Slug Catcher Process Separation 5w5m33

Slug Catcher Slug catchers can be generally classified into the three following categories: 

Vessel type

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Multiple-pipe or finger type

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Parking-loop type

Vessel type slug catcher

Vessel type slug catcher could range from a simple knock-out vessel to a more complex layout. Since the over vessel- type slug catchers is relatively short for a given volume this type is preferred in the case of limited plot larger liquid volumes have to be accommodated, say of more than 100 m3, either the multiple-pipe or the park type should be used [Ref1]. Finger type slug catcher Finger type slug catchers (also called Multi-pipe slug catcher) typically made from standard pipes. Advantages over vessel type: 

less costly than high-pressure vessel design

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greater flexibility in design

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applicable to wide ranges of flow situations

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flexible geometrical configurations

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different shapes of the available ground area

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easy to operate since no flow controls

Disadvantage: Due to incorrect design there could be a countercurrent gas-liquid flow in the bottles which ma liquid carry-over. Typical drawing of a finger type slug catcher: Actual finger type slug catcher: Courtesy: Wikipedia and Google Finger type slug catcher main parts:

Inlet header: A distribution header where fluid is evenly distributed before entering the downcomers and in w flow conditions are further improved for separation.

Equalizer: A pipe header interconnecting the bottles of a finger type slug catcher for the purpose of equalizing in the various bottles of the slug catcher. Gas outlet header: It connects all risers for collection of the outgoing gas streams. Liquid outlet header: A liquid header at lowest part where the liquid is collected for export.

Reference: [Ref1] Handbook of Natural Gas Transmission and Processing By Saeid Mokhatab, William A. Poe, Gary Zat Islam, Wim Van Wassenhove