Verification of a CFD-Population Balance Model for Crude Oil Separation Efficiency in a Three-Phase Separator – Effect of Emulsion Rheology and Droplet Size Distribution

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lanre Oshinowo ◽  
Regis Vilagines
Keyword(s):  
Crude Oil ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Droplet Size ◽  
Separation Efficiency ◽  
Droplet Size Distribution ◽  
Balance Model ◽  
Population Balance Model ◽  
Three Phase ◽  
Phase Separator ◽  
Emulsion Rheology

Numerical Simulation of Droplet Size Distribution in Vertical Upward Annular Flow

2010 ◽  
Vol 132 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Liu ◽  
W. Z. Li
Keyword(s):  
Size Distribution ◽  
Droplet Size ◽  
Annular Flow ◽  
Liquid Droplet ◽  
Large Diameter ◽  
Droplet Size Distribution ◽  
Population Balance ◽  
Balance Model ◽  
Diameter Distribution ◽  
Two Fluid

The liquid droplet size distribution in gas-liquid vertical upward annular flow is investigated through a CFD (computational fluid dynamics)-PBM (population balance model) coupled model in this paper. Two-fluid Eulerian scheme is employed as the framework of this model and a population balance equation is used to obtain the dispersed liquid droplet diameter distribution, where three different coalescence and breakup kernels are investigated. The Sauter mean diameter d32 is used as a bridge between a two-fluid model and a PBM. The simulation results suggest that the original Luo–Luo kernel and the mixed kernel A (Luo’s coalescence kernel incorporated with Prince and Blanch’s breakup kernel) can only give reasonable predictions for large diameter droplets. Mixed kernel B (Saffman and Turner’s coalescence kernel incorporated with Lehr’s breakup kernel) can accurately capture the particle size distribution (PSD) of liquid droplets covering all droplet sizes, and is appropriate for the description of liquid droplet size distribution in gas-liquid annular flow.

Evaluation of Models for Droplet Shear Effect of Centrifugal Pump

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramin Dabirian ◽  
Shihao Cui ◽  
Ilias Gavrielatos ◽  
Ram Mohan ◽  
Ovadia Shoham
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Centrifugal Pump ◽  
Droplet Size ◽  
Separation Efficiency ◽  
Droplet Diameter ◽  
Droplet Size Distribution ◽  
Production Equipment ◽  
Transportation Equipment ◽  
Log Normal

During the process of petroleum production and transportation, equipment such as pumps and chokes will cause shear effects which break the dispersed droplets into smaller size. The smaller droplets will influence the separator process significantly and the droplet size distribution has become a critical criterion for separator design. In order to have a better understanding of the separation efficiency, estimation of the dispersed-phase droplet size distribution is very important. The objective of this paper is to qualitatively and quantitatively investigate the effect of shear imparted on oil-water flow by centrifugal pump. This paper presents available published models for the calculation of droplet size distribution caused by different production equipment. Also detailed experimental data for droplet size distribution downstream of a centrifugal pump are presented. Rosin-Rammler and Log-Normal Distributions utilizing dmax Pereyra (2011) model as well as dmin Kouba (2003) model are used in order to evaluate the best fit distribution function to simulate the cumulative droplet size distribution. The results confirm that applying dmax Pereyra (2011) model leads to Rosin-Rammler distribution is much closer to the experimental data for low shear conditions, while the Log-Normal distribution shows better performance for higher shear rates. Furthermore, the predictions of Modified Kouba (2003) dmin model show good results for predicting the droplet distribution in centrifugal pump, and even better predictions under various ranges of experiments are achieved with manipulating cumulative percentage at minimum droplet diameter F(Dmin).

scholarly journals Droplet Size Distribution in Water-Crude Oil Emulsions by Low-Field NMR

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinícius Morgan ◽  
Cristina Sad ◽  
Andre Constantino ◽  
Rodrigo Azeredo ◽  
Valdemar Lacerda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crude Oil ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Droplet Size ◽  
Droplet Size Distribution ◽  
Low Field ◽  
Low Field Nmr ◽  
Oil Emulsions

Fluid Flow Phenomena and Droplet Size Distribution Along the Feed Spreader of Large Oil/Water Tank Separators

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose G. Severino ◽  
Luis E. Gomez ◽  
Steve J. Leibrandt ◽  
Ram S. Mohan ◽  
Ovadia Shoham
Keyword(s):  
Size Distribution ◽  
Droplet Size ◽  
Separation Efficiency ◽  
Droplet Size Distribution ◽  
Separation Performance ◽  
Water Tank ◽  
Water Dispersion ◽  
Flow Phenomena ◽  
Oil Water ◽  
The Impact

Large gravity separation tanks play an essential role in crude oil production in many fields worldwide. These tanks are used to separate water from an oil-rich stream before safely returning it to the environment. The oil/water dispersion enters the tanks through a feed spreader consisting of an array of pipes with small effluent nozzles. A major challenge is being able to predict oil/water dispersion distribution along the spreader as well as, the maximum water droplet size exiting through the effluent nozzles, under a given set of conditions. The capacity of the studied tank is 80,000 barrels (12,719 m3). Current feed stream is about 60,000 bpd (9,540 m3/day) of wet crude containing about 20% water by volume. A significant increase in flow rates and water volume fraction is anticipated [7], as more wells are added and existing ones mature. This work is aimed at investigating the separation performance of these tanks under current and future flow conditions; focusing primarily on the flow phenomena and droplet size distribution inside the spreader. The main objective is then to identify the impact of the spreader’s geometry and piping configuration on flow behavior and tank’s separation efficiency. The final product provides key information needed for mechanistic modeling the tank separation performance and optimizing tank components’ design. The feed spreader is simulated using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to assess oil/water flow distribution inside the network. Droplet size distribution along branch-pipes effluent nozzles in, including droplet breakup and coalescence has been studied using the Gomez mechanistic model [2] with input from CFD results. An experimental investigation of the spreader using a scaled prototype was also conducted to better understand flow phenomena and verify the CFD models. Results confirm the occurrence of significant maldistribution of the water and oil phases along the spreader that could impair separation efficiency.

Droplet Size Distributions and Pressure Control in the Gas-Liquid Cylindrical Cyclone

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lele Yang ◽  
Jing Wang ◽  
Li Zou
Keyword(s):  
Size Distribution ◽  
Droplet Size ◽  
Separation Efficiency ◽  
Flow Instability ◽  
Droplet Size Distribution ◽  
Pressure Control ◽  
Superficial Velocity ◽  
Liquid Level ◽  
Outlet Section ◽  
Cylindrical Cyclone

Abstract The gas–liquid cylindrical cyclone (GLCC) employs gravitational and centrifugal forces to realize gas-liquid separation. The aim of this study is to understand the droplet size distribution and pressure control in the GLCC via experiment and numerical analysis. The droplet size and pressure distributions were measured using Malvern RTsizer and pressure transmitters, respectively. The Discrete Phase Model was used to numerically analyze the swirling hydrodynamics of the GLCC. The results showed that the increase in the gas superficial velocity decreased the droplet size distribution at the inlet as a whole due to the shear effect and flow instability. The increase in the liquid superficial velocity only increased the small droplet size distribution at the inlet for the limitation of the gas’s carrying capacity. The pressure loss mainly occurred at the inlet and the overflow outlet. When the liquid level was remained below the inlet and above the liquid outlet, the liquid level and the liquid outlet section approximately met the Bernoulli equation for a finite large flow beam. With the increase in the pressure at the gas outlet, the liquid film fell back and the separation efficiency increased gradually. These results are helpful for further spreading applications of the GLCC in industry.

scholarly journals Use of near infrared for evaluation of droplet size distribution and water content in water-in-crude oil emulsions in pressurized pipeline

Fuel ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 147 ◽  
pp. 43-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gustavo R. Borges ◽  
Gabriela B. Farias ◽  
Talita M. Braz ◽  
Leila M. Santos ◽  
Monique J. Amaral ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crude Oil ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Droplet Size ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Droplet Size Distribution ◽  
Oil Emulsions
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