Technology Unit

The Integrated Separation Device (IDS) performs centrifugal/cyclonic vapor-liquid separation. A cyclone works by spinning a mixture of vapor and liquid at high speed inside a cone-shaped device. The spinning force pushes heavier liquids to the walls, where they slide down and exit the bottom, while lighter vapors move to the center and rise out the top, quickly separating the two phases. In case of whole crude, the oil is fed into a heater and warmed up to a high temperature, around 300-400°C. This turns the crude into a hot mix of vapor and liquid, called the pre-heated hydrocarbon feedstock. Heating vaporizes the lighter parts of the crude (like gases and light liquids) while keeping heavier parts as liquid, preparing the crude for separation.