Hydrocyclone optimisation to separate oil and water in the separator

Abstract

The conventional 3-phase separator installed cannot anticipate the increase in fluid flow so that the oil content carried into the produced water from the separator consistently exceeds the upper operating threshold. This study aimed to test the application of a hydrocyclone device to a 3-phase horizontal separator. Hydrocyclones are widely used as auxiliary devices to optimise oil separation by minimising oil carried into the produced water stream. This study made a comparison between installing a hydro cyclone at the inlet with a 3-phase horizontal separator. Applying a hydrocyclone at the inlet of a 3-phase horizontal separator increases the efficiency of the separation process in production. Proper design improvements with Hysys and flow characteristics with CFD can reduce the oil content carried in the produced water stream below 20 mg/l. The results of this study can support de-bottlenecking to increase production to a production target of above 375 kbps. A robust application of engineered hydrocyclones with correct production and operating shrouds has been experienced to optimise the separation process by up to 92%.