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 SEPARATOR DESIGN PRINCIPAL SCHEME 1

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 view 2

3S separator flow 2 3

3S-SEPARATOR

areas of application – the edge

Natural and associated gas treatment for transportation

Increase of liquid components production using the same pressure drop
—
Decrease of capital costs
—
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
—
Low CAPEX
—
Small footprint

Subsea gas separation, conditioning

No maintenance
—
No external power supplies needed

Natural and associated gas treatment for transportation

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

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

INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS

Efficient C₃⁺ recovery across the gas value chain

UPSTERAM

Gas Processing Units

Gas Treatment

3S Technology enables the efficient recovery of C₃⁺ hydrocarbons from raw natural gas streams, improving overall process economics.

Flared Gas Recovery

Reduce emissions and recover valuable C₃⁺ components from flared gas streams (>5 MMSCFD) using compact, high-efficiency 3S units.

Fuel Gas Recovery

Extract C₃⁺ hydrocarbons from fuel gas used in compressors or power generators, turning waste into a profitable resource.

MIDSTERAM

Gas Plants

Gas Conditioning

The 3S Technology prevents hydrate formation and corrosion during gas transportation, ensuring safe, reliable, and continuous operations.

Residual C₃⁺ Recovery

Recover C₃⁺ components from residual fuel gas in compressors and generators with 3S supersonic separation modules.

Debottlenecking

Boost gas plant capacity and efficiency by integrating modular 3S separation units for debottlenecking existing facilities.

DOWNSTERAM

Gas-to-Chemical

Gas Treatment

Condition natural gas for refinery and petrochemical feedstock applications using 3S Technology to ensure consistent gas quality.

C₃⁺ Recovery

Recover high-value C₃⁺ hydrocarbons from refinery off-gas streams, improving plant yield and reducing losses.

Flared Gas Recovery

Capture and recycle C₃⁺ hydrocarbons from flared or vented streams, minimizing environmental impact and enhancing sustainability.

Makes it possible to develop and operate gas and oil fields with high acid components that cannot be processed efficiently by existing technologies.

3S projects

launched projects worldwide

Start-up: July 2020

3S deliverd Project 2020 8

Start-up: October 2017

3S deliverd Project 2017 9

Start-up: January 2015

3S deliverd Project 2015 10

Start-up: 2011

3S deliverd Project 2011 11

3S Technology for gas separation was first developed in 1997 and is protected by a series of worldwide patents, including US8696793, CN101828088B, and EP1131588NWB1.
The technology has undergone extensive field testing and industrial validation, proving its reliability and efficiency in real operational environments.

Since its introduction, 3S Technology has been successfully implemented in numerous projects worldwide, demonstrating its strong performance in natural gas and associated gas processing applications.

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 20 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.

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