CYCLOTECH PECT-F

Pre-coalescer for improving separation efficiency of a deoiling hydrocyclone

M-I SWACO developed the CYCLOTECH PECT-F coalescence system to improve significantly the separation efficiency of produced water deoiling hydrocyclone systems. PECT-F, or Performance Enhancing Coalescence Technology – Fiber, is directed at:

• Existing systems which do not meet current legislation, which stretch performance targets, or else require excessive chemical dosing to do so
• New-build systems where the application of deoiling hydrocyclones is potentially marginal due to difficult fluid characteristics.

Concept

The CYCLOTECH PECT-F system is installed as a cartridge assembly into either the inlet chamber of the deoiling hydrocyclone vessel or into a bespoke vessel located upstream of the produced water treatment system. The inlet chamber of a typical conventional deoiling hydrocyclone is the largest in the vessel and can have a residence time of up to 20 seconds.

The key features of the CYCLOTECH PECT-F system allow it to use this residence time constructively to achieve partial oil-droplet coalescence while maintaining a high resistance to solids blocking. Those features include:

• Orientation of coalescence media parallel to the bulk-flow direction
• Optimized media material selection
• Optimized media density selection
• Optimized media surface treatment
• Optimized flow regime achieved by flow distribution devices within the CYCLOTECH PECT-F housing.

CYCLOTECH PECT-F systems are available to suit deoiling hydrocyclone vessel diameters up to 50 in (1270 mm).

The Benefits

• Improves the oil removal efficiency of existing deoiling hydrocyclones by up to 80%
• Increases turndown of deoiling hydrocyclones by maintaining high efficiency at low flow rates
• Eliminates or reduces reliance on water clarifier chemicals
• Extends applicability of deoiling hydrocyclones to condensate and other marginal applications
• Easily retrofitted into most existing third-party deoiling hydrocyclone systems without vessel or pipe work modifications
• Since it utilizes existing residence time, the CYCLOTECH PECT-F system is a low-cost solution compared to other additional equipment
• Passive technology, requiring  neither control nor external power.