Deoiling Hydrocyclone
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Deoiling Hydrocyclone Calculator

Colman-Thew + Plitt d50 + Liner Bank Sizing

Size a bank of deoiling hydrocyclones (DOC) downstream of a CPI or skim tank to polish produced-water oil from 200–500 mg/L to 20–50 mg/L. Vortex centrifugal force gives effective G-loadings of 1,000–2,000× gravity, allowing capture of 10–20 µm droplets in a static device with no moving parts.

Process Stream

BWPD
mg/L
mg/L
Offshore 30; onshore SWD 50
µm
Post-CPI typical 30–60 µm
—
°API
°F
cP

Cyclone Liner

mm
35: ultra-fine; 60: standard; 70+: high-cap
psig
psi
50–150 psi typical; drives centrifugal G
%
1–5% typical; oil-rich stream to reject vessel

📚 Learn the Theory

Vortex physics, Colman-Thew d50, Plitt sharpness, reject management, deoiling vs desander cyclones.

Read Engineering Guide →

Sizing Method

Single-liner capacity (vendor empirical):

Qsingle (gpm) = 1.5 · (Dc/35)1.8 · √(ΔP/100)

d50 — Plitt-style adapted for deoiling:

d50 (µm) ≈ 4.5 · √(Dcmm · μwcP / (ΔPpsi · ΔSG))

Log-normal capture (Plitt):

E(d) = 1 / (1 + (d50/d)m) ; m ≈ 4 deoiling

Related Calculators

🌊

CPI Separator

Upstream of cyclone — removes coarser oil first.
🫧

DAF / IGF

Air-flotation polish for sub-µm.
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Walnut Shell Filter

Final polish before SWD.
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SWD Well

Disposal after dewatering train.