8 replies to this topic

[JaluceroL]

Hi there.

I'm dealing with a preliminary design of a API tank separator, which receives a 5,000 m3/d feed stream with 30% water cut. Water has 1.010 sp gr, oil has 0.92 sp gr, both at 50 °C, and dry oil viscosity is 455 cP at this temperature. This is all my input data, all that I get.

Beside of emulsion effect and droplet size distribution, I wonder ( ) if I have to take a special consideration with this heavy oil, I mean, should I have to consider a viscosity correction? shear rate correction? is there a correlation or empirical equation for preliminary sizing of API tank separators with non newtonian heavy oils ?

Thanks in advance.

[Bobby Strain]

What you must do is heat the oil to reduce the viscosity. At least.

 

Bobby

[P.K.Rao]

And (besides what Mr Strain said above), use a suitable demulsifier to break emulsion.

Edited by P.K.Rao, 27 July 2015 - 11:02 PM.

[JaluceroL]

I cant do nothing, but properly size my seperator without over or undersize viscosity because a m8stake in consider real or apparent viscosity...

[Bobby Strain]

?

 

Bobby

[JaluceroL]

Sorry by my english. I mean that my imput condition are those that I mentioned.

I can not increase feed stream temperature nor use a chamical demulsifier.

My question is simple: I am dealing with a non newtonian fluid, should I take a special consideration with viscosity?

[Bobby Strain]

So, are you a student? And this is an assignment?

 

Bobby

[JMW]

Is this the best way to do it?

A good question I would have thought.

In marine heavy fuel oil applications a centrifuge is used at 98C.

(Google- Alpha Laval).

[Zubair Exclaim]

Hi Jaluerol,

 

If your fluid is so viscous that its exhbiting a non-newtonian behaviour .. on top of that if it has emuslion ... then API separator might not be abe to do any thing except giggle.

 

API separator if sized with terminal velocity and relative viscosity equations cannot handle the emulsions nor the non newtonian fluid behavior ....

 

just to separate by putting in API you will need to size a very big API separator with a big  residece time. You can ask them for a lab scale test to see how long it takes to separate te phases ... then use thatt info ... and you will be amazed ... (do keep us posted what you find)