Production Separator Instrumentation

Production Separators instrumentation operate using the natural properties of gas and oil. To maintain proper gas pressures and liquid levels, Separat

INSTRUMENTATION AND SAFETY DEVICES

Production separators operate using the natural properties of gas and oil. The heavier liquids fall into the accumulation section, while lighter gases rise. If the liquid level is not properly controlled, oil may escape through the gas outlet. To maintain proper gas pressures and liquid levels, separators have pressure regulators and liquid-level controllers. In addition, separators may be equipped with alarms, safety valves and rupture disks.

Liquid-Level Controller

A liquid-level controller reacts to the level in the accumulation section. The control may be a float, displacer or a pneumatic which is connected to the liquid-level control valve. The liquid-level control system prevents liquid levels from rising too high and discharging liquid through the gas outlet. The control also prevents the liquid level from getting too low so that gas can escape through the liquid outlet.

Gas Pressure Controls

Gas pressure controls may be downstream processes or back-pressure valves on the separator. Downstream controls can be other vessels, valves or back pressure regulators. Back-pressure valves on the separator can be weight controlled, spring loaded or pilot controlled.

Separator pressure is prevent than the stock tank, but lower than the wellhead pressure. The pressure difference is necessary to have entrained gas separate from the liquids. Gas pressure controls maintain a lower pressure for entrained gas to be released. They also maintain high enough pressure for vapors to remain in the liquid state.

Safety Devices

Depending on the location and service, separators may have vents, safety relief valves and safety heads. Some or all of these devices are installed to protect the vessel from over pressure. A safety relief valve or Varec valve is sized and designed to open before pressures exceed the maximum vessel design pressure. The rupture disk also provides pressure relief. These devices, when on a separator, are parallel with the Varec or relief valve.

The rupture disk has a burst pressure higher than the relief valve, but not exceeding one and one-half times the rated working pressure of the separator. Separator safety devices are installed for protection from excessive pressures. They should be maintained only by personnel trained in correct procedures. In addition, if a safety device must be changed, the settings and sizing must be identical to the device being replaced.

Detail learning in video visual:

• [accordion]
• 1. Production Separator Instrumentation
• 
• 2. Handbook Process Engineering and Design
• 3. Advanced Process Engineering Control (2016)
• 4. Basic Process Engineering Control (2014, Walter de Gruyter)
• 5. ASME BPVC 2023 Code Cases Boilers and Pressure Vessels
• 6. Engineering Design Guideline Separator Vessel