Desalter Dehydrator Multiple Injection Headers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current desalter/dehydrator systems are limited in their ability to efficiently handle different types of crude oils, as they require separate configurations for injecting oil/water emulsions either between or below high voltage electric grids, leading to inefficiencies in desalting/dehydrating processes.
Innovation Solution
A desalter/dehydrator system with multiple injection points, including a first distribution header for injecting the oil/water emulsion below the electric field and a second distribution header for injecting between the electric field, allowing for flexible injection locations within the pressure vessel to accommodate various crude oil types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single distribution header is used to inject oil/water emulsion, then the device structure is simple, but the system cannot efficiently handle different types of crude oils requiring different injection locations
Solution Approach 1:
The desalter/dehydrator system incorporates multiple distribution headers (first and second distribution headers) that can be selectively activated based on the type of crude oil being processed. Each distribution header is configured to inject oil/water emulsion at different locations within the pressure vessel - one between the electric grids and another below the electric grids. This multi-functional capability allows a single system to efficiently handle various crude oil types that require different injection locations, eliminating the need for separate dedicated systems for each crude oil type.
2Productivity
If separate desalter/dehydrator systems are built for different crude oil types, then each system is optimized for its specific crude oil, but the overall system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functionality of multiple separate desalter/dehydrator systems into a single integrated system. By combining multiple distribution headers with different injection locations within one pressure vessel, the system can handle various crude oil types that would otherwise require separate dedicated systems. This consolidation maintains the desalting/dehydrating efficiency needed for different crude oil types while reducing the number of separate systems, thereby lowering overall complexity and cost.
3Adaptability or versatility
If oil/water emulsion is injected at a fixed location, then the injection system is simple, but the system cannot adapt to crude oils that require different injection locations for optimal performance
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static, fixed injection location to a dynamic configuration where multiple distribution headers provide different injection locations. The selection of which distribution header to use can be adjusted based on the specific crude oil type being processed, allowing the injection location to adapt dynamically to different operational requirements. This dynamic capability enables optimal performance for various crude oil types while maintaining reasonable system complexity through the use of standardized distribution header components.
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 configuration enables efficient desalting/dehydrating of crude oils with different properties by allowing for simultaneous or separate injection of oil/water emulsions at optimal locations within the pressure vessel, enhancing the system's adaptability and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the oil/water emulsion is subjected to a high voltage electric field (generated by one or more electric grids) where water droplets within the oil/water emulsion coalesce into larger droplets
Implementation Method 2
Since the density of water is greater than the density of crude oil, once the water droplets within the oil/water emulsion reach a mass having a surface area to volume ratio at which friction of adjacent oil is overcome by gravity acting on the mass, the water droplets will separate from the crude oil and settle at the bottom of the desalter/dehydrator system
Data Source
AI summary
A desalter/dehydrator system that comprises a pressure vessel, and first and second distribution headers disposed within the pressure vessel. The first distribution header is configured to inject an oil/water emulsion at a location within an electric field generated within the pressure vessel. The second distribution header is configured to inject the oil/water emulsion at a location below an electric field generated within the pressure vessel.