The petroleum industry has shown interest in utilizing the Gas-Liquid Cylindrical Cyclone (GLCC) separator as an alternative to the vessel-type separator. Thus, it is important to develop predictive tools for design and to improve the technology of the GLCC. Previous studies have resulted in mechanistic models capable of predicting the operational envelope for liquid carry-over. However, these models do not address details of the complex flow field in the GLCC and related phenomena such as gas carry-under. This paper presents computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of single-phase and two-phase flow in several GLCC configurations. The CFD simulations are compared with experimental data including tangential velocity profiles and tangential velocity decay. Good agreement is observed between the data and the simulations. An axisymmetric model for the GLCC is also developed. The axisymmetric simulations, which are computationally efficient, give good results as compared to the three-dimensional simulations. Preliminary two-phase flow simulations are also performed to predict the gas void fraction distribution in the GLCC.
Local measurements and 3-D CFD simulations in GasLiquid cylindrical Cyclone (GLCC © ) separators are scarce. The main objective of this study is to conduct local measurements and 3-D CFD simulations to understand the swirling flow behavior in a cylindrical cyclone with one inclined tangential inlet. Axial and tangential velocities and turbulent intensities across the GLCC © diameter (ID=3.5″) were measured at 24 different axial locations (12.5″ to 35.4″ below the inlet) by using a Laser Doppler Velocimeter (LDV). The liquid flow rate was 72GPM, which corresponds to an average axial velocity of 0.732 m/s and Reynolds number of 66,900. Measurements are used to create color contour plots of axial and tangential velocity and turbulent kinetic energy. Color contour maps revealed details of the flow behavior. Additionally, 3-D CFD simulations with different turbulence models are conducted. Simulations results are compared to LDV measurements.
Local measurements and 3-D CFD simulations in Gas-Liquid cylindrical Cyclone (GLCC©) separators are scarce. The main objective of this study is to conduct local measurements and 3-D CFD simulations to understand the swirling flow behavior in a cylindrical cyclone with one inclined tangential inlet. Axial and tangential velocities and turbulent intensities across the GLCC© diameter were measured at 24 different axial locations (12.5″ to 35.4″ below the inlet) by using a Laser Doppler Velocimeter (LDV). The liquid flow rate was 72GPM, which corresponds to an average axial velocity of 0.732 m/s and Reynolds number of 66,900. Measurements are used to create color contour plots of axial and tangential velocity and turbulent kinetic energy. Color contour maps revealed details of the flow behavior. Additionally, 3-D CFD simulations with different turbulence models are conducted. Simulations results are compared to LDV measurements.
The use of Gas-Liquid Cylindrical Cyclone (GLLC©) separators for gas-liquid separation is a new technology for oil and gas industry. Consequently, it is important to understand the flow behavior in the GLLC© and the effect of different geometrical geometries to enhance separation. The main objective of this study is to address the effect of different inlet geometries on the flow behavior in the GLLC© by measuring velocity components and the sum of the axial and tangential velocity fluctuations inside the GLLC© using a Laser Doppler Velocimeter (LDV). Three different inlet geometries were considered, namely, one inclined inlet, two inclined inlets, and a gradually reduced inlet nozzle. Axial and tangential velocities and turbulent intensities across the GLLC© diameter were measured at 24 different axial locations (318-900mm below the inlet) for each inlet geometry. Flow rates of 0.00454 and 0.00063m3∕s were selected to investigate the effect of flowrate (Reynolds number) on the flow behavior. Color contour maps color contour plots of axial and tangential velocity and the sum of the axial and tangential velocity fluctuations revealed some remarkable details of the flow behavior.
The Gas Liquid Cylindrical Cyclone (GLCC) is an attractive compact separator alternative to the conventional vessel-type separator. Thus, it is important to develop predictive tools for design and to be able to improve the technology of the GLCC. Previous studies on the GLCC have focused on mechanistic models capable of predicting the operational envelope for liquid carry-over and on the understanding of the flow field in the GLCC. The main objective of this work is to investigate the behavior of small gas bubbles in the lower part of the GLCC, below the inlet, and the related gas carry-under phenomena. This investigation was performed by flow visualization and by utilizing a commercially available computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code. Simulations of single-phase and two-phase flow were carried out and bubble trajectories were obtained in an axisymmetric geometry that represents the GLCC configuration. Flow visualization experiments and CFD simulations indicate that the flow field in the GLCC below the inlet is very complex. Bubble trajectory analysis was used to quantify the effects of the important parameters on bubble carry-under. These include bubble size, ratio of the GLCC length to diameter, viscosity, Reynolds number, and inlet tangential velocity. P. 781
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