Two-Phase Oil & Gas Separator Types
Produced wellhead fluids are complex mixtures of different compounds of hydrogen and carbon, all with different densities, vapor pressures , and other physical characteristics. The physical separation of these compounds is one of the basic operations in the production, processing, and treatment of oil and gas. To fulfill this separation two phase oil and gas separators are employed which mechanically separate from a hydrocarbon stream the liquid and gas components that exist at a specific temperature and pressure. Separators are designed in either horizontal, vertical, or spherical configurations. Horizontal Separator: Figure 1 is a schematic of a horizontal separator . The fluid enters the separator and hits an inlet diverter causing a sudden change in momentum. The initial gross separation of liquid and vapor occurs at the inlet diverter. The force of gravity causes the liquid droplets to fall out of the gas stream to the bottom of the vessel where it is collected. Th...