Separators
Separators separate well fluids into gaseous and liquid components. A separator for petroleum production is a large vessel designed to separate production fluids into their constituent components of oil, gas, and water.
Oil and gas separators can have three general configurations: vertical, horizontal, and spherical.
The separators vary in size and are manufactured from multiple configurations of cylindrical shells. Horizontal separators, both monotube and dual-tube shells, can be used for two or three-phase service.
Monotobes are generally preferred because
- They offer a greater area for gas flow
- Oil/gas interface allows for a better per-unit price
- Longer retention times
- Reduced maintenance and cleaning
Monotubes are also preferred in colder climates due to the proximity of warm gas for heat exchange to prevent freezing. Furthermore, monotubes have lower silhouettes and are easier to stack for multi-stage separation on offshore platforms with limited space.
Two & Three-Phase Separators
2 Phase Separators
Gas is separated from the liquid, and components are discharged separately. Oil and gas separators are mechanically designed so that the liquid and gas components are separated from the hydrocarbon steam at specific temperatures and pressures.
3 Phase Separators
Well fluid is separated into gas, oil, and water, and the three components are discharged separately.
The gas-liquid separation section of the separator is determined by the maximum removal droplet size using the Souders–Brown equation with an appropriate K factor.
The oil-water separation section is held for a retention time provided by laboratory test data, pilot plant operating procedure, or operating experience.
In the case where the retention time is not available, the recommended retention time for three-phase separators in API 12J is used. The sizing methods by K factor and retention time give proper separator sizes.
Test Separators
A test separator (also “well tester” or “well checker”) allows the separation and monitoring of well fluids.
Test separators may be any usual configuration and may be two or three-phase, permanently installed or portable, and may be equipped with meters for measuring oil, gas, and/or water for potential tests, periodic production tests, marginal well tests, and others.
Production Units
A production separator divides produced well fluid from a single or group of wells or a lease on a daily or continuous basis. Separators can be vertical, horizontal, or spherical, and two or three-phase. The sizes are variable between 12”-15’ in diameter and 6-70’ long.
Blowcase Separation Units
Energy Weldfab manufactures high and low-pressure, horizontal and vertical, two-phase and three-phase separators. We incorporate “user-friendly” and dependable designs.
Standard Separator Components
- Inlet diverter
- Float shield
- Stainless steel wiremesh mist extractor
- Vortex breaker on liquid out connections
- Siphon-type drain
- Forged steel lifting lugs
Accessory Components
- Liquid level controllers
- Dump valves
- Reflex gauge glass assemblies with valves
- Isolation valves for dump
- Drain valve
- High-pressure regulator “when applicable”
- Low-pressure regulator
- Stainless steel instrumentation tubing
- Relief valve
- Concrete foundation block
Optional Components
- NACE design for sour service
- Vane-type mist extractor
- Back pressure valve “when applicable”
- Transparent sight glass
- High and low-level shutdown
- Skid mount and unitized
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