InLine DeLiquidiser - FMC Technologies

CDS Separation Systems

By use of high G-forces caused by cyclonic flow, the InLine DeLiquidiser separates liquid from a gas stream. It is normally applied for inlet gas volume fractions of 90 percent to 99.5 percent, but is also applicable for higher inlet liquid fractions by taking into account special design considerations for the handling of liquid. It includes a main separation section where the liquid is extracted from the gas to produce an inlet single phase outlet stream. The liquid is handled in a liquid outlet section to also produce a high quality single phase liquid stream. Therefore the unit is fully capable of producing two single phase outlet streams from one multiphase inlet stream.

In 2004, FMC Technologies received the Spotlight on New Technology Award for the InLine DeLiquidiser at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston.

Application

It is attractive both for new-build processes and for debottlenecking and upgrading existing separation plants to optimize their performance. It can be manufactured from any material used in offshore applications and is also suitable for subsea installation. If sand is expected, erosion can be prevented by applying a coating such as tungsten carbide. The InLine DeLiquidiser has a significantly shorter delivery time than a conventional separation vessel and the installation cost and down time is minimized.

Features and Benefits
•Compact: It offers an ultra compact way to achieve separation of liquid from a gas stream and installs easily into existing facilities as well as into the design of more compact new build processes.
•Piping Code: Design is done according to piping code and there is no need for pressure vessel design codes. Compared to conventional vessel based solutions, this also enables a much more compact total system as less additional equipment is required for the process system.
•Delivery time: The delivery time is short from order to installed equipment. The piping used is the long lead item, and has a substantial shorter lead time than conventional separator vessels.
•Increased Production: Installation can easily be achieved in existing processes to enable debottlenecking and enable increased production rates.
•Proven Technology: Several units have been in operation for many years with no failure under a large variety of operating conditions.
•Robust: Can be designed with no narrow openings and is therefore robust with respect to any potential clogging and foaling. There are also no elements that can fail due to erosion/wear.
•Performance

The technology has the capability to simultaneously produce both high quality single phase gas and liquid streams. It applies cyclonic separation to generate high G-forces and achieve high separation performance also for difficult operating conditions. This includes applications with high pressures. It is typically designed to separate 95 percent to 99.5 percent of the liquid in the inlet gas stream. The outlet liquid stream will be single phase due to the second stage separation in the liquid outlet boot.