PORTA-TEST WHIRLYSCRUB I Inline Separator | SLB

PORTA-TEST WHIRLYSCRUB I

Inline separator

Water separation

Liquid removal from gases with low liquid loading

The PORTA-TEST WHIRLYSCRUB I inline separator provides excellent liquid removal, with a removal efficiency of 99.99% down to 10 um. Designed for separation of liquids from gases in natural gas or steam service, it is ideal for pipelines and processing facility applications with gas-dominant streams containing low amounts of liquid (3 bbl/MMcf or less).

Conventional separators typically use wire mesh, vane-type mist extractors, or filter cartridges to remove solid and liquid particles. To be effective, these devices must be operated at relatively low velocities. However, the PORTA-TEST WHIRLYSCRUB I separator uses the energy of the flowing gas to achieve separation, resulting in smaller separator size and weight and a reduced installation cost. Moreover, there are no consumables.

Advantages

  • Compact design in a single vessel
  • Reduced space and weight requirement, compared with other technologies
  • No consumables, such as filter cartridges, necessary because separation achieved through the cyclonic design of the internals
  • Particularly effective removal of residual glycol from a gas stream downstream of a contactor
PORTA-TEST WHIRLYSCRUB I Model C separator
PORTA-TEST WHIRLYSCRUB I Model C separator.
PORTA-TEST WHIRLYSCRUB I separator diagram
PORTA-TEST WHIRLYSCRUB I separator diagram

Remove solids and liquids using centrifugal force

As gas enters the PORTA-TEST WHIRLYSCRUB I separator, it flows through the “whirlyjig” fixed-vane assembly that gives the stream a spinning motion. The centrifugal force generated by the spinning motion forces liquids and solids to the wall of the vortex tube, where separation takes place. The separated liquids are swept toward the end of the vortex tube by the flowing gas. Prior to exiting the separator, the liquids and a 10% sidestream of gas are drawn through a small opening in the vortex tube.

Outside the vortex tube, the liquids settle out of the gas under the influence of gravity and drain into a sump.

The remaining gas is recycled back into the vortex through passageways in the fixed vane assembly. A low-pressure area along the axis of the spinning gas stream provides the necessary differential pressure driving force.