University of Karbala Republic of Iraq

College of Engineering Ministry of higher

Reservoir Engineering Lab education
Third Stage
2nd course

EXP.5/ Equilibrium flash separator test

By: Mohamed Abbas / Mohammad Ahmed

Supervisor: Hawraa zanky

2021
Aim of experiment

The Equilibrium Flash Separator can be used to measure gas oil ratio, relative
volume, residual oil gravity, and related information on bottom hole
Introduction
Equilibrium flash vaporization involves heating a flowing
feed and the separation of the liquid and vapor in a flash
drum. A distillation curve may be obtained by conducting
this distillation at varying heater outlet temperatures. Figure
4.9 shows the diagram of an EFV set up and compares the
distillation curves from the three methods, TBP, ASTM, and
EFV. From the comparison of the curves and the
relationship between IBP and EP obtained in each case, one
concludes that EFV gives the lowest degree of separation
between A and B, even lower than that given by the ASTM
distillation.
Theory

Separator Test experiments are carried out for both oil and gas condensate
mixtures. A sample of reservoir liquid is placed in the laboratory cell and brought
to reservoir temperature and bubble-point pressure. Then the liquid is expelled
from the cell through a number of stages of separation. Usually, two or three stages
of separation are used, with the last stage at atmospheric pressure and near-ambient
temperature (60 to 80°F)
The gas is let out of the separator through the top and is transferred to standard
conditions, where its volume is measured. As for the differential liberation
experiment, liquid dropping out from the gas is converted to an equivalent gas
volume at standard conditions.
The liquid from the first separator is let into a second separator at a lower
pressure and temperature than the first one. At which conditions, more gas will
be liberated as sketched in the figure below. As with the gas from the first
separator, this gas is transferred to standard conditions.

The oil remaining after gas removal is brought to the conditions of the next
separator stage. The gas is removed again and quantified by moles and specific
gravity. Oil volume is noted, and the process is repeated until stock-tank conditions
are reached. Final oil volume, Vo, and specific gravity, SGo, are measured at 60°F
NB: Often the composition of the separator gas and stock tank gas are measured
Procedure

1. This test simulates flashing from reservoir pressure or well head to separator
then stock tank.
2. Close the inlet flash valve and drain valve
3. Open regulator off valve.
4. Close bypass off valve.
5. Adjust the back pressure regulator to desired 1 st stage separator test pressure.
6. Expand the fluid sample into the separator.
7. Close the inlet flash valve and slowly open the drain valve.
8. Record the initial external pump volume reading and initial gasometer volume
reading.
9. Weight the 2nd stage tube .
10. Record zero initial gasometer volume reading for the 2nd stage.
11. Carefully open the drain valve to drain receiver tube.
12. Record the data into the blow table.
Calculations

STO= difference Glass tube wt (g)/

difference Liquid Volume (ml)
Formation Volume Factor = mdifference pump
cell volume (cc)/ difference Liquid
Volume (cc)
DISCUSSION ( Mohammad Abbas )

Q1:What are interval test experiments done?

A: Separator Test experiments are carried out for both oil and gas condensate
mixtures. Asample of reservoir liquid is placed in the laboratory cell and brought
to reservoirtemperature and bubble-point pressure. Then the liquid is expelled
from the cell through anumber of stages of separation.

Q2: What is the number of phases of the interval?

A: Usually, two or three stages of separation are used, with the last stage at
atmospheric pressure and near-ambient temperature (60 to 80°F).

Q3: What do petroleum engineers consider the process of releasing gas in

the reservoir?
A: petroleum engineers consider that the gas liberation process in the reservoir
can be represented by the differential liberation process.1,2 The fluid produced
from the reservoir to the surface is considered to undergo a flash process

Q4: How is the gas removed from the separator?

A: The gas is let out of the separator through the top and is transferred to
standard conditions, where its volume is measured. As for the differential
liberation experiment, liquid dropping out from the gas is converted to an
equivalent gas volume at standard conditions.

Q5: What is the flash?

A5: flash is the one step change from a relatively high pressure and temperature
environment to a relatively low pressure and temperature environment

Q6 /what The primary difference between a flash and a differential process?

A : is the magnitude of the pressure differential between stages. The pressure
differential is generally much smaller in the differential process than in the flash
process.

Q7: There are several types of test separators, on what basis are they used?
A: There are several types of test separator, but all of them utilize differences in
fluid
density to achieve separation.
DISCUSSION ( Mohammad Ahmed)

Q1/What is equilibrium flash calculation?

Equilibrium flash calculations can be computed quickly by an interactive Fortran
program developed for personal computers. The program determines the
equilibrium separation of a stream for

Q2/What Flash means?

a brief, sudden burst of bright light: a flash of lightning. A sudden, brief outburst
or display of joy, wit, etc. a very brief moment; instant: I'll be back in a flash.

Q3/What is forced circulation evaporator?

In a forced circulation evaporator, liquor is pumped from the bottom cone of the
vapor body through the tubes of the heat exchanger where heat is added. The
liquor is then pumped back into the vapor body where evaporation occurs.

Q4/How obtain the exact desired 1st-stage test pressure?

A10: , carefully adjust the back-pressure regulator knob to obtain the exact
desired 1st-stage
test pressure.

Q5/ Optimum separator conditions are investigated by?

A2: Optimum separator conditions are investigated by use of the flash liberation
(separation) method.

Q6/ A laboratory monitoring unit is strongly recommended in laboratories

where H2S is handled? Why?
A1: It acts on the eyes and respiratory system, resulting in irritation. Irritation to
the eyesoften causes severe pain and may incapacitate the worker. When high
concentrations arepresent, death by lung paralysis may occur before the odor is
even detected.
Refrences

 1. P.-G. de Gennes, Wetting: statics and dynamics. Rev. Mod. Phys. 57

(1985) 827– 863.
 2. R. Fِrch, H. Schِnherr, A. Tobias, A. Jenkins, Surface design:
applications in `bioscience and nanotechnology. Wiley-VCH. ISBN 3-527-
40789-8 (2009).
 a b "Electricity from Natural Gas". Archived from the original on 6 June
2014. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
 Valerie Volcovici, Kate Abnett, and Matthew Green (18 August 2020).
"Cleaner but not clean - Why scientists say natural gas won't avert climate
disaster". Reuters.
 Coats, K. and Smart, G., 1986. Application of a regression- Moses, P.,
1986.Engineering applications of phase behavior of hased EOS PVT
program to laboratory data. SPE Reservoir Engineering, 13), 277-299.
 Hoffmann, A.E., Crump, JS., and Hocott, C., 1953. Equilib- Muller, E. and
A- Fuentes. C., 1989. General expressions for multi- rium constants for a
gas- condensate system. Transactions of the AIME, 198, 1-10