Design Two-Phase
Separators Within
the Right Limits
iquid/vapor separators are one of
L the most common types of process
equipment. Many technical papers
have been written on separator
design and vast amounts of information
are also available in corporate process
engineering design guidelines. The basic
equations used for sizing are widely
known; however, subjectivity exists dur-
Here is a proven, ing the selection of the parameters used in
these equations. This article attempts to
address the basics of two-phase separator
step-by-step design and provide step-by-step proce-
dures and examples for two-phase
method. vapor/liquid separator design.
Two-phase separator types
and selection
Two-phase separators may be oriented
either vertically or horizontally. In some
cases, it may be necessary to compare
both designs to determine which is more
economic. Separators may be designed
with or without mist eliminator pads and
may also have inlet diverters. Some sepa-
rators may have proprietary impingement
W.Y. Svrcek. w.o. Monnery or settling internals. The vendor should be
University of Calgary contacted to design these types of vessels.
Vertical vapor/liquid separators are pre-
ferred for separating liquid from mixtures
with a high vapor/liquid ratio while hori-
zontal separators are preferred for sepa-
rating vapor from mixtures with a low
vapor/liquid ratio.
Background
Vapor/liquid separation is usually
accomplished in three stages. The first
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING PROGRESS • OCTOBER 1993 •
stage, primary separation, uses an inlet
diverter so that the momentum of the liq-
uid entrained in the vapor causes the
largest droplets to impinge on the diverter
and then drop by gravity. The next stage,
secondary separation, is gravity separa-
tion of smaller droplets as the vapor flows
through the disengagement area. The final
stage is mist elimination where the small-
est droplets are coalesced so that larger
droplets are formed which will separate
by gravity.
For secondary separation, the allow-
able velocity must be calculated so that
disengagement area can be subsequently
determined. Performing a force balance
on the liquid droplet settling out provides
the necessary relationship. When the net
gravity force, given by Eq. 1,
balances the drag force, given by Eq. 2,
(2)
the heavier liquid droplets will settle at a
constant terminal velocity, U; Equating
Eqs. 1 and 2 results in,
4g 4 (p
L - P v) (3)
3CD p v
Hence, as long as U v < U T' the liquid
droplets will settle out. Typically, the
allowable vertical velocity, U v' is set
53
FLUIDS/SOLIDS HANDLING

between 0.75U, and U/. Eq. .1 can be ucs have been c urve fitted and arc
rearran ged as Eq. 4. a Sanders-Brown given in Table I.
type equat ion ( / ): When calculating UT II' there is no mist eliminator. it is
recommended to use one half or the
for a horizontal above values (2) or the "th eoretical"
value K can be calculated from Eq. 5 if
separator, a "no mist the liquid droplet size is known. The
where drag coe ffi cient. C" has been curve fit-
eliminator K value" led and is given in Tab le I or can be
where K= / 4gl1, (5)
should be used. obtained from Figure 7-.1 in the GPSA
V 3 c; " Enginee ring Data Book" (2 ).
Before proceedin g. it is worthwhile
Practically. very small droplets can- qu utcly predi ctable so the K va lues to clarify some definitions and criteria .
not be se pa rat ed by gravity alone. 1'01' mist eliminators arc typi cally Holdup is defined as the time it takes
These droplet s are coalesced to form empirical. This is where subje cti vity to reduce the liquid level from normal
larger dr opl et s which will settle by first e nte rs separator design . Th er e (NLL ) to empty (LLL ) while maintain-
gravity. Coalescing dev ices in separa - are severa l literature sources of K val- ing a normal outlet now without feed
tors force the gas to follow a tortuous ue s s uc h as the Gas Proc ess or' s makeup . Surge time is defined as the
path a nd th e mo m e n t u m o f th e S up p lie r A ssociation ( G PS A) time it takes 1'0 1' the liquid level to rise
droplets ca uses them to co llide with " Enginee ring Data Book" (2). numer- fr om normal (N L L ) to m a ximum
o t he r dro pl et s o r th e co a le sc i ng o us technical publications and ven- ( H L L ) whil e maint ainin g a normal
de vice. form ing larger droplet s. The dor ' s recommendation s. Th e G PSA reed with out an y o utlet n ow . Some
coa lesced droplet diam eter is not udc- (2) and York Mist Eliminat or (3) val- g uidelines base "s urge" on the volume
between low (LU .) and high (H LL )
liquid levels. Holdup time is based on
Table 1. Separator K values. the reserve required to maintain good
control and safe operati on of down-
Mist Eliminator
stream facilities. Surge time is usually
1:-:; P£ 15 K =0.1821 + 0.0029P+ 0.0460Ln IPI
15:-:; P:-:;4O K= 0.35 p. psia
based on requirements to accumulate
40:-:; P:-:; 5.500 K =0.430 - 0.023Ln( PI liquid as a result o r upstream or down-
stream variations or upsets. 1'01' exam-
GPSA K=0.35-0.0001*(P-100) ple. slugs. In the absenc e o r specific
os P:;; 1.500 K = 0.35 - 0.0l(P- 100/1 001 p. psig requirements. surge time may be takcn
• Most vapors undervacuum K = 0.20. as one hall' or holdu p time.
• Forglycol andamine solutions. multiplyKby 0.6-0.8. ve rtir a! se parat ors. Fo r ve rtica l
• Forverticalvessels without misteliminators, divide Kby2.
separators . the vapor disen gagem ent
• Forcompressor suctionscrubbers, mole sieve scrubbers and expander inlet
separators multiply Kby 0.7---{).8.
area is the entire cross-sectional area of
the vessel so that vapor disen gagement
Theoretical tno misteliminator) diameter call be calculated trom Eq. 6:

K -- J 4g~
3C D

Co =exp(}1 Technicall y. this is the mist eliminator

Y= 8.411 - 2.243X + 0.273X! -1 .865E - 2)(3 + 5.201 E- 4~
diameter and the inside diameter or the
X= u{ 0.95 + 8Pvg<PL- Pv») vessel must be ,.. li ghtl y larger so that
the mist eliminator can be installed
inside the vessel. Typically. the calcu-
lated value is taken up to the next six
Notes: in. This value is taken as the required
0". ft dia meter of the vessel. D. and the cor-
p,lb/ft l
respondin g cross-sectiona l area. A . is
II. cP
1 micron = 3.28084 x 10-' ft
calculated using this diameter.
T he next step in sizin g a vertical
se parator is to determine the height.

54 • OCTOBER 1993. CHEMICAL ENGINEERING PROGRESS

For a two-phase vertical separator, the
total height can he broken into sec-
tions, as shown in Figure I. The sepa-
rator height is then calculated by
add ing the hei ghts of these sections.
as per Eq. 7.
If a mist c l i m i nat or pad is used,
additional hei ght is added, as
shown in Figure I . The calculations
of diameter and hei ght arc detailed
in the "Desi gn Procedu re s" section
of thi s article .
Hori ro nta! scpa ra tOI'S . For hori-
zo nta l two-pha se se pa ra to rs . the
cross-section is oc cup ied by both
vapor and liquid , as shown in Figure
2. When si/.ing horizontal two-phase
separators . usually a diameter is
assumed, LLL is select ed or calculat-
ed. NLL is set by liquid holdup, and
HLL is set by liquid sur ge. Th e cross-
sectional area bet ween HLL and the
top o f the ves se l is used for va por
disengagement. Th e length of the
vess el is then c a lculated to accom-
modate holdup and sur ge or to facili-
tate vapor liquid se paration. Hence,
this approach to sizing horizontal
separators, or var ia tio ns of it, arc
iterative calculati ons .
The foll owin g wi ll de velop the
basic equation used for calculating the
size of a horizontal se parato r. For a
horizontal sepa rator c ross section. a
" volume balan ce" is written.
Holdup and surge volumes are calcu-
lated from holdup and surge times
which arc selected accordi ng to guide-
line s. The low liquid level are a is a
function of the low liquid level height .
obtained from guidelines, and the ves -
sel inside di am et er . Th e minimum
vapor disengagem ent area , AI/) ' is
typically specified as one to two ft or
20 Ck of the vessel inside diameter,
whichever is g re a ter . The sizing
method in the " Desig n Procedures"
sec tion of this article ass umes this for
A 1'/) and o nly increases it if the length
shown simply by equat ing the "resi-
With Vapor Without dence" times of the liquid droplet to
Mist Eliminator Outlet Mist Elimi nator he settled. That is. the time it takes to
/~ ,.-
travel the horizont al len gth between
inlet and outlet must be greater than
1'-0' the time it takes to settle the vertical
~
~
6'
-
distance 10 the liquid surface.
I, > HI'
( 9)
ll", - VI
Ho
Ho D, This can be rearranged in terms of the
allowable horizontal velocity.
( 10)
d"r-
~
U ,\ /1 :s; ,; I ' U I
Hr Feed
Inlet -I ~N - '-----
The length , L divided by the height of
the va por di sen gagem ent a rea , H I"
HUN would alw ays be g reate r than unit y.
HLL The allo wable hor i zontal velocity is a
- -- very subje cti ve topic with several
Hs 1
empirical approaches to modify the
NLL
- -- vertical "K" value available in the lit-
HH erature (2, 5, 7. 8). For horizontal sep-
HUl
- -LLL- arator desi gn . the subsequent desi gn
procedure s usc a "droplet set rl in g
approach " similar to the API proce -
dure ( ()) whi ch d o e s not require
Liquid empirical modificati on of the "K' val-
Outl et Nozz le
ue for vert ical se ttlers. It should he
• Figure I. Vertical two-phase separator. noted that when calculating VI for a
horizontal separator. a "no mist elimi-
required for vapor-liquid sepa ration is nator K value" should be used.
much greater than the length required
for holdup and surge , for a g iven Design Procedures
diameter. Equation 8 is then a func- The foll owin g de sign procedures
tion o f the inside diameter. D. and and heuristics arc a result of a review
length. L. o f I iicruturc so urc e s and accepted
For horizontal separators. the I iq- industrial design guidelines. Th e hori-
uid droplet to be separated from the zonial desi gn pro cedure incorporates
gas has a horizontal drag force which optimizing the diameter and length by
is not directly opposite to gravity as in minimizing the weight of the shell and
the verti cal case. Without detail ed heads. To add a degree of conser-
treatm ent of two-dimensional particle vatism to the de si gn , the volum e
mot ion , most literature sour ces rccog - available in the hea ds is ignored.
nizc th at the all owable hori zontal Vertical d es ign p ro c edure (Sec
veloci ty ca n he higher than the lenni- Figure I):
nul ve loci ty ( 2, 5. 7). Thi s can be 1. Calculate th e ve rt ic a l termin al
vapor velocity:
11.1
U I =K P I - P \' .ft Is (11)
If a mist eliminator pad (
P II )
is used, additional Set U , = O.75 V r for a conservati ve
de sign. Calcula te the K va lue from
height is added. Table 1_
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING PROGRESS • OCTOBER 1993 • 55
FLUIDS/SOLIDS HANDLING

Nomenclature

A = vertical vesselcross-sect ional 2. Ca lcul a te t he v a por vo lu metri c 3. C alc u la te th e V e sse l ( i ns id e)

Area. fl2 fl ow rate: d ia me ter :
AUL = cross section For LLL (horizontal
vessel),fl1
j1(,
Qv = (3,600) /"'/ (1 2 ) ( 13)
AT = total cross sectional area (PI')' . I .I' D VI!
(horizontal vessel), fl '
A\'0 =vapor disengagement area
required, fl1
ell = drag coefficient
D = vesseldiameter, ft or in. Table 2. Liquid holdup and surge times,
Dp = droplet diameter, fl.
Ds = nozzle diameter, in. (inlet or out Services Holdup Times Surge Time
let vaporlliquid as specified)
D YIl = vapor disengagement diameter, ft
LLL-NLL (NLL-HLLI NLL-HLL INLL-LLLI
min. min.
E = weldedjoint efficiency
F Il =drag force.lb,
Fa = gravity force, Ib, A. Unit Feed Drum 10 5
g :: gravitational constant. 32.17 fl/s'
8.. = 32. 17 (lbmlft)/O b.-s') B. Separators
H Il =disgengagement height, fI . 1. Feedto column 5 3
H II = holdup height. fl 2. Feedto other drumor tankage
HUN = H,.L to inlet nozzle centerline al with pump or through exchanqer 5 2
height. ft bl withoutpump 2 1
HLL = high liquid level
3. Feedto fired heater . 10 3
H LU . =low Liquid Level height, ft
H,,,; =mist eliminator to top tankheight, It
C. Reflux or product accumulator
Hs '" surge height, ft
H; = total vertical separator height, ft 1. Reflux only 3 2
Hy '" vapor disengagementarea height, fl 2. Reflux and product 3+ 2+
K '" terminal velocity constant, ftls • based on reflux (3 rnin.] + appropriate
L '" vessel length, ft holdup time of overhead product
LLL =low liquid level (per B-1, 2,3) .
L. II" :: vapor/liquid separation minimum
length, ft D. Column bottoms
Me :: droplet mass, lb,
1. Feedto another column 5 2
NLL :: normal liquid level
2. Feedto other drumor tankage
P = pressure, psig or psia
Q( :: liquid volumetric flow, fl·'1 min
a)with pumpor throughexchanger 5 2
Q.<I :: mixture volumetric flow, ft'/s, b)withoutpump 2 1
IPflmin 3. Feedto firedboiler 5·8 2-4
Qv '" vaporvolumetric flow. fl9/ s, fl'/min • based on reboilervapor expressed as
S :: vessel material stress value, psi liquid (3 min.) + appropriate
TH =holdup lime, min. holduptimeforthe bottom product
I. :: head thickness. in (per 0·1, 21
I, = shell thickness. in
V Ail '" allowable horizontal velocity, ftls
E. Compressor suction!interstagescrubber
U; '" terminal velocity. ftls
• 3 min between HLL (HIA) and HLSD
V.. '" mixture velocity, ftls
U; :: vapor velocity, ftls • 10 min from bottom tangent lineto HIA
VH =holdup volume. f!'
VU L :: LLL volume, fl' F.Fuel gas knockout drum
V5 '" surge volume. ft' • 20 ft slug inthe incoming fuel gas line
VT '" total volume (horizontal vessel), ft' between NLL and HLSD
W '" vessel weight, lb"
Greek Letters G. Aare knockout drum
• 20 to 3D min. to HLL
I.. = mixture liquid fraction
!Jv '" vapor viscosity, cP
Personnel Factor Instrumentation Factor
PL '" liquid density, (b/fl"
Experienced 1.0 Well instrumented 1.0
P... = mixturedensity, Ib/ft'
P" = vapordensity, Ib/ft' Trained 1.2 Standard instrumented 1.2
¢ :: liquiddropout time, s Inexperienced 1.5 Poorly instrumented 1.5

56 • OCTOBER 1993. CHEMICAL ENGINEERING PROGRESS

If there is a mist eliminator, add 3 to 6 6. If the surge volume is not specified, a. the vessel top tangent line if there is
in. to DVf) to accommodate a support select a surge time from Table 2 and no mist eliminator or
ring and round up to the next 6 in. calculate the surge volume: b. the bottom of the demister pad.
increment to obtain D. If there is no
mist eliminator D = DVI)' v, = (T) (OJ ft· ([6) Hn = 0.5 D; or a minimum of
4. Ca lc ulate the liquid volum etric 7, O bta in lo w liquid le vel height ,
fl ow rate: H LLL , from Table 3. HI) = 36 + 1f2 dN' in. (without mist
8. Calculate the height from low liq- eliminator) (2 0)
_ W I. .3 .
Q L - (60) (p I.) .ft /m in ([ 4) uid level to normal liquid level:
HI) = 24 + 1f2 d". inches (with mist
H = VH tt ( 17) eliminator)
5. Selec t holdu p time from Table 2 H (n / 4) D~! '.J'
and calculate the holdup volume: 12. If there is a mist eliminator. take 6
i ft minimum in. for the mist eliminator pad and take
v, = (T,,) (Q,) It' (15) 9. Calculate the height from norm al I fl. from the top of the mist eliminator
liquid level to high liqu id level (or to the top tangent line of the vessel.
high level alarm): 13. Calcul ate the total height. HI' of
the vessel:
Table 3. Low liquid V .~
level height. Hs = 2 ,j .t ( 10)
. 0

(n /4) D \I H r = HILL + H" + H I' + HUN+

Vessel Vertical Horizontal
H[J + HII/o' ft (2 1)
diameter LLL LLL
6 in minimum
10. Calculate the height from high liq- where H ,II/; is the height from step 12;
< 300 psia > 300 psia uid level to the centerline of the inlet if there is no mist eliminator H .\W = O.
nozzle: Horizont al design proced ure (See
S4ft 15 in. 6 in. 9 in. Figure 2).
6ft 15 in. 6 in. 10 in. HUN= 12 + d.\" in. (with inlet diverter) 1. Calculate the vapo r volumetric
8ft 15in. 6 in. 11 in. flow rate, Q\, using Eq. 12.
10 ft 6 in. 6 in. 12 in.
12ft 6 in. 6 in. 13 in.
HUN = 12 + 1f2 d.\" in. (without inlet 2. Calcu late the liqu id volumetric
16 ft 6 in. 6 in. 15 in.
div crter ) ([ 9) flow rate, QI.' using Eq. 14.
3. Calcu late the vertical termin al
Note: d" is calculated as per Table 4. vapor velocity. U'; using Eq. 13. ( K
11. Calcula te th e disengage men t va lue as per T abl e I for no mi st
a e 4. n et nozz e srzmq. height, from the centerline of the inlet eliminator). Set VI' = 0.75 V I for a
nozzle to: con servative desi gn.

T!~
v D S HLL
NLL
I ~ A H
~ All LLL

/ ~
Feed Inlet

fi-
· ~H!:.l _ - J~v - - =-~~. ~"-~
VaporDutlet

Table 5. LID ratio guidelines.

Vessel Operating
Pressure (psig)

0<PS250
250 < Ps 500
IJD

1.5-3.0
3.0-4.0
• Fig ure 2.
E
Hor izontal two-phase
o
-,
_N.!-L

----1---------
LLl
Hl l
M~. ~2·~ _ _ ±surge
Holdup

separator.
500<P P>500 4.0-6.0

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING PROGRESS • OCTOBER 1993 • 57

F L U I D S / S OLIDS HA N D LI N G

Table 7. Wall thickness, surface area and

approximate vessel height.
Wall Thickness Surface Area
(in.] (ft')
hX4
HID to AlAr Shell PD !tDL
y= AlAr 2SE-I.2P + t•.
X= HID
a =4.755930E-5 2:1 Elliptical Heads PD 1.09lJ2
b = 3.924091 2SE.....O.2P + I,
c =0.174875
d = -6.358805 Hemispherical Heads PD 1.571lJ2
e = 5.668973 4SE-o.4P + t,
f = 4.018448
g= 4.916411
Dished Heads 0.842lJ2
h =-1.801705 O.885PD +1
i = -0.145348 SE-o.IP c

AlA,to HID Appropriate Vessel Height

y= HID
X=AlA r Notes:
a = 0.00153756
b =26.787101 P,design pressure, psig(typically, operating pressure + (15-30) psi or 10-15%, whichevergreater
c =3.299201 Temperature
d = - 22.923932 T,design pressure, OF (typically, operating pressure +25-50°F if TO
ft > 200°F. if T.,. < 200°F, 250°F
e = 24.35351 8 • under650°Fdoesnot reduce wall thickness
f = -14.844824
g = - 36.999376
• if overpressure caused by boiling, should be Tap
Temperature
h =10.529572
i = 9.892851 D, diameter, in.
S, allowablestress, psi (Reference 91
E, joint eHiciency, (0.6-1.0), 0.85 for spot examined joints, 1.0for 100% x-ray joints
4. Select a holdup time from Tabl e t" corrosion allowance, in,typically 0 to q in.
2 and calculate the holdu p volum e, t. in.,larger of t. and tH (to nearestq in.]
VII' using Eq. IS.
5. If the surge volume is not speci-
fi ed, select the surge time from Table 8. Us ing H u./D, obt ain AII./A) 12. Ca lc u la te th e ac t ua l va po r
2 and calculate the surge volume, V,. using Tab le 6 and calculate the low velocity, V I •..\ :
using Eq. 16. liquid area. A u l '
6. Obtain an estimate of UD from 9. If there is no mist eliminator pad, o, " /'/Is
u =A
V.\
(27)
T abl e 5 a nd initi all y calc ulate th e the minimum height of the vapor disen- v
diameter acco rding to: gagement area (A I) is the larger of O.2D 13. Calculate the minimum length
or I fl. If there is a mist eliminator pad, required for vapor-liqu id dis engage-
_ / + \.\/ ) )11.1 .
4 (\/1 (22) the minimum height of the vapor disen- ment, L HI S :
D- ( (lr) (O .6)(U D) ,.II gagement area is the larger of O.2D or 2
fl. Hence. set HI ' to the larger of O.2D or (2 X)
(Round to nearest 0.5 ft.) 2 ft ( 1 n if there is no mist eliminator).
Calculate the total cross-sectional area Using H //). obtain A/A } using Table 6 14. If L < L II IN , then set L = L Ilis '
_ Tr 2 and calculate AI ' (Vapor/l iquid sepa ration is co ntrol -
A I - 4D (23) 10. Calculate the minimum length to ling ). T his s imply resu lts in so me
accommodate the liquid holdup/surge: e x tra holdup . If L IllY » L . then
Calc ulate the low liquid level height, increase /-II' and repeat from the step
Hul' using Ta ble 3 or 9. If L > L HIS ' the desig n is accep table
for va por/liquid separat ion. If l . »
H, li = O.S/) + 7, ill . (24 ) L I II., ,, (Liquid holdu p is controlling), L
I I. Calculate the liquid dropout time, ca n on ly be d ec reas ed a nd L All i\'
increased if H I' is decreased. H I' may
wh e re [) in I'l and ro und up to the A,
'Il = HI'
I I ' S
LJ v
( 26) only be dec reased if it is greater than
neares t in.. if D ~ 4'0" , H U I = 9 in. the minimum spec ified in the step 9.

58 • OCTOBER 1993· CHEMICAL ENGINEERING PROGRESS

 Qv = 145,6001blh = 10.09 fi'l s
( 3,600l. )(4.0 1-'&)
h, .Ii'
.
Table 8. Conditions for
the horizontal separator • Equation A.
(See Example calculation).
MassRow(lb/h) p (IbM)

Vapor Wy= 145,600 py= 4.01

Uquid WL =46,100 p[ = 38.83
• Equation IJ.

Table 9. Selection of
head types.
• Equation C.
1. 2:1 ellipticalheads aretypicallyused

(
when D < 15 hand P> 100 psig. l /i
2. Hemispherical heads aretypicallyused
when D> 15 ft regardless of P.
3. Dished heads with knuckle radius =0.6D
Bre typicallyused when D< 15 ft and
P< 100 psig.
D =
4(1 97.90+98.95)

• Equation D.
7[(0.6)(5.0)
l .
= 5.01 [tls,
.
usc 5.0./t

Notes:
P= design pressure _ VH+~' _ 197.90+98.95 ? . . ( .
0= drum diemeter
L - AI _ A - A ' L - 19.63 _ 7.34 _ 2.16' _9.3, say 29.5.1t
v U L

(Calcul ati ons would h a vc to b e
repeated from the step 9 with reduced
H v)' Calculate VD . If VD > 6.0 then
increa se D and repe al ca lc ulatio ns
from the step 6 . If V D < 1.5, then
decrea se J) and rep eat calc ulations
from the step 6.
15. Calc ulate the thickness of the
shell and head s acco rding to Table 7.
16. Calculate the surface area of the
shell and heads accordin g to Ta ble 7.
17. Calculate the approximate ves-
sel weight according to Table 7.
18. In cre a se a nd d ec re ase the
d iam et er by 6 in. inc re me nts and
repeat the calc ulations until VD has
ranged from 1.5 to 6.0.
19. With the optimum vessel size
(minimum weight), calculate normal
and high liquid levels:
A\,[,[ = A u l . + \//L
• Equation E.
2.0 Ii 690
¢ = 0.29 [tls =. s
• Equation F.
4. Calculat e the holdup volume:
\/ " = (10 min .) (19.79 ft /min.) =
Size a horizontal 197.90 ft '
'
5. Calculate the surge volume:
separator with a mist \/\=(5 min.) ( 19.79 Inmin.) =98.95 ft-'
6. Assume VD = 5.0. Initially set
eliminator pad. the diameter (Eq. D)
A , = rr/4 (S.O lW = 19.63 It'.
separate the following mixture . The 7. Calculate low liquid height:
operating pressure is 975 psig and the H,u = (0.5)(5.0) +7 = 9.5 in., usc lOin .
holdup and surge are to he 10 min and 8. Calcul ate the low liqu id level
S min respecti vely. Usc a design tem- area:
perature of 650°F. Sec Table X. H,jD = D.1 67
I. Calcul ate the vapor volumetric Using Tabl e 6, A,,/AT = 0. 110
(29 ) flow rate (Eq. A). A IL! = (0. 110) ( 19.63 ft ~ ) = 2.16 IF

2. Calcul ate the liquid volumetric 9. Set H I' = 2 It, H /D = 2/5 =0.4
With A v ,,1A, obtain H \U from Tabl e 6 fl ow rate (Eq. B). From Tabl e 6, A/A, = 0.374
3. Cal cul ate the vert ical terminal A I' = (0.373)( 19.(3 ) = 7.34 IF
(30) velocity (Eq. C): K = 0.13 (GPSA val- 10. Calculat e the length to accom-
ue di vid ed by two since " no mist modate holdup /surge (Eq. E).
Example: Size a horizontal sepa- eliminator" value is used ) II. Calcu late the liqu id dropout
rater wi th a mist el iminator pad to V I' = O.75U, = 0.29 ft/s time (Eq. F).

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING PROGRESS • OCTOBER 1993 • 59

FLUIDS/SOLIDS HANDLING

12. Calculate the a ctual va po r

ve loc ity (Eq. G ).
10.09.fi'ls
13. Calculat e L \ II ,V (1.37 u..,.\ = 1.37 [tls
ft/s)(6.90 s) = 9.45 ft 7.34.fi2
14. L » L'd/V but /-I v is minimum
and cannot be reduced so L cannot be • Equation G.
red uced .
UD= 29 .5/5 .0 = 5.9
15. Calculate the thi ckness of the
she ll and heads acc ordin g to Table 7:
t - (l,072)(60 ) L - '1 1')') .
• Tabl e 9, use 2: I e lliptica l heads , - 2( 17,500)(0.85)- ( 1.2)( 1.072) + 16 -.:.. .. __ 111
• Assume E = O.~5
• Assume SA 516 70 Carbon Steel,
Design Temp. = 65(rF
• Equation H.
• From ( 9), S = 17,500 psi
• Ass ume c orrosion allowance =
YII, in.
• P = 9 75 x 1.1 = I.on ps ig (See
Eq. H ). t- (I()~2)(60) 1-'1')40 '
use I, = 2-·% in. (See Eq . I) u>: 2 (17500)(().~5) - (0.2)( 1(72) + 16 - .:.. .- 111.
use III = 2-Y, in., and usc I = 2-'% in.
16. Calc ula te the surface area of the
shell and heads accordin g to Tabl e 7: • Equation J.
A~ = ]"(5.0 ft) (29.5 ft) = 463 .38 ft"
and
All = ( l. 09) (5.0 ft)" = 27 .25 IF
17. Calculate the upprox imatc vessel
weight (Eq. J): = 50,224 lb .
w II )(2.375 in)(463.38
490 ~ Ii" + (2)(27.25)
18. Try [) = 5.5 ft and repeat ca lc ula-
tio ns until minimum we ight o f she ll
( [t (12
inlft )
and heads is obtai ned. mil
• Equation ./.
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Facilities Engineering, Facilities/ University of Calgary. Calgary. Alberta. Canada

Literature Cited
I. Sauders M.• and G.G. Brown, Ind. Eng.
Chcm.. 2ti( l ), p. 98 (1934).
2. Gas Processors Suppliers Association,
.. ngineering Data Book," 10th edition,
Vol. I. Chapter 7 ( 1(87).
3.0110 H. York Company Inc., "Mist
Elimination in Gas Treatme-nt Plants and
Refineries," Engineering, Parsippany. NJ.
4. Perry, Robert H. and Cecil H. Chilton.
cds., "Chemical Engineers' Handbook,"
Sth edition, Chapter 2. p. 2-6 (1973).
5. Carpentier, P,L.. "Important Parameters
For Cost Effectil'e Separator Design,"
Shell Oil Company-Head Office
Chemical Engineering Conference (I (88).
6. American Petroleum Institute,
Recommended Practice 521 (1982).
7. Watkins, R.N., "Sizing Separators and
Accumulators," Hvdrocarbon
Processing, 46( 11), p. 253-256 (1967).
8. Gerunda, Arthur, "How To Size Liquid
Vapor Separators:' Chem . Eng., p. 81-84
(1981).
9. ASME Pressure Vessel Code, Section
VIlI . Division I, Table UCS-2J , p. 270·
21771 (1986).
W. Y. SVRCEK is a professor in the department
of chemicaland petroleum engineering at the
{403/220·5751; Fax: 403/282-3945; E-mail: svrcek
@ acs.ucalgary. cal. Or. Svrcek previously
worked as a senior systems engineer in the
controlsystems groupof Monsanto Company,
SI. Louis. MO. Upon leaving Monsanto. he
joinedthe University ofWestern Ontario. He
received his SSc and PhD degrees in chemical
engineering from the University of Alberta,
Edmonton.
W. MONNERY is a PhD candidate atthe
University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta.
Canada (403/220-5751; Fax: 403/282·3945; E-
mail: monnarv @ acs.ucalgary. cal. He is
researching the predictionof physical proper-
ties. He previously workedas a process engi-
neer for Colt Engineering Corp. and lava lin
Inc. Mr. Monnery received his SSc and MSc
degrees in chemical engineeringfrom the
University of Calgary.

60 • OCTOBER 1993. CHEMICAL ENGINEERING PROGRESS