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Optimum points for both beyond which further changes won’t affect
liquid recovery.
Computer simulation (flash vaporization calculation) of well stream
phase behavior of allows finding optimum P & T for max. liquid recovery.
High liquid recovery is desirable as liquid H.C. product is worth more than
the gas, provided that it can be handled in the available storage system.
However, indirect heater can be used to heat the gas prior to pressure
reduction of pipeline P in a choke. This is applied to high P wells.
2) Liquid Capacity.
1. Gas Capacity:
Empirical equations proposed by Souders-Brown are widely used for
calculating gas capacity of oil/gas separators:
and
where
A: Total cross-sectional area of separator, ft2
ν: Superficial gas velocity based on total cross-sectional area A, ft/s
q: Gas flow rate at operating conditions, ft3/s
ρL: Density of liquid at operating conditions, lbm/ft
ρg: Density of gas at operating conditions, lbm/ft3
K: Empirical factor
Also listed in the table are K-values used for other designs such as mist
eliminators & tray towers in dehydration or gas sweetening units.
Where:
qst: Gas capacity at standard conditions, MMscfd
D: Internal diameter of vessel, ft
P: Operation pressure, psia
T: Operating temperature, °F
Z: Gas compressibility factor
It should be noted that Equation (7.3) is empirical.
Although 1/2 full of liquid is more or less standard for most single-tube
horizontal separators, lowering liquid level to increase the available gas
space within the vessel increases the gas capacity.
2. Liquid Capacity :
Experience shows for high P separators treating high gas/oil ratio well
streams, gas capacity is the controlling factor for separator selection.
However, the reverse may be true for low P separators used on well
streams with low gas/oil ratios.
Stage Separation :
A process in which H.C. mixtures are separated into vapor & liquid phases
by multiple equilibrium flashes at consecutively lower pressures.
In situations where the flow line P > 600 psi, it is practical to let the first-
stage separator ride the line or operate at the flow line P.
P at low stage separations can be determined based on equal P ratios
between the stages:
Low T separation process separates water & H.C. liquids from the inlet
well stream and recovers liquids from gas more than normal T separators.
It’s efficient means of handling high P gas & condensate at the wellhead.
Low T separation unit consists of: high P separator, P reducing chokes &
various pieces of heat exchange equipment.
The lower the separator operating T, the lighter the liquid recovery .
Gas expansion P for hydrate formation can be found from the chart
prepared by Katz (1945) (see Chapter 12).
Hydrates form in the downstream of the choke due to the low gas T and
fall to the bottom settling section of the separator.
They are heated and melted by liquid heating coils located in the bottom
of the separator.