High-Pressure Centrifugal Separator for Oil Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing centrifugal separators are unable to operate under the high pressures typical of oil processing plants, requiring depressurization of pressurized oil before processing, and lack the capability to efficiently separate heavy and light liquid phases, solid particulates, and gases simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A centrifugal separator design featuring a central feed chamber, separation chamber with frustoconical disks, and recovery chambers for each phase, enclosed by a pressurizable stationary casing with mechanical seals to maintain internal pressure and allow for the separation of immiscible liquid phases, gases, and particulate solids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a centrifugal separator is designed to operate under high pressure, then the processing efficiency and operational capabilities are enhanced, but the device complexity and structural requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The separator is divided into multiple functional chambers (separation chamber, first recovery chamber for light liquid phase, second recovery chamber for heavy liquid phase, and gas phase recovery chamber) that work together to handle different phases simultaneously under pressure, thereby improving processing efficiency while managing device complexity through functional segmentation
Solution Approach 2:
The separator is designed as a multi-functional device that simultaneously separates light liquid phase, heavy liquid phase, solid particulates, and gases in a single high-pressure operation, eliminating the need for multiple separate processing steps and thereby enhancing overall productivity
2Quantity of substance
If pressurized oil is fed directly into the separator, then the volume of gas formed is significantly reduced and separation is facilitated, but existing separators cannot operate under such high pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The separator is specifically engineered to operate at high pressures (up to 1000 psi or more) by strengthening the casing and internal components, allowing pressurized oil to be fed directly without depressurization. This parameter change in operating pressure significantly reduces gas volume formation and improves separation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The use of frustoconical disks with specific curvature in the separation chamber creates optimized flow patterns that enhance separation efficiency under high pressure conditions, allowing the system to reliably handle pressurized oil feeds
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple separation chambers are included for different phases, then the separation completeness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The separator is divided into multiple functional chambers (separation chamber, first recovery chamber for light liquid phase, second recovery chamber for heavy liquid phase, and gas phase recovery chamber) that work together to handle different phases simultaneously under pressure, thereby improving processing efficiency while managing device complexity through functional segmentation
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple separation functions for different phases (light liquid, heavy liquid, solid particulates, and gases) are combined into a single integrated high-pressure separator system, achieving complete separation of all phases simultaneously while managing complexity through unified design
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
Enables efficient separation and recovery of heavy and light liquid phases, gases, and solid particulates under high pressure conditions, enhancing the processing efficiency and operational capabilities of oil processing plants.
Implementation Method 1
the rotation of the disks causes the light liquid phase to be shifted to an area closer to its rotation axis, while the heavy liquid phase is shifted to a more distant part of the rotation axis, facilitating separation and removal of these liquids
Implementation Method 2
separation operations to obtain individual components of the liquid from the well... water, oil, gas and particulate solids, components that are initially mixed in the abovementioned liquid, are separated
Data Source
AI summary
This invention is for a centrifugal separator comprised of a group formed by: a central feed chamber (10) fed by a feed pipe (20); a separation chamber (30) including a number of frustoconical disks (3); a first recovery chamber (11) in communication with a first liquid phase recovery pipe (21) and a gaseous phase recovery pipe (23); and a second recovery chamber (12) communicating with a second liquid phase recovery pipe (22), where the group is encompassed by a rotating envelope (1), where the central feed chamber (10) is in liquid fluid communication with the separation chamber (30), and in gaseous fluid communication with the first recovery chamber (11), where the separation chamber (30) is in fluid communication with the first and second recovery chambers where the centrifugal separator is encompassed by pressurizable stationary casing (4a, 4b).