Systems and methods for sub-sea separation
AssigneeKellogg Brown & Root LLC
InventorsRobert Hernandez, Michael A.G. Hardy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for two-phase separation are provided. The system can include a vessel having a first end, a second end, an internal volume, an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet. At least one separation tray can be disposed within the internal volume. The inlet can be disposed between the separation tray and the second end. At least one impeller can be connected to a shaft and disposed within the internal volume. The shaft can be mechanically linked to a motor. The at least one impeller can be disposed between the at least one separation tray and the first end.
Claims20
A separation system, comprising:
- a vessel having a first end, a second end, an internal volume, an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet;
- at least one separation tray disposed within the internal volume, wherein the inlet is disposed between the separation tray and the second end;
- and
- at least one impeller connected to a shaft and disposed within the internal volume, wherein the shaft is mechanically linked to a motor, and wherein the at least one impeller is disposed between the at least one separation tray and the first end.
A separation system, comprising:
- a vessel having a first end, a second end, an internal volume, an inlet and an outlet, wherein the outlet is disposed on the first end;
- an inner tube disposed within the internal volume and axially offset from the outlet;
- a second vessel having a first end, a second end, a second internal volume, a second inlet in fluid communication with the first outlet and entering the second vessel in a tangential direction with respect to a cross-sectional area of the separation vessel, a second outlet and a third outlet each in fluid communication with the second internal volume;
- at least one separation tray disposed within the second internal volume, wherein the second inlet is disposed between the separation tray and the second end;
- and
- at least one impeller connected to a shaft and disposed within the second internal volume, wherein the shaft is mechanically linked to a motor, and wherein the at least one impeller is disposed between the at least one separation tray and the first end.
A method for separating a multi-phase mixture, comprising:
- introducing a multi-phase mixture into a tangential inlet of a vessel having a first end, a second end, an internal volume, a first outlet, and a second outlet, wherein the multi-phase mixture exiting the tangential inlet enters the vessel in a tangential direction with respect to a cross-sectional area of the vessel;
- contacting the multi-phase mixture with at least one separation tray disposed within the internal volume;
- contacting the multi-phase mixture with at least one impeller disposed on a shaft, wherein the at least one impeller is disposed between the at least one separation tray and the first end, and wherein the tangential inlet is disposed between the separation tray and the second end;
- rotating the at least one set of impellers via a motor mechanically linked to the shaft;
- obtaining a light phase product from a first outlet in fluid communication with the internal volume;
- and
- obtaining heavy phase product from a second outlet in fluid communication with the internal volume.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.