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What is a Slug and Why do we Need Slug Catchers?

Time:2025-05-23 22:31:09

What is a Slug and Why do we Need Slug Catchers?

What is a slug?

To understand the performance aspects of a slug catcher, it first helps to understand why we need a slug catcher in the first place. A slug is an uneven distribution of liquid and gas in a pipeline. Pipelines transport both gas and liquids in two-phase flow. Liquids tend to settle in the bottom of pipelines, while the gases occupy the top section. Under certain conditions, the liquids and gases may group together to form slugs. When the liquid slug exits a pipeline it can overload your gas/liquid handling capabilities at the plant. In this situation, the plant needs a slug catcher.

Slugs can be generated by different mechanisms in a pipeline:

Terrain Slugging – refers to the accumulation of liquid in the low points of a pipeline. The change in the elevations throughout a pipeline cause the liquid to ‘fall out’ leaving liquids in low places to form slugs. Examples would be sub-sea or at the base of a mountain.

Hydrodynamic Slugging – refers to gas flowing faster than liquid, causing a wave effect. Examples may be a pipeline traveling down a mountain causing extreme velocities through the piping.

Pigging Slugs – refers to the liquid pushed through a pipeline by a piece of equipment referred to as a pig.

Forge Slug Catcher Manufacturing

What is a slug catcher?

A slug catcher is a wide spot in a pipeline to hold condensate. The slug catcher is the first piece of equipment seen after the pipeline but before the processing facility. The primary purpose of the unit is to perform the initial bulk gas-liquid separation. Slug catchers, by nature, are a form of risk management. A well designed slug catcher prevents carryover of large liquid particles that can be harmful to downstream equipment. Unlike most other equipment in a Gas, Cryo, and/or LNG facility, there’s typically limited or no redundancy beyond the slug catcher (typically just a smaller inlet separator or scrubber incapable of handling liquid slugs). Slug catchers are unique because they are at the end of the pipeline and before the plant, so they can be fabricated to the B31.8 pipeline code in lieu of the plant code, B31.3. For smaller storage applications, ASME Section VIII vessels will suffice in lieu of a finger type.

The Jiashe Power Forge Slug Catcher Difference.

With over 10 years of slug catcher experience, we are one of the Chinese leader in finger / harp style slug catchers. As a single source for process design and fabrication, our approach can assure you that your downstream assets will be properly protected. To learn more about our design approach or more broadly about how finger slug catchers work and if you need one, please see the links below.

The Jiashe Power Finger / Harp Slug Catcher Design
The Jiashe Power Vessel Slug Catcher Design
The Jiashe Power Vortex Vessel Slug Catcher Design

Why Jiashe Power Slug Catchers?


Reliable and Customized Designs	Cutting Edge Designing Process	Free Online Price System	Easy Bolt-by-number Assembly

Over Two Decades of Experience	Value For Money	Unmatched in Quality and Craftmanship	Excellent Customer Service

Would you like to see more information and images of Jiashe Power's Slug Catchers ? Visit our Photo Gallery.

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

Jiashe Power’s world-class team — together with our raw material suppliers and subcontractors — works to solve your most challenging design, engineering, farbrication or construction issues.

Contact Jiashe Power by telephone at +86 135-8815-1981 (wechat and whatsapp) or send us your questions via email to jiashepower@foxmail.com

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