Multiphase separation system

摘要

A system and method for separation of liquids and gases within a multiphase fluid are provided herein. The method includes flowing a multiphase fluid into a number of divisions within a multiphase separation system, wherein the divisions are configured to lower a velocity of the multiphase fluid. The method also includes separating the multiphase fluid among a number of lower pipes and a number of upper pipes, wherein each lower pipe includes an expansion zone configured to lower a pressure within the lower pipe to allow entrained liquids to drain from a corresponding upper pipe via a downcomer.

主权项

1. A multiphase separation system, comprising:
an inlet line configured to allow a multiphase fluid to flow into the multiphase separation system, the inlet line comprising a plurality of divisions configured to lower a velocity of the multiphase fluid and feed the multiphase fluid into a distribution header; the distribution header configured to split the multiphase fluid among a plurality of pipes, wherein each of the plurality of pipes includes an expansion zone forming part of each of the plurality of pipes and disposed upstream of a corresponding downcomer, wherein the plurality of pipes are in the same plane as the distribution header, and wherein the expansion zone is configured to lower a pressure within the plurality of pipes to allow entrained liquids to drain from a plurality of upper pipes via the corresponding downcomer; wherein each expansion zone is upstream of an upper and a lower finger and is configured to lower the pressure of the multiphase fluid prior to separating the multiphase fluid among the upper and the lower finger; each upper finger feeds into one of the corresponding upper pipes, which are disposed above a plane of the distribution header; each lower finger feeds into a corresponding lower pipe; each upper pipe is coupled to a corresponding lower pipe by the corresponding downcomer; and each upper pipe is configured to allow entrained liquids to drain to the corresponding lower pipe via the corresponding downcomer.