Heated separation assembly
Solution Overview
Problem
The oil and gas industry faces challenges in efficiently separating multiphase mixtures, particularly in separating gas from oil and water, as existing separation techniques often require direct fired systems that are bulky and incur line losses, making it difficult to locate separators close to storage tanks.
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 wall that is heated by a heating fluid, along with a coil assembly to heat the process fluid before directing it to the separation section, allowing for closer placement to storage tanks and reducing line losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If direct fired systems are used for heating, then heating effectiveness is improved, but device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an indirect heating system where a heat transfer fluid (intermediary) circulates through coils in the heating section, transferring thermal energy to the separation section without direct combustion. This mediator approach achieves effective heating while avoiding the bulk and complexity of direct fired systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The separator is divided into distinct heating and separation sections separated by a wall. The heating section contains coils for fluid circulation, while the separation section performs the actual separation. This segmentation allows independent optimization of heating and separation functions, reducing overall system complexity.
2Loss of energy
If separators are located close to storage tanks, then line losses are reduced, but safety concerns increase with direct fired systems
Solution Approach 1:
By using a heat transfer fluid as an intermediary between the heat source and the separation section, the system eliminates open flames and direct combustion in proximity to storage tanks. This allows the separator to be safely located close to tanks while minimizing energy losses, as the indirect heating system can be contained within the separator vessel itself.
3Productivity
If additional heating is provided to the separation section, then separation efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating and separation sections are merged into a single integrated vessel with a shared wall. The heating section's wall serves as both a structural boundary and a heat transfer surface, while the separation section receives heat indirectly through this wall. This integration provides additional heating to improve separation efficiency without adding separate external heating equipment, thus avoiding increased system complexity.
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 indirect heated separation assembly effectively separates gas, oil, and water components while minimizing line losses and size, enabling more efficient downstream processing by providing additional heating to the separation section without the need for direct fired systems.
Implementation Method 1
a wall separating the heating section from the separation section, the wall configured to be heated by a heating fluid in the heating section to provide indirect heat to the separation section
Implementation Method 2
a coil assembly at least partially 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
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an indirect heated separation assembly that includes a vessel assembly having a heating section and a separation section, a wall separating the heating section from the separation section, the wall configured to be heated by a heating fluid in the heating section to provide indirect heat to the separation section, and a coil assembly at least partially 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.