Air Bleed for Crude Oil Vessel

[CocytusME]

Hey guys,

I cant seem to find an off-the-shelf solution for this problem.

Basically, I need an air bleed that can distinguish between oil and air. Under pressure, it'll bleed all the air in the pipe until none is left, then it's close before oil comes out.

I've found this (Parker ELA Valve, but it's not made for crude oil. Any suggestion on who to look for?

 

[zdas04]

Look at something like the Smith Air Eliminator. I couldn't find their recommended operating pressure.

If you you are interested in capturing the exhausted gas for sale, you could use my patented GasBuster which would work, but is most probably overkill (it costs around $30k)

David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering

In questions of science, the authority of a thousand is not worth the humble reasoning of a single individual. —Galileo Galilei, Italian Physicist

 

[CocytusME]

Who knew the forum would find someone who invented this stuff? Thank you.

I'm looking for something smaller however.

I can put a hole at the top of my current vessel, and I'd like to be able to bleed gas through that hole with this unknown fitting during the fill-up process. If I'm able to use it automatically all the time, that'd be perfect as well. The linked product is much to larger and costly.

 

[racookpe1978]

An oil spill is even more costly.

 

[CocytusME]

True, but is there not a smaller version that doesn't require this inline separation vessel?

For example:

http://www.parker.com/portal/site/P...D&vgnextcatid=9452&vgnextcat=AIR+BLEED+VALVES

This Parker ELA valve does EXACTLY what I want, but it isn't designed for crude oil. I need one for crude and I can't find it.

 

[mbt22]

The Parker product will still allow a small amount of process material out before it seals - is that acceptable? If the concept is ideal for you, which of the crude properties stops that particular product from working?

 

[zdas04]

Usually the problem is the density of the ball. The ball is made to be buoyant in water (SG 1.0 and greater). Many of the balls will not float in 0.6-0.8 SG oil. Parker is so big in so many industries, that I bet if you talk to them about your SG they'll have the right ball.

It is a really good idea to route the air vent to a slop oil tank because these things really do make a big mess.

David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering

In questions of science, the authority of a thousand is not worth the humble reasoning of a single individual. —Galileo Galilei, Italian Physicist

 

[LittleInch]

What sort of size, flow, pressure are you talking about here?

Most of these systems I've seen are for water and not high pressure. The potential for leakage is quite high. A water leak is one thing, crude oil is another.

What is the system that needs something like this? Removal of the potential for leakage is better.

Otherwise a relatively simple level switch and valve control loop would be better and a gas boot to give it some time.

My motto: Learn something new every day

Also: There's usually a good reason why everyone does it that way