Análise e desenvolvimento de um dispositivo para prevenção de entupimento em hidrociclones

Abstract

The clogging of hydrocyclones that are part of the solids control system in the oil industry is a recurrent operational problem. This occurs, mainly, due to the agglomeration of fine solids in the underflow duct and also due to the incidence of particles with a higher size range than those specified for the equipment. Another common issue, which results in a poor performance, is the formation of an air core in the low­pressure zone of the separator. In this study, an innovative device, attached to the underflow output of the hydrocyclone, was developed in order to minimize those problems. Named UCD (Unclog Conical Device), the device intends to mechanically adjust the apex area, in a fast and accurate manner, and thus create oscillations in inlet pressure and flows, constituting a safety system to prevent and remedy clogging and air core formation. To achieve such objectives, tests were conducted to comprehend the clogging process, through which were found conditions which the device was able not only to prevent cloggings but also increase the concentration capacity of the separator of 2,5 to 11,2, while acting in what was labeled “pre­clogging situation”. In parallel, numerical simulations were also conducted, proving a tendency of air core suppression due to the presence of the UCD in the studied conditions.