20 Services Offered by Pressure Vessel Design Consultancy (Slug Catcher)

1. Slug catcher process simulation and sizing

2. Mechanical design per ASME/API/NACE

3. Piping layout and nozzle load analysis

4. Transient analysis (slug flow modeling)

5. 3D modeling and BIM integration

6. Skid-based slug catcher package design

7. Separator internals specification

8. Material selection for sour and corrosive environments

9. Foundation load data for civil design

10. Erosion/corrosion protection planning

11. Design of sand removal systems

12. Instrumentation and control integration

13. SCADA-ready automation design

14. Inspection and testing (NDT, FAT, SAT)

15. Design for modular transport and installation

16. Pressure drop and surge validation

17. HAZOP and safety integrity level (SIL) review

18. Field support and commissioning supervision

19. Retrofitting/upgrading existing slug catchers

Documentation: datasheets, P&IDs, GA, manuals

Slug Catcher Overview

A Slug Catcher is a static pressure vessel or piping system installed at the front end of a gas processing facility or pipeline to collect and temporarily store large volumes of liquid slugs (liquid surges) carried along in a gas pipeline. It protects downstream processing equipment from hydraulic shock or overflow.

🟦 2. Key Engineering & Equipment Topics

🔹 a. Piping

• Inlet manifold from pipeline or wellhead

• Gas outlet to separators or processing units

• Liquid outlet to storage tanks or knockout drums

• Bypass and drain lines

• High-pressure piping with pig receiver interface

• Erosion-resistant internal linings (for sand handling)

🔹 b. Civil Foundation

• Structural supports for large diameter vessels or piping

• Pile or raft foundation for finger-type slug catchers

• Load distribution pads for modular skids

• Earth grounding for lightning and static protection

• Spill containment bunding for liquids

🔹 c. Pumps

• Condensate transfer pumps

• Produced water disposal pumps

• Drain sump pumps

• Sand slurry pumps (if applicable)

🔹 d. P&ID Elements

• Inlet and outlet headers

• Instrumentation ports (level, pressure, temp)

• Sand removal line

• Emergency shutdown valves (ESDVs)

• Pig receiver interface (if upstream pipeline pigging involved)

• Drain and vent lines

🔹 e. Related Heat Exchangers

• Gas coolers or heaters (before or after slug catcher)

• Condensate heaters (to avoid wax crystallization)

• Intercoolers for gas recompression systems

🔹 f. Instrumentation

• Level transmitters and alarms

• Pressure transmitters on gas/liquid sections

• Temperature probes

• Flow meters (especially for liquid outlet)

• Sand accumulation sensors (if applicable)

• Remote monitoring system (SCADA/PLC)

🔹 g. Day & Temporary Storage Tanks

• Condensate storage tanks

• Produced water surge tanks

• Sand slurry collection tanks

• Emergency overflow tanks

• Temporary storage for cleaning or maintenance

🟦 3. Process Design Elements

• Liquid retention time based on expected slug size

• Inlet momentum and gas velocity control

• Phase separation efficiency

• Settling velocity of sand and solids

• High turndown ratio (must handle both trickle flow and large slugs)

• Safety factors for pipeline pigging operations

🟦 4. Mechanical Design Considerations

• Pressure design per ASME Sec VIII, Div. 1/2

• Materials to suit sour service (H₂S, CO₂ – NACE MR0175)

• Corrosion allowance (internal erosion protection)

• Vessel or piping type (horizontal vessel or finger-type)

• Large nozzle and header designs

• Seismic and wind load analysis

• Hydrotest and radiographic testing

🟦 5. 20 Slug Catcher Product Names / Model Styles

(Example/generic names for commercial or internal use)

1. SlugTrap-X1000 – Horizontal vessel slug catcher

2. FlowGuard-SC1500 – Finger-type slug catcher

3. MegaSlug HC – High-capacity system

4. SafeSlug V100 – Vertical slug trap

5. SC-Flex Modular – Skid-based design

6. StormCatcher-Pro – For high-slug volume areas

7. GasMaster-SC700 – Inline slug catcher

8. ArcticSlug VZ – Cold region design

9. SlugFreeLine-SK – For pipeline pigging terminals

10. MaxDrain SC Elite – Enhanced drainage system

11. ZeroShock SlugNet – Hydraulic surge absorber

12. PetroCatch X2 – 2-phase separator variant

13. TurboTrap HP – High-pressure application

14. QuickDump SlugMod – Rapid liquid evacuation

15. DryGas CatcherLite – Dry gas system slug catcher

16. SC-EcoSafe – Environmental protection integrated

17. OilGrid-SC 3000 – Grid-based separation

18. WellFront SlugBoss – Front-end processing

19. WaveBreak HC100 – Shock wave attenuator slug catcher

20. DualPhase SlugCare – 2-phase gas/liquid handling

🟦 6. 20 Applications of Slug Catchers

1. Natural gas pipeline systems

2. Offshore gas production platforms

3. Gas gathering systems

4. Sour gas processing facilities

5. LNG plant front-end protection

6. Gas compressor station inlets

7. Pipeline pigging receiving stations

8. High-flow slug-prone wells

9. CO₂ reinjection systems

10. Onshore slug mitigation facilities

11. Subsea gas tie-ins

12. Remote wellhead manifolds

13. FPSO gas riser inlets

14. Fluctuating condensate-producing fields

15. Emergency liquid surge protection

16. Gas lift system separation

17. Arctic flowline separation systems

18. Gas dehydration system inlet

19. Temporary well testing lines

20. Sand-producing gas reservoirs