Vapor–liquid separator

A vessel or device that separates vapor or gas from liquid in a flowing mixture. It commonly uses gravity, changes in flow direction, or centrifugal force to promote phase separation.

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Gravity separation: The separation of phases or particles through differences in density under gravity. The vessel slows flow so denser liquid can settle while vapor rises.
Vapor–liquid equilibrium: The condition in which vapor and liquid phases coexist at equilibrium for a given composition, pressure, and temperature. Equilibrium determines which material can exist as vapor or liquid at separator conditions.
Oil and gas separator: A process vessel that separates produced well fluids into gas, oil, and often water. It applies vapor–liquid separation to multiphase fluids from oil and gas wells.
Distillation column: A column that separates liquid mixtures through repeated vaporization and condensation. Unlike a simple separator, it creates repeated phase contact to fractionate components.
Centrifugal separation: Separation produced by rotating or curved flow that drives denser material outward. Cyclonic designs intensify phase separation by forcing liquid toward the vessel wall.
Gas–liquid flow: The simultaneous movement of gas and liquid through a pipe or vessel. The incoming mixture’s flow regime affects separation efficiency and vessel loading.
Flash drum: A vessel that separates vapor from liquid after a pressure or temperature change causes partial vaporization. It handles a mixture created by flashing a feed stream.
Decanter: A vessel or machine that separates immiscible liquid phases, or solids from liquids, by settling or centrifugal force. It commonly separates liquid from liquid rather than vapor from liquid.
Inertial impaction: A process in which particles or droplets leave a flowing stream because they cannot follow its changing direction. An inlet diverter makes liquid droplets strike a surface and drain away.
Density: Mass per unit volume of a substance. Density differences provide the driving force for gravitational separation.