Interface and mud control system and method for refinery desalters

Abstract

A method and system for controlling an interface emulsion layer within an oil treatment vessel includes injecting a water flow through a plurality of radial eductors arranged about a radial eductor manifold located in the brine water layer. Each radial eductor is oriented vertically to the radial eductor manifold and the horizontal axis of the oil treatment vessel. The water flow through the plurality of radial eductors causes a swirling flow pattern in a volume of water around each radial eductor that is effective for promoting a collapse of the interface emulsion layer. The water flow through each radial eductor, which may be a recycled water flow, may be in a range of about 1 to 5 feet per minute.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.