Twister Supersonic Separator

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The Twister Supersonic Separator is a compact tubular device which is used for the removing water and/or hydrocarbon dewpointing of natural gas ^[1] ^[2]. The principle of operation is similar to the near isentropic Brayton cycle of a turbo-expander. The gas is accelerated to supersonic velocities within the tube using a De Laval nozzle and inlet guide vanes spin the gas around an inner-body which creates the "ballerina effect" and centrifugally separates the water and liquids in the tube. Hydrates do not form in the Twister tube due to the very short residence time of the gas in the tube (around 2 millisecs). A secondary separator treats the liquids and slip gas and also acts as a hydrate control vessel. Twister is able to dehydrate to typical pipeline dewpoint specifications and relies on a pressure drop from the inlet of about 25%, dependent on the performance required.^[3]. The closed Twister system enables subsea gas treatment.^[4]^[5]

Additional recommended knowledge

References

^ Arthur Kidnay, William R. Parrish. Fundamentals of Natural Gas Processing, First Edition, CRC Press, 185-186. ISBN 0-8493-3406-3.
^ GPSA Engineering Data Book, 12th Edition, GPSA Press, 16-2. ISBN B00006KFVO.
^ Gasunie - Combined test with the improved performance Twister™ Supersonic Separator and the Gasunie cyclone separator
^ Offshore Magazine - Twister application hints at subsea separation
^ World Oil - Twister Subsea Gas Processing
^ Twister - Innovations In Gas Processing