Indirect Heated Separation Assembly for Multiphase Oil and Gas

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Solution Overview

Problem

The oil and gas industry faces challenges in effectively separating multiphase mixtures, particularly in efficiently separating gas from liquids and water, as existing separation techniques often require direct fired systems that are bulky and result in line losses.

Innovation Solution

An indirect heated separation assembly is introduced, featuring a vessel with a heating section and a separation section separated by a heat-conducting plate, where the plate is heated by a heating fluid to provide additional heat to the separation section, and a coil assembly within the heating section to heat the process fluid before directing it to the separation section.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If direct fired systems are used for heating and separation, then heating capability is achieved, but the system becomes bulky and results in line losses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating capabilityVSAvoidline losses

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an indirect heating system where a heat transfer fluid circulates through coils in a heating chamber, transferring heat to the separation chamber through a common wall. This intermediary heat transfer mechanism eliminates the need for direct fired systems, reducing line losses and energy waste while maintaining effective heating capability for the separation process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The heating chamber and separation chamber are merged into a single integrated vessel with a shared wall that conducts heat. This combination eliminates the need for separate heating equipment and connecting lines, reducing both the bulkiness of the system and the line losses that would occur in distributed heating arrangements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Temperature

If direct fired systems are used, then heating is provided, but the system design becomes bulky

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating functionVSAvoidsystem size

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The common wall between chambers serves as an intermediary heat transfer surface, eliminating the need for external heating equipment and extensive piping. This reduces the overall system volume while maintaining the required heating function through the integrated design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If separation apparatuses are positioned within the separator, then separation techniques are enabled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidapparatus complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vessel is segmented into distinct functional chambers (heating chamber, separation chamber, water knockout chamber) separated by common walls. This segmentation allows each chamber to perform its specific function with simple, dedicated structures rather than requiring complex multi-functional apparatuses, thereby maintaining separation efficiency while reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 allows for more compact designs that reduce line losses and improve separation efficiency, enabling closer placement to storage tanks while maintaining effective separation of oil, gas, and water components.

Implementation Method 1

a plate separating the heating section from the separation section, the plate being configured to be heated by a heating fluid in the heating section to provide indirect heat to the separation section

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a coil assembly disposed in the heating section, the coil assembly including an inlet configured to receive a process fluid and an outlet in communication with an inlet of the separation section to direct the process fluid after heating to the separation section

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11274539B2Heated separation assembly

Publication Date: 2022.03.15 WESTERMAN INC

AI summary

Provided is an indirect heated separation assembly that includes a vessel having a heating section and a separation section, a plate separating the heating section from the separation section, the plate being configured to be heated by a heating fluid in the heating section to provide indirect heat to the separation section, and a coil assembly disposed in the heating section, the coil assembly including an inlet configured to receive a process fluid and an outlet in communication with an inlet of the separation section to direct the process fluid after heating to the separation section.