SBIR-STTR Award

Current gas processing systems for the removal of CO2, liquids, and other waste streams are large and costly, and they consume substantial energy. These systems are not suited for subsea or remote operation. To reduce the size and cost, this project will develop a method employing a nozzle, centrifugal separator, and radial diffuser to extract and separate liquids from the gas. This unit, referred to as the integral separator, will be a part of a centifugal gas processing system. In Phase I, the integral separator will be analyzed and designed for a selected gas processing application. Performance, size, cost, and energy consumed or produced will be determined and compared to existing technologies. Integration into a centrifugal gas processing facility will be analyzed and the impact on future gas processing applications will be evaluated.

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee:
The integral separation should have application to offshore and remote gas production.

Many remote gas resources (including offshore and subsea) are presently not produced because of the high cost and complexity of the processing equipment needed to lower the dew point, separate liquids, and supply compression so that the gas can be transported to a point of use.  This project will develop a compact device to condense and separate the natural gas liquids from water and re-pressurize the resulting dry gas so that it can be transported through a pipeline to the point of use.  The device will have no moving parts and will utilize centrifugal forces in the flow.  In Phase I, an integral separator was analyzed and designed for both a subsea resource and an offshore resource, provided by a major oil and gas company.  A compact unit with no moving parts was designed, which satisfied the producer requirements for dew point, water removal, and pipeline pressure of the dry gas.  The use of a seed liquid to maximize liquids production and separation was analyzed and found to be feasible.  Phase II will develop a commercial prototype integral separator, which will be tested in a natural gas testing facility and demonstrated in a commercial gas production facility. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by awardee:  Commercial applications should include offshore gas production, subsea gas production, and the production of stranded assets that were previously uneconomic to produce.