SLUG DAMPER (SD)/GAS-LIQUID CYLINDRICAL CYCLONE (GLCC) COMPACT SEPARATOR SYSTEM

The low-cost, low-weight, compact GLCC separator offers an attractive alternative to the conventional gravity based vessel-type separator.  However, the GLCC has less residence time, thus the fluctuations of the flow passes to down stream devices. In order to minimize the effect of large flow variations on the GLCC operation, several control strategies have been developed, depending on the characteristics of the inlet flow and the operational conditions.  Those control strategies aim at maintaining the liquid level and pressure in the GLCC but the down stream devices will feel the flow variations.

 

 

Figure 1.1. Schematic of GLCC-SD System

To avoid this problem, preconditioning flow devices can be used at the inlet of the GLCC.  One of these devices is the Slug-Damper (SD), which can be connected at the inlet of the GLCC.  A schematic representation of the SD is given in Figure 1.1.  The slug damper consists of two legs.  The lower leg is equipped with a flow restriction e.g, a segmented orifice (the opening is at the bottom).  When a slug hits the damper, a portion of the liquid is retained due to the flow restriction provided by the segmented orifice, then the slug is damped and reduced fluctuations of liquid flow rate passes through the orifice opening into the GLCC.  Figure 1.1 also provides a schematic of the GLCC-SD system.  As can been seen, the lower leg of the SD is connected to the GLCC lower inlet while the upper leg is connected to the upper inlet of the GLCC, forming a dual inlet configuration.

 

GLCC Input and Output Flow Rates as Function of Time without SD

 

 

GLCC-SD Input and Output Flow Rates as Function of Time