Pipe Separator Inlet Gas Manifold for Plug Flow Elimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pipe separators face issues with plug flow during the separation of fluids like oil, gas, and water, especially when the gas content is high, leading to reduced separation efficiency due to design-related conditions.
Innovation Solution
A separate gas manifold with vertical degassing pipes connected to the inlet pipe of the separator, diverting gas into an inclined collection pipe, which allows for the removal of gas bubbles and ensures a constant fluid flow, preventing plug flow and minimizing shearing forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional pipe separator design is used, then the structure is simple and lightweight, but plug flow occurs during separation of high gas content fluids, reducing separation efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet structure is segmented into multiple vertical degassing pipes connected to the inlet pipe, with each pipe handling gas separation locally. This segmentation allows gas to be removed at multiple points along the inlet, preventing plug flow formation while maintaining overall structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a vertical dimension to gas removal by installing vertical degassing pipes that extend upward from the horizontal inlet pipe. This dimensional change allows gas bubbles to rise vertically out of the multiphase flow, preventing horizontal plug flow while adding minimal structural complexity
2Quantity of substance
If the separator handles high gas content flows, then more gas separation capacity is needed, but this increases the risk of plug flow and reduces separation performance
Solution Approach 1:
Gas removal action is performed preliminarily within the inlet pipe itself through the vertical degassing pipes, before the fluid enters the main separator body. This preliminary gas extraction prevents gas accumulation that would lead to plug flow, ensuring reliable separation performance even at high gas contents
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical degassing pipes act as intermediary structures that facilitate gas removal from the multiphase flow. These pipes provide a dedicated pathway for gas bubbles to escape, mediating between the high gas content inlet flow and the separator, thereby maintaining separation reliability
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
Effectively eliminates plug flow, maintains a constant fluid flow, and ensures correct phase separation without subjecting the multiphase flow to high shearing forces, enhancing the separation efficiency of gas, oil, and water phases.
Implementation Method 1
The manifold has a number of vertical degassing pipes connected to the inlet pipe immediately ahead of the inlet to the separator... so that the gas will be diverted up through the vertical degassing pipes
Data Source
AI summary
A device in connection with a pipe separator. The pipe separator comprising an extended tubular body (1) with a diameter that is principally the same as or slightly larger than the diameter of the inlet pipe (3) of the pipe separator. A gas manifold (2) is arranged in connection with the inlet pipe. The manifold (2) includes a number of vertical degassing pipes (7), which are connected to the supply pipe (3) immediately ahead of the inlet to the separator and which end in an overlying, preferably slightly inclined gas collection pipe (6). The manifold is designed so that the gas will be diverted up through the vertical degassing pipes and collected in the gas collection pipe (6) for return to the outlet pipe after the separator or transported onwards to a gas tank or gas processing plant or the like.