Title: Dynamic mathematical modelling and simulation of a primary oil separation unit

Authors: María E.G. Condori; Lucio F.D. Passos; Hugo C.C. Michel; Gustavo M. de Almeida; Marcelo Cardoso

Addresses: Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil ' Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil ' Department of Electronic Engineering, School of Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil ' Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Department of Energy Technology, School of Energy Systems, LUT University, Yliopistonkatu, 34, 53850, Lappeenranta, Finland ' Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil

Abstract: Primary oil separation units play a key role in preparing crude oil extracted from oil wells for further processing in refineries. This work presents a dynamic mathematical modelling of this separation unit considering three separators in series, namely, the three-phase separator and the heater and electrostatic treaters. The use of settling tanks was also considered. Design and operation data were obtained from the literature and from a refinery. After validation, the model was used for scenario analysis, where the effect of disturbances in the flow of crude oil to the separation unit was investigated. The results provided the maximum acceptable disturbance (around 5%) considering the design capacity of the separators, the role of the settling tanks for a stable operation and the ripple effect of disturbances along the separation unit, which can compromise the final oil quality. Primary oil separation units can benefit greatly from computer-aided studies.

Keywords: oil and gas sector; crude oil; separation unit; mathematical model; computer simulation; scenario analysis.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSPM.2023.136933

International Journal of Simulation and Process Modelling, 2023 Vol.20 No.3, pp.201 - 217

Received: 23 Jan 2023
Accepted: 28 Oct 2023
Published online: 29 Feb 2024 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article