Back to results
US 6,207,032 B1Granted
Electrostatic/mechanical emulsion treating method and apparatus
AssigneeKvaerner Process Systems A.S.
InventorVincent P. Buchanan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Loading patent…
Loading patent…
AssigneeKvaerner Process Systems A.S.
InventorVincent P. Buchanan
Estimating the term…
A treater for electrostatically and/or mechanically separating emulsified brine from oil during longitudinal flow through a horizontally elongated metal tank, wherein adjustable distributor elements are provided for enhancement of the de-emulsification process. The adjustable distributor elements may be externally operated to more closely control the diffusion and distribution of the flowing emulsion across the transverse area of the treater. The emulsion may be first directed through electrical fields where the brine droplets take on an electrical charge, then move through the distributor elements to electrically grounded coalescing elements. De-emulsified oil is removed in a stream separate from the brine stream. The treater also operates mechanically, with reduced efficiency, when electrostatic operation is unavailable, and can also be operated if coalescing elements are not used. The externally-adjustable, louvered baffles may be accompanied by fixed, non-adjustable louvers at intermediate spacing between the externally-adjustable louvers to provide additional coalescing and flow direction that will enhance dehydration of the process stream, and become an integral extension component thereof.
In an emulsion separating treater for separating emulsified produced water droplets from an emulsion which includes a generally elongate metal tank constructed and arranged for flow of the emulsion therethrough from a first inlet end to a second outlet end, comprising:
An emulsion separating treater for separating water droplets from oil in an emulsion, the treater including a generally horizontal, elongate metal vessel constructed and arranged for longitudinal flow of the emulsion through a first heater section and a second treater section, comprising:
An emulsion separating treater for separating an emulsion of emulsified produced water droplets and oil, which includes a generally horizontal, elongate metal vessel constructed and arranged for longitudinal flow of the emulsion through a first heater section and a second treater section, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.