| The separation of petroleum into useful products, mainly oil and gas, is by far the most common of all field processing operations and one of the most critical. Depending on the composition of the well stream and its characteristics flow, an optimum gas-liquid separation can be accomplished. There are mainly two methods by which the separation can be done. The conventional method is the common way of separation for low gas-oil ratio conditions. The second technique is commonly known as the low-temperature separation method. It is usually utilized at the well head of the petroleum reservoirs when the gas-oil ratio is very high.;It had been found out that optimum gas-oil separation could be accomplished by either increasing the separation pressure of decreasing the operating temperature. Three stage separation was found to be the most efficient means by which optimum separation of the well stream could be reached. Horizontal single-tube separator had emerged as the best for money and operation requirements. However, vertical separator might be considered when high liquid loads are expected. The selection or design criteria of the appropriate separator were found to be the separation pressure and temperature. Figures 10 to 17 or equations 9 and 10 may provide the sizing requirement of the desired separator. |
