Multistage Cyclonic Separator With Axial Liquid Outlets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cyclonic fluid separators face issues such as high liquid hold-up, commingling of high and low boiling components, hydrate formation, and performance degradation due to solid particles, which limit their efficiency in separating natural gas liquids from natural gas.
Innovation Solution
A multi-stage cyclonic fluid separator with additional outer secondary outlets positioned at different axial locations along the central axis, allowing for early removal of liquids and separate fractionation of condensable components, reducing liquid hold-up and energetic losses, and utilizing a central flow to stabilize the fluid flow and prevent vortex breakdown.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single-stage cyclonic separator is used, then the structure is simple, but liquid hold-up is high and separation efficiency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The cyclonic separator is divided into multiple stages with separate outlet conduits at different axial positions. Each stage handles specific liquid loading conditions, allowing liquids to be removed at optimal points along the separator length. This segmentation reduces liquid hold-up in each stage while maintaining overall separation efficiency, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and separation performance.
2Device complexity
If liquids are removed only at the end of the separator, then the structure is simple, but liquid hold-up increases and causes dissipative interaction
Solution Approach 1:
Liquids are removed at intermediate axial positions before they can travel the full length of the separator. The multiple outlet conduits enable preliminary removal of liquid phases at points where they naturally separate, preventing subsequent dissipative interactions between liquid and gas phases. This preliminary action reduces energy losses while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Manufacturing precision
If high boiling and low boiling components are separated at different locations, then fractionation is improved, but multiple outlets are required increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
Different axial locations within the separator provide different local separation conditions optimized for specific component fractions. High boiling components separate at certain axial positions while low boiling components separate at other positions. Each outlet conduit is strategically positioned to capture specific fractions, achieving high purification precision without requiring complex external fractionation equipment.
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 multi-stage design enhances fluid yield, reduces pressure drops, and improves the separation efficiency by removing liquids early and stabilizing the flow, resulting in higher recovery of natural gas liquids with minimal pressure loss and improved purity of fractions.
Implementation Method 1
The centrifugal forces exerted by the swirling motion on the fluid mixture will induce the relatively high density condensed and/or solidified components to swirl to the outer periphery of the interior of the throat portion and of a diverging outlet section whereas relatively low density gaseous components are concentrated near the central axis of the separator
Implementation Method 2
the fluid stream is accelerated to a possibly supersonic speed and rapidly cooled down as a result of adiabatic expansion. The rapid cooling will cause condensation and/or solidification of condensable vapours in the fluid stream into small droplets or particles
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a cyclonic fluid separator comprising a throat portion (4) which is arranged between a converging fluid inlet section and a diverging fluid outlet section. The cyclonic fluid separator is arranged to facilitate a cyclonic flow through the converging fluid inlet section and the throat portion towards the diverging fluid outlet section in a downstream direction. The diverging fluid outlet section comprises an inner primary outlet conduit (7) for condensable depleted fluid components and an outer secondary outlet conduit (6) for condensable enriched fluid components. The cyclonic fluid separator comprises a further outer secondary outlet conduit (16). The outer secondary outlet conduit (6) is positioned on a first position along a central axis (I) of the cyclonic fluid separator and the further outer secondary outlet conduit (16) is positioned on a second position along the central axis (I) of the cyclonic fluid separator.