Technological calculation of oil and gas separation equipment using correlation dependences of viscosity of oil-water emulsions on oil density

Background. The article provides algorithms for calculating the size of the apparatus and provides an example of constructing diagrams to determine the diameter of the apparatus at a given flow rate and temperature of the separation process.

Aim. In the initial data on the physicochemical properties of the liquid, on the basis of which the technological calculation of oil and gas separation equipment is carried out, as a rule, the rheological properties of oil-water emulsions are not given. Therefore, at the beginning of the calculation, the residence time of the liquid in the apparatus is set, focusing on the known density of oil and the specified water content in the oil-water mixture, which can be achieved during operation. After determining the size of the device according to the specified residence time, the actual time of the liquid in the degassing zone is estimated and compared with the specified one. To determine the actual time of the liquid in the degassing zone, it is necessary to calculate the rate of ascent of gas bubbles in the liquid, for which it is necessary to know its density and viscosity.

Materials and methods. For the technological calculation of oil and gas separation equipment, correlation formulas for calculating the viscosity of oil and oil-water emulsions of Western Siberia, depending on the density of oil, obtained by processing experimental data for more than 35 oils with a density from 810 to 940 kg/m³ at 20 °C.

Results. The correlation dependences of the water content at which the emulsion stratification occurs (stratification points) and on the density of oil are given, by which the maximum value of the viscosity of the oilwater emulsion can be estimated at a given process temperature.

Conclusions. Obtained correlation formulas, under certain assumptions, can be used to determine the size of oil and gas separation equipment.

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