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Three-phase separator

Follow a mixed stream into a vessel and explore the gas, oil and water regions.

Static preview of the three-phase separator schematic
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Drag to orbit · Scroll or pinch to zoom · Select a visible part or use the parts list. Keyboard: focus the view and use arrow keys to orbit.

HOW TO READ THIS MODEL

The system, explained.

A separator gives a mixed stream space and time to separate. This schematic shows an inlet diverter, static liquid regions, a weir and mist-removal markers. Trace five hollow connections through the shell, then use the guided study to distinguish separation, collection and further-treatment boundaries. Real internals depend on the fluid, duty and engineered design.

Model scope and limits

Generic dished heads, curved phase markers, five open shell penetrations, hollow connections, overflow compartment and sparse mist-vane markers. No complete sealed demister/drainage pack, nozzle reinforcement or weld geometry. No pressure rating, sizing, instrument/control/protection system, numerical levels or flow simulation.

Further reading: SLB: multiphase separation principles ↗

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

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Which illustrated region sits beneath the oil region?

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. Separate the enclosure from its contents

    The cylindrical wall and two dished heads enclose a space for phase separation. Five geometric openings connect through the wall. Reveal internals removes the enclosure visually; half section retains part of it as context. Thickness and proportions are invented, without a pressure rating or qualified nozzle reinforcement.

  2. Trace the inlet connection

    The hollow feed neck continues through an opening in the vessel wall toward the inlet zone. A nearby diverter marks where the incoming mixture changes direction. Neither the neck nor the simple plate describes a designed inlet device, a flow distribution or erosion performance.

  3. Read the three teaching regions

    The static water marker sits below the oil marker, with gas space above them. This arrangement illustrates gravity separation. Toggle illustrative phases to compare the regions with the empty vessel. Their heights are invented; they are not measured interfaces, an emulsion model or a prediction of separation quality.

  4. Inspect the weir and collection space

    The curved plate separates the settling zone from the oil collection compartment. Its top suggests an overflow boundary, while the lower water outlet belongs to the upstream zone. This generic fixed-weir layout is one teaching arrangement; no interface controller, retention-time calculation or dynamic overflow is included.

  5. Find the mist-removal concept

    Zigzag markers near the upper outlet identify a vane-type mist-removal concept. Mist extractors collect small liquid droplets carried in gas. These sparse markers do not reproduce a complete sealed vane pack, drainage arrangement, droplet-size cutoff or verified gas route through the element.

  6. Compare the two liquid outlets

    The oil neck lies beyond the weir and the water neck lies upstream of it. Each hollow neck crosses a separate wall opening, beneath a small schematic plate. These plates identify vortex-breaker locations; their clearance, supports and fluid performance are not designed. Outlet positions give no withdrawal procedure or operating level.

  7. Distinguish gas exit from gas treatment

    A hollow upper neck leaves the vessel near the mist-removal concept. Open the connected facility lesson to follow its labelled route to a further-handling boundary. Separation here does not establish sales-gas quality, drying, sweetening, pressure control, metering or an approved destination.

  8. Recognize the limits of the instrument marker

    A small hollow tapping crosses the shell toward an indicator with no numerical reading. Its geometry distinguishes an instrument connection from a larger process neck. Relief devices, level/interface instruments, shutdowns and control loops are outside this model; this marker is not a complete protection system.

Additional primary references: SLB: three-phase separator ↗ · SLB: gravity separation ↗ · SLB: mist extractor ↗

Connect the vessel to the facility.

Follow the incoming, oil, water and gas routes ↗Compare separation with storage ↗

The facility reuses this original separator in an invented layout. Connections identify teaching relationships; treatment, product quality and a qualified plant design remain outside the model.

Compare free-water and three-phase roles.

Inspect free-water draw and the combined emulsion exit ↗

The new FWKO drawing chooses an unheated two-phase boundary for learning. FWKO terminology can also describe three-phase vessels. Neither independent model establishes a selected process, outlet specification or separation result.

ACCESSIBLE COMPONENT REFERENCE

Every part, in plain language.

Search all components ↗Model provenance ↗
Base frame

Illustrative support frame; foundations and structural design vary.

Vessel shell

Hollow cylindrical enclosure with five geometric connection openings. Wall thickness, proportions and junctions are illustrative; no reinforcement, weld or pressure qualification.

Dished head -1

Generic double-surface dished closure. Shape and thickness are illustrative, with no code qualification.

Circumferential seam -1

Illustrates a shell-to-head seam location, without weld detail.

Dished head 1

Generic double-surface dished closure. Shape and thickness are illustrative, with no code qualification.

Circumferential seam 1

Illustrates a shell-to-head seam location, without weld detail.

Saddle support -1.6

Curved saddle supports the cylindrical wall; structural design is not specified.

Saddle foot -1.6

Illustrative attachment to a support frame.

Saddle support 1.6

Curved saddle supports the cylindrical wall; structural design is not specified.

Saddle foot 1.6

Illustrative attachment to a support frame.

Feed nozzle

Hollow generic connection with illustrative wall thickness. Welds, facing and pressure ratings are not specified.

Feed nozzle flange

Illustrative flange ring, with no rated facing or bolt specification.

Feed nozzle fastener 1

Generic fastener position. Quantity and size do not specify a rated connection.

Feed nozzle fastener 2

Generic fastener position. Quantity and size do not specify a rated connection.

Feed nozzle fastener 3

Generic fastener position. Quantity and size do not specify a rated connection.

Feed nozzle fastener 4

Generic fastener position. Quantity and size do not specify a rated connection.

Feed nozzle fastener 5

Generic fastener position. Quantity and size do not specify a rated connection.

Feed nozzle fastener 6

Generic fastener position. Quantity and size do not specify a rated connection.

Feed nozzle fastener 7

Generic fastener position. Quantity and size do not specify a rated connection.

Feed nozzle fastener 8

Generic fastener position. Quantity and size do not specify a rated connection.

Inlet diverter

Redirects incoming flow toward the separation zone; this plate is a conceptual arrangement.

Water region

Illustrative phase volume following the vessel cross-section. Interfaces are static teaching positions, not measured levels or a flow simulation.

Oil region

Illustrative phase volume following the vessel cross-section. Interfaces are static teaching positions, not measured levels or a flow simulation.

Gas space

Illustrative phase volume following the vessel cross-section. Interfaces are static teaching positions, not measured levels or a flow simulation.

Liquid weir

Conceptual overflow weir separates the upstream settling zone from an oil collection compartment. Real arrangements vary.

Oil collection compartment

Illustrates oil collected beyond the weir; no operating level is specified.

Demister frame -0.48

Supports a conceptual mist-removal pack.

Demister frame 0.48

Supports a conceptual mist-removal pack.

Mist vane 0 segment 0

Zigzag teaching representation of a vane pack that helps collect entrained droplets. Performance and production geometry are not reproduced.

Mist vane 0 segment 1

Zigzag teaching representation of a vane pack that helps collect entrained droplets. Performance and production geometry are not reproduced.

Mist vane 0 segment 2

Zigzag teaching representation of a vane pack that helps collect entrained droplets. Performance and production geometry are not reproduced.

Mist vane 1 segment 0

Zigzag teaching representation of a vane pack that helps collect entrained droplets. Performance and production geometry are not reproduced.

Mist vane 1 segment 1

Zigzag teaching representation of a vane pack that helps collect entrained droplets. Performance and production geometry are not reproduced.

Mist vane 1 segment 2

Zigzag teaching representation of a vane pack that helps collect entrained droplets. Performance and production geometry are not reproduced.

Mist vane 2 segment 0

Zigzag teaching representation of a vane pack that helps collect entrained droplets. Performance and production geometry are not reproduced.

Mist vane 2 segment 1

Zigzag teaching representation of a vane pack that helps collect entrained droplets. Performance and production geometry are not reproduced.

Mist vane 2 segment 2

Zigzag teaching representation of a vane pack that helps collect entrained droplets. Performance and production geometry are not reproduced.

Mist vane 3 segment 0

Zigzag teaching representation of a vane pack that helps collect entrained droplets. Performance and production geometry are not reproduced.

Mist vane 3 segment 1

Zigzag teaching representation of a vane pack that helps collect entrained droplets. Performance and production geometry are not reproduced.

Mist vane 3 segment 2

Zigzag teaching representation of a vane pack that helps collect entrained droplets. Performance and production geometry are not reproduced.

Mist vane 4 segment 0

Zigzag teaching representation of a vane pack that helps collect entrained droplets. Performance and production geometry are not reproduced.

Mist vane 4 segment 1

Zigzag teaching representation of a vane pack that helps collect entrained droplets. Performance and production geometry are not reproduced.

Mist vane 4 segment 2

Zigzag teaching representation of a vane pack that helps collect entrained droplets. Performance and production geometry are not reproduced.

Mist vane 5 segment 0

Zigzag teaching representation of a vane pack that helps collect entrained droplets. Performance and production geometry are not reproduced.

Mist vane 5 segment 1

Zigzag teaching representation of a vane pack that helps collect entrained droplets. Performance and production geometry are not reproduced.

Mist vane 5 segment 2

Zigzag teaching representation of a vane pack that helps collect entrained droplets. Performance and production geometry are not reproduced.

Mist vane 6 segment 0

Zigzag teaching representation of a vane pack that helps collect entrained droplets. Performance and production geometry are not reproduced.

Mist vane 6 segment 1

Zigzag teaching representation of a vane pack that helps collect entrained droplets. Performance and production geometry are not reproduced.

Mist vane 6 segment 2

Zigzag teaching representation of a vane pack that helps collect entrained droplets. Performance and production geometry are not reproduced.

Mist vane 7 segment 0

Zigzag teaching representation of a vane pack that helps collect entrained droplets. Performance and production geometry are not reproduced.

Mist vane 7 segment 1

Zigzag teaching representation of a vane pack that helps collect entrained droplets. Performance and production geometry are not reproduced.

Mist vane 7 segment 2

Zigzag teaching representation of a vane pack that helps collect entrained droplets. Performance and production geometry are not reproduced.

Mist vane 8 segment 0

Zigzag teaching representation of a vane pack that helps collect entrained droplets. Performance and production geometry are not reproduced.

Mist vane 8 segment 1

Zigzag teaching representation of a vane pack that helps collect entrained droplets. Performance and production geometry are not reproduced.

Mist vane 8 segment 2

Zigzag teaching representation of a vane pack that helps collect entrained droplets. Performance and production geometry are not reproduced.

Gas outlet

Hollow generic connection with illustrative wall thickness. Welds, facing and pressure ratings are not specified.

Gas outlet flange

Illustrative flange ring, with no rated facing or bolt specification.

Gas outlet fastener 1

Generic fastener position. Quantity and size do not specify a rated connection.

Gas outlet fastener 2

Generic fastener position. Quantity and size do not specify a rated connection.

Gas outlet fastener 3

Generic fastener position. Quantity and size do not specify a rated connection.

Gas outlet fastener 4

Generic fastener position. Quantity and size do not specify a rated connection.

Gas outlet fastener 5

Generic fastener position. Quantity and size do not specify a rated connection.

Gas outlet fastener 6

Generic fastener position. Quantity and size do not specify a rated connection.

Gas outlet fastener 7

Generic fastener position. Quantity and size do not specify a rated connection.

Gas outlet fastener 8

Generic fastener position. Quantity and size do not specify a rated connection.

Oil outlet

Hollow generic connection with illustrative wall thickness. Welds, facing and pressure ratings are not specified.

Oil outlet flange

Illustrative flange ring, with no rated facing or bolt specification.

Oil outlet fastener 1

Generic fastener position. Quantity and size do not specify a rated connection.

Oil outlet fastener 2

Generic fastener position. Quantity and size do not specify a rated connection.

Oil outlet fastener 3

Generic fastener position. Quantity and size do not specify a rated connection.

Oil outlet fastener 4

Generic fastener position. Quantity and size do not specify a rated connection.

Oil outlet fastener 5

Generic fastener position. Quantity and size do not specify a rated connection.

Oil outlet fastener 6

Generic fastener position. Quantity and size do not specify a rated connection.

Oil outlet fastener 7

Generic fastener position. Quantity and size do not specify a rated connection.

Oil outlet fastener 8

Generic fastener position. Quantity and size do not specify a rated connection.

Water outlet

Hollow generic connection with illustrative wall thickness. Welds, facing and pressure ratings are not specified.

Water outlet flange

Illustrative flange ring, with no rated facing or bolt specification.

Water outlet fastener 1

Generic fastener position. Quantity and size do not specify a rated connection.

Water outlet fastener 2

Generic fastener position. Quantity and size do not specify a rated connection.

Water outlet fastener 3

Generic fastener position. Quantity and size do not specify a rated connection.

Water outlet fastener 4

Generic fastener position. Quantity and size do not specify a rated connection.

Water outlet fastener 5

Generic fastener position. Quantity and size do not specify a rated connection.

Water outlet fastener 6

Generic fastener position. Quantity and size do not specify a rated connection.

Water outlet fastener 7

Generic fastener position. Quantity and size do not specify a rated connection.

Water outlet fastener 8

Generic fastener position. Quantity and size do not specify a rated connection.

Oil outlet vortex breaker

A schematic plate over a liquid draw-off; real vortex-breaker design and clearance depend on duty.

Water outlet vortex breaker

A schematic plate over a liquid draw-off; real vortex-breaker design and clearance depend on duty.

Pressure instrument connection

Hollow conceptual instrument tapping through the vessel wall; no measurement, calibration or control loop is provided.

Pressure indicator

Illustrative gauge location with no numerical reading.

Distinguish separation from dehydration.

Open the contactor trays and bubble caps ↗Explore the generic facility boundaries ↗

These separate concepts teach different process roles. The facility model ends at a gas-handling boundary; it does not include this contactor or a complete dehydration/regeneration train. The comparison establishes no matched installation, outlet quality or process performance.

Compare separation and contacting roles.

Explore gas and total-liquid boundaries ↗Inspect gas and glycol contacting parts ↗

These independent original concepts are not a matched process train. Geometry supplies no outlet quality, separation efficiency, dehydration result or equipment selection.

Distinguish indication, control and relief.

Bourdon pressure-gauge concept ↗Spring-loaded pressure-relief concept ↗Globe control valve ↗

These independent original concepts distinguish component roles. They do not specify an installed instrument, compatible connection, measured value, control loop or protection system.