6 replies to this topic

[YJ Choong]

How to estimate the optimum operating temperature and pressure of a three-phase separator to separate oil, gas and water effectively? 

 

Thank you!

[Bobby Strain]

What is your objective? You need to include much more information, otherwise you won't get much.

 

Bobby

[YJ Choong]

My objective is to separate condensate and water from raw natural gas. The dry gas obtained is then sent to the membrane for acid gas removal.

Given the raw natural gas condition:

Flowrate: 300 - 600 MMscfd

Condensate gas ratio (at STP): 10 stb/MMscf

Water to gas ratio: 5 stb/MMscf

Pressure: 68 barg

Temperature: 45 degree C

[Bobby Strain]

Is this a real project? Where will the condensate and treated gas go?

 

Bobby

[YJ Choong]

This is just a design project, which only covers on acid gas removal unit so far. The treated gas needs to fulfill sales gas specifications.

[serra]

there are several things to consider, for example

1) phase equilibria (in general, the different phase fractions and compositions are not constant)

2) separation efficiency (which depends from several factors as velocity (density) etc. in different sections)

3) separator design (you may compare different solutions...)

4) etc.

 

you can create a model and optimize parameters with some tool (for example with a minimizer)

or testing different values.

[Bobby Strain]

The short answer is that the separator pressure will depend on the downstream processing. And the expected well pressure decline. Without considering these conditions, operate the separator at the highest pressure available and temperature compatible with the membranes.

 

Bobby