PROCESS DESCRIPTION: A crude oil emulsion enters into a plenum(1) formed by a sealed baffle(9) wherein there is initial gas release. Foam is suppressed by passing it through a hot oil wash as the gas exits the plenum. The emulsion is dispersed via a shroud(2) preventing debris from collecting on the heater (13) and directing free water away from the heater. The emulsion is heated to lower the viscosity of the oil and it is directed downward through space(3). A pair of adjustable louvered structures (similar to Venetian blinds) establish plug flow through the space(3). An electric field may be established in this area to enhance coalescence of the entrained water droplets and speed up separation. The oil flow is next directed horizontally through an adjustable louvered matrix (4), whereby the Reynolds Number can be controlled. The water passes through a similar matrix(5). Both the oil and water also pass through CoSeptor(tm) baffles (6)(7) where capillary attraction and forced coalescence further enhance the extraction of water from the oil and oil from the water with the clean oil being collected for discharge in an oil box(8). Other pertinent components are anti-skim baffles(11), mist extactor(12) and sand pans(10). Protected by one or more of the following.
US PATENT 7118670, 5458757, 5464522, 5865992, 5902483 and PAT.PEND.
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The main factors that influence the separation of oil and water are: (1) VISCOSITY of the oil, the "thinner" the oil the faster the separation, heating the emulsion thins the oil;in some cases a diluent is mixed with the emulsion to thin the oil. (2) DENSITY DIFFERENTIAL, the closer the density of the oil is to that of the water the slower the separation. The density of the water is more affected by heating than that of the oil with the water getting lighter sooner. This must be considered to optimize the treating temperature. (3) DROPLET SIZE, The separation rate is proportional to the square of the diameter of the droplet. (4) IMPEDING VELOCITY, velocity opposes separation;when the oil is flowing upward and the water drops settling downward there is direct opposition, with horizontal flow the opposing force is reduced by about one half and if the droplet separation is the same direction as the flow there is no velocity impediment.
HOTCO Engineering has developed a large amount of empirical data to assist in the scientific design of Heavy Oil Treaters.
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