The ZSQ "Squirrel" Inlet Device is based on the rotary implementation of Zeta's ZVE patented technology. This device is used in horizontal and vertical separators, where either a degassing or 'enhanced oil recovery' operation is required.

The ZSQ, provides both flow distribution and fluid processing, created by the small fluidic vacuum, produced across each ZVE vane located around the ZSQ. This causes the unusual characteristic of degassing with, what in lab tests have shown to be, bubbles of a very uniform size, these bubbles providing what is considered to be a gas flotation effect to the oil droplets allowing enhanced treatment of small oil droplets.

Due to the slow spiral action of the flow exiting the ZSQ, droplets have a longer time in which to rise to the surface, hence providing greater opportunity to coalesce with other droplets to form larger droplets, thus the ZSQ provides a form of "virtual" residence time, where this processing action has been observed as independent of motion effects. However for the forward progression of the liquids through a horizontal vessel the flow must then be straightened, this being the purpose of the complimentary ZSB baffle amongst other designs.

The ZSQ is a low shear device that drops the momentum substantially and promotes early rapid degassing at the inlet end of the vessel. This has the following further impacts:

Advantages of the ZSQ Inlet Device:

• Ideal for degassing and enhanced oil recovery.
• High throughput and inlet momentum.
• Maximises utilised inlet volume for degassing.
• Enhances interface level control.
• Inlet nozzle can be at any orientation.
• Allows solids to easily pass through without blockage.
• Wide Operational Range – 100% turndown.
• Reduces the size of the inlet nozzle on a new build project.
• Allows a greater fluid throughput for a set nozzle size, in a revamp project.
• No moving parts thus no maintenance.

Applications:

• Produced water separators.
• Degassers.
• Surge vessels.
• Skimmer vessels.
• Enhanced oil recovery systems.