Introduction

• The Natural Gas found in underground reservoirs differs from the finished product
sold on the market. Gas has no use to consumers in its natural state, therefore it
must go through numerous stages of treatment and processing before being
purchased and consumed.

• The major technical components of gas processing and conditioning will be covered
in this course (Gas Processing and Conditioning Fundamentals). It will provides a
comprehensive grasp of the equipment and processes used in conventional
separation and gas treating systems, as well as a complete and up-to-date review of
gas conditioning and processing technologies.

• The course will also cover gas dehydration, sweetening, and processing activities, as
well as the integration of separate processing operations, natural gas gathering,
separation, and final treatment systems, and the notions of export grade natural
gas, field, and fiscal measurements inaccuracy.
1. Introduction to Natural Gas Processing
2. Gas Separation System
3. Natural Gas Sweetening
4. Natural Gas Dehydration
5. Natural Gas Liquid Recovery
 Learning Objectives

This Course is designed to provide a fundamental knowledge

outcome that is reflective of an Overview of Natural Gas
Processing, Gas Separation System, Natural Gas Sweetening,
Dehydration, Liquid Recovery and a Case study Simulation of
Natural Gas Processing.
 Learning Outcome
At the End of this Course, Participants should be able:
Explain the origin of Natural Gas.

Describe the Natural Gas Value Chain.

Identify the typical Constituents of Natural Gas.

Identify and interpret a Typical Natural Gas Processing Facility Block

Diagram.

Identify the Constituents and Physical Properties of Natural Gas.

Describe the formation of Natural Gas Hydrates and control measures.

 Learning Outcome
At the End of this Course, Participants should be able:

Describe the Process Objective of Natural Gas.

Identify the Types and Source of Natural Gas.

Identify and describe Gas separation principles and processes.

Identify and Explain the Design and Operations criteria of two and three
Phase Separators.

Identify typical Natural Gas Sweetening Processes.

 Learning Outcome
At the End of this Course, Participants should be able:

Identify and Explain the Design and Operation Parameters and Criteria of
Natural Gas Sweetening Process.

Describe the Typical operation problems and troubleshoot a Natural Gas

Sweetening Process.

Identify the typical Processes of Natural Gas Dehydration.

Explain the Theory and principles of Natural Gas Dehydration.

Identify the difference between Glycols vs. Solid desiccants.

 Learning Outcome
At the End of this Course, Participants should be able:

Identify components and specifications of NGL.

Explain the Processing objectives of NGL.

Explain the Value of NGL.

Identify the typical specification for transportable and sales Gas.

Identify Natural Liquid Recovery Processes.

Perform simple Gas Processing Simulation using HYSYS.

 Module One Learning Outcomes
At the End of this Module, you should be able:
• Explain the origin of Natural Gas.

• Describe the Natural Gas Value Chain.

• Identify and interpret a Typical Natural Gas Processing Facility Block Diagram.

• Identify the Constituents and Physical Properties of Natural Gas.

• Describe the formation of Natural Gas Hydrates and control measures.

• Describe the Process Objective of Natural Gas.

• Identify the Types and Source of Natural Gas.

 NATURAL GAS OCCURRENCE AND PRODUCTION
Where Does Natural Gas Come From? Natural gas (also called fossil gas) is a naturally occurring
hydrocarbon gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, but commonly including varying amounts of
other higher alkanes, and sometimes a small percentage of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide,
or helium.
 NATURAL GAS OCCURRENCE AND PRODUCTION
It is formed when layers of decomposing plant and animal matter are exposed to intense heat
and pressure under the surface of the Earth over millions of years.
NATURAL GAS ORIGIN
Natural gas is classified as a fossil fuel. This means that it is
essentially the remains of plants, animals, and microorganisms
that lived millions and millions of years ago, just like oil and coal.

The origins of fossil fuels are the subject of numerous theories.

The most widely recognized explanation states that fossil fuels

are generated when organic matter (such as plant or animal
remnants) is squeezed under extreme pressure for an extended
period of time.

Thermogenic methane is the name given to this form of methane.

The formation of thermogenic methane is similar to that of oil,

with organic particles covered in mud and other sediment.
 NATURAL GAS ORIGIN
The transformation of organic substances by tiny
microorganisms can also produce natural gas.

Biogenic methane is the name given to this form of

methane.

Methanogens, or methane-producing microbes,

break down organic matter chemically to make
methane.

At greater burial depths, metamorphism may drive

off all hydrogen atoms from organic compounds and
leave a residue of carbon, often in the form of
graphite.

Abiongenic methane is formed by another process

that involves non-organic carbon- and hydrogen-rich
gases, which exist deep within the Earth. They form
as either primordial gases that seep from our
planet's interior or as gases liberated from crustal
rocks during metamorphism.
 History of Natural Gas
Naturally occurring natural gas was discovered and identified in America as early as
1626.
The first commercialized natural gas occurred in Britain. Around 1785, the British used
natural gas produced from coal to light houses and streets.

Chinese used it to desalt sea water.

Once the transportation of natural gas was possible with Pipelines, new uses
for natural gas were discovered. These included using natural gas to heat
homes and operate appliances such as water heaters.

Industry began to use natural gas in manufacturing and processing plants.

Also, natural gas was used to heat boilers used to generate electricity.

Today, natural gas is a vital component of the world's supply of energy.

Natural gas currently supplies more than one-half of the energy consumed
by residential and commercial customers.
 HISTORY OF NATURAL GAS IN NIGERIA

The first oil finding well was dug in Oloibiri

in 1958, and Nigerian oil and gas Since 1990, daily gas output has risen
production began in 1959. (Present day significantly, surpassing 8.2 billion
Bayelsa State, Niger Delta Region). standard cubic feet per day in 2015.

Gas output began to rise in the early

1970s, eventually exceeding 2.7
billion standard cubic feet per day by
Nigeria had an estimated 200.4 trillion
1979.
cubic feet (Tcf) of proved natural gas
reserves by the end of 2019, according to
By this time, a domestic market had the Oil & Gas Journal. Nigeria has the
emerged in the eastern portion of the largest natural gas reserves in Africa.
country, close to the gas source, for
the consumption of produced gas.
 NATURAL GAS VALUE CHAIN
The Natural Gas Value Chain is made up of the production, processing, and conversion of natural gas to
LNG, as well as its long-distance transportation and regasification as it makes its way from the wellhead to
end-users.
 NATURAL GAS VALUE CHAIN
1. Natural gas is taken from subsurface sources and transferred to
processing facilities via small pipes, referred to as a gathering system.

Extracted natural gas can contain non-hydrocarbons, including hydrogen

sulphide, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and water. Natural gas liquids, like
propane or butane, are also extracted and sold separately.

2.Pipelines bring processed natural gas to the liquefaction plant. Before

liquefaction may take place, the feed gas into liquefaction facilities must be pure,
dry, and devoid of contaminants.

Purified natural gas is chilled to around -260 degrees Fahrenheit (-162 degrees
Celsius) at the liquefaction facility, resulting in a 600-fold reduction in volume.
LNG is a non-toxic, clear liquid that is held in enormous cryogenic tanks until it is
loaded into an LNG vessel.

3.LNG is pumped from storage tanks into specially designed double hulled
tankers for shipment around the world.

4. When the tanker arrives at its destination, LNG is unloaded at the terminal and
stored in cryogenic tanks. LNG is subsequently transferred to a regasification
plant, where it is heated and allowed to expand back into its original gaseous
state, for delivery into the natural gas pipeline system.
5.Natural gas can be transported via large diameter transmission pipelines
A distinctive odour can be added to gas for safety, so people can detect leaks
to local distribution networks of pipelines for delivery to residential
during its delivery and use. Alternatively, a portion of the LNG delivered can be consumers, businesses, Industrial facilities, and power generation plants.
put into smaller containers and loaded onto trucks, barges, or rail cars that act as
a virtual pipeline to deliver LNG to more remote areas not served by traditional
underground pipelines.
NATURAL GAS PROCESSING FACILITY BLOCK DIAGRAM
NATURAL GAS CONSTITUENTS
Composition of raw natural gas
 
Raw natural gas typically consists primarily of gaseous
methane, the shortest and lightest hydrocarbon
molecule. It also contains varying amounts of:

Heavier gaseous hydrocarbons: ethane (C2H6),

propane (C3H8), normal butane] (n-C4H10), isobutane
(i-C4H10), pentanes and even higher molecular weight
hydrocarbons. When processed and purified into
finished by-products, all of these are collectively
referred to as Natural Gas Liquids (NGL).
Acid gases: carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrogen sulfide
(H2S) and mercaptans such as methanethiol (CH3SH)
and ethanethiol (C2H5SH).
Other gases: nitrogen (N2) and helium (He).
Water: water vapor and liquid water.
PHASE BEHAVIOUR – WATER HYDROCARBON SYSTEMS
What exactly is a phase?
Any homogenous and physically different zone separated from another by a
definite border is referred to as a phase.
A glass of H2O with ice, for example, comprises one component (water) that
exhibits three phases: liquid, solid, and gaseous (the water vapour).
The most relevant phases in the oil industry are liquids (water & oil), gases
(or vapours), and to a lesser extent, solid.
Behaviour of the Hydrocarbon Phase in General
•The phases in which hydrocarbons reside, as well as the makeup of the
phases, may change as pressure and temperature change.
•Understanding the initial state of fluids is critical for calculating surface
volumes represented by subterranean hydrocarbons.
Phase Behaviour Of Hydrocarbons
When fluids are produced from a subsurface reservoir to
the surface both temperature and pressure are reduced.
The P-T changes result in two kinds of phase change in the
produced fluids:
1.Liquid may condense from the produced gas.
2.Gas may evolve from the produced liquid.
Similar changes take place in the subsurface reservoir as a
result of the isothermal (constant temperature) pressure
change generated by fluid production:
1.Condensate (liquid) may be produced in the reservoir
from the gas phase.
2.2. Solution gas may be evolved in the reservoir from the
liquid phase.

•It's also important to be able to forecast phase changes when temperature

and pressure in the reservoir change, as well as fluids move through surface
facilities, so that proper subsurface and surface development plans can be
formed.

•Phase behavior refers to the state or states in which a mass of fluid occurs
under particular pressure, volume, and temperature circumstances (PVT).
PHASE BEHAVIOUR – WATER HYDROCARBON SYSTEMS

Single Component Phase Diagrams

The stability of phases can be predicted by the chemical potential, in that the most stable form of the
substance will have the minimum chemical potential at the given temperature and pressure. This can
be summarized in a phase diagram like the one shown below.

In this phase diagram, which is typical of most

substances, the solid lines represent the phase
boundaries.

The green line marks the freezing point (or transition

from liquid to solid), the blue line marks the boiling
point (or transition from liquid to gas), and the red line
shows the conditions under which a solid can be
converted directly to a gas (and vice-versa).

The dotted green line is meant to replace the solid

green line in the corresponding phase diagram of
water. It illustrates water’s anomalous behavior.
PHASE BEHAVIOUR – WATER HYDROCARBON SYSTEMS
THE PHASE RULE
• The number of components present in a system determines the maximum number of phases that can
coexist at fixed temperature and pressure. The phase rule of Gibbs states that the number of independent
variables that must be specified to determine the intensive state of the system is given by...................(1)
• where: F is the number of degrees of freedom nc is the number of components np is the number of
phases Nc is the number of constraints (e.g., chemical reactions)
• For a single-component system, the maximum number of phases occurs when there are no constraints (Nc =
0) and no degrees of freedom (F = 0). Thus, the maximum number of possible phases is three.
• Therefore, if three phases coexist in equilibrium (possible only at the triple point), the pressure and
temperature are fixed. If only two phases are present in a pure component system, then either the
temperature or the pressure can be chosen.

Once one is chosen, the other is determined. If the two phases are vapor and liquid, for example, choice of
the temperature determines the vapor pressure at that temperature. These permitted
pressure/temperature values lie on the vapor-pressure curve.
PHASE BEHAVIOUR – WATER HYDROCARBON SYSTEMS

Two Component Phase Diagrams

In a binary system, two phases can exist

over a range of temperatures and
pressures.

The number of degrees of freedom is

calculated by...(2) therefore, both the
temperature and pressure can be chosen,
although there is no guarantee that two
phases will occur at a specific choice
of T and p.
PHASE BEHAVIOUR – WATER HYDROCARBON SYSTEMS

For multicomponent systems, the phase

rule provides little guidance because the
number of phases is always far less than
the maximum number that can occur.

However, for typical applications, the

temperature, pressure, and overall
composition of a system are known in
advance.

This allows the number of phases in the

system to be predicted by stability
analysis, as described in the chapter on
phase behavior in this volume.
PHASE BEHAVIOUR – WATER HYDROCARBON SYSTEMS
Phase Behavior: Water Hydrocarbon Systems
Water and hydrocarbons are insoluble in liquid phase
Problems with water saturated gas
o Excessive pressure drops
o Plugging due to ice and hydrate formation
o Sever corrosion in acid and sour gas lines
Water content of natural gas
Phase diagrams are used to depict the
fundamental behavior of water-natural gas
combinations.
The quantity and heavy hydrocarbon content
of natural gas should be adjusted in order to
move the water dew point and hydrate
formation curves to the left of the phase
envelope for design reasons.
Water condensation and hydrate production
would only occur at extremely low
temperatures in such situation.
The design engineer's job is to ensure that
while the gas is being prepared for delivery to
the pipeline, the circumstances for the
production of water, liquid hydrocarbons, and
hydrates are unfavorable.
Natural Gas Hydrates

Gas hydrates are crystalline formations

made up of water molecules in a
complicated lattice. Hydrates resemble dirty
ice, but they have holes that gas molecules
may fit into.

Water, methane, and propane, or water,

methane, and ethane, are the most
frequent chemicals found in the lattice gaps.

They have the appearance of wet, mushy

snow until they are caught in a limitation
and subjected to differential pressure, at
which point they solidify into highly solid
structures, much like compacting snow into
Why Is Hydrate Control So Important?
a snowball.
  Gas hydrates collect in the liquid collecting portion of
NATURAL GAS HYDRATES

Why Is Hydrate Control So Important?

Gas hydrates collect in the liquid collecting

portion of vessels due to limitations in flow lines,
chokes, valves, and sensors.

Hydrates clog and limit line capacity, damage

chokes and instruments, and create separation
issues.
There are three methods for preventing hydrate
development in natural gas streams:

•Conduct operations outside of the hydrate

formation zone.

•The gas should be dehydrated.

• Include a hydration inhibitor

NATURAL GAS HYDRATES

Hydrates formation prediction

 
Hydrates formation prediction Thermodynamics is a powerful tool for predicting the temperature and
pressure required for hydrate formation based on gas composition.
Even if hydrates are thermodynamically possible, they might never form.

Hydrate formation kinetics is complex and poorly understood, in part due to the random nature of the
crystal growth process. Operating conditions should be outside the hydrate region to be safe.
 
Flow assurance is a field of technology that guarantees that hydrocarbons flow freely from wells to
processing plants, free of obstructions.
The three areas of concern are:
 
•Wax and asphaltene solids deposition.
•Scale (inorganic salt) deposition.
•Gas hydrate solids formation.
 
GAS PROCESSING OBJECTIVES

The preparation of gas for sale is one of the major aims of the
gas-processing industry.

The process of refining natural gas includes eliminating all

hydrocarbons and fluids from pure natural gas in order to
produce pipeline-quality dry natural gas (i.e., gas that meets
a specified analytical composition).

Pipeline companies usually impose restrictions on the type of

natural gas that may be transported through their system.

Natural gas must therefore be cleaned before being

transported, and while ethane, propane, butane, and
pentanes must be separated from methane, they are not
waste products.

Natural gas liquids (NGLs) are the higher molecular weight

hydrocarbons that are extracted and used in a range of
products. Regardless of the raw gas's composition, it must be
treated before being transported and used.
Type and Source of Natural Gas
Natural gas resources differ by the geological characteristics
of their reservoir rock. In fact, natural gas comes from both
“conventional” and “unconventional” geological formations
(See image below)
Gases that are commonly used:
Conventional gas is usually trapped as "free gas" in
numerous porous zones in naturally existing rock
formations such as carbonates, sandstones, and siltstones.
 
Conventional natural gas is found in deep reservoirs, either
in conjunction with crude oil (associated gas) or in
reservoirs with little or no crude oil (non-associated gas).

Natural gas found in formations other than typical reservoirs is

referred to as unconventional gas. Unconventional natural gas
resources include shales, tight gas sands, coal (sometimes
called coalbed methane), geo-pressurized aquifers, and gas
hydrates.
 
Shale gas, tight gas, and coalbed methane are three of the
most common forms of unconventional natural gas deposits.

The three basic types of gas reservoirs are:

Dry gas
Wet gas
Gas condensate
TYPE AND SOURCE OF NATURAL GAS

• Associated Gas – Gas associated with Liquid

• Non-associated gas - is gas that is generated without the presence of liquids from a gas well.
• Dry Gas– Natural gas is termed dry when the majority of the other common related hydrocarbons have been eliminated.

Lean or rich Gas - If the heavy hydrocarbon content of the gas (C3+) is high (more than %2.5-3.0) it is called a rich gas. NGL recovery
from these natural gases is usually profitable. Otherwise the gas is termed lean gas,
Sour or sweet - The gas may also contain noticeable quantities (>100 ppm) of acid gases (CO2 and H2S), therefore it is called sour gas,
there are some natural gases, particularly in offshore location with not much acid gases; these gases are termed sweet.

Hydrated Gas- Natural Gas which contains Water.

Dehydrated Gas- natural gas after the removal of water.

LNG- Liquefied natural gas majorly methane.

LPG- Liquified Petroleum gas (Commercial Propane-Butane mixture)

NGL-Natural gas liquids (Ethane and Heavier).

Wet Gas- natural gas with other hydrocarbons present.

Gas Condensate- is a hydrocarbon liquid stream separated from natural gas and consists of higher-molecular-weight hydrocarbons that
exist in the reservoir as constituents of natural gas but which are recovered as liquids in separators, field facilities, or gas-processing
plants.
Hope Everything is
Clear so far?
 Module Two Learning Outcomes
At the End of this Module, you should be able:
• Identify and describe Gas separation principles and processes.
• Identify and Explain the Design and Operations criteria of two and three Phase
Separators.
INTRODUCTION

The first step in Natural gas process is separating the gas from the liquid and the water from the oil. This is usually done in
a separator—a pressure vessel into which the well stream flows to allow the gas, oil, and water to separate because of
gravity.

Separator Classification
Gravity separators are often classified by their geometrical configuration (vertical, horizontal) and by their function (two-
phase/three-phase separator).

In other words, gravity separators are classified as “two-phase” if they separate gas from the total liquid stream and
“three-phase” if they also separate the liquid stream in to its crude oil and water-rich phases.

Additionally, separators can be categorized according to their operating pressure.

Low-pressure units handle pressures of 10 to180 psi.

Medium pressure separators operate from 230 to 700 psi.

High-pressure units handle pressures of 975 to 1500 psi.

Separators are sometimes called “scrubbers” when the ratio of gas rate to liquid rate is very high.
INTRODUCTION

Separators are sometimes called “scrubbers” when the ratio of gas rate to liquid rate is very high.

These vessels usually have a small liquid collection section and are recommended only for
following items:

•Secondary separation to remove carryover fluids from process equipment such as absorbers and
liquid dust scrubbers.

•Gas line separation downstream from a separator and where flow lines are not long.

•Miscellaneous separation where the gas-liquid ratio is extremely high.

GAS SEPARATION SYSTEM
PRINCIPLES OF
SEPARATION
The Three principles used to achieve physical separation of gas and liquids or solids are momentum, gravity
settling, and coalescing.

Any separator may employ one or more of these principles, but the fluid phases must be "immiscible" and
have different densities for separation to occur

Gas-Liquid Separation
 
Separator vessel orientation can be vertical or horizontal. Vertical separators are most commonly used
when the liquid-to-gas ratio is low or gas flow rates are low. They are preferred offshore because they
occupy less platform area.

However, gas flow is upwards and opposes the flow of liquid droplets. Therefore, vertical separators can be
bigger and, thus, more costly than horizontal separators. Inlet suction scrubbers at compressor stations are
usually vertical. Horizontal separators are favored for large liquid volumes or if the liquid-to-gas ratio is
high.
 
Lower gas flow rates and increased residence times offer better liquid dropout.
PRINCIPLES OF SEPARATION

 The primary separation section, A, is used

to separate the main portion of free liquid
in the inlet stream.
 
 The secondary or gravity section, B, is
designed to utilize the force of gravity to
enhance separation of entrained droplets.

 The coalescing section, C, utilizes a

coalescer or mist extractor which can
consist of a series of vanes, a knitted wire
mesh pad, or cyclonic passages.

 The sump or liquid collection section, D,

acts as receiver for all liquid removed from
the gas in the primary, secondary, and
coalescing sections.
PRINCIPLES OF SEPARATION
Horizontal Separator

Horizontal separators are ideally suited to well streams

having high gas-oil ratios, constant flow, and small liquid
surge characteristics. Horizontal separators are smaller and
less expensive than vertical separators for a given gas
capacity.

Liquid particles in the well stream travel horizontally and

downward at the same time as a result of two forces acting
upon them- the horizontal force of the gas stream and the
downward force of gravity.

Therefore, higher gas velocities can be permitted in

horizontal separators and still obtain the same degree of
separation as in vertical separators.

The horizontal configuration is best suited for liquid-liquid-

gas, or three phase, separations because of the large
interfacial area available between the two liquid phases.
Horizontal Separator  In horizontal separators, the kinetic energy of the inlet
stream is dissipated by one of several types’ deflection
baffles. Baffles and/or other internals are used to
reduce turbulence in the liquid collecting section, thus
facilitating the rise and escape of entrained gas
bubbles
 Flow distributors such as weirs, plates, or vortex re-
entrainment into the liquids as they are withdrawn
 A mist extractor is usually used near the gas outlet
 Horizontal separators have a much greater gas-liquid
interface area, permitting higher gas velocities. They
can however handle high gas velocities economically
and efficiently
 They are cheaper to fabricate and ship than vertical
separators.
 Horizontal separators are almost always used for
medium to high GOR wells, for foaming well streams
and for liquid-liquid separation (or three phase
separation).
 They are however much harder to clean if the stream
contains solids and sand. Liquid level control may
become critical if frequent slugging is probable.
PRINCIPLES OF SEPARATION

Horizontal Separator
Horizontal Separator Applications
•Areas where there are vertical height limitations
•Foamy production where the larger liquid surface area available will allow greater
gas break-out and foam breakdown
•Three phase separation applications for efficient liquid-liquid separation
•Upstream of process equipment which will not tolerate entrained liquid droplets in
the gas
•Downstream of equipment causing liquid formation
•Well streams having a high gas to oil ratio and constant flow with little or no liquid
surges
•Applications requiring bucket and weir construction for three phase operation
PRINCIPLES OF SEPARATION

Vertical Separator
Vertical separators are capable of
handling large slugs of liquid and are
therefore most often used on low to
intermediate gas-oil ratio well
streams
PRINCIPLES OF SEPARATION

Vertical Separator
• They are ideally suited as inlet separators to processing equipment since they can smooth out
surging liquid flows. Special vertical separators called sand separators when excessive sand
production is expected.

• Vertical separators occupy less floor space than comparably sized other types. This is an important
consideration where floor space can be very expensive, as on an offshore platform.

• However, because the natural upward flow of gas opposes the falling liquid droplets, a vertical
separator may be larger and more expensive than a horizontal separator for the same gas handling
capacity.

• A mist extractor at the gas outlet removes any entrained liquid droplets from the gas in the micron
size range. Vertical separators without mist extractors will remove only liquid drops larger than 100
microns. This poor level of separation may be satisfactory for slug catchers and surge vessels
Vertical Separator  A mist extractor at the gas outlet removes any
entrained liquid droplets from the gas in the
micron size range.
 Vertical separators without mist extractors will
remove only liquid drops larger than 100 microns.
This poor level of separation may be satisfactory
for slug catchers and surge vessels
 The liquid particles coalesce and accumulate with
in the fiber mesh of the mist extractor, until they
become large enough to fall into the liquid
collecting section
 vertical separators are more suitable for low gas
flow rates or when the plan area is limited
 They have the advantage of having a high capacity
for liquid surge control
 They are more expensive to fabricate and more
expensive to transport to locations
Vertical Separator
VERTICAL SEPARATOR APPLICATIONS

•Well streams having large liquid to gas ratios

•Well streams having sizable quantities of sand, mud, or other related substances

•Areas having horizontal space limitations, but little or no vertical height limitations

•Well streams or process flow streams which are characterized by large instantaneous volumes of liquid

•Upstream of other process equipment tolerating essentially no entrained liquid droplets in the gas

•Downstream of equipment causing liquid formation

•They have the advantage of having a high capacity for liquid surge control

•They are more expensive to fabricate and more expensive to transport to locations
SEPARATOR DESIGN

To efficiently design gas-liquid separators,

appropriate considerations should be taken to
provide sufficient gas and liquid capacity for the
two phases to be separated.

A short cut technique was presented by

Souders and Brown.

The right geometry of the separating vessels

and the required data.

Specification of the gas and liquids when they

are withdrawn from the separating vessels.
SEPARATOR DESIGN
  Liquid residence time: sufficient residence time must be
SEPARATOR DESIGN provided for the liquid to fall out of the gas phase and for
gas bubbles to escape from the liquid phase
From field experience the following liquid retention times are
also suggested:
Oil-gas separation, 1 min (or API table),
High pressure oil-0water-gas separation, 2 to 5 min.;
Low pressure oil-water-gas separation 5 to 10 min. at > 100oF,
10-15 min at 90oF, 15-20 min. at 80oF, 20-25 min. at 70oF,
25-30 min. at 60oF.

 Gas specification: A common specification for the effluent

gas from a well-designed and properly operated separator is
0.1 gallon of liquid per MMscf of gas.

 Pipe connections: The feed pipe may be sized using the

standard empirical erosion velocity limit according to API
14E.
 
 The length to diameter or aspect or slenderness ratio (L/D):
For a horizontal or vertical separator should be kept
between 3 and 8, due to consideration of fabrication costs,
etc. Most common separators are designed for aspect ratios
of 3 to 4
COMMON SEPARATOR OPERATING PROBLEMS

 Foaming: foam is often a big problem in crude oil degassing and depressurizing
separators; Foam is of less significance in natural gas treating services.
 Fouling: Paraffins are large molecular weight hydrocarbons which tend to solidify at low
temperatures within the internals especially at demister mesh pads or vanes. Provisions
should be made at man-holes and inlet and outlet nozzles for steam or solvent clean outs.
 Sand: Sand creates erosion corrosion in nozzles where the fluid velocity may be high. Use
of sand jets and multiple drain lines is one way to reduce the risk of solid deposition
 Corrosion: Acid gas containing stream, especially when wet, cause sever problems.
Therefore, either the contaminants should be removed or proper material of construction
should be selected.
 Liquid Carry Over: Caused by clogged liquid outlet, foam and high flow rates above design
rates. Sources of problem should be identified and eliminated.
 Gas Blow-By: Bubbles may remain in the liquid and leave the separator from the liquid
outlet; caused from low liquid level, vortexing and liquid level control failure
 
 
Hope Everything is
Clear so far?
Thank you for
Your TIME