The Flow Field Characteristics and Separation Performance of the Compact Series Gas–Liquid Separator

Digitalization is leading the development direction of oilfields in the future. And the precise measurement of produced fluids is the core component supporting the construction of digital oilfields. To mitigate the adverse effects of liquid carryover from gas wells on metering devices at the wellhead, this paper proposed a compact tandem-type gas–liquid separator structure (CTGLS) based on the principle of cyclone separation. The internal flow field characteristics and separation performance of the gas–liquid separator were analyzed through numerical simulation and experimental methods. The influence of various liquid concentrations, inlet flow rates, and overflow split ratios on the velocity field, medium distribution, and separation efficiency of gas–liquid separators was obtained. The optimal regulatory relationship of the underflow split ratio under different operating parameters was elucidated. The results indicate that, as the liquid concentration increases, the axial velocity changes significantly within the underflow region of the secondary separator, while the liquid volume fraction in the cyclone chamber increases gradually. Increasing the inlet flow rate and the split ratio can enhance the axial velocity at the overflow outlet, but it will reduce the liquid phase separation efficiency. The mathematical model correlating the operating parameters with the separation efficiency was established using the response surface method. And the best operation regulation mechanism of the split ratio was obtained under different inlet flow rates and liquid concentrations.