Oil/Water Separation in Liquid/Liquid Hydrocyclones (LLHC): Part 1—Experimental Investigation

Abstract

Summary An extensive experimental program has been conducted using a 2-in. hydrocyclone. The inlet flow conditions are: total flow rates between 18 to 27 GPM, oil-cut up to 10%, median droplet size distributions from 30 to 180 μm, and inlet pressures between 60 and 90 psia. The acquired data include the flow rate, oil-cut, and droplet size distribution in the inlet and in the underflow; the reject flow rate and oil concentration in the overflow; and the separation efficiency. Additional data were taken from the literature, especially from the Colman and Thew1 study. This experimental investigation provided insight into the hydrodynamic flow behavior in the liquid/liquid hydrocyclone (LLHC), and helped develop and refine a mechanistic model for the LLHC, which is presented in Part 2 of this paper.