Development of liquid-liquid cylindrical cyclone (LLCC) separator for oil-water separation

This study aims to determine the phenomena of water and oil separation and the performance of the Liquid-Liquid Cylindrical Cyclone (LLCC). The experiments were conducted with water and oil in a transparent LLCC separator that allows the visualization of the mixture. Series of experiments for various of inlet mixture velocity (Vm), inlet oil volume fraction (α), and split-ratio have been performed. Volume fraction of oil in the inlet were 0.06 (6 %), 0.1 (10%), and 0.15 (15 %). The examined inlet mixture velocity variations were 1.0 m / s, 1.5 m / s, and 2.0 m / s. Split-ratio was made in the range 25-70 %. The watercut in underflow were the variables measured. The experimental results show that the LLCC was able to separate water and oil and produced free water with concentration up to 98%. By increasing the value of the split-ratio, watercut in underflow increase and reached the optimum point. Optimal split-ratio observed is between 60 % and 70 % depend on the inlet oil volume fraction.