A Gas Production Unit (GPU) is a compact system that combines two major components into one housing: a line heater and a horizontal separator. This integrated setup is designed to handle high-pressure well streams efficiently by preheating the fluid and managing a controlled pressure reduction before separation.
Here’s how the process works:
- Preheat Phase:
The fluid first runs through a set of coils inside a line heater. These coils are submerged in a heated water bath warmed by a fire tube, which is regulated by a burner management system. This preheats the well stream before pressure reduction. - Pressure Reduction:
After preheating, the fluid passes through a Hydroplex Throttle Valve, where the pressure is reduced—sometimes by as much as 2000 PSI. This drop is critical for system safety and processing but causes a temperature drop of 6–8°F per 100 PSI lost. - Expansion Phase:
The pressure-reduced fluid then travels through a second set of coils (called expansion coils) to reheat and expand the stream. This prepares the fluid for entry into the separator. - Separation Phase:
The fluid enters the horizontal separator where gas and liquid are separated for further handling.
This Is How a GPU Works
The GPU’s efficiency hinges on thermal conditioning and pressure staging. As the high-pressure well stream enters:
- The line heater pre-warms the fluid to reduce the shock from the pressure drop across the Hydroplex Throttle Valve.
- The Hydroplex valve manages that drop precisely, helping prevent issues like flashing and cavitation.
- After pressure cut, the fluid is reheated and stabilized before it reaches the horizontal separator for final processing.
This process ensures consistent system performance, longer equipment life, and better fluid handling.
Benefits of Installing a Hydroplex Valve
Choosing a Hydroplex HCA throttling valve in your GPU system brings several performance advantages:
- Superior Resolution and Accuracy from its 90-degree rotary twin disc trim
- Direct Mount Actuation allows precise control without brackets or linkages
- High Repeatability for dependable, consistent control
- Solid Tungsten Carbide Trim minimizes wear on seals and control surfaces
- Twin Disc Design separates control and sealing functions, extending component life
- Robust Stem and Seal Design supports hundreds of thousands of cycles
- Stainless Steel Internals deliver the longest mean time between service
- Optional Multistage Pressure Drop Capability for specialized needs.
Ready to Upgrade?
Improve your GPU’s performance with a Hydroplex HCA throttling valve. Contact our team today for technical specs, installation support, or to request a quote.