Separator Efficiency
Separator Efficiency
(OP)
I was asked recently to provide a % efficiency value for a wellsite separator (operating in natural gas, some oil and produced water service). I provided a value of ~90%. I understand that if you use well designed mesh pads, vanes, or other internals (cyclonic, etc) the efficiency is much higher for phase separation.
Is my value of 90% for a "typical" well site separator efficiency(lucky to have a mesh pad present) anywhere close to reality??
Is my value of 90% for a "typical" well site separator efficiency(lucky to have a mesh pad present) anywhere close to reality??





RE: Separator Efficiency
There are general purpose standard mats that claim efficiency values above 99%; for example, wire mesh demisters with 100 mm minimum thickness and thread diameters 0.25 mm.
According to Campbell (Gas Conditioning and Processing, 1972) a formula for the recommended gas velocity over the total cross section of the mat not blanked by supports
where
ρL = density of the liquid, kg/m3
ρ = density of the gas, kg/m3
has given good results for separation of oil and natural gas under high pressures, for horizontally mounted wire mesh demisters placed at least 250 mm above the liquid surface.
RE: Separator Efficiency