Hydrocyclones HC

Underlying Technology & Scientific Principle

A deoiling hydrocyclone converts feed pressure into a high-speed vortex. The resulting centrifugal field (up to several thousand g) drives the denser water phase to the wall while lighter oil migrates to the low-pressure core axis, where it is rejected — separation by density without any rotating parts.

Working Mechanism

Pressurised water enters tangentially into a tapering liner, accelerating into a spiral. Water exits as a clean underflow at the apex; the coalesced oil core reverses and discharges through a small reject orifice at the overflow. Performance is set by the pressure-drop ratio (PDR) between overflow and underflow.

Separation / Removal Efficiency

Removes dispersed oil from ~15 µm upward, typically achieving 80–95% oil reduction and outlet oil-in-water of 10–40 mg/L on a well-conditioned feed.

Operating Principle & Parameters

Feed pressure 4–10 bar; PDR 1.4–2.0; high shear sensitivity — upstream valves and pumps must avoid creating tight emulsions. Reject rate 1–3% of feed.

Flow Rates & Volumetric Capacities

Each liner handles 3–12 m³/h; multi-liner vessels scale to 50–1,000+ m³/h. Extremely compact and orientation-tolerant for offshore platforms and FPSOs.

Fluid Media Compatibility

Wear-resistant liners (duplex, ceramic-lined) in coded pressure vessels. Ideal for hot, saline, sour produced water at high pressure.

System Schematic & Process Integration

Core of upstream produced-water packages — downstream of bulk separation, upstream of flotation/compact flotation units (CFU) and polishing.

Options / Variations Available

Deoiling vs. desanding liners; single- or two-stage; static or with reject recovery; combined deoiling/degassing vessels.

System Complexity & Automation Level

Moderate — automatic PDR control via reject and underflow valves, with online oil-in-water monitoring. No mechanical maintenance internally.

Applications & Performance Delivered

Contaminant Removal Profile