Abstract
Twister™ is a revolutionary gas conditioning technology which has been under development for natural gas applications since 1997. Condensation and separation at supersonic velocity is the key to some unique benefits. An extremely short residence time prevents hydrate problems, eliminating chemicals and associated regeneration systems. The simplicity and reliability of a static device, with no rotating parts and operating without chemicals, ensures a simple facility with a high availability, suitable for unmanned operation.
Full scale test units have been operational since 1998 at five gas plants in the Netherlands, Nigeria and Norway, with varying gas compositions and operating conditions. Test results have been used to improve and validate sophisticated Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) models of the complex combination of aerodynamics, thermodynamics and fluid-dynamics. These CFD models have been paramount in improving Twister performance.
Although Twister is a mature technology, Twister BV are developing a second generation Twister design promising a step change performance improvement and reduced pressure drop. Field testing is scheduled for early 2004 with market launch later that year.
The first commercial Twister application will start-up in the 4th Quarter of 2003. Twister has been selected for the dehydration process of a large, offshore gas development in Malaysia. The Twister system design will be described.
Its simplicity makes Twister a key enabling technology for subsea gas processing. The results of a joint industry feasibility study will be reported.
