175-Design scheme for a specialized vaned separation inlet assembly for the gas compressor inlet separator tank with high liquid volume

A specialized vane separation inlet assembly for compressor inlet separation tanks, primarily used to handle gas-liquid mixtures with high liquid content. For example, special inlet assemblies for the separation tank at the inlet of the cycle gas compressor/compression cylinder in methanol synthesis units, special inlet assemblies for such tanks in ammonia synthesis units, special inlet assemblies for the separation tank at the inlet of the cycle gas compressor/compression cylinder in gas-liquid-solid three-phase fixed-bed hydrogenation units, special inlet assemblies for the separation tank at the inlet of the MCR compressors used with mixed refrigerants in LNG projects, and special inlet assemblies for the separation tank at the inlet of pressure-boosting compressors in natural gas stations – all of these require inlet separation assemblies of the vane-type. The vaned separation inlet assembly, as a component of the compressor inlet separation tank, appears to be the responsibility of professionals in the field of equipment containers; however, in reality, it is a component related to pure kinetic separation technology. Therefore, it requires collaboration between process engineers and equipment specialists, with the design, manufacturing, and supply being carried out by companies specialized in kinetic separation technologies.

The vane-separated inlet assembly serves the following main functions: first, to pre-separate and remove slug flows, liquid masses, and large liquid droplets carried within the airflow. II. Allocate the kinetic energy and momentum of the gas flow entering the separation tank from the inlet pipe, so that it meets the dynamic separation requirements before reaching the subsequent separation components. III. It can handle higher flow rates and greater volumes of gas containing liquid compared to traditional inlet baffles and semi-tube components, and it can be paired with inlet process pipelines of smaller size. Therefore, the special function of the vane separation inlet assembly is one that conventional inlet baffles and half-tubes cannot provide, and it is essential for the inlet separation tank in high liquid-load gas compressors.

This post was last edited by luoli519 on 2024-4-7 at 11:32. The image below shows the compressor inlet separation tank; the area indicated by the red circle is the vaned separation inlet assembly.

What does the feather leaf separation inlet assembly actually look like? The image below shows the actual photo of the feather vane separation inlet assembly. The diameter ID of the vaned separation inlet assembly, the length L1 of the main body, the length L2 of the tail fin, the convergence angle alpha, the elevation angle beta, the inward extension depth Dv of the vaned separation element, the outward expansion dimension Lv, the rotation radius Rv of the vaned separation element, and the number N of vaned separation elements must all be determined through precise dynamic separation techniques and via a system design platform that takes into account the actual operating conditions and the dimensions of the separator. What is obtained by simply imitating existing methods or making arbitrary decisions to determine the aforementioned parameters fails to serve the purpose of separation and distribution, and even falls short of the performance of traditional inlet baffles and semi-tubes.

This post was last edited by luoli519 on 2021-9-23 09:49. Next, we will take as an example the assembly of vanes at the inlet for superfiltration, coalescence, and separation, which is required for compressors in a certain gas project in Turkey by a domestic company, and conduct an analysis and discussion based on this example. By the way, I’m attaching the pictures of the super filtration and coalescing separator solution for the inlet of this natural gas compressor for everyone’s viewing as follows:

The Turkish owner requires specialized vane separation inlet assemblies for the super-filtering coalescing separators at the inlet of natural gas compressors in two operating conditions. We will analyze and discuss them one by one, dividing them into Category 1, Case1, and Category 2, Case2. The operating conditions corresponding to Case 1 are as follows: Orientation – Vertical; Process Fluids – Hydrocarbon Gas; Corrosive/Erosive Compounds. Concentrations: CO2 = 0.76 mol%, H2O = 0.20 mol%. Number of vessels – 2; Vessel size – 1168 mm; Inlet size – 20” ANSI 900. Separator type – Liquid & Droplet Separator. Operating pressure – 29.9 to 74 barg; Design pressure – 102.1 barg. Operating temperature – 26.9 to 34.8 °C; Design temperature – -15/79 °C. Standard volumetric flow rate – 7.2 MMSCMD; Maximum mass flow rate – 214813 kg/h. Density – 28.7 kg/m3; Molecular weight – 17.0 kg/kgmol; Viscosity – 0.0125 cP

For the operating parameter conditions of Case 1 mentioned above, the technical solution for the specialized airfoil separation inlet assembly, developed using Novae Energy Technology Company’s proprietary precise dynamics separation technology as well as the system platform for calculation and configuration design, is shown in the figure below:

The operating conditions for Case 2 are as follows: Orientation – Vertical; Process Fluids – Hydrocarbon Gas; Corrosive/Erosive Compounds. Composition: CO2 = 0.76 mol%, H2O = 0.20 mol%. Number of vessels – 2; Vessel size (mm) – 1168; Inlet size – 18” ANSI 900. Separator type – Liquid & Droplet Separator. Operating pressure (barg) – 38.8 to 104.7; Design pressure (barg) – 137.9. Operating temperature (°C) – 35 to 45; Design temperature (°C) – -15/120. Standard volume flowrate (MMSCMD) – 7.2; Mass flowrate (kg/h) – 214710. Density (kg/m3) – 45.9; Molecular weight (kg/kgmol) – 17.0; Viscosity (cP) – 0.0131

For the operating parameter conditions of Case 2 mentioned above, the technical solution for the specialized airfoil separation inlet assembly, developed using Novenergy’s proprietary precise dynamics separation technology as well as its calculation and configuration design system platform, is shown in the figure below:

Please conduct in-depth analysis and discussion on the operating parameter values and design solutions for the 4 sets of feather-leaf separation inlet assemblies in these two categories, with the aim of making improvements.