The Paper “Slug catcher finger-type CFD simulator for two-phase flow separation” published in the chinese journal “Petroleum”

Slug Catcher is an important tool used in the up-stream asset, but not enough supported by common commercial simulation softwares.

This paper, written by Techfem and published by the chinese journal “Petroleum” has as its primary aim to represent a simulation model based on open source software for computational fluid-dynamics OpenFOAM®. This approach could be a good back up during the preliminary sizing; through the fluid-dynamic behaviours simulation  the process engineer can be driven to an excellent final design.

Main function of Slug catcher is to ensure the separation of the phases according to the acceptance speifications dictated by the process units of downstream CPF (Central Production Facility). Optimizing the slug catcher could allow the reduction of the equipment overall dimensions, reducing the costs and making the installation more flexible.

The graphic output originated by the simulation can be a strong tool for engineers, giving the chance to study the fluid-dynamic response of slug catcher in the gas liquid separation section, according to the flow pattern at the entrance.

Link to the paper:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405656117301700