Numerical Simulation Investigation of Vortex Finder Depth Effects on Flow Field and Performance of Desanding Mini-Hydrocyclones

Sand has significant side effects on oil production and offshore platform processing system. Mini-hydrocyclones is a very important component to desanding operation However, even slight modification the structural parameter of hydrocylone might result in influence its flow field separation efficiency. So, analysis characteristics efficiency mini-hydrocyclones can help optimize parameters. In this work, five mini-hydrocycloness were designed, patterns particle ability with various vortex finder depths investigated through Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation method. The research shows that depth function partition mini-hydrocyclones. deeper is, larger volume pre-separation area, smaller main area bigger energy consumption are. These are disadvantage improve performance hydrocyclone. Ratio (L0/D) (L0) hydrocyclone cylinder diameter (D) about 1.0.