Abstract
The horizontal oil-water separator is a device for separating water and oil through a gravity sedimentation system. In this separator, the weir is located in the apparatus between the water outlet and the oil outlet, and ultimately separates the oil from the water. Depending on the angle and height of the weir, the width of the multi-phase interface might be changed within a certain range. This study compares the separation efficiency according to the inclined angle of the weir and various inlet flow conditions through numerical analysis. The target model is a modularized FWKO (free water knock out) vessel in an oil sands plant. In the present research, the area of the oil-water interface is widened and the separation efficiency is increased for a weir leaning in the direction of the oil outlet. Furthermore, limits of separation efficiency for SOR(steam-oil ratio) value and residence time of mixture were analyzed. In conclusion, the gravitational sedimentation method can improve to about 90% without additional devices. However, the fatigue stress caused by inclining the weir have to be considered for improved stability.
© 2020 Turbomachinery Society of Japan, Korean Fluid Machinery Association, Chinese Society of Engineering Thermophysics, IAHR
