Advanced Design

Using advanced engineering design tools, gMAX Systems has developed the latest generation Deoiling hydrocy-clone, the gMAX® L40 hydrocyclone. The gMAX® L40 has a unique inlet geometry which helps minimize turbulence and reduces inlet wear. The innovative liner geometry pro-duces finer, sharper separations at higher unit capacities, allowing fewer cyclones to be used for optimal performance and cost. The gMAX-L40 liners are made of Duplex SS and are fully replaceable, thus providing a cost effective wear solution for the hydrocyclone.

Principles of Operation

Feed enters the deoiling hydrocyclone through an involute inlet. Its velocity is converted into tangential velocity in the inlet area, imparting a centrifugal force on the fluids. As the feed moves down the conical section, tangential velocity increases as does the centrifugal force.

The heavier water phase, which is subjected to higher cen-trifugal forces, moves to the outer wall of the cyclone. The lighter particles, primarily oil droplets, are displaced to-wards the inner core of the cyclone. The water phase exits the tailpipe as the deoiling hydrocyclone underflow.

The core of the light phase (oil) moves axially up the cy-clone, due to back pressure on the underflow, and exits out the reject orifice as overflow. By maintaining a certain back-pressure on the underflow, the oil core is forced out through the overflow outlet which has a reject orifice sized to achieve a flow of approximately 5-8% of the total inlet flow.

Pumped Hydrocyclones

When the existing process pressure is too low (<25psi), a low shear booster pump can be includ-ed to increase inlet pressure. To ensure that minimal shearing of oil droplets takes place, strict guidelines on pump selection, piping configuration, and sys-tem operation must be followed. With many exist-ing pumped hydrocyclone systems in operation, gMAX Systems has the experience and knowledge to assist in designing a successful pumped system.

Deoiling Hydrocyclones

• Compact design for reduced footprint and weight

• Wear resistant materials of construction for increased reliability and low mainte- nance

• Flexible operation (TurnDOWN™) for varia- tions in rates

• Manual or fully automated

• Integral part of a complete Produced Water Treatment System.

An upstream oil & gas separation company that specializes in solids management and produced water treatment through engineered systems.

TurnDOWN™

In order to accommodate large turndown requirements that exceed 50:1, gMAX Systems offers its TurnDOWN™ design.

TurnDOWN™ allows for continuous operation without ever shutting down the vessel. This is accomplished by com-partmentalizing the overflow section of the desanding ves-sel. Isolation valves are opened or closed to adjust the number of liners in operation depending on the system flow rate and pressure drop.

Produced Water Systems

In addition to a stand alone vessel, the gMAX® L40 hydrocyclone system can be incorporated into a com-plete produced water treatment system. The gMAX® L40 hydrocyclone reduces the Oil in Water concen-tration to manageable levels for downstream pol-ishing equipment. gMAX Systems offers complete packages for treatment of produced water from the production separator to overboard discharge or re-injection. Typical process equipment included in a gMAX Systems produced water treatment package are gMAX® hydrocyclones, along with flotation or fil-tration units. The system can use natural pressure or pumps that can be included to boost inlet pres-sure. Operation can be automated or manual and the equipment can be constructed of almost any material.

Deoiling Hydrocyclones

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