S- and P-separators

Technical presentation
Alcap versus purifier technology

EXPLO –DIESEL
& Gas Turbine ‘07

11-15 May 2007

Dariusz Dziedziul

© Alfa Laval

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Contents of presentation

•

Oil cleaning applications

– Fuel oils

– Lube oils

•

Separation systems

– S-separator (Alcap)

– P-separator (purifier)

– P versus S and conventional systems

•

Which system to choose when?

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Fuel oil cleaning

Distillate and MDO

•

Uncomplicated refinery processes

– Low density, small variations

– Simple separation task

Heavy fuel oils

•

Complicated refinery processes
visbreaking, catalytic cracking

– Catalytic fines

– High and varying density

– Varying properties

– Demanding separation task

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Lube oil cleaning

•

Relatively low density and stable
process

•

Trunk piston LO

– Complex composition, high contamination

and sensitive to emulsion in presence of
water

•

Crosshead LO

– Simpler composition, low contamination,

less sensitive to emulsion

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Separation principles

•

Purifier

– Removes water and solids from oil

– Discharges the phases in different outlets

•

Clarifier

– Removes solids and small amount of water

– Discharges them in sludge outlet

– Only in series after a purifier for heavy fuel oil

•

Alcap

– Combination of purifier and clarifier with automatic

selection of operating mode

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Purifier principle

•

Interface position controlled
by gravity disc size

•

Limitations:

– Max. density 991 kg/m

3

at 15C

– Sensitive to fluctuating process

conditions (interphase moves,
with risk for broken water seal
or bad separation)

•

At correct interphase position,
oil is evenly distributed to all
disc channels

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Purifier – incorrect
interphase

Incorrect interphase

•

Too close to centre

– Water blocks part of the

disc stack, and lower
discs are overloaded

•

Too far out

– Broken water seal – oil

loss

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Clarifier principle

No water outlet

•

Separated water is
discharged with
sludge

•

Low water handling
capacity

– Typically second

stage in series
operation after
purifier

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Transducer

MT

Alcap principle

•

Bowl, MT 50 and
drain valve

•

Normal operating
mode is clarifier

•

Continuous
monitoring of
cleaned oil outlet

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Alcap, low water content

No drain,
discharge
by timer

Oil

Sludge
and water

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Transducer

MT

Alcap, high water content

Separated water is
drained after trigger
value is reached

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Alcap, high water content

If drain is not
sufficient,
discharge to
remove
excessive water
from bowl

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S-separator bowl

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P-separator bowl

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Approaches for fuel and
lubricating oil separation

Known density

Defined oil

Water condensate

Fewer process issues

Variable density
Catalytic fines
Sea water
Critical process issues

S-separator

P-
separator

HF 700

HF 380

IF 180

LO/TP

LO/XH

GO/MDO

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0

5

10

15

20

Large capacity range
Alcap and Purifier systems

m

3

/h, HFO 380 cSt

Alcap range

S 815 – S 886

Purifier range

P 605 – P 635

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A solution for every
requirement

SU module

PU modules on request

S-separator system

P-separator system

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S-separator, SA 821–886

Oil block

EPC50 control unit

S-separator

Water block

Air block

Sludge outlet kit

Optional starter

Specialized block ancillary components assembled on site

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PA 605/615

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P-separator, PA 625 / 635

Water block

EPC50 control unit

P-separator

Optional starter

Changeover valve

Specialized block ancillary components assembled on site

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S/P-separator, SU/PU Module

Maximum simplicity

Plug-and-play system with heater and feed

pump

•

Complete oil cleaning system

•

Few connections needed

•

Pre-tested from a single
supplier – for reliable
operation

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CentriShoot

A fixed, flexing discharge slide replaces the
sliding bowl bottom

•

No metal-to-metal wear

•

No damage to the

separator bowl

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CentriLock

A snap ring replaces the
traditional lock ring

•

Eliminates costly bowl

repair

•

No hammer needed

•

No threads to wear

•

No wear on the bowl

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Which system to choose?

P-separator

Use with lower

and consistent oil

densities

Purifier with gravity disc

Low sludge volumes and

minimal oil losses

S-separator

Use with high and
varied oil densities
Fully automatic Alcap
technology
Minimal sludge volumes
and oil losses

S-separator

P-
separator

HF 700

HF 380

IF 180

LO/TP

LO/XH

GO/MDO

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S- and P-separator
– operating window

Fuel density

Separation
difficulty

S-separator
(Alcap)

P-separator
(Purifier)

1010

991

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P-separators – a step
forward in purifier
technology

•

Based on modern S-separator,
optimised design

– CentriLock lock ring

– CentriShoot with FlexiSlide

•

Easy installation, easy operation

•

Low water consumption, waste volumes
and oil losses

•

Same control unit as S-separator with
new possibilities

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P- versus S-separators

•

P-separator systems (Purifier):

– Uncomplicated, reliable during constant

conditions

– Density max. 991 kg/m

3

at 15C, in praxis lower

limit for reliable operation

•

S-separator systems (Alcap):

– Unique Alcap technology

– Less sensitive to fluctuations