Liquid-Liquid Vessel Retention Time Formula
Liquid-Liquid Vessel Retention Time calculates retention time for well performance workflows in production engineering.
How engineers use this formula
Use this formula when the listed inputs (A_sep, mu, gamma_b, gamma_t) are known and the assumptions behind the cited well performance relationship match the engineering case being checked.
Assumptions
- Input values are representative for the well, reservoir, fluid, or equipment case being evaluated.
- The declared units match the field-unit constants used in the formula.
- The cited formula applies to the selected petroleum engineering workflow.
Limitations
- The calculation does not replace a full engineering model or operating procedure.
- Accuracy depends on the source correlation, assumptions, input quality, and unit consistency.
Common mistakes
- Mixing unit systems without converting the inputs.
- Using default example values as field recommendations.
- Applying the formula outside the source assumptions.
Default example
Using the default inputs, T_ret equals 2.4 h.
0.2
3
1.05
0.8
Inputs
A_sep
dimensionlessSeparator Constant
mu
cPViscosity of Predominant Phase
gamma_b
dimensionlessSpecific Gravity of Bottom Phase
gamma_t
dimensionlessSpecific Gravity of Top Phase
Outputs
T_ret
Retention Time
A_sep
Separator Constant
mu
Viscosity of Predominant Phase
gamma_b
Specific Gravity of Bottom Phase
gamma_t
Specific Gravity of Top Phase
Source and review
reviewedGas Conditioning and Processing, Campbell, J. M. (1992)
John M. Campbell. 1992. Gas Conditioning and Processing, Campbell Petroleum Series, Vol. 2, Page 87.
Source