SEPTEMBER2015PRODUCTION&PROCESSINGFACILITIESTIPOFTHEMONTH

Gas-Liquid Separators Sizing Parameter

In the December 2014 tip of the month (TOTM) [1], we discussed troubleshooting of gasliquid separators for removal of liquids from the gas stream leaving the separator. There are two
methods for sizing gas-liquid separators: 1. Droplet settling theory method, 2. Souders-Brown
approach. Historically the Souders-Brown equation has been employed as it can provide
reasonable results and is easy to use, but has shortcomings in terms of quantifying separator
performance. References [2-4] provide the details on the droplet settling theory methods which
can be used to more accurately quantify separator performance. The Souders-Brown method is
limited in that it is based on the average droplet size, but cannot quantify the amount of liquid
droplets exiting the gas gravity section.
In this TOTM, we will focus on the application of Souders-Brown approach in gas-liquid
separators and present diagram, simple correlations and tables to estimate the Souders-Brown
equation constant, KS (the so called sizing parameter). We will consider both vertical and
horizontal gas-liquid separators. Knowing the actual gas flow rate through the vessel, one can use
KS parameter to determine the maximum allowable gas velocity through the vessel and determine
the required separator diameter. One can also use the appropriate value of KS to size the mist
extractor in the vessel. The performance of a gas-liquid separator is highly dependent on the value
of KS; therefore, the choice of appropriate KS values is important.
Gas Gravity Separation Section
The gas gravity separation section of a separator has two main functions:
1. Reduction of entrained liquid load not removed by the inlet device
2. Improvement / straightening of the gas velocity profile.
Most mist extractors have limitations on the amount of entrained liquid droplets that can be
efficiently removed from the gas, thus the importance of the gas gravity section to remove the
liquids to an acceptable level upstream of the mist extractor. This is particularly important for
separators handling higher liquid loads. For scrubber applications with low liquid loadings, the
KS values will be primarily dependent on the mist extractor type, and the gas gravity separation
1

2015 PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved.

SEPTEMBER2015PRODUCTION&PROCESSINGFACILITIESTIPOFTHEMONTH

section becomes less important. For the higher liquid load applications, i.e. conventional
separators, there are two approaches for sizing the gravity separation section to remove liquid
droplets from the gas:
1. The Souders-Brown approach (Ks Method)
2. Droplet settling theory
The Souders-Brown Approach
If we consider a spherical liquid droplet with a diameter of DP in the gas phase two forces as
shown in Figure 1 act on it. The drag force, FD, is exerted by flow of gas and gravity force, FG, is
exerted by the weight of droplet. The drag force acts to entrain the liquid droplet while the gravity
force acts to pull it down and separating it from the gas phase.

Figure 1. Schematic of the forces acting on a liquid droplet in the gas phase [5]
Assuming plug flow with no eddies or disturbances, a single droplet and ignoring the end
effect, at equilibrium (free fall or terminal velocity), these two forces are equal.
FD FG

(1)

As presented in the Appendix, substitution of expressions for the drag and gravity forces
in Equation 1, the maximum allowable gas velocity, VGmax, which prevents entrainment of liquid
is obtained.
2

2015 PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved.

SEPTEMBER2015PRODUCTION&PROCESSINGFACILITIESTIPOFTHEMONTH

G
VGmax K S L

(2)

Equation 2 is called Souders-Brown [6] equation and KS is referred to as the design or sizing
parameter. The terms G and L are the gas phase and liquid phase densities, respectively.
Once the maximum gas velocity, VGmax, through the vessel is determined by Equation 2, one
can calculate the minimum vessel diameter, Dmin by Equation 3.

Dmin (4 / )qa / ( FGVG max )

(3)

Where:

FG

= Fraction of cross section area available for gas flow (FG = 1 for vertical
separators and is a function of liquid height for horizontal separators)

qa

= Gas flow rate at the actual flowing condition

The Design Parameter, KS

The design parameter, KS, in the Souders-Brown equation is an empirical parameter and is a
key factor for the sizing the gas-liquid separators vessel diameter as well as for determination of
the mist extractor diameter. Its value depends on several factors including:

Pressure

Fluid properties (note temperature has a large impact on fluid properties)

Separator geometry
o Vessel length and the liquid level (for horizontal separators)

Steadiness of flow

Inlet device design and performance

Relative amounts of gas and liquid

Most importantly mist extractor type and design (e.g. mesh pad, vane pack, multi
cyclone)

There are several sources that one can look up the KS values for different applications. In the
following sections, we will discuss three sources.
3

2015 PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved.

SEPTEMBER2015PRODUCTION&PROCESSINGFACILITIESTIPOFTHEMONTH

A. API 12 J
The API 12J [7] recommends ranges of KS values for vertical and horizontal gas-liquid
separators. These values are presented in Table 1. The equivalent of API 12J for the North Sea
region is NORSOK P-100.
Table 1. API 12 J recommended range of KS values for vertical and horizontal separators [7]
Type

Height or Length, ft (m)

Typical KS range, ft/sec

Typical KS range, m/s

5 (1.52)

0.12 to 0.24

0.037 0.073

10 (3.05)

0.18 to 0.35

0.055 0.107

10 (3.05)

0.40 to 0.50

0.122 to 0.152

Other Lengths

0.40 to 0.50 (L/10)0.56

0.122 to 0.152 (L/3.05)0.56

Vertical
Horizontal

Per API 12J, the maximum allowable superficial velocity, calculated form the above factors, is
for separators normally having a wire mesh mist extractor. This rate should allow all liquid droplets
larger than 10 microns to settle out of the gas. The maximum allowable superficial velocity or
other design criteria should be considered for other type mist extractor. Mist extractor
manufacturer's recommended minimum distances upstream and downstream of the wire mesh
between gas inlet and outlet nozzles should be provided for full utilization of the mist extractor.
These values assume separators are equipped with standard mesh pad mist extractors [7].
B. Campbell Book
The Ks method, Equation 2, is an empirical approach to estimate the maximum allowable gas
velocity to achieve a desired droplet separation. For vertical separators with no mist extractor
devices, Chap 11, Vol 2 of the Gas Conditioning and Processing book presents KS as a function of
pressure and liquid droplet size [5]. This dependency of KS on pressure and droplet size is presented
in Figure 2 [5]. Note for each droplet size a range of KS values are given for a specified pressure.
For horizontal separators, the sizing depends on (in addition to the droplet size, density of gas
and liquid phases, and gas velocity) separator effective length, Le, and the depth available for gas
flow, hG, (i.e. liquid level) in the separators.
4

2015 PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved.

SEPTEMBER2015PRODUCTION&PROCESSINGFACILITIESTIPOFTHEMONTH

Figure 2. KS as a function of pressure and liquid droplet size for vertical separators with no mist
extractor devices [5]
Sizing of the horizontal separators are more complicated. Referring to Figure 3, the effective

Le may be defined in terms of separator actual length and diameter like Le=L-D. Therefore, the
Souders-Brown parameter for horizontal separators, KSH, can be estimated in by Equation 4 in
terms of KSV (read from Figure 2) for vertical separator [3].
L / D

K SH K SV ( Le / hg ) or K SH K SV e
hg / D

(4)

If the calculated value of KSH by Equation 4 is greater than the maximum value of 0.7 ft/sec (0.21
m/s), it should be set equal to this maximum value.

2015 PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved.

SEPTEMBER2015PRODUCTION&PROCESSINGFACILITIESTIPOFTHEMONTH

Figure 3. Schematic of a horizontal gas-liquid separator [5]

The horizontal separator sizing is a trial-and-error procedure. Normally, the Le/D and hg/D (or

hL/D) are assumed and KSH, Vgmax, D are calculated by Equations 4, 2, and 3, respectively. The
effective length and actual lengths are calculated by Equation 5.
Le

4tqL
D 2 FL

= Diameter

FL

= Fraction of cross section area occupied by liquid (function of liquid height in

and L Le D

(5)

Where:

horizontal separator)
qL

= Liquid actual volume flow rate

= Residence time per API 12J [7]

If the calculated L/D is outside of its recommended range (normally 3 < L/D < 6), the liquid height
in the vessel is changed and the calculations are repeated. For detail of calculations procedure refer
to chapter 11 of reference [5].

2015 PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved.

SEPTEMBER2015PRODUCTION&PROCESSINGFACILITIESTIPOFTHEMONTH

C. KS Correlations
The curves for different droplet sizes shown in Figure 2 are fitted to a 3rd order polynomial (for
droplet sizes of 100, 150, and 300 microns). The correlation is in the form of Equation 6 and its
regressed coefficients a, b, c, and d are presented in Tables 2A and 2B for field (FPS) and System
International (SI) units, respectively.

K S a bP cP 2 dP 3

(6)

In Table 2, each droplet size in micron () is preceded by letter L or U representing the lower and
upper curve, respectively. The pressure is in psi and KS is in ft/sec for FPS (kPa and m/s in SI).
The last row of Table 2 provides the average absolute percent deviation (AAPD) of the predicted

KS by the proposed correlation from the corresponding values of Figure 2 values.

Table 2A (FPS). Regressed coefficients for Equation 6 (P in psi and KS in ft/sec)
Droplet Size: 100 300 microns
Coefficient
a
b
c
d
AAPD

L 100
0.044882
7.24E-05
-5.5E-08
1.58E-11
0.36

Droplet size, micron

U 100
L 150
U 150
0.051678 0.072564 0.078829
8.13E-05 0.000117 0.000141
-7E-08
-9.4E-08 -1.2E-07
2.15E-11 2.74E-11 3.61E-11
0.41
0.49
0.31

L 300
0.161458
0.00024
-1.8E-07
4.82E-11
0.29

U 300
0.18108
0.000273
-2.1E-07
5.79E-11
0.24

Table 2B (SI). Regressed coefficients for Equation 6 (P in kPa and KS in m/s in SI).
Droplet Size: 100 300 microns
Coefficient
a
b
c
d
AAPD

L 100
0.0137
3.18E-06
-3.5E-10
1.45E-14
0.36

U 100
0.015799
3.57E-06
-4.5E-10
2.01E-14
0.40

Droplet size, micron

L 150
U 150
0.022096 0.024005
5.19E-06
6.2E-06
-6E-10
-7.6E-10
2.53E-14 3.32E-14
0.49
0.32

L 300
0.049173
1.06E-05
-1.1E-09
4.54E-14
0.30

U 300
0.055196
1.21E-05
-1.4E-09
5.41E-14
0.24

2015 PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved.

SEPTEMBER2015PRODUCTION&PROCESSINGFACILITIESTIPOFTHEMONTH

The two curves for 500 micron droplet size in Figure 2 were divided into 4 and 2 segments
based on pressure range for the lower and upper curves, respectively. Each segment was fitted to
a linear equation in the form of Equation 7 and its regressed coefficients e and f are presented in
Tables 3A and 3B for FPS and SI units, respectively.
K S e fP

(7)

Table 3A (FPS). Regressed coefficients for Equation 7 (P in psi and KS in ft/sec)

Droplet Size: 500 microns
Segment
Number
1
2
3
4
Segment
Number
1
2

Pressure Range, psi

Low
High
100
200
200
300
300
400
400
1500
Pressure Range, psi
Low
High
100
200
200

1500

e
0.27812
0.30911
0.380839
0.402

L 500
f
0.000442
0.000289
5.21E-05

e
0.323248

0.00E+00
U 500
f
0.000384

0.402

AAPD
0.02

AAPD
0.00

Table 3B (SI). Regressed coefficients for Equation 7 (P in kPa and KS in m/s in SI).
Droplet Size: 500 microns
Segment
Number
1
2
3

Pressure Range, kPa

Low
High
690
1380
1380
2070
2070
2760

2760
10345
Pressure Range, kPa
Low
High
690
1393

Segment
Number
1
2

1393

10345

e
0.084863
0.094220
0.116152
0.1225

L 500
f
1.95E-05
1.28E-05
2.26E-06

e
0.098577

0.00E+00
U 500
f
1.69E-05

0.1225

AAPD
0.02

AAPD
0.03

2015 PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved.

SEPTEMBER2015PRODUCTION&PROCESSINGFACILITIESTIPOFTHEMONTH

D. Mist Extractors
The mist extractor is the final gas cleaning device in a conventional separator. The selection,
and design to a large degree, determine the amount of liquid carryover remaining in the gas phase.
The most common types include wire mesh pads (mesh pads), vane-type (vane packs) and
axial flow demisting cyclones. Figure 4 shows the location and function of a typical mist extractor
in a vertical separator.
Mist extractor capacity is defined by the gas velocity at which re-entrainment of the liquid
collected in the device becomes appreciable. This is typically characterized by a KS value, as
shown in Equation 2. Mesh pads are the most common type of mist extractors used in vertical
separator applications. The primary separation mechanism is liquid impingement onto the wires,
followed by coalescence into droplets large enough to disengage from the mesh pad. References
[1-5] provide mesh pad examples. Table 4 provides a summary of mesh pad characteristics and
performance parameters.

Figure 4. Typical mist extractor in a vertical separator [5]

2015 PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved.

SEPTEMBER2015PRODUCTION&PROCESSINGFACILITIESTIPOFTHEMONTH

Table 4. Mesh pads KS and performance parameters [3, 5, 8]

KS, m/s,
(ft/sec)

Separable droplet size,

90% removal, microns

Liquid Load Before Capacity

Deteriorates, L/min/m2 (gal/min/ft2)

Standard mesh
pad

0.107 (0.35)

31.5 (0.75)

High capacity
mesh pad

0.12 (0.4)

8 10

63 (1.5)

High efficiency
co-knit mesh pad

0.07 (0.22)

23

21 (0.5)

Description

Notes:
1) Flow direction is vertical (upflow).
2) Assume mesh pad KS value decline with pressure as shown in Table 5. Table 5 was
originally developed for mesh pads, but is used as an approximation for other mist extractor
types. [9].
3) If liquid loads reaching the mesh pad exceed the values given in Table 4, assume capacity
(KS) decreases by 10% per 42 L/min/m2 (1 gal/min/ft2). [2-4].
4) These parameters are approximate.
Table 5. Mesh pad KS deration factors as a function of pressure [5]

10

KS factor,

Pressure,
kPaa

Pressure,
psia

% of design value

100

14.7

100

500

73

94

1 000

145

90

2 000

290

85

4 000

580

80

8 000

1 160

75

2015 PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved.

SEPTEMBER2015PRODUCTION&PROCESSINGFACILITIESTIPOFTHEMONTH

Vane packs, like mesh pads, capture droplets primarily by inertial impaction. The vane bend
angles force the gas to change direction while the higher density liquid droplets tend to travel in a
straight-line path, and impact the surface of the vane where they are collected and removed from
the gas flow. Table 6 provides vane pack performance characteristics [3, 5, 8].
In the case of demisting cyclones, the vendor should be consulted in regards to performance
for the current operations of interest.
Table 6. Typical vane-pack characteristics [3, 5, 8]
Vane Type

Flow
Direction

KS, m/s
(ft/s)

Droplet Removal
Liquid Load Before Capacity
Efficiency
Deteriorates, L/min/m2 (gal/min/ft2)

Simple Vane

Upflow

0.15 (0.5)

90+% > 20 microns

84 (2)

Simple Vane

Horizontal

0.20 (0.65)

90+% > 20 microns

84 (2)

High Capacity
Vane

Upflow

0.25 0.35

95+% > 10 microns

210 (5)

High Capacity
Vane

Horizontal

95+% > 10 microns

210 (5)

(0.82 1.15)
0.3 0.35
(1.0 1.15)

Notes:
1. Assume vane-pack KS value decline with pressure as shown in Table 5.
2. If liquid loads reaching the vane pack exceed the values given in Table 2, assume capacity

KS decreases by 10% per 42 L/min/m2 (1 gal/min/ft2). [2-4].

3. These parameters are approximate only. The vane-pack manufacturer should be contacted
for specific information.
Conclusions:
We focused on the application of Souders-Brown Approach (SBA) in gas-liquid separators
and presented diagram, simple correlations and tables to estimate the SBA design parameter, KS.

The SBA can provide reasonable results and is easy to use.

11

2015 PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved.

SEPTEMBER2015PRODUCTION&PROCESSINGFACILITIESTIPOFTHEMONTH

The SBA is limited in that it is based on the average droplet size, but cannot quantify the
amount of liquid droplets exiting the gas gravity section and mist extractor section.

In a future TOTM we will discuss the droplet settling theory methods which can be used
to more accurately quantify separator performance.

Sizing of three-phase gas-liquid hydrocarbon-liquid water separators are more complicated

and will be discussed in another TOTM.

To learn more about similar cases and how to minimize operational problems, we suggest
attending our PF49 (Troubleshooting Oil and Gas Facilities), PF42 (Separation Equipment
Selection and Sizing), G4 (Gas Conditioning and Processing), G5 (Gas Conditioning and
Processing - Special), and PF4 (Oil Production and Processing Facilities), courses.

PetroSkills offers consulting expertise on this subject and many others. For more information
about these services, visit our website at http://petroskills.com/consulting, or email us at
[email protected].

Dr. Mahmood Moshfeghian

References:
1. SnowMcGregor, K., http://www.jmcampbell.com/tip-of-themonth/2014/12/troubleshooting-gas-liquid-separators-removal-of-liquids-from-the-gas/
2. Bothamley, M., Gas-Liquid Separators Quantifying Separation Performance Part 1,

SPE Oil and Gas Facilities, pp. 22 29, Aug. 2013.

3. Bothamley, M., Gas-Liquid Separators Quantifying Separation Performance Part 2,

SPE Oil and Gas Facilities, pp. 35 47, Oct. 2013.

4. Bothamley, M., Gas-Liquid Separators Quantifying Separation Performance Part 3,

SPE Oil and Gas Facilities, pp. 34 47, Dec. 2013.

12

2015 PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved.

SEPTEMBER2015PRODUCTION&PROCESSINGFACILITIESTIPOFTHEMONTH

5. Campbell, J.M., Gas Conditioning and Processing, Volume 2: The Equipment Modules,
9th Edition, 2nd Printing, Editors Hubbard, R. and SnowMcGregor, K., Campbell
Petroleum Series, Norman, Oklahoma, 2014.
6. Souders, M. and Brown, G. G., Design of Fractionating Columns-Entrainment and
Capacity, Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, Volume 26, Issue 1, p 98-103, 1934.
7. American Petroleum Institute, 12J, Specification for Oil and Gas Separators, 8th Edition,
October, 2008.
8. PF-49, Troubleshooting Oil and Gas Processing Facilities, Bothamley, M., 2014,
PetroSkills, LLC. All Rights reserved.
9. Fabian, P., Cusack, R., Hennessey, P., Neuman, M., Demystifying the Selection of Mist
Eliminators, Part 1: The Basics, Chem Eng 11 (11), pp. 148 156, 1993.

13

2015 PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved.

SEPTEMBER2015PRODUCTION&PROCESSINGFACILITIESTIPOFTHEMONTH

Appendix
Derivation of the Souders-Brown and Stokes Law Equations
If we consider a spherical liquid droplet with a diameter of, DP, in the gas phase two forces as
shown in Figure 1 act on it. The drag force, FD, is exerted by flow of gas and gravity force, FG, is
exerted by weight of droplet. The drag force acts to entrain the liquid droplet while the gravity
force acts to pull it down.

Figure 1. Schematic of the forces acting on a liquid droplet in the gas phase [5]
At equilibrium, these two forces are equal.

FD FG

(1)

The drag force is expressed as:

FD CD AP L 2 / (2 gC )

(2)

The droplet projected area, AP, is defined by:

A P ( / 4) DP2

(2A)

The gravity force, FG, is defined

FG ( L G ) VP g/ gC

(3)

The volume of spherical droplet, VD, is calculated by

14

2015 PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved.

SEPTEMBER2015PRODUCTION&PROCESSINGFACILITIESTIPOFTHEMONTH

VP ( / 6) DP3

(3A)

Substitution of Equations 3 and 4 into Equation 1 and solving for the gas maximum velocity,

4 gDP L G
VGmax

3CD G

(4)

For practical applications, the first term on the right hand side is replaced by KS

4 gDP
KS

3CD

(5)

Therefore, the maximum gas velocity which prevents entrainment of liquid is obtained.

G
VGmax K S L

(6)

Equation 6 is called Souder-Brown equation and KS is referred to as the design parameter.

Where:

AP

= Project area of droplet

CD

= Drag coefficient

= Acceleration of gravity

gC

= Conversion factor

= Gas velocity

VP

= Volume of droplet

= Gas density

= Liquid density

Once the maximum, VGmax, gas velocity through the vessel is determined by Equation 6, one
can calculate the required minimum cross sectional area of vessel for gas flow by the following
equation.
2
AGmin ( / 4) D min
(FG ) q a / VGmax

(7)

Solving for the minimum vessel diameter, Dmin.

15

2015 PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved.

SEPTEMBER2015PRODUCTION&PROCESSINGFACILITIESTIPOFTHEMONTH

Dmin (4 / ) q a / (FG VGmax )

(8)

Where:

FG

= Fraction of cross sectional area available for gas flow (FG = 1 for vertical
separators and it is a function of liquid height for horizontal separators)

qa

= Gas flow rate at the actual flowing condition

The drag coefficient, CD, is a function of Reynolds number, Re=(DPVG)/G. For Stokes law

Re

CD 24 / Re

24G
DPV G

for Re 2

(9)

Substitution of CD from Equation 9 into Equation 4 gives liquid droplet terminal velocity, VT, in
the gas phase based on the Stokes law.

VT

gDP2 ( L G )
18G

(10)

Similarly, the terminal velocity for the other flow regimes like Intermediate and Newton can
be derived based on their corresponding expressions for the drag coefficients [3].

16

2015 PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved.