Modifying separators?

[ProEngr]

We are trying to developmentout plant, We have separators unit which they separate gas from crud, my question is: can we modify these separators to separate gas and water from crude?
And if we can and if we have two separators in this unit, how can we do it with continues operation(we need shutdown?), I mean the plan.

 

[reena1957]

Dear ProEngr,
Give more details:
1. Are the two separators in series or Parallel operation now?
2.Are both being used?
3.Do they have isolatiom valves on feed, Gas and crude lines?
4.Can you afford to reduce the production rate by half?
5. If the answer to all these questions are YES then by now you should have guessed the right answer to your posting!!!
Best wishes

 

[dcasto]

You can add weirs to the internal of the separators. If they are horizontal, you can add a water boot with weirs. There are several designs for internals, the best arrangment is basde on ratio of oil/water/and gas.

 

[ProEngr]

Hi reena1957,
the two separators are in series and both used, but I can’t understood you in 3rd & 4th question?

 

[ProEngr]

Hi dcasto,
The two separators are horizontal, please how can we add boot weirs, I mean the plan, what we need?
The flowrate 100,000 bbl/day with 50%water.
Thank you.

 

[epoisses]

close isolation valves or shut unit down
cut hole in drum
weld boot on
open isolation valves or start unit up

 

[dcasto]

At 50% water, you will not need a boot. You'll need a weir about 1/2 the diameter located about 2/3 the way downstream of the vessel lenght (in the direction of flow. The water draw shoud be about 50% of the way along the lenght off the bottom. The oil draw about 90% of the way down the lenght, on the bottom. The gas would be about 50% the lenght on the top. Taps will also have to be put on the vessel to mount vevel controlers/transmitters.

These are approximate, A vessel engineer should be called in to verify the capacity of your system and how to arrange the weiers and level taps.