Study on the Effect of Inverted Cone Length on Separation Performance in Compact Gas-liquid Separation Hydrocyclones

doi:10.3901/JME.2025.21.375

Abstract

Abstract: The single-well injection-production technology is an effective method for economically developing high-water-content oilfields. Efficient gas-liquid separation in the narrow downhole space is the key technical factor for ensuring the large-scale application of the single-well injection-production technology. A compact gas-liquid hydrocyclone structure, proposed earlier and suitable for use in oil production wellbores, is examined. A combination of numerical simulation, flow field testing, and performance experiments is used to systematically analyze the inverted cone length of the separator, a key parameter that affects gas-liquid separation performance. The influence of the inverted cone length on phase interface evolution and separation characteristics during the gas-liquid separation process is also discussed. The results show that the inverted cone length of the compact gas-liquid hydrocyclone directly determines the axial distribution and shape of the gas core during the separation process. An appropriate inverted cone length can enhance the gas-liquid separation process and improve separation performance. It is found that as the inverted cone length increases, the gas core width gradually expands, the axial extension length decreases, and the axial and tangential velocities in the swirl chamber gradually increase due to the reduction in flow area. Through our investigation, the optimal inverted cone length coefficient is identified as 0.3. Under this condition, the gas-liquid separator experiences the least pressure loss, with a dynamic efficiency coefficient achieved as low as 0.6. The minimum residence time of microbubble particles is recorded at 0.34 s, and the gas phase separation efficiency reaches a peak value of 97.8%. The research conclusions play a significant role in revealing the mechanism of gas-liquid two-phase flow and interface deformation in the vortex flow field, providing guidance and reference for the development and application of efficient downhole gas-liquid separation equipment.

Key words: hydrocyclone, gas-liquid separation, separation performance, air core, flow field characteristics

CLC Number:

TQ051.8

XING Lei, GUAN Shuai, JIANG Minghu, ZHAO Lixin, LI Xinya, CHEN Dehai. Study on the Effect of Inverted Cone Length on Separation Performance in Compact Gas-liquid Separation Hydrocyclones[J]. Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 2025, 61(21): 375-388.

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