Carry-over meter with sight glass for gas liquid separator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas/liquid separators in well testing operations face challenges in efficiently handling high flow rates and accurately measuring gas and liquid contents due to size and weight constraints, leading to reduced efficiency and inaccurate mass flow rate measurements.
Innovation Solution
A gas/liquid separator system incorporating a carry-over meter with a sight glass, first and second densitometers, and piping, which allows for visual confirmation and precise density measurements of gas and liquid levels, enhancing the separation process and overcoming the limitations of traditional separators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the separator vessel size is restricted by transportation authorities, then transportability is improved, but gravitational separation capacity and flow rate capacity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The separator is divided into multiple functional sections: a gravitational separation section for initial gas-liquid separation, and a centrifugal separation section with a rotating drum for enhanced separation. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specialized function within a compact overall structure, maintaining high flow rate capacity while meeting transportation size restrictions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from purely gravitational separation to a three-dimensional system that incorporates centrifugal force through a rotating drum. This adds a rotational dimension to the separation process, enabling efficient separation in a compact vertical arrangement that fits transportation constraints while maintaining high productivity.
2Device complexity
If a single demister element is used, then device complexity is reduced, but separation efficiency at high flow rates decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The demister system is segmented into multiple elements arranged in series within the gravitational separation section. This segmentation allows each demister element to handle a portion of the gas stream, maintaining high separation efficiency even at elevated flow rates while keeping the overall structure relatively simple and manageable.
3Measurement precision
If Coriolis meters are used to measure mass flow rates, then measurement capability is improved, but accuracy for gas-liquid mixtures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary gravitational separation and centrifugal separation before the gas-liquid mixture reaches the Coriolis meter. This preliminary action removes most liquid from the gas stream, providing a near-segregated flow that allows the Coriolis meter to accurately measure mass flow rates and densities of both phases without the interference of heavily entrained mixtures.
Solution Approach 2:
The separator acts as an intermediary device between the well stream and the Coriolis meter. By performing separation functions before measurement, it prepares the flow in a state that is optimal for Coriolis meter operation, enabling accurate measurement of gas and liquid properties that would otherwise be difficult to obtain from a mixed stream.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system improves the separation efficiency and accuracy of gas and liquid content measurement, enabling better handling of high flow rates and compliance with transportation regulations while maintaining transportability.
Implementation Method 1
a tube extending between the first inlet and the second inlet with at least a portion of the tube being transparent in a visible range of wavelengths
Implementation Method 2
The first densitometer is connected to the first outlet and the second densitometer is connected to the second outlet
Implementation Method 3
Horizontal gravitational separators are believed to have better capabilities than vertical separators with regard to multiphase separation
Data Source
AI summary
A separator is described as provided with a gas/liquid separator vessel, a sight glass, and a carry-over meter. The sight glass is positioned on the exterior of the gas/liquid separator vessel, and has a first inlet and a second inlet in fluid communication with a separation chamber of the gas/liquid separator vessel. The sight glass is further provided with a first outlet in fluid communication with the first inlet, and a second outlet in fluid communication with the second inlet. The sight glass has a tube extending between the first inlet and the second inlet with at least a portion of the tube being transparent to light in a visible range of wavelengths. The carry-over meter is provided with a first densitometer connected to the first outlet of the sight glass via piping and a second densitometer connected to the second outlet of the sight glass via piping.