The experimental study of liquid holdup in gas-liquid pipe cyclonic separator using electrical resistance tomography and wire mesh sensor

摘要

Subsea separation is increasingly becoming a critical subject in the context of deepwater field development. Gas-liquid cyclonic separators are the most promising option for subsea separation due to their simplicity, cost effectiveness and ease of intervention. The performance of the existing cyclonic separators is undermined by liquid carryover phenomenon. An understanding of the behaviours of liquid holdup in upper section of cyclonic separator is required for proper design and prediction of operating envelope and pressure drop. This paper presents results of ERT and WMS measurement of liquid holdup in a 76.2 mm ID gas-liquid pipe cyclonic separator. The results showed that both inlet gas velocity and inlet liquid holdup affect liquid distribution and holdup in the upper section of the separator.