Alkalinity Modifier for Desalter Emulsion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Desalter units face challenges in handling acidic crude oils due to stable emulsions, which require complex chemistry controls and lead to corrosion issues, with existing solutions being costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an alkalinity modifier into the desalter wash water to adjust the pH between 5.0 and 8.0, creating an immiscible mixture with distinct hydrocarbon, rag, and brine layers, effectively reducing emulsions and stabilizing the desalting process without complex chemistry controls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If complex chemistry controls and additives (steam, demulsifiers, amines, polymer emulsion breakers, caustic injections, silicon additives) are introduced to mitigate stable emulsions, then emulsion stability is improved, but device complexity and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex chemistry control system from the desalter operation. By using an alkalinity modifier that passively neutralizes acids and breaks emulsions through simple pH adjustment, the system eliminates the need for multiple chemical additives and sophisticated control mechanisms, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining emulsion stability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the pH parameter of the wash water by introducing an alkalinity modifier. This single parameter change (increasing pH to neutralize acids) fundamentally alters the emulsion stability and enables simpler operation, replacing the need for multiple chemical controls with a single pH-based mechanism
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple chemical additives are introduced to handle stable emulsions, then emulsion breaking is improved, but corrosion management requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of acidic crudes into a beneficial process. The alkalinity modifier neutralizes the acids in the crude oil, transforming the corrosive acidic environment into a neutral or less corrosive one. This not only breaks emulsions more effectively but also reduces corrosion management requirements downstream
3Reliability
If sophisticated control systems are implemented to manage corrosion and emulsions, then process reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The alkalinity modifier performs multiple functions automatically through simple pH adjustment: it neutralizes acids, breaks emulsions, and reduces corrosion potential. The system is self-regulating and does not require sophisticated control mechanisms, making it both reliable and easy to operate
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the desalter's ability to process acidic crudes by reducing stable emulsions, mitigating corrosion, and maintaining desirable pH conditions, thereby improving the desalting efficiency and reducing operational complexities.
Implementation Method 1
The introduction of an alkalinity modifier into the desalter wash water to adjust the pH between 5.0 and 8.0
Implementation Method 2
an alkalinity modifier is added in the process to reduce the emulsions in the immiscible mixture
Implementation Method 3
The emulsion is then passed into a high voltage electrostatic field inside a closed separator vessel. The electrostatic field coalesces and breaks the emulsion
Implementation Method 4
The electrostatic field coalesces and breaks the emulsion into a hydrocarbon continuous phase and a water continuous phase
Implementation Method 5
creating an immiscible mixture by combining (a) a hydrocarbon feedstock containing contaminants and (b) a wash water, to create the immiscible mixture with at least three distinct layers: a hydrocarbon layer, a rag layer, and a brine layer
Implementation Method 6
a hydrocarbon continuous phase rises to the top to form the upper layer in the desalter from where it is continuously drawn off while the water continuous phase sinks to the bottom
Data Source
AI summary
A process comprising creating an immiscible mixture by combining (a) a hydrocarbon feedstock containing contaminants and (b) a wash water, to create the immiscible mixture with at least three distinct layers: a hydrocarbon layer, a rag layer, and a brine layer. In this process a portion of the contaminants are removed from the hydrocarbon mixture where are then transferred to the brine layer. The brine layer is then separated from the immiscible mixture. In this process an alkalinity modifier is added in the process to reduce the emulsions in the immiscible mixture to create the at least three distinct layers.