Does 3 Phase Separator need resizing due to inlet flow increasing?

[e43u8]

Dear All,

An existing 3 phase separator receives around 30-40% more flow due to oilfield expansion by digging some new wells. Is it needed to resize the separator?

Can the inlet flow increment be handled by decreasing maximum liquid level setting or any other modification to avoid resizing which might be followed by substitution the existing separator with a bigger one?

 

[LittleInch]

Depends on the capacity of your separator, max flow through your control valves and how much you value the separation.

If the separator is working close to nominal capacity for either gas, water or condensate then an additional 30-40% could be too much and the separator will just trip on high liquid level as it can't get out of the separator fast enough or more likely the separation quality will decrease.

If you've got baffles or demister pads then they could get bent / damaged by excess flow.

all depends on details, pressures, flow rates, liquid / water quantity, valve CV, separation quality, internal fittings - I think you get the picture here....


Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[e43u8]

Thanks for your quick response...

Suppose the separator cannot handle the additional flow without malfunction (carry over, higher liquid level,...), what is the best solution/modification to keep the existing one means to avoid installing a new bigger one?

 

[LittleInch]

Less flow???

Buy another one and stop trying to get more out of a piece of equipment than it is designed for?

All depends on what your limiting factors are. Until you do more design work this is impossible to say.

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.