Multiphase Desander – Cyclonic Vs. Desanding Technology (B-FSM080)
(Note: Much of this information is a retelling of that presented in previous post B-FSM-034)
The Five-Steps of sand management are covered in Module 3 of the Facilities Sand Management (FSM) training.
The Five-Steps of Sand Management
The core of solids handling for the upstream oil & gas industry – whether onshore or offshore – is to follow the Five-Steps of Sand Management. Most approaches for sand management focus on finding a piece of equipment to separate the sand – and assume the work is done. That is only Step 1. It is critical to follow all the steps.
The Multiphase Desander is used in Step 1 – separation of solids from the flow stream.
- Separate: Partition the solid particles from the liquid, gas, or multiphase stream
- Multiphase desander, filters, or existing three-phase separator
- Collect: Gather partitioned solids into one central location and remove from process pressure
- Desander accumulator vessel or vessel drains
- Clean: Removal of adsorbed hydrocarbon contaminants
- Recycle sand-wash systems
- Dewater: Removal of free water to minimize disposal volume
- Hanging mesh bags or screen lined bins
- Reduce the disposal volume by 90% and produce sand “cake” of <10 wt.% water
- Transport: Bring solids to disposal location
- Dependent upon the facilities location (onshore/offshore) and disposal requirements
- Options: Overboard discharge, landfill, ship-to-shore, slurry injection, etc.
The next article covers the two types of Multiphase Desanders – Wellhead and Wellstream.
References
- Rawlins, C.H., “Sand Management Methodologies for Sustained Facilities Operations,” paper 164645-MS, North Africa Technical Conference & Exhibition, Cairo, Egypt, Apr. 15-17, 2013.
- Rawlins, C.H., and Wang, I. I., “Design and Installation of a Sand Separation and Handling System for a Gulf of Mexico Oil Production Facility,” SPE Production and Facilities, paper 72999, Vol. 16, No. 3, 2001, pp. 134-140.
