Processes for desalting crude oil under dynamic flow conditions

Abstract

Presented is a process for desalting crude oil. The process includes mixing a partially dehydrated crude oil, comprising less than 10 vol. % water and at least one water-extractable contaminant, with an aqueous wash fluid. A water-in-oil emulsion is formed. The water-in-oil emulsion is introduced into a first coalescence zone defined by a first vessel. The first vessel is configured to apply an electric field to the emulsion. The water-in-oil emulsion is broken within the first coalescence zone in the presence of the electric field under dynamic flow conditions to form a partially desalted crude oil and a non-emulsified aqueous salt solution. The partially desalted crude oil and the non-emulsified aqueous salt solution are then separated from one another under the dynamic flow conditions to yield a separated, partially desalted crude oil comprising less than 1 vol. % water.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.