3S Technology: Advanced Super Sonic Gas Separation Solutions

3S TECHNOLOGY

Supersonic Liquid Separation

3S-TECHNOLOGY

a brief description – operating principle

3S-technology is based on pre-swirled gas flow expansion in a Laval nozzle. At that point, due to the conversion of a portion of the gas flow’s potential energy into actual kinetic energy during its acceleration to supersonic speed, a rapid static pressure drop takes place in the flow accompanied by its rapid cooling.

3S-separator regulates the flow temperature in the nozzle by means of a calculated selection of nozzle geometry and pressure drop rate (usually characterized the by Mach number « M »). The Mach number is selected in such a way that “targets” gas mixture components (i.e. components to be separated) transfer to a liquid phase. The droplets thus formed actively coagulate, assisted by the turbulent nature of the swirling flow. The flow swirling degree is usually selected so as to provide centrifugal forces in the nozzle working section at the level about 100 thousand and higher.

Under the influence of centrifugal forces, the liquid droplets are moved into the boundary layer where the gas-liquid mixture enriched with “target” components is formed. At this stage, the “central” portion of the flow is cleared from the “target” components.

Further on in the selection device, the gas flow is divided into two parts: gas-liquid flow directed into the gas-liquid separator, and the flow of prepared (sales) gas directed to the consumer.

The use of diffusers at the outlet of the 3S-separator working part allows for converting some of the kinetic energy into potential energy due to deceleration, which results in a substantially greater gas pressure at the outlet of the diffuser than the static pressure of a gas in a Laval nozzle. This is where the condensation of the target components occurs.

3S-SEPARATOR

design principal scheme

3S-TECHNOLOGY

key advantages

High gas treatment and processing efficiency
High energy efficiency due to usage of reservoir energy
Environmental safety
Low footprint and low weight of the unit

High reliability due to the absence of moving elements inside the 3S-separator
Possibility to provide deep propane-butane and ethane extraction
No laborious and high-skilled maintenance required

Extension of fields’ operation period without additional compressor due to the providing of high efficiency combined with low gas pressure drop at the unit
Effective CO2 and H2S separation from natural gases
Possibility to use at offshore platforms/FPSO and within subsea gas treatment units

3S-SEPARATOR

how it works – a section view

3S-SEPARATOR

areas of application – the edge

Natural and associated gas treatment for transportation

Increase of liquid components production using the same pressure drop
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Decrease of capital costs
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Extension of non-compressor operations of gas processing facility for 3 – 5 years

CO2 separation at the fields with its large content

One-stage decrease of crude gas CO2 content to 2-3% in sales gas
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Low CAPEX
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Small footprint

Subsea gas separation, conditioning

No maintenance
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No external power supplies needed

Oil and gas producing offshore platforms, FPSO

Low requirements to the quality of input stream (high tolerance to presence of liquids )
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Moderate-size dimensions

Economic benefits

Economic benefits
Capital expenditure saving in comparison with the previous generation’s technologies is from 30 to 70% depending on the equipment currently in use and existing processed gas parameters.
Possibility to bring into operation numerous gas and oil fields with large acid components content, development of which is difficult or at times even impossible by existing technologies.
Minimal operational costs.

3S-technology-key-economic-benefits

Use case for gas conditioning

Benefits of 3S technology in pipeline gas conditioning

Numerical Analysis - Low Temperature Separation

3S projects

launched projects worldwide

Start-up: July 2020

Start-up: October 2017

Start-up: January 2015

Start-up: 2011

About 3S projects worldwide

Any more questions? Feel free to write us a mail!

In addition to 10 years of solid contact with 3S technology, there is also more than 15 years of knowledge in the field of logistics and maritime, as well as project management skills in versatile areas, enriched by more than 30 years of experience in international business as such.

M-ost Ltd | Official Licensee | 3S Technology
Phone: +43 677 63 1386 93 | Email: info@3s-most.eu
Company Registration Number: 5908027

M-ost Ltd is the official licensee of 3S Technology for territories of Argentina, Chile, Peru, Venezuela, Brazil and selected EU countries.