1. (EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION)
Date:
14th
May – 27th
June
Submitted by:
Dhaval Patel,
11BPE025, Upstream ,
School of Petroleum Technology

2. Application of cyclonic separator in CBM field to
eliminate coal fines
Submittedby:Dhaval Patel, Ravi Chaudhari, Mehul Dhameliya
Submitted to Essar Oil Limited, Durgapur
Approvedas to style and content by:
__________________________________
Pramod K Gupta
(Vice Presidentof Production Department)
____________________________________
NileshKamat
(Head of Infrastructure Department)
_____________________________________
Manoj Kumar (HR)
June, 2014

3. Abstract
World’s continuous rise in energy demand had laid many experts to look for alternative
energy which is economically feasible along with laying minimal impacts on the environment.. If
one summarizes the Indian coal bed methane development, the oil and gas prices with
technology advancement have made it possible for dependence on coal bed methane. Coal bed
methane is the forthcoming energy source for developing India which is extremely populated
and reduces its dependency on Crude Oil. Therefore it is essential to address the Challenges
Associated with coal bed methane Gas Development in India.
The major problem associated in the eastern part of raniganj coal field area is the production of
coal fines with gas and water whose size ranges from 1 to 100 micron. When these coal fines
are produced, strainers are used to filter the fluids and remove the unwanted fines. But these
strainers sometimes fail to block the fines and these fines reach to customers. Hence to remove
these fines Cyclonic separator is installed at the KOD.
This work focuses on calculating the quantitative efficiency of cyclonic separator and also its
feasibility in CBMfield to remove coal fines. Based on the current results obtained it is expected
that in future a technology advancement would drive to design an arrangement to completely
eliminate coal fines from the gas stream.
Introduction
This work discusses the application of cyclonic separator in CBMfield to eliminate coal fines. In
CBM field coal fines are produced with the water & gas. The two major factor which aids the
production of coal fines are, first (geologic factor) the unconsolidated formation causes
continuous production of coal fines and secondly high drawdown. So it is necessary to remove
them hence strainers are used for the same. But the very fine particles also pass through
strainers and if these fines and solids are not removed this may pass through the compressor
and may hamper the working of compressor, sometimes compressor may stop working due to
these unwanted contaminants. Hence to remove these fines Cyclonic separator is installed at
the KOD prior the gas stream goes to the compressor.

4. Coal fines entering the customer end may also pose a problem until and unless the customer
uses the methane gas for burning purpose otherwise if gas is used as feed for fertilizer purpose
then coal fines removal is essential. Though the acceptable level of coal fines is about to 5-10 µ.
 Principle of Vortex
The coal fines entrained laden gas passes through a set of specially designed vanes in
vortex, which imparts the centrifugal scrubbing motion to the stream. This set of vanes
coalesces the fine droplets and throws them to the outside of the stream draining back
through ejects to the liquid level in the evaporator.
Figure 1 Type DIM or IM Hi-ef separator in operating position

5. Experiment and Methods
In order to determine the efficiency of Cyclonic separator, various methods can be approached
out of which the most feasible and easiest method is to obtain a sample from the KOD and to
analyze it. Sample once analyzed should be compared with a reference or condition in absence
of cyclonic separator. The comparison and conclusion was viable because GGS-1 lacked the
system of inbuilt Cyclonic separator in the KOD. By analyzing the amount of coal fines in the
water downstream of KOD, results can be applied to the gas stream which enters into the
compressors.
The approach is to collect a sample of known volume of outlet water from the KOD from GGS-1
as well as GGS-2. Compare the samples or measure the amount of coal fines from both the
samples and compare them on weight basis to conclude the efficiency of Cyclonic separator for
removal of the coal fines. The Volume of samples and the mess size through which the coal
fines are filtered are kept constant for both the samples. Here various assumptions are
necessary to arrive at the result. These assumptions include nearly equal pressure, negligible
effect of the different dimensions of KOD and the water level in it.
First of all a 20 liters water sample was obtained from the drainage line of KOD of GGS-2. It was
filtered out in a mesh of mesh size 100 micron, and the residue was collected. The liquid level of
the KOD dropped from 225mm to 213mm which was noted from the control room. The residue
was dried, weighted and the readings were noted. Due to some operational problems in GGS-2
other particles like molecular sieves, minute pieces of rubber were also obtained which were
removed fom the dried sample, and the coal fines were weighted. The level of the KOD in GGS-
1 being low ( water level of KOD-1 was 49mm and KOD-2 was 146mm ) 20 liter sample
collection was not viable, so a sample of 1.25 liter was collected was then results were
extrapolated accordingly. The sample was again filtered out from 100 micron mesh size but the
particles being very minute passed through it. This sample was then filtered pressured at 100
psi through a paper filter using CO2. A cake was formed on the filter paper which was weighted
after drying, also weight of a dry unused filter paper was noted.
Results and Discussion
Reading from the experiment are shown below:

6. Sample of GGS-2 Sample of GGS-1
Weight of empty container = 15.38g
Weight of container with the coal fines and
debris = 29.30g
:. Weight of the coal fines and debris = 13.92g
Dry weight of unused filter paper = 0.61g
Weight of filter paper with coal fines = 0.72g
:. Weight of coal fines = 0.11g
Weight of debris = 5.73g
:. Weight of coal fines = 8.19g
Weight of coal fines for 20 liters of water =
20,000 x 0.11
400
= 5.5g
The results here presents a very simple method of calculating the working efficiency of Cyclonic
separator in a CBMfield, quantitatively. Based on the observations it can be noted that various
important features of Cyclonic separator which can Aid operations in CBM field are as follows:
Compact design: permits easy installation through manways in existing installation
Low Maintenance: No moving parts, nothing to wear out, no filter or screens and the separator
cleans themselves. The problem of differential pressure Is eliminated.
Economy: Costs no more than an ordinary, less efficient separator. ( 7645 USD )
Performance: Separator are designed to remove virtually all entrainment 10 microns in size and
larger.
Conclusion
On the basis of the experiment conducted and results obtained it can be observed that, the gas
stream at the outlet of KOD in GGS-2 contains lesser amount of coal fines than that in GGS-1.
(This is due to presence of Cyclonic Separator in KOD of GGS-2). As coal fines can potentially
hamper the efficient working of compressor and other equipments in the downstream side of
KOD, it becomes necessary to eliminate coal fines from the gas stream. Application of Cyclonic
separator efficiently removes coal fine. Hence it is suggested to install a Cyclonic separator in
the KOD of GGS-1. So, it can be concluded that Cyclonic separator finds an important
application in the CBM field and it can be used to to remove coal fines efficiently.

7. Acknowledgement
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Vilas Tawde, Project Director, Essar Oil
Limited, CBM-Durgapur , Pramod Gupta, Vice President, Production Mr. Manoj Kumar, HR
Head, Essar Oil Ltd. for giving me the opportunity to do my summer Internship with Essar Oil
Ltd. and to work on a project in production department.
With deepest regards I would like to thank Mr. Nilesh Kamat, Infrastructure Department for his
guidance and support throughout this project work.
I would also like to thank Mr. Niranjan Prasad, head, GGS, Mr. Chandravir sir, In charge of GGS-
1 and Mr. Pravin Jain, In-charge of GGS-2 for their valuable support. Our special thanks to the
Q-Max Lab Team for guiding us to perform experiments.
I am greatly indebted to Essar Oil and all its members for their cooperation also thank everyone
at Essar Oil who directly or indirectly guided me in completing my project successfully