44- Discussion on the use of vertical multi-factor cyclone mother-son filtration separator in natural gas pressure reduction and metering skids
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This post was last edited by luoli519 on 2020-1-4 at 11:34. A friend from a well-known domestic company specializing in oil and gas equipment technology once sent me a request for quotes, asking me to design a set of vertical multi-factor swirl sub-maternal filtration separators for their overseas clients, to be used for the separation of gas, liquid, and solids before natural gas pressure reduction and metering units. I think it’s useful to share and discuss such experiences with fellow sailors regarding filtration and separation devices, so as to provide everyone with experience and insights.
This owner **has abundant oil and gas resources. Their process for handling the oil and gas at the wellhead is quite simple: they first separate the three phases of oil, gas, and liquid at the wellhead, then reduce the pressure of the gaseous natural gas and send it directly to power plants to be used for gas-powered generation. It’s quite luxurious, right?
This post was last edited by luoli519 on 2016-11-1 21:51. Since the owner is from the West, vertical placement of the containers is required; the design standard adopted is ASME SEC. VIII.DIV.1, with a U-stamp.
Most importantly, the technical specifications set clear requirements for the types of internal components and main parts: the primary separation chamber is required to use a multi-factor cyclone parent-child separation internal component, while the secondary separation chamber is required to use a coalescing filter element internal component set. Additionally, QOC is a mandatory requirement.
The process parameters are as follows: 1. Medium: Natural gas； 2. Molecular weight: 17.22 ； 3. Operating temperature: 0~60℃ ； 4. Operating pressure: 29~70 BarG. 5. Gas flow rate: 310,000 Sm^3/h.
The process technical requirements are as follows: 1. The multi-factor cyclone in the primary chamber must be of 2\" size, made of SS304 material, with a pressure drop in the primary chamber not exceeding 0.25 Bar； 2. The coalescing filter element for the secondary chamber is sized at 5 1/2”*36”, made of GFG+SS304 material, with a pressure drop in the secondary chamber not exceeding 0.1 Bar. 3. Separation efficiency: 100% removal of liquid droplets with a size of 8 microns or larger, as well as 100% removal of particles with a size of 3 microns or larger.
The process technical requirements are as follows: 1. The multi-factor cyclone in the primary chamber must be of 2\" size, made of SS304 material, with a pressure drop in the primary chamber not exceeding 0.25 Bar； 2. The coalescing filter element for the secondary chamber is sized at 5 1/2”*36”, made of GFG+SS304 material, with a pressure drop in the secondary chamber not exceeding 0.1 Bar. 3. Separation efficiency: 100% removal of liquid droplets with a size of 8 microns or larger, as well as 100% removal of particles with a size of 3 microns or larger.
This post was last edited by luoli519 on 2019-12-27 08:38. The image below shows the appearance of the filtration separator as specified in the technical requirements:
Based on the technical requirements provided by the aforementioned owner, it seems that a quotation was issued after design finalization by a professional dynamics separation technology company. This is because the specifications and pressure drops for the components in the primary compartment, as well as those for the components in the secondary compartment, have already been specified. However, from the perspective of process technical requirements and practical usability, further reflection is still needed.
One consideration is that for vertical filter separators, the secondary chamber should be located at the upper end to facilitate the replacement and maintenance of the filter elements. However, an operating platform needs to be installed at the top of the filtration separator, requiring on-site construction. Additionally, QOC operations are carried out at the platform, while replacing and maintaining the filter elements requires transporting new filter elements to the platform, and the used filter elements must be taken away from the platform as well, which is not very convenient.
From this perspective, horizontal maintenance is more convenient. Generally speaking, filters that use filter element internals are best arranged horizontally.