Efficient Hydrocyclone for Liquid-Liquid Separation
Case ID:
TEC2015-0008
Web Published:
3/14/2017

Executive Summary
Due to environmental concerns, discharge of water from oil and gas industries is required to maintain oil levels between 10 – 30 ppm. Complying with these standards leads to significant expenses for the industry. A new hydrocyclone design developed at MSU makes it possible to exceed these requirements while being much more cost-effective and space-saving than currently used hydrocyclones. The new MSU design is able to separate particles as small as 2 microns compared to conventional hydrocyclones at 10-15 microns. It utilizes high efficiencies allowing for a smaller sized separation unit, and tolerates wide ranges of pressures and velocities.
Description of Technology
Hydrocyclones are one of the most common methods for liquid-liquid separations in oil drilling industries. They work by pumping the oil-water mixture into a chamber which the liquid spins around and separates due to differences in densities. This new technology developed at MSU utilizes unique geometries to produce high swirl intensities and a long reverse flow core to achieve high separation, up to 2 microns which will be able to decrease the cost of secondary post processing if necessary.
Key Benefits
- Separation Efficiency: The efficiency of this hydrocyclone is higher than that of conventional hydrocyclones.
- Wide Operation Range: Can accommodate a wide range of inlet pressures and velocities.
- Reduced Footprint: Increased efficiencies in hyperbolic chambers allows for a shorter overall cyclone, decreasing the size of the hydrocyclone.
- Small Particle Separation: This hydrocyclone is able to separate particles as small as 2 microns.
Applications
- Effluent Water Treatment: Oil and Gas Industry
- Liquid-Liquid Separations
Patent Status:
Under review
Licensing rights available:
Full licensing rights available
Inventors: Dr. Andre Benard, Dr. Volodymyr Tarabara, and Abdul Motin (PI).
Tech ID: TEC2015-0008
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For Information, Contact:
Bradley Shaw
Technology Manager
Michigan State University
shawbr@msu.edu