In this chapter we will talk about the Separator, what is it?

What are its types

and how to choose it? , and the most important problems that may occur.
We will explain the purpose of separation and separation principle. Also,
includes separators functional components, types and internals.

And we will design the Separator.

 Chapter 3 : Design of Separator

Chapter 3 : Design of Separator

3.1. Introduction
Produced wellhead fluids are complex mixtures of different compounds of
hydrogen and carbon, all with different densities, vapor pressures, and other
physical properties. As a well stream flows from the hot, high- pressure petroleum
reservoir, it experiences pressure and temperature reductions. Gases evolve from
the liquids and the well stream changes in character. The velocity of the gas carries
liquid droplets, and the liquid carries gas bubbles.

The physical separation of these phases is one of the basic operations in the
production, processing, and treatment of oil and gas. In oil and gas separator
design, we mechanically separate from a hydrocarbon stream the liquid and gas
components that exist at a specific temperature and pressure. Proper separator
design is important because a separation vessel is normally the initial processing
vessel in any facility, and improper design of this process component can
“bottleneck” and reduce the capacity of the entire facility.

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 into its crude oil
and water components.

3.2. Purpose of Separation

• Downstream equipment cannot handle gas-liquid mixtures. For example,
pumps require gas-free liquid, to avoid cavitation, while compressors and
dehydration equipment require liquid-free gas.
• Product specifications set limits on impurities, such as oil, generally cannot
contain more than 1% basic sediment and water (BS&W), while gas sales
contracts generally require that gas contain no free liquids.
• In addition, measurement devices for gases or liquids are highly inaccurate
when another phase is present.

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 Chapter 3 : Design of Separator

3.3. Separation Theory

Two factors are necessary for separators to function:

1. The fluids to be separated must be insoluble in each other.

2. One fluid must be lighter than the other.

The main principles used to achieve physical separation of gas and liquids are:

1. Momentum.
2. Gravity Settling.
3. And Coalescing.

Any separator may employ one or more of these principles.

3.3.1. Momentum
Fluid phases with different densities will have different momentum.
If a two-phase stream changes direction sharply, greater momentum will not allow
the particles of the heavier phase to turn as rapidly as the lighter fluid, so
separation occurs.
Momentum is usually employed for bulk separation of the two phases in a stream.

3.3.2. Gravity Settling

During the separation process, the gas is moving in an upward direction into the
vapour section of the separator and the liquid particles are tending to fall to the
vessel bottom under the influence of gravity (according to stoke’s low).

𝑔 𝐷𝑝2 (𝜌𝑃 − 𝜌)
𝑉𝑡 =
18 𝜇

3.3.3. Coalescing
Very small droplets such as fog or mist cannot be separated practically by gravity.
However, they can be coalesced to form larger droplets that will separate out.
Coalescing devices in separators force gas to follow a tortuous path. The
momentum of the droplets causes them to collide with other droplets or with the
coalescing device, forming larger droplets.

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 Chapter 3 : Design of Separator

These can then separate out of the gas phase due to the influence of gravity. Wire
mesh screens, Vane elements, and Filter cartridges are typical examples of
coalescing devices.

Figure 3 - 1 : Separation principals

3.4 Functional Components of a Gas–Oil Separator

All types of separators have four main sections.
These sections are:
• Primary separation section.
• Secondary separation section.
• Liquid accumulation section.
• Mist extraction section.

3.4.1 Primary Separation Section

This section removes the bulk of liquid in the inlet stream. Slugs and large liquid
particles are removed first to minimize gas turbulence and re-entrain of liquid
particles. To do this, the velocity and direction of flow are changed. Centrifugal
force created by either inlet baffle or internal piping allows for changes of flow
direction and reduction of stream velocity.

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2.4.2 Secondary Separation Section

The separation principle in this section is gravity settling of liquid from gas after
stream velocity has been reduced.

The efficiency of this section depends on:

• The gas and liquid properties.

• Particle size.
• Degree of gas turbulence.

Some designs use straightening vanes to reduce turbulence. The vanes also act
as droplet collectors.

3.4.3. Liquid Accumulation Section

Liquids and solids collect in this section. Because the section is away from stream
turbulence, gravity causes dense solids such as sand and clay to settle on the
separator bottom. These are removed periodically.

Liquids continue to collect until the level reaches the designed dump level .The
liquid level controller cause the liquid-level control valve to open and liquids flow
out from the separator.

Two factors determine the capacity of this section:

1. The volume of well stream surges.

2. The time liquid must remain in this section for efficient breakout of solution
gas.

3.4.4. Mist Extraction Section

It removes the very small droplets of liquid in a final separation step before the
gas leaves the vessel. The mist extractor has a several designs, for example, a
series of vanes and woven -wire mesh pad. More recent designs use the woven
wire mish pad.

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Figure 3 - 2 : Separator sections

3.5. Factors Affecting Separation

The factors that affect the separation of liquid and gas phases in a separator are:

• Separator internals.
• Fluid stream composition.
• Operating pressure.
• Operating temperature.
• Residence time.

Changes in any one of these factors on a given fluid stream will change the amount
of gas and liquid leaving the separator.

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Table 3 - 1 : Factors affect separation

Separation factor Effect of factor

1 Separation is easier when weight
Difference in weight of fluid
difference is greater.
2 Residence time Separation is better with longer time.
3 Coalescing surface area Separation is better with larger area.
4 Coalescing surface area Separation is better at higher velocity.
5 Presence of solids Makes separation more difficult.
6 Separation is better at low pressure as
Operating pressure more gases will remain in solution at
higher pressure.
7 Separation is better at low temperature
Operating temperature as more volatile liquid will be lost at
higher temperature.
3.6. Types of Separators
Separators are classified in two ways:

1. According to separation function:

• Two-phase Separator.
• Three-phase Separator.
2. According to the shape of the vessel:
• Horizontal Separator.
• Vertical Separator.
• Spherical Separator.

3.6.1 According to Separation Function

Normally, fluids to be separated are either two or three fluids. In case of two fluids
such as gas and liquid, the separator to be used is a two-phase separator, which
may be a horizontal or vertical type. If three fluids are to be separated such as gas,
oil and water the vessel to be used is a three-phase separator. The number of
phases refers to the number of streams that leave the vessel, and not the number
of phases that are in the inlet stream.

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For example, well stream test separator frequently has gas, oil and water but only
the liquid and gas are separated in the vessel. Consequently, a two- phase
separator is one in which the inlet stream is divided into two outlet fluids, and a
three-phase separator is one which has three outlet fluids.

Some well streams contain sand or other solid particles which are removed in a
separator. Special internal devices are provided to collect and dispose of solid
materials. They are not considered another phase in this type of vessel
classification.

[Link]. Two-Phase Separator

In the two-phase separators, gas is separated from the liquid with the gas and
liquid being discharged separately.

Figure 3 - 3 : Two phase separator

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 Chapter 3 : Design of Separator

[Link]. Three-Phase Separator

This type handles gas plus two immiscible liquid phases. The two liquid phases
might be oil and water, glycol and oil, etc. The potential application of three phase
separators occurs where space is a major consideration.

Figure 3 - 4 : Three phase separator

3.6.2. According to the Shape of the Vessel

[Link]. Horizontal Separators
Horizontal separators are used most commonly in the following conditions:

• Large volumes of gas and/or liquids.

• High-to-medium gas/oil ratio (GOR) streams.
• Foaming crudes.
• Three-phase separation.

Figure 3 - 5 : Horizontal separator

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Advantages and disadvantages of these separators are as follow:

Advantages:

• Require smaller diameter for similar gas capacity as compared to vertical

vessels.
• No counter flow (gas flow does not oppose drainage of mist extractor).
• Large liquid surface area for foam dispersion generally reduces turbulence.
• Larger surge volume capacity.

Disadvantages:

• Only part of shell available for passage of gas.

• Occupies more space unless “stack” mounted.
• Liquid level control is more critical.
• More difficult to clean produced sand, mud, wax, paraffin, etc.

[Link]. Vertical Separators

These separators are used in the following conditions:

• Small flow rates of gas and/or liquids.

• Very high GOR streams or when the total gas volumes are low.
• Plot space is limited.
• Ease of level control is desired.

Advantages and disadvantages of these separators are as follow:

Advantages:

• Liquid level control is not so critical.

• Have good bottom-drain and clean-out facilities.
• Can handle more sand, mud, paraffin, and wax without plugging.
• Less tendency for re-entrainment.
• Has full diameter for gas flow at top and oil flow at bottom.
• Occupies smaller plot area.

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 Chapter 3 : Design of Separator

Disadvantages:

• Require larger diameter for a given gas capacity, therefore, most

competitive for very low GOR or very high GOR or scrubber applications.
• Not recommended when there is a large slug potential.
• More difficult to reach and service top-mounted instruments and safety
devices.

Figure 3 - 6 : Vertical separator

[Link]. Spherical Separators

Spherical separators are compact vessels and provide good gas separation.
About ten years ago, spherical separators were popular due to their low price.

While the spherical separator has some merit where foaming is a problem, their
use has been almost completely discontinued by industry.

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Advantages and disadvantages of spherical separator are as follow:

Advantages:

• Its compactness.
• Ease of skid mounting.
• Excellent gas separation capacity per dollar, and
• Its cleanout and drain features are better than those of a vertical separator.

Disadvantages:

• The spherical separator is not economical for large gas capacities, and
• Its surge capacity is limited.

Figure 3 - 7 : Spherical separator

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 Chapter 3 : Design of Separator

3.7. Separator Internals

3.7.1. Inlet Diverters

Inlet diverters serve to impact flow direction of the entering vapor/liquid stream
and provide primary separator between the liquid and vapor. There are many types
of inlet diverters.

Three main types:

1. Baffle plates.
2. Centrifugal diverters.
3. Elbows.

[Link]. Baffle Plate

A baffle plate can be a spherical dish, flat plate, angle iron, cone, elbow, or just
about anything that will accomplish a rapid change in direction and velocity of
the fluids and thus disengage the gas and liquid. At the same velocity the
higher-density liquid possesses more energy and, thus, does not change direction
or velocity as easily as the gas. Thus, the gas tends to flow around the diverter
while the liquid strikes the diverter and then falls to the bottom of the vessel. The
design of the baffles is governed principally by the structural supports required to
resist the impact momentum load. The advantage of using devices such as a half-
sphere elbow or cone is that they create less disturbance than plates or angle iron,
cutting down on re entrainment or emulsifying problems.

Figure 3 - 8 : Inlet diverter types

[Link]. Centrifugal Inlet Diverters

Centrifugal inlet diverters use centrifugal force, rather than mechanical agitation,
to disengage the oil and gas. These devices can have a cyclonic chimney or may
use a tangential fluid race around the walls.

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Centrifugal inlet diverters are proprietary but generally use an inlet nozzle
sufficient to create a fluid velocity of about 20 ft/s (6 m/s) around a chimney
whose diameter is no longer than two- thirds that of the vessel diameter.
Centrifugal diverters can be designed to efficiently separate the liquid while
minimizing the possibility of foaming or emulsifying problems. The disadvantage
is that their design is rate sensitive. At low velocities they will not work properly.
Thus, they are not normally recommended for producing operations where rates
are not expected to be steady.

Figure 3 - 9 : Centrifugal inlet diverter

3.7.2. Wave Breakers

In long horizontal vessels, usually located on floating structures, it may be
necessary to install wave breakers. The waves may result from surges of liquids
entering the vessel. Wave breakers are nothing more than perforated baffles or
plates that are placed perpendicular to the flow located in the liquid collection
section of the separator. These baffles dampen any wave action that may be
caused by incoming fluids.

Figure 3 - 10 : Wave breaker

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3.7.3. De-foaming Plates

Foam at the interface may occur when gas bubbles are liberated from the liquid.
Foam can severely degrade the performance of a separator. This foam can be
stabilized with the addition of chemicals at the inlet. Many times, a more effective
solution is to force the foam to pass through a series of inclined parallel plates or
tubes as shown in the Figure. These closely spaced, parallel plates or tubes provide
additional surface area, which breaks up the foam and allows the foam to collapse
into the liquid layer.

Figure 3 - 11 : De-foaming plates

3.7.4 Vortex Breaker
Liquid leaving a separator may form vortices or whirlpools, which can pull gas
down into the liquid outlet. Therefore, horizontal separators are often equipped
with vortex breakers, which prevent a vortex from developing when the liquid
control valve is open. A vortex could suck some gas out of the vapor space and
re-entrain it in the liquid outlet.
It is a covered cylinder with radially directed flat plates. As liquid enters the
bottom of the vortex breaker, any circular motion is prevented by the flat plates.
Any tendency to form vortices is removed.

Figure 3 - 12 : Liquid Vortex Breaker

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3.7.5. Sand Jets and Drains

To remove the solids, sand drains are opened in a controlled manner, and then
high-pressure fluid, usually produced water, is pumped through the jets to agitate
the solids and flush them down the drains. The sand jets are normally designed
with a 20-ft/s (6-m/s) jet tip velocity and aimed in such a manner to give good
coverage of the vessel bottom.
To prevent the settled sand from clogging the sand drains, sand pans or sand
troughs are used to cover the outlets. These are inverted troughs with slotted side
openings.
To assure proper solids removal without upsetting the separation process, an
integrated system, consisting of a drain and its associated jets, should be installed
at intervals not exceeding 5 ft (1.5 m). Field experience indicates it is not possible
to mix and fluff the bottom of a long horizontal vessel with a single sand jet
header.

Figure 3 - 13 : Sand jets and drains

3.7.6. Mist Extractors
Mist extractor is a device used to remove small liquid droplets (moisture or
condensable hydrocarbons) from a gas stream in an oil and gas separator.
The liquid droplet condenses on the surface of the extractor and is removed from
the separator along with separated liquids.

[Link]. Impingement-type
The most widely used type of mist extractor is the impingement-type because it
offers good balance between efficiency, operating range, pressure drop
requirement, and installed cost. These types consist of baffles, wire meshes, and
micro-fiber pads. Impingement-type mist extractors may involve just a single
baffle or disc installed in a vessel.

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The gas approaches the surface of the baffle or disc (commonly referred to as a
target), fluid streamlines spread around the baffle or disc. Ignoring the eddy
streams formed around the target, one can assume that the higher the stream
velocity, the closer to the target these streamlines start to form.

Figure 3 - 14 : Impingement mist extractor

[Link].1. Baffle type
This type of impingement mist extractor consists of a series of baffles, vanes, or
plates between which the gas must flow. The most common is the vane or
chevron-shape, as shown in the figures.

Figure 3 - 15 : Vane type

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The vanes force the gas flow to be laminar between parallel plates that contain
directional changes. The surface of the plates serves as a target for droplet
impingement and collection. The space between the baffles ranges from 5 to 75
mm, with a total depth in the flow direction of 150 to 300 mm.

[Link] Wire-Mesh type

The most common type of mist extractor found in production operations is the
knitted-wire-mesh type (refer to the figure below). These units outnumber all
other types of mist extractors. They are knitted (rather than woven) wire, and these
devices have high surface area and void volume. Whereas woven wire has one set
of wires running perpendicular to a second set of wires, knitted wire instead has a
series of interlocking loops just like cloth fiber. This makes the knitted product
sufficiently flexible and yet structurally stable.
The wire-mesh mist extractor is often specified by calling for a certain thickness
(usually 3 to 7 inches) and mesh density (usually 10 to 12 pounds per cubic foot).
They are usually constructed from wires of diameter ranging from 0.10 to 0.28
mm, with a typical void volume fraction of 0.95 to 0.99. The wire pad is placed
between top and bottom support grids to complete the assembly. The grids must
be strong enough to span between the supports and have sufficient free area for
flow. Wire- mesh pads are mounted near the outlet of a separator, generally on a
support ring (vertical separator) or frame (horizontal separator).

Figure 3 - 16 : Wire-Mesh type

[Link] Micro-Fiber type
Micro-fiber mist extractors use very small diameter fibers, usually less than 0.02
mm, to capture very small droplets. Gas and liquid flow is horizontal and co-
current.
Because the micro-fiber unit is manufactured from densely packed fiber, drainage
by gravity inside the unit is limited. Much of the liquid is eventually pushed
through the micro-fiber and drains on the downstream face.
The surface area of a micro-fiber mist extractor can be 3 to 150 times that of a
wire-mesh unit of equal volume.

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Table 3 - 2 : Mist extractor types

3.8. Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting Procedure When One Liquid Contains an Excessive Amount of
the Other Liquid:

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Troubleshooting Procedure for Liquid Carryover in Outlet Gas Stream:

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3.9. Separator sizing calculations/procedure

3.9.1. General

Figure 3 - 17 : Inlet Separator (V-6) in Aspen Hysys

Inlet separator (V-6) is Two phase horizontal separator.

Table 3 - 3 : Separator feed data (Mass flow & density)

𝑙𝑏
Mass Flow (lb/h) 𝜌 ( )
𝑓𝑡 3
Vapor 𝑊𝑣 =2392 𝜌𝑣 =1.77
Liquid 𝑊𝑙 =2477 𝜌𝑙 =31.71

• The operating pressure is (265.5) psig and the holdup and surge times are to be
(5) min and (3) min respectively from “Table 3-4”. Use a design temperature of
(75) °F “with safety factor 1.25”.

• Neglect more dense as a phase in separator design because it’s just closed drain
using in drainage the separator from any more dense liquid (To prevent distillation
towers from overload) or used in shutdown plan.

• Based on the above given data; sizing calculations of this Separator are to be
done using the cited References.

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Table 3 - 4 : Liquid holdup and surge times

3.9.2. Calculations/ Procedure Steps

[Link]. Sizing calculations of the Separator

Figure 3 - 18 : Scheme illustrating terms that are used in design calculations

1. Calculate the vapor volumetric Flow rate. Qv using :

𝑊𝑣 𝑓𝑡 3
𝑄𝑣 = ( )
3600 × 𝜌𝑣 𝑠

2392 𝑓𝑡 3
𝑄𝑣 = = 0.3754
3600 × 1.77 𝑠

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 Chapter 3 : Design of Separator

2. Calculate the liquid volumetric Flow rate. QL using :

𝑊𝑙 𝑓𝑡 3
𝑄𝑙 = ( )
60 × 𝜌𝑙 𝑚𝑖𝑛
2477 𝑓𝑡 3
𝑄𝑙 = = 1.302 ( )
60 × 31.71 𝑚𝑖𝑛

3. Select a holdup time from “Table 3-4” (as feed to column) and calculate the
holdup volume, VH using :

𝑉𝐻 = 𝑇𝐻 × 𝑄𝑙 (𝑓𝑡 3 )
𝑉𝐻 = 5 × 1.302 = 6.51 𝑓𝑡 3

4. Select a surge time from “Table 3-4” (as feed to column) and calculate the
holdup volume, VS using :

𝑉𝑆 = 𝑇𝑆 × 𝑄𝑙 (𝑓𝑡 3 )
𝑉𝑆 = 3 × 1.302 = 3.906 𝑓𝑡 3

5. Obtain an estimate of L/D from “Table 3-5” and initially calculate the diameter
according to: assuming L/D = 3.
1⁄
3 1⁄
4(𝑉𝐻 + 𝑉𝑆 ) 4(6.51 + 3.906) 3
𝐷=( ) 𝑓𝑡 , 𝐷=( ) = 2 𝑓𝑡
𝐿 𝜋 × 0.6 × 3
𝜋 × 0.6 ×
𝐷

Table 3 - 5 : L/D ratio guidelines in separator

6. Calculate the total cross-sectional area:

𝜋 2 𝜋
𝐴𝑇 = 𝐷 = × 22 = 3.142 𝑓𝑡 2
4 4

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7. Select the low liquid level height. 𝐻𝐿𝐿𝐿 using “Table 3-6” : 𝐻𝐿𝐿𝐿 = 9 𝑖𝑛

Table 3 - 6 : Low liquid level height

𝐻𝐿𝐿𝐿 𝐴𝑙𝑙𝑙
8. Using obtain , using Table and calculate the low liquid area 𝐴𝐿𝐿𝐿 . ,where
𝐷 𝐴𝑇
𝐻𝐿𝐿𝐿 𝐴𝐿𝐿𝐿
x is ratio between H and D, 𝑥 = & Y is ratio between 𝒀 = .
𝐷 𝐴𝑇

D = 2 ft = 24 in
𝐻𝐿𝐿𝐿 9
𝑥= = = 0.375
𝐷 24
𝐴𝐿𝐿𝐿
While 𝒀 = .
𝐴𝑇
𝑎 + 𝑐𝑥 + 𝑒𝑥 2 + 𝑔𝑥 3 + 𝑖𝑥 4
𝑌=
1.0 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑑𝑥 2 + 𝑓𝑥 3 + ℎ𝑥 4
Table 3 - 7 : Cylindrical height and area conversions

a = 4.755930× 10−5
b = 3.924091
C = 0.174875
d = -6.358805
e = 5.668973
f = 4.018448
g = -4.916411
h = -1.801705
I = -0.145348

By using variables from “Table 3-7” and x to calculate Y = 0.3425

 𝐴𝐿𝐿𝐿 = 0.3425 × 3.142 = 1.077 𝑓𝑡 2

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9. If there is a mist eliminator pad present/used; the minimum height of the vapor
dis-engagement area is the larger of (0.2 D) or (2 ft). Hence, set Hv in the given
separator with mist eliminator to the larger of (0.2 D) or 2 ft. Using (H v /D); obtain
(Av/At ) assuming the alpha Modification Factor equal to 0.2 in the equation:
Hv = alpha D.

𝐻𝑉 = (0.2 × 2) = 0.4 𝑓𝑡

𝐻𝒗 0.4
𝑋 =( ) = ( ) = 0.2
𝐷 2
𝐴𝒗
𝑌 =( )
𝐴𝒕
We calculate Y from using same variables from “Table 3-7” and X to calculate
Y = 0.1425

 𝐴𝑉 = 0.1425 × 3.142 = 0.4477 𝑓𝑡 2

Then, we calculate the vertical terminal vapor velocity. uT using “K” value for
separator with mist extractor.

uv = 0.75 uT
1
𝜌𝑙− 𝜌𝑣 2
𝑢𝑡 = 𝐾 ( )
𝜌𝑣

GPSA method → K = 0.35 − 0.0001 (P−100)

 K = 0.35 − 0.0001 (265.5 −100) = 0.33345

1 1
𝜌𝑙− 𝜌𝑣 2 31.71 − 1.77 2 𝑓𝑡
𝑢𝑡 = 𝐾 ( ) = 0.33345 ( ) = 1.372
𝜌𝑣 1.77 𝑠

𝑓𝑡
𝑢𝑣 = 0.75𝑢𝑡 = 0.75 × 1.372 = 1.029
𝑠
Liquid Inventory Length:

𝑉𝐻 + 𝑉𝑆 6.51 + 3.906
𝐿= = = 6.44 𝑓𝑡
𝐴 𝑇 − 𝐴𝑉 − 𝐴𝐿𝐿𝐿 3.14 − 0.4477 − 1.077

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∅ is Liquid dropout time:

𝐻𝑉 0.4
∅= = = 0.3887 𝑠
𝑢𝑉 1.029

𝑄𝑉 0.3754 𝑓𝑡
𝑢𝑉𝐴 = = = 0.3486
𝐴𝑉 1.077 𝑠

𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 𝑢𝑉𝐴 × ∅ = 0.3486 × 0.3887 = 0.135 𝑓𝑡 → Unrealistic

Take L = 6.44 ft , as we calculated.

𝐿 6.44
 = = 3.22
𝐷 2

𝐿
As long as ( ) is proved to be in the range (3-4); Hence:
𝐷

“The above given Calculations are considered as Acceptable Design”

[Link]. Nozzle Sizing

Notes:
Usually, 10% over design should be considered.

QV= 0.3754 ft3/s = 0.0106 m3/s, ρ= 28.36 Kg/m3

QL= 1.302 ft3/s = 0.0006 m3/s, ρ= 508 Kg/m3

QT= QV+ QL= 0.0112 m3/s, ρ= 54.58 Kg/m3

4×1.1×𝑄
𝑁𝑜𝑧𝑧𝑙𝑒 𝐷𝑖𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 𝐷𝑁 = √ (Applicable for all phases)
𝜋×𝑢

For inlet nozzle:

- Standard → u= 7:13 m/s or ρU2 = 1000 pa (for no inlet device)

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 Chapter 3 : Design of Separator

- Based on CEP method: 8.5” <D, D=24”

4 × 1.1 × 0.0112 4 × 1.1 × 0.0112

√ < 𝐷𝑖𝑛 < √
𝜋 × 13 𝜋×7

0.0347 < D < 0.0473

1000 1000 𝑚
Or using ρu2 = 1000 pa, 𝑢 = √ =√ = 4.28
𝜌 54.58 𝑠

4 × 1.1 × 0.0112
𝐷=√ = 0.0605 𝑚
𝜋 × 4.28

- Taking the closest to manufacturing standard:

Din= 0.05 m= 0.164 ft≈ 2 in

For liquid nozzle:

- standard → u= 1:4 m/s

Or take min D = 2 in

4 × 1.1 × 0.0006 4 × 1.1 × 0.0006

√ < 𝐷𝐿 < √
𝜋×4 𝜋×1

0.01449 < D < 0.02898

Which is less than the min D

Take DL= 2 in = 0.05 m= 0.164 ft

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 Chapter 3 : Design of Separator

For gas nozzle:

- standard → u= 15 : 30 m/s Or ρu2= 3750 pa

- Based on CEP method: 8.5 in < D , D = 24 in

4 × 1.1 × 0.0106 4 × 1.1 × 0.0106

√ < 𝐷𝑉 < √
𝜋 × 30 𝜋 × 15

0.0222 < D < 0.0315

3750 3750 𝑚
Or using ρu2= 3750 pa, 𝑢𝑉 = √ =√ = 11.5
𝜌𝑣 28.36 𝑠

4 × 1.1 × 0.0112
𝐷𝑉 = √ = 0.0359 𝑚
𝜋 × 11.5

Taking the closest to manufacturing standard

Dvstandard = 0.0254 m = 0.0833 ft = 1 in

- Its common in manufacturing process that we use the same nozzle diameter for
all nozzles. So, as we calculated there is two similar sizes for the liquid and inlet
nozzle. Then we can take the nozzle size the same for all nozzles:

DV= DL= Din= 0.05 m= 0.164 ft= 2 in.

Which is already the common size for nozzle design.

[Link]. Shell and head design

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 Chapter 3 : Design of Separator

Using elliptical head separator using “Table 3-8”.

MOP = 265.5 + 25 = 290.5 psig.
Deign pressure = PD = 1.1 * MOP = 319.55 psig.
Using alloy : SA 516 70 Carbon steel , S = 17500 psig
(Common standard for design).

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