Neorius | Advanced Refining and Chemical Technologies

High-Efficiency Three-Phase Separator

The high-efficiency three-phase separator removes non-condensable gases from oily wastewater and achieves preliminary oil–water separation.

Compared with conventional treatment methods, our high-efficiency three-phase separator significantly reduces equipment weight, footprint, and control system complexity. It provides substantial advantages for both onshore oil and gas production facilities and offshore oil and gas platforms.

Working Principle

Oily wastewater carrying a portion of non-condensable gases enters the upper liquid section of the separator. With the aid of the feed distributor, the momentum of the gas–liquid two-phase stream is reduced, preventing excessive droplet entrainment during the rapid release of non-condensable gases.
Sand and other solid particles contained in the oily wastewater settle at the bottom of the separator and are discharged through periodic hydraulic desanding.

The oily wastewater passes through parallel inclined plates, flowing in laminar state within the “flow channels” (the gap between adjacent plates). Due to the density difference between oil and water, oil droplets rise and adhere to the underside of the upper plates. As the droplets accumulate, they gradually form an oil film, which migrates upward along the inclined plates into the surface oil layer, thereby completing the oil–water separation process. Meanwhile, residual gas bubbles entrained in the oily wastewater are also released during this process.

The surface oil layer flows over the top of the front oil weir into the oil compartment. Water passes beneath the front oil weir, then flows over the top of the rear water weir into the water compartment. Properly designed level control ensures that oil and water are discharged smoothly from their respective compartments.

Although the parallel plates can be dismantled through manholes, in most cases they can be cleaned in situ without removal. By adjusting the spacing and inclination angle of the parallel plates, the separator can accommodate various oily wastewater conditions (e.g., wax-containing or solids-laden streams).

Advantages

High gas–liquid separation efficiency

Wide operating flexibility

Suitable for slug flow conditions

Suitable for high-foaming conditions

Suitable for solids deposition conditions

Suitable for difficult oil–water interface control

Suitable for limited footprint installations

Applications

Oilfield production separators and test separators

Refining, petrochemical, chemical, and coal chemical facilities

The high-efficiency three-phase separator ensures 100% removal of liquid droplets ≥8 microns. At maximum design throughput, the liquid carryover in outlet gas does not exceed 0.1 U.S. gallons per million standard cubic feet (13.4 liters per million standard cubic meters). Oil content in discharged water is ≤500 mg/L or lower. Water content in separated oil is ≤500 mg/L or lower.