Diseño de un separador trifásico horizontal de capacidad nominal 200 BBL aplicando la norma ASME VIII DIV. 1 mediante software especializado

Abstract

The oil industry consists of a series of successive processes that start from the extraction, separation, and refining of oil as the finished product. Focusing on the separation process, it involves designing mechanisms that facilitate the activity efficiently and safely. This document analyzed the design by rule of a 200 BBL threephase crude separator (oil, water, and gas) to be implemented in the Sacha field located in the Orellana province. The criteria outlined in the ASME VIII DIV. 1 code were considered. The calculation procedure involved determining the initial conditions of the process, characterizing the thermodynamic properties of the crude for the specific location of the equipment. Following the literature indications, the combination of diameter and tangent length facilitating the hydrocarbon separation process was determined using the analysis model of a water droplet separating from the oil phase. Subsequently, the quantity and application of openings required for operation, maintenance, instrumentation, sampling, inspection, and corrosion protection of the separator were defined. Using the ASME VIII DIV. 1 code, the geometry of all components was calculated. Finally, using assistive software, a comparative verification was performed between the manually calculated results based on the code regarding thicknesses, stiffening rings, openings, reinforcements, and welding. Subsequently, the stress state of the components under design loads was verified through finite element method application, yielding positive results regarding stress and maximum deformation reached. That is, the proposed design remains within the ranges allowed by the ASME VIII DIV. 1 code.