Water is removed from the coal seam gas well, often by a processing cavity pump, which reduces the hydrostatic pressure in the well and releases the gas in the coal seam. The gas is captured separately downhole and passes to the surface through the annulus around the water line. The gas will be saturated with water and may also contain entrained liquids, whilst the water stream may contain dissolved gases and coal particles.
Both the gas and water streams are separately fed into the separator skid. Any water in the gas stream is separated in the vertical separator and the produced gas metered prior to off-skid compression or distribution to consumers. The water enters the separator towards the bottom of the vessel and leaves via an elevated liquid outlet. This allows the liquid sufficient residence time to degas, whilst the low velocity will allow settling of particles greater than ~ 300ìm.