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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Improving Separation of Oil and Water Using a Novel Coalescing Centrifugal Pump

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Abstract A novel centrifugal pump, which increases oil droplet sizes in produced water, has been developed. This paper investigates a concept of pumping pressure optimization with respect to downstream separation efficiency, for the new pump. The investigation shows that the coalescing centrifugal pump always increases the separation efficiency of a downstream hydrocyclone. Furthermore, it is seen that the pumping pressure can be adjusted to maximize the improvement. Experimental results demonstrate how pumping conditions, which minimize the volume fraction of droplets with a diameter smaller than the cut size of the hydrocyclone, maximize the separation efficiency. Finally, it is exemplified how the concept of pumping pressure optimization can be implemented in a typical produced water treatment plant.