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SEPARATOR Design Considerations

Separator design requires defining key system properties and process requirements. System properties include flow rates and physical properties of each phase to be separated, as well as identifying the continuous and discontinuous phases. Process requirements that determine the separator selected are the throughput and composition of the feed mixture, the degree of separation needed as specified by minimum droplet sizes to be separated, and ensuring efficient separation of phases to avoid issues downstream.

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295 views1 page

SEPARATOR Design Considerations

Separator design requires defining key system properties and process requirements. System properties include flow rates and physical properties of each phase to be separated, as well as identifying the continuous and discontinuous phases. Process requirements that determine the separator selected are the throughput and composition of the feed mixture, the degree of separation needed as specified by minimum droplet sizes to be separated, and ensuring efficient separation of phases to avoid issues downstream.

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jokish
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© © All Rights Reserved
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SEPARATOR DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

As is the case with the design of any vessel, the associated system properties and process requirements
must first be defined. In the case of separator design, these may include:

System Properties

Flow rates of each phase to be separated.

Physical properties of each phase (viscosity, density, etc.)

Identification of continuous phase(s) (see following table)


.

System

Continuous / discontinuous phase distinction

Vapour Liquid

The vapour is the continuous light phase, with liquid being the heavy,
discontinuous phase which settles out as droplets.

HC liquid Water.

The HC liquid is the continuous phase, with water settling out as droplets

Water HC liquid

The water is the continuous, heavy phase, with HC liquid being the light
discontinuous phase rising up through the water as droplets.

Process Requirements

The required throughput and composition of feed mixture to be purified will ultimately determine the
size and type of separator selected.

Degree of separation required. The minimum droplet sizes required to be separated from each phase
need to be specified. This is generally set by factors such as purity of product required for sale or
purity required to avoid upsets to downstream equipment / processes. For example:

In HC liquid vapour separation, efficient liquid separation from vapour is needed, particularly in
situations where the vapour subsequently flows downstream to a compressor. Separators for this
purpose often include mist eliminators to enhance their separation performance.

In water HC liquid separation, efficient separation of water from the HC is needed to avoid overloading downstream water treatment facilities. This is particularly important if the liquid HC is then
fed to a downstream distillation column.

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