Oil and Water Separation: Fluid Flow and Vessel Sizing Analysis

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the separation of a fluid mixture containing 50% oil and 50% water using a vertical separator vessel. It is assumed that the inlet temperature remains constant for the outlet streams, as no thermodynamic processes are involved. Participants confirm that it is indeed possible to calculate the total number of moles of oil and water within the separator by using the molar flow rate and residence time. The calculations for line sizes and vessel dimensions are also discussed, emphasizing the importance of accurate flow rate conversions. Overall, the thread highlights key considerations for effective oil and water separation in engineering applications.
SherlockOhms
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Homework Statement


A fluid which is flowing at 3600 m3/hr, at a pressure of 2.3MPa and a temperature of 75°C is to be separated using a vertical separator vessel. The composition of the fluid is 50% water and 50% oil.

1. Assume perfect separation and a residence time of 20 seconds in the separator.
2. The oil has a MW of 100 and a density of 900kg/m3
3. Give estimates for line sizes and vessel dimensions
Your answer is to be a simple PFD (with stream table):
Pressure
Temperature
kmoles oil
kmoles water
Total moles
Mass flow water
Mass flow oil
Total mass flow
Mean molecular weight

Homework Equations


Conversions between mass, molar and volumetric flow rates.

The Attempt at a Solution


In the above problem, is it correct to assume that the temperature of the inlet stream will be the same as the two outlet streams seeing as there won't be any thermodynamic processes carried out on the mixture? Also, from the way I see it, it's only possible to calculate the molar flow rate of oil and water, it's not possible to calculate how many moles of oil and how many moles of water there are in total. Is this correct or is it actually possible to find these values?
 
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SherlockOhms said:

Homework Statement



In the above problem, is it correct to assume that the temperature of the inlet stream will be the same as the two outlet streams seeing as there won't be any thermodynamic processes carried out on the mixture?
Yes.
Also, from the way I see it, it's only possible to calculate the molar flow rate of oil and water, it's not possible to calculate how many moles of oil and how many moles of water there are in total. Is this correct or is it actually possible to find these values?
It's possible to calculate the number of moles of each within the separator. I think that is what they are asking for.
 
Chestermiller said:
Yes.

It's possible to calculate the number of moles of each within the separator. I think that is what they are asking for.

That'll just be the molar flow rate times the residence time, yes?
 
SherlockOhms said:
That'll just be the molar flow rate times the residence time, yes?
Yes.
 
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