assure adequate gas capacity. In addition, vertical threephase separators must maintain a minimum diameter to allow the 500 micron water droplets to settle. The height of the three-phase … Continue reading
Three Phase Horizontal Separator Sizing
For sizing a horizontal three-phase separator it is necessary to specify a vessel diameter and a seam-to-seam vessel length. The gas capacity and retention time considerations establish certain acceptable combinations of diameter and length. The need to settle 500-micron water … Continue reading
Vertical Three Phase Separator
Figure 5-6 shows a typical configuration for a vertical three-phase separator. Flow enters the vessel through the side as in the horizontal separator, the inlet diverter separates the bulk of the gas. A downcomer is required to transmit the liquid … Continue reading
Vessel Internal
Two common internals not discussed are coalescing plates and sand jets. It is possible to use various plate or pipe coalescer designs to aid in the coalescing of oil droplets in the water and water droplets in the oil. Coalescing … Continue reading
Horizontal Three Phase Separator Part 2
Figure 5-3 shows an alternate configuration known as a “bucket and weir” design. This design eliminates the need for a liquid interface controller. Both the oil and water flow over weirs where level control is accomplished by a simple displacer … Continue reading
Horizontal Three Phase Separator Part 1
Three phase separator are designed as either horizontal or vertical pressure vessel. Figure 5-2 is a schematic of a horizontal separator. The fluid enters the separator and hits an inlet diverter. This sudden change in momentum does the initial gross … Continue reading