Subsea Gas Processing Facility with Cooling and Coalescing Separators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current subsea gas export facilities face issues such as liquid accumulation in pipelines, pressure fluctuations, and the formation of solid deposits, which can lead to plugged flows and inefficient gas export.
Innovation Solution
A subsea processing facility comprising a cooling module to condense heavy hydrocarbons and water, and a gas/liquid separation module with a series connection of a gas/liquid separator and a coalescing filter separator, which effectively separates gas and liquid phases and prevents solid deposit formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If gas is exported through long pipes without processing, then the facility complexity is reduced, but liquid accumulation occurs in pipeline low points causing plugged flows
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling module performs preliminary cooling of the gas/liquid mixture before it enters the export pipeline, condensing heavy hydrocarbons and water in advance. This preliminary action prevents liquid accumulation during transport and eliminates the need for complex in-line processing facilities, thereby maintaining reliability while keeping facility complexity low.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the liquid phase (condensed heavy hydrocarbons and water) from the gas/liquid mixture through the cooling module and separator before export. By taking out the harmful liquid component in advance, the system avoids liquid accumulation problems in the export pipeline without requiring complex processing facilities along the pipeline route.
2Use of energy by moving object
If gas velocity is reduced to lower energy consumption, then energy use decreases, but liquid entrainment becomes insufficient causing liquid accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling module changes the temperature parameter of the gas/liquid mixture, condensing heavy hydrocarbons and water at lower temperatures. This parameter change allows liquid separation to occur through phase change rather than relying on high gas velocity for entrainment, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliable liquid transport efficiency.
3Reliability
If cooling temperature is increased to reduce condensation, then liquid accumulation is avoided, but heavy hydrocarbons and water do not condense efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling module utilizes phase transitions by cooling the gas/liquid mixture to temperatures where heavy hydrocarbons and water condense from gas to liquid phase. This controlled phase transition enables efficient condensation and separation of liquid components, improving condensation efficiency while operating at optimized cooling temperatures rather than excessively high or low temperatures.
4Device complexity
If a single separator is used to simplify the facility, then device complexity is reduced, but separation performance is insufficient to prevent solid deposits
Solution Approach 1:
The separation module is segmented into multiple sequential stages: a first separator for initial gas/liquid separation, followed by a coalescing filter separator for fine liquid droplet removal. This segmentation of the separation function into multiple specialized units achieves high separation performance sufficient to prevent solid deposit formation, while keeping each individual separator unit relatively simple in design.
Solution Approach 2:
The coalescing filter separator acts as an intermediary unit between the first separator and the export pipeline. It mediates the separation process by capturing fine liquid droplets that the first separator misses, preventing these droplets from traveling downstream and forming solid deposits. This intermediary unit enhances overall separation performance without requiring complete redesign of the entire separation system.
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 facility achieves efficient gas export by ensuring the gas remains in a monophasic state, preventing liquid accumulation, maintaining sufficient pressure, and minimizing solid deposits, thus enhancing the reliability and efficiency of subsea gas export.
Implementation Method 1
cooling module supplied with a gas/liquid mixture coming directly from at least one subsea gas field in order to cool the gas to a temperature allowing the heavy hydrocarbons and water present in the mixture to be condensed
Implementation Method 2
a gas/liquid separation module supplied with a gas/liquid mixture coming from the cooling module and which delivers processed gas to a gas export pipeline and liquid to a liquid export pipeline
Data Source
AI summary
A facility and a method for processing gas from a subsea gas production field, includes a cooling module supplied with a gas/liquid mixture coming directly from at least one subsea gas field, and a gas/liquid separation module which delivers processed gas to a gas export pipeline and liquid to a liquid export pipeline. The gas/liquid separation module includes a gas/liquid separator and a coalescing filter separator which are connected in series. The gas/liquid separator has a gas outlet connected to an inlet of the coalescing filter separator and a liquid outlet connected to the liquid export pipeline. The coalescing filter separator having a gas outlet connected to the gas export pipeline and a liquid outlet connected to the liquid export pipeline.