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Finger-style slug catcher

Trace the mixed-stream inlet, four parallel storage fingers, upper gas risers and separate lower liquid collection header.

Static preview of the finger-style slug catcher schematic
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HOW TO READ THIS MODEL

The system, explained.

A finger-style slug catcher can sit at the inlet to gas processing, where arriving gas and bulk liquid need separate onward handling. This original four-finger scene shows a mixed-stream arrival header, four open-bore parallel pipes, distinct upper risers to a gas header and lower downcomers to a liquid header. Its blue internal planes mark arbitrary reading regions, not a measured slug, interface or operating level. The three exterior openings are conceptual boundaries, not connections to an actual pipeline or plant.

Model scope and limits

Original four-finger teaching scene with 62 named parts, actual hollow finger/header passages, separate gas and liquid branches and eight bored support feet. Pipe sizes, finger count, spacing, colours and positions are illustrative. No selected facility, pipeline tie-in, phase behaviour, separation efficiency, slug capacity, pigging event, pressures, temperatures, materials, code selection, corrosion assessment, drains, valves, instruments, controls, relief, flare load, foundation, emergency response or qualified service is represented.

Further reading: AIChE presentation: finger-type slug catcher roles at an inlet facility; no source drawing, dimensions or values copied ↗

Source links support further study; no affiliation or endorsement is implied.

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

What does the separate lower header identify?

Choose an answer

GUIDED COMPONENT STUDY

Trace the system.

Read each explanation, then focus its component in the explorer. This is a learning route through the model, with no operating or maintenance sequence.

  1. Begin at the pipeline arrival boundary

    The open lower end of the gold header marks a mixed-stream arrival. No pipeline, pig receiver, inlet composition or operating condition is attached.

  2. Find the inlet distribution header

    A hollow cross-header has four real branch openings. Its arrangement does not establish even flow distribution or a selected header size.

  3. Enter one of four fingers

    This branch is open through the header and into a separate finger mouth. Geometry does not prove a leak-tight or pressure-rated connection.

  4. Inspect a full storage tube

    All four browser tubes retain complete hollow walls and separate closed far ends. Their lengths and volumes are invented.

  5. Read the blue plane cautiously

    The cutaway poster makes this marker visible. It is an arbitrary location cue, not a predicted slug height or liquid inventory.

  6. Follow an upper gas riser

    An actual finger roof opening meets an open riser and upper header hole. No gas dryness, carryover or separation efficiency is demonstrated.

  7. Identify the gas destination

    The upper header ends at a separate open boundary. Gas treatment and sales specifications are outside the scene.

  8. Follow a lower liquid downcomer

    A real finger floor opening meets a lower open passage and separate header hole. No drain valve or level-control sequence is modeled.

  9. Identify the liquid destination

    The lower header ends at an open handling boundary. Storage, treatment and disposal requirements remain outside the illustration.

  10. Separate supports from process claims

    A real anchor opening makes this support inspectable. The plinth and feet do not represent a designed foundation or load case.

Additional primary references: AIChE: finger-type slug catcher as gas-plant inlet separation and temporary liquid storage; checked September 27, 2026 ↗ · Taylor Forge: general finger/harp separation roles; checked September 27, 2026 ↗ · Taylor Forge: inlet, gas and liquid manifold discussion; checked September 27, 2026 ↗

Compare inlet handling with downstream equipment.

Inspect a separate pigging-vessel concept ↗Inspect a separate fine-droplet coalescer ↗

These independent models explain different roles. They are not connected into a selected station, matched process train or operating procedure.

ACCESSIBLE COMPONENT REFERENCE

Every part, in plain language.

Search all components ↗Model provenance ↗
Slug-catcher display plinth

Presentation base, not a plant foundation. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Wet-gas inlet distribution header

Incoming mixed-stream header with four actual branch openings. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Upper gas collection header

Upper outlet header with four actual riser openings. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Lower liquid collection header

Separate lower outlet header with four actual drain openings. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Closed far end of inlet header

Static closed end opposite the open inlet; not a specified end fitting. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Closed near end of gas header

Static closed end opposite the open gas destination. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Closed near end of liquid header

Static closed end opposite the open liquid destination. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Mixed pipeline arrival open collar

Open system boundary; upstream and downstream facilities are outside this scene. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Separate gas destination open collar

Open system boundary; upstream and downstream facilities are outside this scene. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Separate liquid destination open collar

Open system boundary; upstream and downstream facilities are outside this scene. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 1 hollow storage tube

One of four parallel open-bore fingers; length and volume are invented. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 1 closed far end

Separate solid far-end closure in a static pose. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 1 inlet branch

Open passage from the actual inlet-header branch hole to this finger. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 1 inlet mouth ring

Separate open mouth marker, without a rated joint. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 1 gas riser

Open riser between an actual finger roof bore and upper header hole. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 1 gas riser collar

Separate annular marker, not a selected connection. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 1 liquid downcomer

Open lower passage between an actual finger floor bore and liquid header hole. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 1 liquid downcomer collar

Separate annular lower marker, not a control valve. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 1 static liquid-region plane

Arbitrary blue reading plane, not measured holdup, stratification or slug volume. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 1 support saddle 1

Static support location without structural design. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 1 bored support foot 1

Separate foot with a real vertical anchor opening. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 1 support saddle 2

Static support location without structural design. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 1 bored support foot 2

Separate foot with a real vertical anchor opening. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 2 hollow storage tube

One of four parallel open-bore fingers; length and volume are invented. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 2 closed far end

Separate solid far-end closure in a static pose. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 2 inlet branch

Open passage from the actual inlet-header branch hole to this finger. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 2 inlet mouth ring

Separate open mouth marker, without a rated joint. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 2 gas riser

Open riser between an actual finger roof bore and upper header hole. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 2 gas riser collar

Separate annular marker, not a selected connection. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 2 liquid downcomer

Open lower passage between an actual finger floor bore and liquid header hole. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 2 liquid downcomer collar

Separate annular lower marker, not a control valve. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 2 static liquid-region plane

Arbitrary blue reading plane, not measured holdup, stratification or slug volume. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 2 support saddle 1

Static support location without structural design. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 2 bored support foot 1

Separate foot with a real vertical anchor opening. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 2 support saddle 2

Static support location without structural design. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 2 bored support foot 2

Separate foot with a real vertical anchor opening. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 3 hollow storage tube

One of four parallel open-bore fingers; length and volume are invented. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 3 closed far end

Separate solid far-end closure in a static pose. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 3 inlet branch

Open passage from the actual inlet-header branch hole to this finger. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 3 inlet mouth ring

Separate open mouth marker, without a rated joint. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 3 gas riser

Open riser between an actual finger roof bore and upper header hole. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 3 gas riser collar

Separate annular marker, not a selected connection. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 3 liquid downcomer

Open lower passage between an actual finger floor bore and liquid header hole. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 3 liquid downcomer collar

Separate annular lower marker, not a control valve. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 3 static liquid-region plane

Arbitrary blue reading plane, not measured holdup, stratification or slug volume. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 3 support saddle 1

Static support location without structural design. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 3 bored support foot 1

Separate foot with a real vertical anchor opening. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 3 support saddle 2

Static support location without structural design. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 3 bored support foot 2

Separate foot with a real vertical anchor opening. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 4 hollow storage tube

One of four parallel open-bore fingers; length and volume are invented. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 4 closed far end

Separate solid far-end closure in a static pose. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 4 inlet branch

Open passage from the actual inlet-header branch hole to this finger. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 4 inlet mouth ring

Separate open mouth marker, without a rated joint. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 4 gas riser

Open riser between an actual finger roof bore and upper header hole. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 4 gas riser collar

Separate annular marker, not a selected connection. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 4 liquid downcomer

Open lower passage between an actual finger floor bore and liquid header hole. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 4 liquid downcomer collar

Separate annular lower marker, not a control valve. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 4 static liquid-region plane

Arbitrary blue reading plane, not measured holdup, stratification or slug volume. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 4 support saddle 1

Static support location without structural design. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 4 bored support foot 1

Separate foot with a real vertical anchor opening. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 4 support saddle 2

Static support location without structural design. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.

Finger 4 bored support foot 2

Separate foot with a real vertical anchor opening. Invented static teaching arrangement; no selected inlet duty, slug volume, separation, pressure, material, control, relief, pipe code, structural load or facility qualification.