Separators are manufactured in two basic shapes — vertical and horizontal. Each has specific advantages and the selection is usually based on which will accomplish the desired results at the lowest cost.
The horizontal separator has several different advantages particular to this type of construction. The horizontal separator is easier to skid mount, less piping is required for field hookup and a smaller diameter is required for a given gas capacity. This type of vessel also has a larger interface area between the liquid and gas phases which aids in separation.
Three-phase oil-gas water separation can be easily accomplished in any type of separator by installing special internal baffling or by use of an interface liquid level control.
The vertical separator has the advantage that it will handle greater slugs of liquid without carryover to the gas outlet and greater vertical distance between the liquid level and the gas outlet. There is less tendency to revaporize the liquid into the gas phase. Vertical Separators handle considerably more liquid than gas.
PFEC offers horizontal and vertical high- or low-pressure separators on a wide variety of sizes, either new or remanufactured.