A novel gas separation process makes use of a rotating phase separator to separate micron-sized droplets from a gas stream. Based on an industrial scale design, a water/air separator is constructed and tested. The first experiment concerns the drainage of large fractions of separated liquid. During operation, drainage is observed via windows and a descriptive model is formulated. Because of the major influence on overall separation efficiency, liquid drainage is a key issue in the separator design. The second experiment comprises a droplet collection efficiency measurement using micron-sized droplets dispersed within the airstream. The separation efficiency of fine droplet removal is measured. This is an important factor in reducing capital costs.

Issue Section:
Multiphase Flows
Keywords:
centrifuges, drops, flow separation, rotational flow, rotors, two-phase flow, rotational separation, separation efficiency, liquid drainage
Topics:
Drainage, Drops, Separation (Technology), Flow (Dynamics), Reactor protection systems
1.
Brouwers
,
J. J. H.
,
van Wissen
,
R. J. E.
, and
Golombok
,
M.
, 2006, “
Novel Centrifugal Process Removes Gas Contaminants
,”
Oil Gas J.
0030-1388,
104
(
42
), pp.
37
–
41
.
2.
van Wissen
,
R. J. E.
,
Brouwers
,
J. J. H.
, and
Golombok
,
M.
, 2007, “
In-Line Centrifugal Separation of Dispersed Phases
,”
AIChE J.
0001-1541,
53
(
2
), pp.
374
–
380
.
Crossref
Search ADS
 
3.
van Wissen
,
R. J. E.
, 2006, “
Centrifugal Separation for Cleaning Well Gas Streams: From Concept to Prototype
,” Ph.D. thesis, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
4.
Willems
,
G. P.
, 2009, “
Condensed Rotational Cleaning of Natural Gas
,” Ph.D. thesis, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
5.
Willems
,
G. P.
,
Golombok
,
M.
,
Tesselaar
,
G.
, and
Brouwers
,
J. J. H.
, 2010, “
Condensed Rotational Separation of CO2 From Natural Gas
,”
AIChE J.
0001-1541,
56
(
1
), pp.
150
–
159
.
6.
Brouwers
,
J. J. H.
, 2002, “
Phase Separation in Centrifugal Fields With Emphasis on the Rotational Particle Separator
,”
Exp. Therm. Fluid Sci.
0894-1777,
26
, pp.
325
–
334
.
Crossref
Search ADS
 
7.
van Kemenade
,
H. P.
,
Mondt
,
E.
,
Hendriks
,
A. J. A. M.
, and
Verbeek
,
P. H. J.
, 2003, “
Liquid-Phase Separation With the Rotational Particle Separator
,”
Chem. Eng. Technol.
0930-7516,
26
(
11
), pp.
1176
–
1183
.
Crossref
Search ADS
 
8.
Brouwers
,
J. J. H.
, 1996, “
Rotational Particle Separator: A New Method for Separating Fine Particles and Mists From Gases
,”
Chem. Eng. Technol.
0930-7516,
19
(
1
), pp.
1
–
10
.
Crossref
Search ADS
 
9.
Brouwers
,
J. J. H.
, 1997, “
Particle Collection Efficiency of the Rotational Particle Separator
,”
Powder Technol.
0032-5910,
92
(
2
), pp.
89
–
99
.
Crossref
Search ADS
 
10.
Kuerten
,
J. G. M.
,
van Esch
,
B. P. M.
,
van Kemenade
,
H. P.
, and
Brouwers
,
J. J. H.
, 2007, “
The Effect of Turbulence on the Efficiency of the Rotational Phase Separator
,”
Int. J. Heat Fluid Flow
0142-727X,
28
(
4
), pp.
630
–
637
.
Crossref
Search ADS
 
11.
Willems
,
G. P.
,
van Esch
,
B. P. M.
,
Brouwers
,
J. J. H.
, and
Golombok
,
M.
, 2008, “
Creeping Film Model for Condensed Centrifugal Separation Processes
,”
Chem. Eng. Sci.
0009-2509,
63
(
13
), pp.
3358
–
3365
.
Crossref
Search ADS
 
12.
Kohl
,
A. L.
, and
Nielsen
,
R. B.
, 1997,
Gas Purification
, 5th ed.,
Gulf Professional
,
Houston, TX
.
13.
Brunazzi
,
E.
,
Paglianti
,
A.
, and
Talamelli
,
A.
, 2003, “
Simplified Design of Axial-Flow Cyclone Mist Eliminators
,”
AIChE J.
0001-1541,
49
(
1
), pp.
41
–
51
.
Crossref
Search ADS
 
14.
Bird
,
R. B.
,
Stewart
,
W. E.
, and
Lightfoot
,
E. N.
, 2002,
Transport Phenomena
, 2nd ed.,
Wiley
,
Hoboken, NJ
.
15.
Hinds
,
W. C.
, 1999,
Aerosol Technology
, 2nd ed.,
Wiley
,
New York
.
16.
Lefebre
,
A. H.
, 1989,
Atomization and Sprays, Combustion: An International Series
,
Taylor & Francis
,
Bristol, PA
.
17.
Schlichting
,
H.
, 1979,
Boundary-Layer Theory
, 7th ed.,
McGraw-Hill
,
New York
.
18.
Mackrodt
,
P. A.
, 1976, “
Stability of Hagen-Poiseuille Flow With Superimposed Rigid Rotation
,”
J. Fluid Mech.
0022-1120,
73
(
1
), pp.
153
–
164
.
Crossref
Search ADS
 
Copyright © 2010
 by American Society of Mechanical Engineers
You do not currently have access to this content.