Horizontal Longitudinal Flow Separator

NATCO separation technology with custom designs for specific applications

APPLICATIONS Robust, versatile three-phase separation
■■ Production separator The horizontal longitudinal flow (HLF) separator incorporating NATCO* separation technology is one
■■ Test separator of the most popular and versatile separators in the industry. Designed with a wide range of internal
Wellhead separator components specific to each application, it is suitable for a full range of gas/oil ratios, pressures, and
■■ Mist
flow rates. The horizontal
extractor Gas out design provides the advantage of large gas/liquid and oil/water interfacial
■■ Slug catcher
Momentum absorber
areas to speed the separation process.
■■ Freewater knockout
How it works
■■ Degassing drum
Like all separators, the HLF separator must perform four distinct functions: inlet momentum control,
vapor demisting, liquid retention, and liquid outlet control. Typically, the inlet is on one end of the
horizontal separator and the gas and liquid outlets are on the opposite end. As fluid enters, bulk
separation occurs at the inlet device. The phases separate within the liquid retention section and flow
to their respective outlets. Demisting and coalescing devices assist in the phase separation, and vortex
breakers prevent the reentrainment of phases.

Inlet momentum control

Mist
extractor Gas out In the horizontal separator, several alternatives are available for controlling inlet momentum. NATCO
technology splash plates, dished heads, and the PORTA-TEST REVOLUTION* separator internals are
Liquid retention available. The inlet device controls the inlet momentum by redirecting the inlet stream and dissipating
Water
theout Oil out
energy of the inlet fluid. Additionally, the PORTA-TEST REVOLUTION internals use the energy
of the incoming fluid to eliminate foam.

Vapor demisting
Options are available for vapor demisting. Wire mesh, serpentine vanes, and the NATCO PERFORMAX*
horizontal high-efficiency phase separator can be used for removing liquid droplets from the flowing
gas stream. The PERFORMAX separator and serpentine vanes normally are installed vertically
(perpendicular to flow) in the gas phase across the vessel diameter. The tortuous flow path of the
devices creates an inertial separation mechanism. Wire mesh can be installed in a horizontal position
at the gas outlet for final cleanup. Wire mesh relies on droplet impingement and coalescence as the
separation mechanism.
Water out Oil out

Shelf
Cup Mist
extractor Gas out
Momentum absorber

Shelf

Liquid retention
Water out Oil out

Cup (dished head) and shelf inlet diverter. Typical production separator.
 Gas out
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Horizontal Longitudinal Flow Separator Gas

LC
Gas
LC
Liquid retention LC
LC
Water Oil
In three-phase designs, oil and water separate in the liquid retention section. PERFORMAX separator Water Oil
elements are employed to speed the liquid/liquid coalescing process. Sizing of the liquid section is
normally based on retention time. The retention time required is heavily influenced
Water out
by the crude oil
Oil out
gravity, operating temperature, and required outlet for bottom solids and water (BS&W). Sand jet Water out Oil out
systems also can be added in this section to enable sand removal from the vessel during operation.

Liquid outlet control

The purpose of the outlet control section is to prevent reentrainment of the separated phases. The
variety of alternative configurations available assures the most-effective arrangement of the three-
phase outlets: bucket and weir, bucket and riser, fixed weir, spillover weir, and
Gasstandpipe.
out Liquid and
Gas out
gas outlet vortex breakers also are typically included in this section to prevent vortices from occurring.

Performance Gas PORTA-TEST REVOLUTION separator internal.

Horizontal separator performance is determined by the characteristics of the fluid being separated, Gas
size of the vessel, and type of internal components installed. In general, liquid carryover
LSH
in the effluent
LC LSH
gas stream does not exceed 0.1 galUS of particles larger than 10 um
Water per million standard
Oil cubic feet LC
LSL Water Oil
(MMcf/d) of gas if serpentine vanes are used for gas demisting. Performance is further enhanced if wire LSL

mesh is used.
Water out Oil out
To enhance oil/water separation in three-phase separators, PORTA-TEST REVOLUTION separator Water out Oil out
internal components, perforated baffles, and PERFORMAX separator coalescing sections can all be
added. BS&W content in the outlet oil stream can be reduced significantly with the inclusion of one
PERFORMAX separator and serpentine vane.
or a combination of these components.
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GasGas
outout
Oil out WaterGas
outout
Oil out Water out
Oil out Water out
Gas
Gas Gas
Gas LC Gas GasGas out
out Gas Gas Gas
LC
LC
out LC
LC
Water Oil LC LC
LC LC LC
Oil Oil LC LC Oil LC
Water
Oil Oil Oil LC
Water Water Water
Water Water
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Adjustable weir Adjustable weir
Water
Water outout OilOil
outout
Adjustable weir
Water out Oil out

Bucket and riser. LC = level controller. Three-phase separator (fixed weir). Three-phase bucket and weir.

Gas out

Gas out

Gas

Gas
LSH
LC
Water Oil LSL LSH
LC
Water Oil LSL
Three-phase separator (spillover
Water out Oil out weir). LSH = level switch high,
LSL = level switch low.
Water out Oil out

slb.com/gas-treatment
Gas out
*­ Mark of Schlumberger
PORTA-TEST REVOLUTION separator internal technology licensed with Gas out
PolyMem, a registered trademark of Ferris Manufacturing Corporation
Oil out Water out
Copyright © 2018 Schlumberger. All rights reserved. 18-OSF-367930
Gas Gas
out
Gas Gas Gas
out
LC