A simple dynamic gravity separator model for separation efficiency evaluation incorporating level and pressure control

Abstract

In this work we introduce a simple gravity separator model for liquid level and pressure control as well as evaluation of separation efficiencies for the water and oil continuous phases, respectively. The model incorporates three dynamic state equations describing the levels of the overall liquid and water as well as the gas pressure subject to the in- and outflow dynamics. In addition, algebraic equations calculating simplified droplet distributions for each continuous phase are introduced in order to determine the exchange of water and oil between the continuous phases. The controllers are of PI-type and control the outflows of the separator.