Design and Operation
Fluid is introduced onto the rotor by a two-phase nozzle. The power used to drive the rotor is provided by a combination of the fluid stream and an electric motor driver. The vortex flow of the fluids creates an effective high "g" separation field. The gas disengages from the liquid and exits through the inner portion of the rotor. Liquids flow axially through a separation chamber, over separate weirs, and into discrete collection troughs. The fluids are then discharged by jets into collection volutes, while solids are removed at the front of the separation chamber through a third jet/collector system.

Space and Weight Savings - A Comparison
Shown at the right are two 80/20/300 model Tri-Phase separator packages (the 'grey' unit as 100 percent redundancy). One of these Tri-Phase separator packages could replace both the free water knockout and bulk oil treater vessels shown.

Field Evaluation Test 
A 5,000-BPD field unit demonstrated the operation range and capabilities of this technology. The unit was operated for a period of time at a shore-based production facility in Bakersfield, California before being re-located to a platform in the Gulf of Mexico.

The unit was operated on various wells as a test separator. The water cut ranged from 10 percent to 90 percent with varying pressures and liquid and gas flow rates. The Tri-Phase separator was able to handle slugging and solids without damage or impact on overall separation performance. The unit was successfully operated over a wide range of watercuts, flow rates, and rotating speeds. Operation above 4,200 RPM produced water with oil concentration less than 30 PPM and oil with water content less than 0.5 percent. Performance of the unit was shown to be independent of water cut. True residence time was one to five seconds, with an equivalent "1 g" residence time of up to 500 minutes.

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