Since, separators is any device of vessel will separate a certain phase from another immiscible phase, there are many types of vessel or devices performing this function, however, their names will differ as follows:
Two- phase separator: A vessel used to separate a mixed-phase stream into gas and liquid phases that are “relatively” free of each other. Other terms used are scrubbers, knockouts, line drips, and decanters.
Flash Tank: A vessel used to separate the gas evolved from liquid flashed from a higher pressure to a lower pressure.
Line Drip: Typically used in pipelines with very high gas-to-liquid ratios to remove only free liquid from a gas stream, and not necessarily all the liquid. Line drips provide a place for free liquids to separate and accumulate.
Liquid-Liquid Separators: Two immiscible liquid phases can be separated using the same principles as for gas and liquid separators. Liquid-liquid separators are fundamentally the same as gas-liquid separators except that they must be designed for much lower velocities. Because the difference in density between two liquids is less than between gas and liquid, separation is more difficult.
Scrubber or Knockout: A vessel designed to handle streams with high gas-to-liquid ratios. The liquid is generally entrained as mist in the gas or is free-flowing along the pipe wall. These vessels usually have a small liquid collection section. The terms are often used interchangeably.
Slug Catcher: A particular separator design able to absorb sustained in-flow of large liquid volumes at irregular intervals. Usually found on gas gathering systems or other two phase pipeline systems. A slug catcher may be a single large vessel or a manifolded system of pipes.
Three Phase Separator: A vessel used to separate gas and two immiscible liquids of different densities (e.g. gas, water, and oil).
Filter Separators: A filter separator usually has two compartments. The first compartment contains filter-coalescing elements. As the gas flows through the elements, the liquid particles coalesce into larger droplets and when the droplets reach sufficient size, the gas flow causes them to flow out of the filter elements into the center core. The particles are then carried into the second compartment of the vessel (containing a vane-type or knitted wire mesh mist extractor) where the larger droplets are removed. A lower barrel or boot may be used for surge or storage of the removed liquid.
