Objective
The aim of the project is to use Computational Fluid Dynamics Codes to assess and develop existing tools for sizing offshore oil-water-gas separators and to demonstrate the potential of such codes for separator performance prediction and design.
The project has demonstrated the application of CFD in two key areas of a separator: the gravity separation (AEA Technology plc) zone and secondary separation (University of Patras, ALFAFI SA.) zone.
Experimental data has been obtained on vertical gravity separators to investigate the influence of liquid hold-up height, inlet size, separator height, gas flowrate and liquid flowrate on separator performance. An analysis of the suitability of the computational fluid dynamic tool, CFDS-FLOW3D, to model gravity gas-liquid separation was undertaken alongside a review of the AP112J design guidelines.
Experimental research has been undertaken in a low velocity wind tunnel to examine the behaviour of the flow field near different types of baffle arrangements such as mist extractors. Code demonstration for baffle arrangements has applied in an integrated manner :
* A computer code for the calculation of laminar, transitional and turbulent boundary layers over planar and axisymmetric surfaces.
* A computer code which simulates the behaviour of droplets in gas flows of complex geometries, calculating the trajectories of particles to estimate the efficiency of various separator arrangements.
* A computer code which performs phase equilibrium in multicomponent systems.
It has been shown that Computational Fluid Dynamic Codes provides a flexible tool for examining separator efficiency at field conditions.
Current design methods for oil and gas separators rely on 'rule-of-thumb' empirical correlations. Ideally, validation experiments for such correlations would be carried out on full scale equipment at pressure with real fluids. From an economic consideration this is not practical.
The project has demonstrated the capabilities and advantages of advanced computational codes as a design tool for gas-liquid separator design and performance evaluation. Experimental studies of separation performance have provided data for comparison with code predictions. Existing design methods, for example APII2J, have been reviewed against the results of numerical simulations.
Computational Fluid Dynamic Codes provide a flexible tool for examining separator efficiency at field conditions. The application of a Computational Fluid Dynamics Code to the simulation of oil-gas separators with the objective of improving existing design tools forms the innovatory part of the proposed project.
Programme(s)
Topic(s)
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
DEM - Demonstration contractsCoordinator
OX11 0RA Didcot
United Kingdom