Research on performance of dual-inlet gas-liquid cylindrical cyclone based on liquid film flow pattern

doi:10.11949/0438-1157.20211215

Abstract

Abstract:

Gas-liquid cylindrical cyclone (GLCC) is a separation device coupling with centrifugal force and gravity, and is often used for deep-sea oil and gas separation. Liquid carry-over (LCO) in the gas phase is a key issue affecting the application of GLCC. Previous studies have pointed out that the percent-LCO is closely related to the liquid film flow pattern in the upper cylinder, so it is reasonable to control the percent-LCO by controlling the liquid film flow pattern. This paper proposes a dual-inlet gas-liquid cyclone separator with an upward-branch inlet, and a valve is added to the upward-branch inlet. The flow ratio between the primary and secondary inlets is controlled to change the liquid film flow pattern of the upper cylinder. Using the high-speed camera, the spatial distribution characteristics of the liquid film are systematically studied by changing the inlet gas-liquid flow-rate and valve opening. And through the numerical simulation, the GLCC liquid film flow pattern, internal streamline and velocity characteristics are analyzed. When the flow area ratio of the secondary path of the inclined pipe is changed from 100% to 0, the flow rate through the primary inlet increases, and the distribution height of the liquid film along the upper cylinder decreases. The liquid film is concentrated near the primary entrance to form swirling flow. Simulation results show that, in the previously described procedure, the center of the swirling vortex core gradually stabilizes, which is beneficial to inhibit the LCO. Adjusting the opening of valve to control the flow pattern of the liquid film is a feasible method to improve the separation performance of GLCC.

Key words: gas-liquid cylindrical cyclone, dual-inlet structure, gas-liquid flow, separation, flow pattern, control

摘要：

管柱式气液分离器(gas-liquid cylindrical cyclone，GLCC)是一种耦合离心力与重力作用的分离设备，常用于深海油气分离。气相带液(liquid carry-over，LCO)是影响GLCC分离性能的关键问题，且LCO率与GLCC上部筒体内的液膜流型有密切关系。因此，通过调控液膜流型来控制LCO率是一种可行方法。提出了一种向上分支的双入口管柱式气液分离器，并在其分支管增设一个阀门以控制两入口间流量比，达到调控液膜流型的目的。利用高速摄像机，通过改变入口气、液流量和阀门开度，系统研究了液膜的分布特征；并利用数值模拟对GLCC液膜流型、内部流线及速度特性做了研究。支路流通面积比从100%改变至0时，流经倾斜管主路的流量增多，液膜占据的筒体壁面高度沿轴向逐渐降低，且液膜集中在倾斜管主路入口附近并形成对分离性能有利的旋环流流型；模拟结果显示，在前述过程中，旋流场涡核中心逐渐稳定，有利于抑制LCO的发生。调节入口阀门开度以调控液膜流型是改善GLCC分离性能的可行手段。

关键词: 管柱式气液分离器, 双入口结构, 气液两相流, 分离, 流型, 控制

CLC Number:

TQ 058.1

Yuhang ZHOU, Jianyi CHEN, Ya’an WANG, Dingyu ZHANG, Hongying MA, Song YE. Research on performance of dual-inlet gas-liquid cylindrical cyclone based on liquid film flow pattern[J]. CIESC Journal, 2022, 73(3): 1221-1231.

周宇航, 陈建义, 王亚安, 张丁于, 马红莹, 叶松. 基于液膜流型的双入口管柱式气液分离器性能研究[J]. 化工学报, 2022, 73(3): 1221-1231.

Figures/Tables 13

Fig.1 Experimental device and flowchart of the GLCC

Table 1 Parameters of fluid properties and experimental conditions （25℃）

流体

密度ρ/(kg·m^-3)

动力黏度μ/(Pa·s)

液相体积流量Q_l /(m³·h^-1)

0.6~3.0

间隔为0.3

80~220

间隔为20

空气

1.185

1.83×10^-5

Table 2 Conversion of valve body rotation angle and flow area

阀体转动角度θ/ (°)	流通面积A_θ /mm²	流通面积比S/%
0	1847	100
22.5	1277	70
45.0	734	40
67.5	261	15
90.0	0	0

Table 3 Wall Y+ of upper cylinder and errors of gas pressure drop under different grid sizes

网格数量/个	壁面Y+值	模拟压降值
705432	70~75	3523	23.57%
836543	60~65	3430	20.31%
943451	55~60	3147	10.38%
998965	40~45	2992	4.94%
1084654	10~15	2956	3.68%

Fig.2 The computational grids of GLCC

Fig.3 Flow pattern near branch with valve opening（Ql 1.8 m3·h-1，Qg 180 m3·h-1）

Fig.4 Flow pattern with flow area ratio（Ql 1.8 m3·h-1，Qg 180 m3·h-1）

Fig.5 Liquid separation efficiency between single inlet GLCC and dual inlet GLCC

Fig.6 Liquid separation efficiency of dual-inlet GLCC with different flow area ratio

Fig.7 Comparison of streamline in numerical simulation（Ql 1.5 m3·h-1, Qg 180 m3·h-1）

Fig.8 Comparison of the liquid volume fraction and gas-liquid flowrate distribution（Ql 1.5 m3·h-1Qg 180 m3·h-1）

Fig.9 Comparison of tangential velocity distribution in the upper cylinder of GLCC（Ql 1.5 m3·h-1, Qg 180 m3·h-1）

Fig.10 Comparison of axial velocity distribution in the upper cylinder of GLCC（Ql 1.5 m3·h-1, Qg 180 m3·h-1）

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