System for separating gas-liquid flowstreams

摘要

Apparatus for separating slugs of fluid of one phase flowing through a conduit which is conducting fluid of another phase comprising an elongated inlet manifold connected to an inlet conduit at one end and being of sufficient cross-sectional flow area to reform the fluid flow from the inlet conduit into substantially channel flow for the liquid entering the inlet manifold. A liquid discharge manifold is located below the inlet manifold and is connected to the inlet manifold by a plurality of downcomer conduits which are spaced apart one from the other along the length of the inlet manifold. A gas discharge conduit is connected to the downstream end of the inlet manifold and to a gas-liquid separator for demisting the gas discharged from the inlet manifold. Gas blow-by through the discharge manifold is prevented by a liquid trap formed by a liquid discharge conduit connected to the liquid discharge manifold. Flow is controlled through the system to permit substantial dampening or elimination of slugs of gas in liquid or liquid in gas such as encountered in oil and gas well production operations and other two-phase fluid flow systems.