Which Separation Technique is Used to Separate Oil from Water?
Well, there are practically many. But let us look at five standard techniques of oil and water separation.
1. Heat
Separation
Heat
separation is one of the most common techniques used in oil and water
separation. As the name suggests, it involves the application of heating the
mixture to a specific temperature to enhance separation. When the temperature
of the mixture increases, the viscosity of the oil decreases. Such a lowered
viscosity enables the easy release of gas and water. Further, heating oil
emulsions also augments the density between oil and water.
2. Agitation
A
production fluid gets agitated when it hits the diverter plate at the vessel’s
inlet. Such a sudden impact on the plate leads to a rapid change in direction
and velocity that helps break the surface tension of the liquids and initiates
the separation process. There exist several types of inlet diverters in
separators, and the selections are made based on the attributes and the volume
of the well stream.
3. Gravity
Gravity
separation forms the most popular technique for oil and water separation. The
elements (oil and water) in the well stream have varying gravities. The density
variations between oil and water allow water to separate by gravity. Further,
with an adequate amount of time in a non-turbulent state, the varying specific
gravities will separate naturally.
4. Coalescing
Now, what
happens in coalescing? During this process, water droplets gather to form
larger drops. Remember, moisture does not condense unless and until it hits a
solid surface. The case is the same with gas when it hits a hard surface. It
might be a diverter plate when it first enters the vessel or a mist eliminator
as it leaves. In vane-type mist eliminators, the process involves removing the
droplets from the vapor stream through inertial impaction. The wet gas forcibly
changes directions, thus causing mist droplets to hit the vanes and coalesce
with other droplets, finally dropping down.
5. Retention
Time
In this
process, separation happens over time. When you reduce the fluid velocity, you
let the fluid a particular amount of time for it to separate itself through
gravity. So, retention time refers to the time the fluid is in a steady or
non-agitated state within a separator. The longer the retention time, the
higher the separation. Vessels with a larger diameter or height increase the
retention time and enable a higher amount of water to separate through gravity.
Finepac Structures – The Top
Manufacturer of Mass Transfer and Separation Technology
Are you
looking out for separation technology solutions? Then, Finepac has got you
covered! The Pune-based company works with a diverse clientele across the globe
and has delivered results to all of them through its breakthrough separation
technology solutions. Within the separation technology umbrella, Finepac
delivers process design for separators, process design for process plants, and
TEG and anime contractors. To know more or to partner with Finepac Structures,
call +91 89757 50760, or write an email to info@finepacindia.in.
Comments
Post a Comment