Numerical Simulation of Gas Evolution from Oil-in-Water Flow for Multistage Separation

Abstract

The transition from water-in-oil to oil-in-water emulsion is generally very abrupt and it is characterized by a marked decrease in the effective viscosity. The mathematical model of the ascending bubble in the water phase comparatively to the oil phase is described in this paper. Numerical simulation has been performed on two petroleum compositions with different water cut using HYSYS software. More even distribution of gas evolution for multistage separation has been obtained with water cut of oil approximately 75%. These results allow saving of heavy hydrocarbons due to reducing of entrainment into off-gases.

Separation Features in Hydrocarbon Media at Thermobaric Regimes of Petroleum Preparation Devices Functioning

“…The last articles [2][3][4][5] were devoted to the research of multistage separation process for preliminary preparation of crude petroleum and oil using computer simulation and modeling. The entrainment saving of liquid oil components into off-gases by optimizing thermobaric conditions of the separation was obtained.…”

“…The entrainment saving of liquid oil components into off-gases by optimizing thermobaric conditions of the separation was obtained. The calculations have showed (see, for example [2][3][4][5]) that the optimization of thermobaric conditions allows reducing the droplet entrainment in the first separator down to 40-48%, especially in the intensive evolution of gas zone. The optimization of thermobaric conditions for specific component composition of well fluid is very complicated and complex.…”