Oil-Water Interface Measurement for Separators and FWKOs
Know which phase is protecting each outlet.
Separators, free-water knockouts, dehydrators and coalescers depend on stable phase separation. The Agar ID-200 Series measures local hydrocarbon-and-water concentration so the control strategy can respond to the actual condition at a selected point.
Measure the phase at the point that protects the outlet
APPLICATION VIEW
Real vessels may contain a dispersed transition zone, changing feed, foam or solids. PMA reviews inlet devices, weirs, boots, residence zones, outlets and expected interface movement before choosing a measurement point.
Define whether the priority is water carryover, hydrocarbon undercarry, emulsion growth or outlet protection.
Place the measurement where it represents the process—not simply at the most convenient nozzle.
Document how continuous output, alarms, permissives and valve logic will be used.
Plan diagnostics, manual operation and fail position for an unexpected phase or instrument condition.
Four engineering questions
Start with the boundary that controls the process, the representative measurement location, the signal response and the upset procedure.
Application engineering
Review the P&ID, vessel drawing, internals, phase range, temperature, pressure, materials, foam, coating and solids.
Control-system integration
Your questions answered.
Separator and FWKO interface-measurement questions.
Can the ID-200 measure an emulsion?
Agar describes the range as measuring 0–100% hydrocarbon/water concentration by volume at the sensing location. Application and calibration must be reviewed for the actual process.
Is it a full vessel profile?
No single probe should be described that way. Multiple instruments at engineered elevations can provide information at several points.
Can it connect to an existing control system?
Output depends on model. ID-200H literature includes two-wire 4–20 mA HART variants; compatibility and loop design must be confirmed.
What is the first retrofit step?
Share the P&ID, vessel drawing, existing instruments, process conditions and the operating problem with PMA.
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