Oil and Gas Applications

Cyclone Separators

Here, the pressure drop across the cyclone and its separation efficiency were optimized. The CFD analyses allow designers to run multiple “what-if” design evaluations in order to maximise the cyclone’s operating performance.

Settling Tank

STAR-CD’s Eulerian multiphase model was used to evaluate the settling time for an oil and water settling tank. This allowed engineers to optimize the design of the settling tank and to validate that the settling tank would remain effective at all operating conditions.

Distillation Column

STAR-CCM+’s multiphase model was used to evaluate the flow through a distillation column. For the efficient operation of the distillation column it is critical to balance the flow rates of the heavy oil that passes over the trays (seen in red) and the light gas flow (blue). The objective is that the light gas passes through the holes in the tray to bubble through and react with the heavy oil. If the oil flow rate is too high then the trays flood and “downcomer flooding” occurs: the tray overfills. If the oil flow rate is too low then the heavy oil gets convected up the column by the gas. This analysis enabled the designers to optimise the operating condition of the distillation column so as to maximise the column’s performance.