Method and apparatus for treating oil-water emulsions
a technology of oil-water emulsion and treatment method, which is applied in the direction of liquid degasification, liquid displacement, separation process, etc., can solve the problems of sludge accumulation on the horizontal surface, small droplets that might remain suspended for a considerable period of time, and interference with the separation process
Inactive Publication Date: 2005-02-03
FENWICK BRADLEY T
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Benefits of technology
"The patent is about a new method and apparatus for treating oil-water emulsions. The invention uses vertical coalescing vanes to separate brine from oil by promoting the coalescence of brine droplets and allowing them to separate from the oil by gravity. The vanes are fixed or movable and are interspersed with fixed vanes. The vanes extend into the water produced in the treater, which helps to electrically ground the vanes. The invention provides a simpler, more compact emulsion treater that avoids sludge formation and re-emulsification. The method and apparatus can be controlled based on the properties of the incoming crude oil and selected water content."
Problems solved by technology
Even though the brine is heavier than oil, the small droplets might remain in suspension for a considerable period of time unless steps are taken to separate the brine from the oil.
Unfortunately, sludge can build up on the horizontal surfaces.
This pad interferes with the separation process, and consumes treater volume.
Method used
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[0017] I. Introduction
[0018] Treatment of crude oil to remove water and entrained gas is efficiently accomplished with vertical coalescing vanes. The vanes may be fixed or movable by external control, and in one embodiment movable vanes are interspersed with fixed vanes. At least some of the vanes extend into the water produced in a treater vessel, thus electrically grounding conductive vanes. The coalescing vanes have a length (measured along the direction of fluid flow) sufficient to promote coalescence of water along the faces of the vanes. The surfaces of the vanes may be treated to promote coalescence, such as with a hydrophilic coating. It is believed that the vanes provide an interface conduit to promote the transfer of water droplets to the produced water in the treater, much like rain drops roll down a window.
[0019] Coalescing vanes may also be used in a “knock-out”. Knock-outs are often used to pre-treat heavier crude oil to remove free water before sending the emulsion ...
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Abstract
A treater for separating oil from water in an emulsion uses vertical coalescing vanes extending through the oil portion into the water portion. The vanes are made of a conductive material, and are electrically grounded in the produced water, and may be coated or partially coated to promote de-watering. Water droplets coalescing on the faces of the vanes are transported down the vane into the water portion and are removed from the system. In a further embodiment, the vanes extend above the oil portion into the gas portion to facilitate removal of gas entrained in the oil. In another embodiment, at least some of the coalescing vanes are rotatable, allowing external control of the flow of fluid through the treater.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 253,948, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING OIL-WATER EMULSIONS, filed Sep. 24, 2002 by Bradley T. Fenwick, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not applicable. REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX [0003] Not applicable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] The present invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for treating oil / water emulsions, and more particularly to methods and apparatus for coalescing and separating water from oil in an elongate, horizontal separation vessel. [0005] Oil wells typically produce a mixture of oil, gas, and water, typically salt water or brine. The brine might be mechanically mixed with the oil to form what is commonly called an emulsion. The emulsion generally includes small droplets of brine that are ...
Claims
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IPC IPC(8): B01D17/00B01D17/028B01D19/00
CPCB01D17/00B01D19/0042B01D17/0211B01D17/041B01D17/044B01D17/045
Inventor FENWICK, BRADLEY T.
Owner FENWICK BRADLEY T