Study On Flow Field Characteristics Of Gas-Liquid-Solid Three-Phase Hydrocyclone For Oilfield Produced Fluid Separation

The method of combining the theoretical analysis, numerical simulation, and experimental research is adopted. The separation property and flow field characteristics of degassing and de-sanding hydrocyclone are studied. The initial model of the hydrocyclone is modeled by using theoretical analysis method, the dimensional parameters of the hydrocyclone are optimized by using numerical simulation method, the optimum operation parameters of the hydrocyclone are determined by using experimental research finally, and the experimental study further proved the correctness of model choice.The method of computation fluid dynamics (CFD) is adopted by using the Fluent software. Numerical simulation for the initial model of the hydrocyclone was first carried out. The flow field characteristics of the velocity distribution law, the density distribution law and pressure distribution law etc. were analyzed; the improved scheme was made and the structure improving analysis of the overflow mouth, the inverted cone and the liquid-out hole was carried out, because of the structure defects of the initial model. The final structure was determined, so the gas-liquid-solid high efficient separation was realized by using the optimum three-phase hydrocyclone.The de-gassing and de-sanding hydrocyclone has a remarkable effect, which is revealed by the experimental study. The feasibility of numerical simulation for optimizing design is also approved. Effect of flowrate and split ratio on separation efficiency is researched.This work provides a theoretical basis and references for further research of the separation mechanism, separation characteristic and structural optimization design of the three-phase hydrocyclone.