Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Study of Gas Separation Process for High Pressure Horizontal Separator

Gas turbines generators on offshore platforms are essential for the power generation of the platform which would run its equipment, control systems and light up living quarters. In the last few decades, it is the most chosen equipment for power generation. Due to many platforms extract more than enough gas from oil and gas reservoirs, this makes the power generation option easier and more economical. Nonetheless, the gas needs to be in a state that has no presence of liquid hydrocarbon for it to function optimally and lengthily throughout its service life. Consequently, the issue of gas separation inside a HPS arisen. This is to ensure that gas turbines could maintain its efficiency and performance. The main equipment responsible for the separation of liquids and gas from hydrocarbon extracted from wells would be the separators. This project will only be focusing on the simulation of a 2-phase HPS, with only liquid and gas as the multiphase fluid. With running conditions and design specifications of a HPS be used, a CFD simulation is carried out to study the flow pattern of the multiphase fluid and to determine the gas outlet conditions. Initial study would include the use of water and air to substitute liquid hydrocarbon and gas, in order to achieve initial objectives. Nevertheless, realistic methods are later used to gather more realistic results. This project will hopefully result in a separation simulation between liquid and gas inside a HPS.