PROCESS SYSTEMS

UNICEL Vertical IGF

WATER

Proven Efcient Induced Gas Flotation Systems

A high-efficiency, vertical hydraulic flotation machine for removing oil and suspended solids from produced and waste waters.

Overview
The UNICEL Vertical IGF (Induced Gas Flotation) System is a leading technology for environmentally safe treatment of secondary produced waters. The UNICEL system is a simple, hydraulically operated gas flotation machine that delivers efficient oil/water separation with complete process containment. Effective oil recovery and water treatment are achieved simply and economically, with operator and environmental safety ensured by the completely enclosed flotation process. Units are a vertical design which is wellsuited for locations where space restrictions require a small footprint and are unaffected in floating production systems.

Operating Principle and Key Features

The UNICEL Vertical Induced Gas Flotation (IGF) unit is designed for maximum efficiency and simplicity for reliable, low maintenance operation and is ideally suited for floating production applications. The UNICEL process involves introducing gas into the wastewater inlet stream via an eductor, coalescing the oil/solids, releasing the water in a separation vessel, skimming the floated oil and solids from the surface of the vessel and then discharging clarified effluent from the bottom of the vessel. The UNICEL Vertical
IGF combines all of these actions in a unique vertical design

mechanism where very small micron size microbubbles are formed and uniformly distributed. This ensures that gas is entrained into the entire feed stream. The bubbles then attach to the oil and solids particles present. This stream passes through a baffle section within the separator vessel central riser at a reduced velocity. This allows the gas and oil/solids particles to flocculate together prior to being released at the surface of the vessel. The oil/solids floc is radially dispersed towards the outer rim of the vessel. The oil is periodically skimmed from the vessel into the skim trough by raising the operating level to a point just above the skim trough. As the liquid level rises, it spills over into the oil trough. When the skim cycle is complete, the level set point is reset and the unit returns to normal operation automatically. The main advantage to this intermittent skimming system is the oil skim rate is reduced to approximately 1% of the average daily flow versus 5 to 10% if a continuous skim is used. This means a lot less water has to be reprocessed. This is particularly important in floating applications where this rate can be even higher due to the motion inside the vessel caused by
FPSO/SPAR movement. With the intermittent skim control,

which incorporates the principles of stokes law by using finely dispersed gas microbubbles to reduce the apparent density of the oil and solids, increase their droplet size and greatly increase buoyancy through coalescence. The vertical annular riser eliminates the potential for short circuit flow found in some horizontal designs, and combines column flotation technology with its downflow design, which promotes flotation of oil at the surface. The UNICEL process begins by providing pressurized water to a venturi-type eductor. Pressurized water passing through the eductor creates a vacuum at the air/gas suction port, whereby the air/gas stream is induced into the water stream. The mixture is combined with the incoming wastewater stream and then passes through a dispersing

the rate is constant.

Data Sheet | TC9814-005

PROCESS SYSTEMS

Performance
High-Efficiency Oil Removal - The separation efficiency of the unique UNICEL flotation cell design compares favorably to the industry standard Depurator. At many installations, the
UNICEL achieves effluent oil concentration in the

Options
Gravity Discharge Pressure Discharge Recirculation Gas Sparging

L O C AT I ONS United States of America 11210 Equity Dr., Suite 100 Houston, TX 77041 USA TEL +713.849.7500 United Kingdom Cameron House 61-73 Staines Road West Sunbury-on-Thames Middlesex, UK TW16 7AH TEL +44.1932.732000 Singapore 2 Gul Circle (Gate 2) Jurong, Singapore 629560 TEL +65.6861.3355 OTHER LOCATIONS Abu Dhabi Australia Brazil Calgary Colombia France Japan Mexico Saudi Arabia Russia www.c-a-m.com

Applications
The UNICEL Vertical IGF can be used wherever secondary treatment of oil-contaminated water or waste water is required. Oilfield produced waters Refinery waste waters Petrochemical waste waters Food industry/pulp and paper

range of 5 to 10 parts per million. Our UNICEL cells are designed to provide 95% or greater oil removal and 80% or greater removal of non-oil solids at full design capacity.

Product Range
 Individual units for flow rates of 1000 BPD to over 160,000 BPD (160 m3/day to 25,400 m3/day) Separation efficiency up to 98%

Benets and Advantages

Compact, lightweight, vertical installation Minimal footprint No internal moving parts, low maintenance  Minimal power requirements, minimal controls  Motion insensitive vertical UNICEL design is ideal for floating production systems Utilizes process or inherent feed pressure No environmental pollution Gas tight design Low skim rates All hazardous or toxic gasses are contained  Can be constructed to ASME code for pressurized operation No specialty pumps required

2010 Cameron | UNICEL is a registered trademarks of Cameron. | Printed in USA | 07/10 TC9814-005