Scribd
Upload
96 views7 pages

Production Engineering I

The document discusses oil and gas separators. It begins by explaining that separators are used by production engineers to separate oil, gas, water, and sediment from a fluid stream. It then provides details on the different types of separators including two-phase separators that handle oil and gas, and three-phase separators that handle oil, gas, and water. It describes how separators work by using gravity to separate the elements based on their specific gravities, with gas rising to the top, oil settling in the middle, and water dropping to the bottom. Finally, it lists the essential components and features of oil and gas separators.

Uploaded by

Homam Mohammad
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
96 views7 pages

Production Engineering I

The document discusses oil and gas separators. It begins by explaining that separators are used by production engineers to separate oil, gas, water, and sediment from a fluid stream. It then provides details on the different types of separators including two-phase separators that handle oil and gas, and three-phase separators that handle oil, gas, and water. It describes how separators work by using gravity to separate the elements based on their specific gravities, with gas rising to the top, oil settling in the middle, and water dropping to the bottom. Finally, it lists the essential components and features of oil and gas separators.

Uploaded by

Homam Mohammad
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 7

Instructor: Dr.

MOHAMMED ABDUL AMEER ALHUMAIRI


MISAN UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF Engineering – PETROLEUM DEPARTMENT

PRODUCTION ENGINEERING I
[email protected]
Separator

An oil and gas separator is a vertical or horizontal vessel that( the production

engineer), use it to separate the elements of a fluid stream. The typical

elements in the stream are oil, gas, water, and sand or sediment.

Oil and Gas Separator Phases

Oil and Gas separators are classified as two-phase and three-phase

separators.

 Two-phase separators handle oil and gas

 Three-phase separators handle oil, gas, and water

Oil – Gas – Water Separator (classification):


Types of separator:
1- Vertical separator.
2- Horizontal separator.
3- Spherical separator.
Oil and Gas Separator: How it Works

There are different styles, but the primary function of all separators is in the

name. They are used to separate the elements that flow into them.

Primary functions of oil and gas separators


1-Removal of oil from gas

2-Removal of gas from oil

3-Separation of water from oil.

As the gas, oil, and water enter the separator, they hit an inlet diverter and

begin to separate. Because these elements have different specific gravities,

the separation process will continue at a gradual step as long as they sit in

the vessel.

 Gas will rise to the top of the vessel

 Oil will settle in the middle

 Water will drop to the bottom

The gas will flow to a mist extractor at the top of the separator and be pulled

out of the vessel and out to a sales line or for combustion.


while the oil and water reach a pre-determined height, they will activate liquid

level control system and dump valve. Depending on the pressure, this may

be a Device-Operated Mechanical Dump Valve or electric High Pressure

Control Valve.
The term separator in oilfield terminology designates a pressure vessel used for

separating well fluids produced from oil and gas wells into gaseous

and liquid components.

An oil and gas separator generally includes the following essential components

and features:

1. A vessel that includes

(a) primary separation device and/or section,

(b) secondary “gravity” settling (separating) section,

(c) mist extractor to remove small liquid particles from the gas,

(d) gas outlet,

(e) liquid settling (separating) section to remove gas or vapor from oil (on a

three-phase unit,

this section also separates water from oil),

(f) oil outlet,

and (g) water outlet (three-phase unit).

2. Adequate (Suitable ) volumetric liquid capacity to handle liquid surges (slugs)

from the wells and/or flow lines.


3. Adequate vessel diameter and (height or length), to allow most of the liquid to

separate from the gas so that the mist extractor will not be flooded.

4. A means of controlling an oil level in the separator, which usually includes a

liquid-level controller and a diaphragm motor valve on the oil outlet.

5. A back pressure valve on the gas outlet to maintain a steady pressure in the vessel.

6. Pressure relief devices.


Methods used to remove oil from gas in separators:
1- Density difference (gravity separation): Natural gas is lighter
than liquid hydrocarbon
2- Change of flow direction: When the direction of flow of a gas stream
containing liquid mist is changed abruptly (sharply)
3- Change of flow velocity: Separation of liquid and gas can be effected
with either a sudden increase or decrease in gas velocity
4- Centrifugal force: If a gas stream carrying liquid mist flows in a
circular motion at sufficiently high velocity
5- Impingement: If a flowing stream of gas containing liquid, mist is
impinged against a surface

You might also like