Hydrocyclone separation in the oil industry – Part 1

The oldest traditional method employed in the oil industry for the separation of different fluid phases is settling.

Partly the gradual inundation of production wells and partly the ever more stringent environment protection regulations have enforced all over the world the research and development of new more efficient separation processes, among others the employment of hydrocyclones. The purpose of this paper is to characterize the complex turbulent flows curling downwards along the shell and moving upwards spirally along the centerline taking place in separation vessels operating with the field of centrifugal forces as well as to outline the situation of employing hydrocyclones in the oil industry and to direct the attention of design and development engineers to the opportunities of utilizing this modern separation technology within MOL Group in the areas of both refining and mining by reviewing the latest development results – including our own research and development work.

Jenô Németh, Dr., Aurél Ujhidy, Dr., György Bucsky, Dr., János Katona, Dr.