Aker Solutions perforated baffles are essential in achieving laminar flow through of the vessel during liquid-liquid separation.
Typical applications:
- Downstream of a separator inlet device to contain the turbulence associated with the fluids entering the vessel
- On the inlet to a coalescing platepack to achieve uniform flow into the unit (necessary for correct performance of the platepack)
- In the gravity separation section of separators to reduce channelling, recirculation and stagnation effects
- In separators installed on moving structures (FPSOs) to damp bulk liquid movements in the separator
- On the outlet of demisting devices (example vane pack demisters) to achieve uniform flow through the devices
- In troubleshooting or debottlenecking studies the use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is used to determine the porosity required to correct mal-distribution of flow in a separator. If necessary the porosity across a baffle plate can be varied to achieve the necessary flow pattern
Efficient separator and scrubber operation requires satisfactory control of fluids through the unit. This is achieved with the use of perforated distributor baffles.
Perforated distributor baffles consist of steel plates having a pattern of openings through which the fluids in the separator pass as they flow through the unit. The size and pitch of the openings vary according to the process conditions but normally the openings are formed as circular holes with a diameter of 16mm and pitched to achieve an open area (porosity) equivalent to 20 percent - 30 percent of the total area of the baffle plate.
Distributor plates are made from flanged stainless steel plate sections sized to pass through a vessel manway. They are bolted together inside the vessel to form a complete assembly which is supported in the separator using channels/angles which in turn bolt to support lugs welded to the shell of the vessel. The size and pitch of the channels/angles depend on the size of the scrubber, process conditions and whether or not the unit is installed on a moving structure. For ease of vessel inspection manways are included to facilitate access through the distributor plate.