Crude Oil Demulsification Using Cyclonic and Electrostatic Separation

The patent replaces conventional gravity-based mechanical separation with a cyclonic separator that uses centrifugal force generated by rotational flow. The cyclonic separator induces a vortex flow pattern that separates oil and water phases based on density differences, achieving much higher separation efficiency without requiring complex mechanical moving parts. The separator uses a tangential inlet to generate cyclonic flow, and the separated phases are discharged through different outlets based on their positions in the centrifugal field.

The patent introduces an electrostatic coalescer as an intermediary device between the cyclonic separator and downstream equipment. The coalescer uses electrostatic fields to promote the coalescence of fine water droplets in the oil phase, forming larger droplets that can be more easily separated. This intermediary step effectively removes water and salt content before the oil reaches downstream equipment, preventing corrosion and deposition while maintaining system reliability.

The patent implements preliminary water separation action upstream in the storage tank using the cyclonic separator and electrostatic coalescer combination. By performing the separation operation before the oil leaves the storage tank, the system removes the majority of water content upstream, significantly reducing the heating requirements and processing loads downstream. The cyclonic separator performs initial phase separation, and the electrostatic coalescer completes the water removal, eliminating the need for extensive downstream heating and treatment.