Session: 7.6 - Experimental methods for multiphase flows

Paper Number: 158614

158614 - Control of Compact Separators for Oil-Water Separation 

Abstract: 

Each year, the petroleum industry in the United States produces more than 24 billion barrels of water as a byproduct. This produced water (PW) is the largest volume of unwanted waste associated with oil and gas production, exceeding the volume of all liquid hazardous wastes in the U.S. by approximately 70 times. The effective treatment and management of PW are essential for promoting sustainability and advancing "green operations" within the oil and gas sector. To ensure the safe reuse or disposal of PW, it must undergo a two-step treatment process: the removal of contaminants, particularly dispersed oil droplets, followed by the desalination of the water phase.

The primary objective of this project is to develop a novel in-line Integrated Compact Separation System (ICSS) for the cleaning and conditioning of Produced Water, as well as a hydrate-based desalination technology for the separated and conditioned PW. The ICSS aims to achieve efficient removal of contaminants and enable subsequent desalination, thus supporting the sustainable management of Produced Water.

Control system simulators have been developed for various compact separators, including the Gas Liquid Cylindrical Cyclone (GLCC©), Liquid-Liquid Cylindrical Cyclone (LLCC©), and Liquid-Liquid Hydrocyclone (LLHC), using MATLAB/Simulink. The insights gained from these simulation studies are being extended to the Horizontal Pipe Separator (HPS©) to facilitate the development of an ICSS prototype simulator. Two target configurations for the ICSS have been identified for PW cleaning and conditioning. Configuration 1 comprises the GLCC©, LLCC©, and LLHC, while Configuration 2 consists of the GLCC©, HPS©, and LLHC.

Although the GLCC is included at the initial stage of both configurations, the simulator for each configuration has been evaluated with and without the GLCC to determine the optimal configuration for experimental investigation. This comparative approach enables the identification of the most effective system design for PW cleaning and conditioning.

The development of control system simulators for the various units within the ICSS begins with individual unit simulations using MATLAB/Simulink. These unit-level simulators are then integrated to facilitate the development of a comprehensive control strategy for the entire ICSS system. The simulators are equipped with control algorithms designed to maintain optimal separation conditions, reduce energy consumption, and maximize overall system efficiency. The project’s findings will include details on the design, implementation, and performance of the simulators, as well as results from the simulation studies. The outcomes will contribute to the advancement of compact, efficient, and sustainable Produced Water treatment technologies, supporting the petroleum industry's shift toward greener operational practices and providing a pathway toward more environmentally friendly oil and gas production methods.

Keywords: Produced Water, Multiphase Separation, Sustainability, Compact Separators, Control system, Separation Facility Optimization, Matlab Simulation

Presenting Author: Areeba Ali University of Tulsa

Presenting Author Biography: Areeba Ali is a dedicated PhD student in mechanical engineering with a strong academic foundation, holding a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. Currently enrolled in her PhD, Areeba is focused on control system designs for oil-water separation. Her research also explores the Matlab simulations for oil-water separations, showcasing her interdisciplinary expertise in process control, and system modeling.