Effect of pressure and salinity on the performance of a gas-liquid separator—a preliminary study
Shakil Ahmed A , Gerardo Sanchez-Soto A , Chong Wong B , Edson Nakagawa C and Jamal Naser DA CSIRO Earth Science and Resource Engineering
B CSIRO Process Science and Engineering
C CSIRO Earth Science and Resource Engineering
D Swinburne University of Technology
The APPEA Journal 51(1) 603-612 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ10043
Published: 2011
Abstract
The separation of liquid from gas during the initial stages of the separation process is very important in increasing well productivity. This is why the design of an efficient and compact gas-liquid separator has received much attention from academic researchers as well as field operators. They all state the necessity of compact design in deploying separators offshore (and potentially subsea) to enhance the recovery of gas wells. This investigation describes an experimental and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling of a laboratory-scale compact gas-liquid separator designed by CSIRO. The separator consists of two concentric pipes with a swirl tube in the annular space between the pipes. The gas-liquid mixture comes from the tangential side inlet, and the system works with a combination of gravity and centrifugal forces to achieve a highly efficient gas-liquid separation. The effect of pressure and salinity on the performance of the gas-liquid CSIRO’s separation technology (CS-T) separator is investigated in this paper. The performance of the separator is visually established by observing the liquid carry over (LCO) regime in which liquid is carried out in the gas stream. The liquid and gas-flow rate at which the LCO is observed defines the upper operational range of the separator. Air-water mixture is used for both experimental and CFD investigations. The performance is evaluated at 1, 2, 5, 10 and 12 barg pressure. The upper operational range decreases with increases in pressure. For higher pressure (10 and 12 barg), the LCO curve was nearly vertical, which indicates no change in gas-flow rate with the increase in water flow rate. Salinity does not affect the performance of the CS-T separator. The CFD results are used to visualise the continuous LCO and to understand the physics and mechanism of LCO.
Shakil Ahmed completed his undergraduate degree from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh in 1998 and joined as a lecturer in the same department. He was involved in many academic activities and offered many courses. At the same time, he completed a master of science in mechanical engineering in 2001; subsequently, he enrolled as a PhD student in Swinburne University of Technology in 2001. His PhD program was funded by Cooperative Research Center (CRC) for Clean Power from Lignite, Victoria. He started working at CSIRO Material Science and Engineering as a postdoctoral fellow from July, 2005. After finishing his postdoctoral program, he joined CSIRO Earth Science and Resource Engineering as a research scientist and works on subsea separation, fracture-wellbore intersection and coal seam gas project. He participated in many workshops, and has published and presented his works in more than 35 international journals and conferences. Shakil.Ahmed@csiro.au |
Gerardo Sanchez-Soto is a chemical engineer with a Master’s degree (Universidad de los Andes, Vzla) and PhD in chemical engineering (Birmingham University, UK). In 1986 he joined PDVSA Intevep working in the Orimulsion Technology Group. During that period, he was project leader and group leader of technical areas related to emulsion technology and the commercialisation of technologies. In 2005 he joined CSIRO Petroleum working as the leader of the Near Wellbore Characterisation project. He is now leader of the subsea and well technology group stream, focused on the development of new technologies for offshore gas fields. His areas of interest are hydrates in flow assurance, compact separation technologies and production optimisation. Gerardo.Sanchezsoto@csiro.au |
Chong Yau Wong obtained his mechanical engineering degree (Hons) (2000) and his PhD (mechanical engineering—fluid mechanics) (2004) from Adelaide University. Since then, he has worked as a postdoctoral fellow specialising in laser diagnostics (particle image velocimetry and laser Doppler velocimetry) for two-phase flows at Adelaide University until 2006; he then investigated the structure of turbulent boundary layer flows with PIV/Stereoscopic-PIV systems at Monash University until early 2008. He is now with CSIRO as a research scientist and works on industry projects such as multiphase separation technologies for the oil and gas industry and sand erosion research. Chong.Wong@csiro.au |
Edson Nakagawa leads CSIRO’s petroleum and geothermal research. Developments under Edson’s leadership include research and development in conventional petroleum exploration and production, enhanced oil and gas recovery, petroleum systems modelling, unconventional gas (coal seam gas, tight gas) production, water management, flow assurance, subsea production technologies, novel gas processing technologies, gas to liquids and geothermal energy. Edson’s research experience spans more than 30 years and encompasses the management of large research and development programs, focusing on delivery and deployment of technologies at field level. Edson has led the development and implementation of technology for offshore under-balanced drilling, well control programs in deepwater scenarios and information management systems for the oil and gas industry. Edson obtained his Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Ouro Preto, Brazil, where he developed a risk evaluation model and decision criteria for the development of an oil field. Later, he took his Doctor of Philosophy at Louisiana State University in the United States of America, having developed an experimental verification of the behaviour of undesirable gas influxes (gas kicks) in vertical and slanted sections of oil wells. Edson has written more than 50 papers and reports. He has served on numerous technical committees and publication review committees. Edson obtained his Master of Science in petroleum engineering from the University of Ouro Preto, Brazil, where he developed a risk evaluation model and decision criteria for the development of an oil field. Later, he obtained his PhD from Louisiana State University, USA, having developed an experimental verification of the behaviour of undesirable gas influxes (gas kicks) in vertical and slanted sections of oil wells. Edson has written more than 50 papers and reports. He has served on numerous technical committees and publication review committees. Edson.Nakagawa@csiro.au |
Jamal Naser’s 26 years of research activity has close association with industry. While investigating complex industrial problems, his research always focusses on fundamental scientific challenge. One of the most complex branches of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) science is multiphase flow. Dr Naser has managed to develop a number of new mathematical models, improving the understanding and incorporating more physics into multiphase flow modelling (multiphase separation). Many of his research projects involve complex chemical reactions (combustion) coupled with complex geometry—a difficult challenge for modelling, which sometimes can only be overcome by inventing a new way out. In last seven years he has successfully completed the supervision of a number of PhD students and trained a number of post doctoral fellows; all who worked with him are very well placed in various research organisations in Australia and overseas. Dr Naser has successfully attracted and completed a number competitive research grants/projects, published the findings in more than 100 journals and conferences. Dr Naser has managed to develop national and international research linkages. In the previous seven years, he has successfully completed the supervision of a number of PhD students and trained a number of post-doctoral fellows; all who worked with him are very well placed in various research organisations in Australia and overseas. Dr. Naser has successfully attracted and completed a number competitive research grants/projects, published the findings in more than 100 journals and conferences. Dr. Naser has managed to develop national and international research linkages. jnaser@swin.edu.au |
