Superior Solids Extraction Cyclone System

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Efficiently removing solids from separators

Page last modified
April 11 2024

A challenge in certain facilities is the production of solids along with the produced fluids. The reason for this may be attributable to the type of reservoir, as well as increased produced water production due to the aging of the field(s). Solids pose an issue in a production facility as they keep filling up the separators and can lead to a variety of additional issues downstream thereof. These may include damage to lines and equipment and malperformance of valves and instruments. Consequently, this may lead to process safety issues, most certainly an increased maintenance cost, as well as loss of production. It is therefore imperative to manage the solids presence in the process/facility and regularly remove the solids from the separators.

Separation of the phases

The separation of the solids from the liquid phase(s), is driven by the density difference and the particle size(s). In most separators, this takes place as the result of the gravity forces acting. Depending on the particle size distribution and the fluid flow distribution in the separator, the solids will settle from inlet to outlet. The best achievable settling performance will be achieved when the liquid flow is most evenly distributed over the wetted cross-sectional area of the vessel. As the solids accumulate, they also may leave the separator again through the liquid outlet nozzle(s) causing the downstream issues described above.

Solids removal

Therefore, once the solids have settled in the separator, they need to be removed frequently, otherwise they will accumulate to undesirable levels, impacting other separations taking place in the same volume. For that purpose, the Superior Solids Extraction Cyclone System can be employed.

The Superior Solids Extraction Cyclone System operates on the principle of a certain water flow at a certain pressure being fed to the cyclone system, which then causes the solids to fluidise around each cyclone. The system is designed such that the solids extraction efficiency is optimised. It means that the system won’t remove all the solids from the separator, but it manages the level of solids that remain in the separator from large accumulations down to an acceptable level.

The pressure balance over the system causes the slurry to leave the separator separately through the discharge piping of the extraction cyclone system to the external solids handling system. To limit the water flow required, the system can be designed in multiple sections that can be operated in series.

Pros & Limitations
1
Large coverage of the separator’s bottom
1
Solids extraction via system’s discharge piping
1
Can be split in multiple sections to meet fluidising & motion water availability
1
Fluidisation and motion water requirement is typically lower than as required for sandjetting systems
1
Reduced risk of mist eliminator drainpipe blockage
1
Maintained liquid-liquid separation efficiency
1
Maintained oil-in-water (OIW) carry-over
1
Reduced risk of solids carryover and associated downstream challenges
1
Reduced risk of (instrument, drain, outlet) nozzles plugging
1
Can also be applied in Flare KO Drum service, if required
1
Tailor-made design to match the dimensions of the vessel and pass through any man way size
1
Bolted installation of the components (no welding)
1
Can easily be applied to upgrade older jetting devices in service
1
Frequent maintenance is not required, but inspection should be performed during regular shutdowns
1
Reduced risk of unplanned shutdowns
1
Reduced shutdown time, avoiding manual vessel clean-out
1
Reduced downstream maintenance cost due to reduced sand carry-over
0
Sufficiently large fluidisation and motion water availability is required
0
System requires sufficiently large feed and discharge nozzle(s) (2" - 3")
0
For brownfield retrofit: vessel entry is required for installation
0
For brownfield retrofit: existing supports may need to be modified (drilling, cold or plasma cutting, as acceptable)
Specification
Specification Title Specification Description
Available sizes
Tailor-made to be compatible with vessel size and fluidising and motion water availability.
MOC (SS)
304, 316, 321, 904
MOC (Duplex)
S31803, S32205, S32750
MOC (Alloys)
C276, 400, 625, 825
MOC (Other)
Other materials of construction upon request.

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Technology Readiness Level

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[9/9]

Development Technology demonstration Mature / Proven
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