Cyclone Separator Permeable Flow Guide Gas Liquid Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cyclone separators in the hydrocarbon extraction field face inefficiencies in separating fluid flows into gas and liquid phases, leading to pulsatory flows and vibrations in pipelines due to gas bubble formation, and existing technologies do not achieve high enough separation efficiency or minimize pressure drop effectively.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a permeable flow guide within the cyclone separator that maintains fluid rotation longer and limits re-entrainment of liquid droplets, combined with a secondary gas extraction device to enhance separation efficiency and reduce pressure drop, allowing for improved separation of gas and liquid phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional cyclone separation is used to separate gas and liquid phases, then separation is achieved, but separation efficiency is insufficient and pressure drop is high
Solution Approach 1:
The cyclone separator is divided into multiple functional zones: a swirl element for initial rotation, a permeable flow guide for gradual gas extraction, and a secondary gas extraction device for residual gas removal. This segmentation allows staged separation that improves efficiency while minimizing pressure drop across each zone.
Solution Approach 2:
A permeable flow guide is introduced as an intermediary component between the swirl element and gas phase outlet. This flow guide gradually extracts gas from the rotating liquid stream, reducing turbulence and pressure drop compared to direct outlet connection, while maintaining high separation efficiency.
2Manufacturing precision
If fluid flow is brought into rapid rotation for separation, then separation occurs, but turbulence increases causing re-entrainment of liquid droplets
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static separation to dynamic staged extraction. The permeable flow guide enables gradual gas removal during continuous rotation, while the secondary extraction device addresses turbulence-induced re-entrainment dynamically, maintaining flow stability without sacrificing separation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary gas extraction device is positioned to counteract the harmful effect of liquid droplet re-entrainment caused by turbulence. It preemptively removes gas bubbles that form due to turbulent mixing, preventing them from contaminating the separated liquid phase.
3Manufacturing precision
If existing equipment is modified for improved separation, then separation efficiency increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The permeable flow guide serves multiple functions: it extracts gas from the rotating stream, reduces turbulence, and minimizes pressure drop. The secondary gas extraction device simultaneously handles residual gas removal and prevents re-entrainment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, limiting complexity increase.
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
This configuration results in higher separation efficiency and lower pressure drop, enabling effective separation of hydrocarbon gas from produced water, reducing turbulence and enhancing gas recovery, while being easily integratable into existing equipment without significant modifications.
Implementation Method 1
by bringing the fluid flow into rotation so that the fluid flow is separated into a central zone essentially containing the gas phase fraction, and an outer annular zone essentially containing the liquid phase fraction
Implementation Method 2
the apparatus further comprises at least one permeable flow guide located centrally in the housing, which permeable flow guide connects to the gas phase outlet
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus for cyclone separation of a fluid flow into essentially a gas phase fraction and a liquid phase fraction, by bringing the fluid flow into rotation so that said fluid flow is separated into a central zone essentially containing the gas phase fraction, and an outer annular zone essentially containing the liquid phase fraction, comprising: a housing (2); a swirl element (6) for rotation of the fluid; a gas phase outlet (5); and a liquid phase outlet (4); whereby the gas phase outlet and the liquid phase outlet both connect to a common collecting chamber outside the housing. The invention also relates to a vessel provided with at least one such apparatus.