Oil and gas separators

An oil/gas separator is a pressure vessel used for separating a well stream into
gaseous and liquid components. They are installed either in an onshore processi
ng station or on an offshore platform. Based on the vessel configurations, the o
il/gas separators can be divided into horizontal, vertical, or spherical separat
ors. In teams of fluids to be separated, the oil/gas separators can be grouped i
nto gas/liquid two-phase separator or oil/gas/water three-phase separator. Based
on separation function, the oil/gas separators can also classified into primary
phase separator, test separator, high-pressure separator, low-pressure separato
r, deliquilizer, degasser, etc. To meet process requirements, the oil/gas separa
tors are normally designed in stages, in which the first stage separator is used
for priliminary phase separation, while the second and third stage separator ar
e applied for further treatment of each individual phase (gas, oil and water). D
epending on a specific application, oil/gas separators are also called deliquili
zer or degasser. The deliquilizers are used to remove dispersed droplets from a
bulk gas stream; while the degassers are designed to remove contaimined gas bubb
les from the bulk liquid stream.
Contents [hide]
1 Other separator names
2 Separator components
3 Function of a separator
4 Requirements of separators
4.1 Depressurization
4.2 Metering
4.3 Protection of pumps and compressors
4.3.1 Booster compressor unit
4.3.2 Dehydration unit
5 Separator orientation
6 Design Consideration
6.1 Inlet zone
6.2 Flow distribution Zone
6.3 Gravity/coalescing zone
6.4 Outlet zone
7 Separator performance
8 Vessel Internals
9 Performance impediments
9.1 Foaming
9.2 Paraffin
9.3 Solids and salt
9.4 Corrosion
9.5 Sloshing
9.6 Level controls
10 Nomenclature
11 References
12 Noteworthy papers in OnePetro
13 Online multimedia
14 External links
15 See also
16 Category
Other separator names
Conventional oil/gas separator names:
Oil/gas separator
Gas/liquid separator
Degasser
Deliqulizer
Scrubber

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Separator components
An oil/gas separator generally consists of following components
Inlet device located in pre-separation zone/section for priliminary phase separa
tion;
Baffles downstream the inlet component to improve flow distribution;
Separation enhancement device located in the primary separation (gravity settlin
g) section for major phase separation;
Mist extraction device located in gas space to further reduce liquid content in
the bulk gas stream;
Various weirs to control the liquid level or interface level;
Vortex breaker to prevent gas carryunder at outlet of liquid phase;
Liquid level/interface detection and control, etc.;
Gas, oil, water outlet;
Pressure relief devices
In most oil/gas processing systems, the oil/gas separator is the first vessel th
e well stream flows through after it leaves the producing well. However, other e
quipment such as heaters may be installed upstream of the separator.
Function of a separator