Gas Accumulator Bypass for Liquid Pump Hydrate Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multiphase production systems with low gas content, free gas can accumulate and reduce pump performance, and conventional gas outlets are ineffective due to hydrate formation and liquid buildup, which can cause operational issues in hydrocarbon production.
Innovation Solution
A separator arrangement with a gas accumulator that bypasses the liquid pump, allowing gas to be trapped and later flushed out using an injection liquid, preventing free gas from reaching the pump and ensuring efficient fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional gas outlet with direct flow line to host facility is used, then gas can be removed from the system, but hydrates will form in the gas riser and liquid plugs will accumulate due to cooling and low flow velocity
Solution Approach 1:
A gas accumulator is introduced as an intermediary component between the separator and the host facility. The accumulator receives gas from the separator through a gas riser, allowing the gas to be stored and managed in a controlled environment rather than being directly discharged. This intermediary solution prevents hydrate formation and liquid buildup in the discharge line while maintaining reliable gas removal capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas handling system is segmented into distinct functional zones: a separator for initial gas-liquid separation, a gas accumulator for gas storage and pressure management, and a controlled discharge system. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, preventing the harmful effects that occur when gas is directly discharged without intermediate processing.
2Productivity
If free gas accumulates in the liquid pump, then pump performance is reduced, but removing gas requires additional equipment and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
Gas is removed from the liquid stream before it enters the pump through the separator and gas accumulator system. By performing this gas removal action preliminarily, the pump receives gas-free liquid, maintaining optimal pump performance without requiring complex gas handling equipment directly at the pump location.
Solution Approach 2:
Gas is extracted from the liquid stream in the separator before the liquid enters the pump. The gas accumulator then manages the extracted gas separately, preventing gas from entering the pump and affecting its performance. This extraction approach maintains pump productivity without adding complexity to the pump itself.
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 solution effectively prevents free gas from affecting pump performance by accumulating and flushing out gas upstream of the pump, thereby maintaining pump efficiency and preventing hydrate formation and liquid buildup in gas risers.
Implementation Method 1
They work basically from the principle that the three components are of different densities which results in a stratification with gas in a top region, oil in a middle region and water in a bottom region of a separator container or tank
Implementation Method 2
in a region near its inlet end the gas accumulator is connected to a supply of injection liquid that is controllable via a valve to be injected to the discharge side of the pump via the gas accumulator
Data Source
AI summary
A separator arrangement in a multiphase production system. A closed separator container includes a top and a bottom, an inlet for production fluids at an inlet level and at least one outlet for at least partly separated liquid at a level lower than the inlet level. The container outlet is connectable to a liquid pump arranged downstream of the container. A gas accumulator is arranged for by-passing the pump. The gas accumulator includes an inlet end connectable to a top region of the container and an outlet end connectable to a discharge side of the pump for flow communication between the container and the discharge side of the pump. A region near the inlet end the gas accumulator is connected to a supply of injection liquid that is controllable via a valve to be injected to the discharge side of the pump via the gas accumulator. A method for gas by-pass of a liquid pump in a multiphase production system.