Multi-Component Performance Liquid for Crude Oil Dehydration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for dehydrating crude oil are inefficient in separating water from crude oil, leading to residual water that interferes with refining operations and pipeline handling, as existing emulsion breakers do not effectively break loose emulsions in crude oil production processes.
Innovation Solution
A multi-component performance liquid comprising 55-90 weight percent active ingredients with a molecular weight of 1200-300,000 daltons, including oxyalkylated alkylphenol formaldehyde resin, polyol, block copolymer of polypropylene glycol, and oxyalkylated amine, is activated and delivered to the crude oil and water stream to facilitate separation into distinct oil and aqueous phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional emulsion breakers are used to separate water from crude oil, then some water separation is achieved, but residual water remains that interferes with refining operations and pipeline handling
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a multi-component performance liquid comprising multiple emulsion breaker components with different molecular weights and chemistries (including polyols, block copolymers, oxyalkylated compounds, and resins) working synergistically to break emulsions and separate water from crude oil, achieving thorough dehydration that conventional single-component breakers cannot accomplish
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical and physical parameters of the emulsion breaker system by using components with specific molecular weight ranges (1,000 to 1,000,000 daltons) and diverse chemical structures that can effectively interact with different types of emulsifiers in crude oil, enabling complete emulsion breakdown and water separation
2Quantity of substance
If multiple treatment steps are used to achieve thorough dehydration, then residual water content is reduced, but process complexity and operational time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-component performance liquid is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: breaking various types of emulsions, separating water from oil, and conditioning the crude oil for downstream processing, all in a single treatment step, replacing what would traditionally require multiple sequential treatment processes
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines multiple emulsion breaker components with complementary mechanisms of action into a single integrated performance liquid formulation, merging the functions of several conventional breakers into one product that can be applied in a single treatment step to achieve thorough dehydration
3Reliability
If high concentrations of emulsion breakers are applied to ensure complete separation, then water removal improves, but cost and potential negative effects on oil quality increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the effectiveness parameter of the emulsion breaker by using components with optimized molecular weights and chemical structures that enhance their ability to interact with and neutralize emulsifiers, allowing effective separation at lower dosages compared to conventional breakers
Solution Approach 2:
The synergistic combination of multiple components in the performance liquid enhances the overall effectiveness of the emulsion breaking process, allowing lower total dosages to achieve the same or better separation results compared to single-component breakers used at high concentrations
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
The method significantly reduces the residual water content in crude oil, improving dehydration efficiency and reducing the need for additional treatment steps, with treated streams showing improved separation and reduced oil-in-water emulsion persistence.
Implementation Method 1
existing emulsion breakers do not effectively break loose emulsions in crude oil production processes
Implementation Method 2
The activated multi-component performance liquid is delivered to the stream to form a treated stream. The treated stream is allowed to separate into an oil phase and an aqueous phase
Data Source
AI summary
Multi-component performance liquids suitable for treating a stream comprising crude oil and water, and methods of their use, are provided. The multi-component performance liquids comprise solvent and active ingredients, which may have a weight average molecular weight of from about 1200 daltons to about 300,000 daltons. The methods comprise activating a multi-component performance liquid, delivering the activated multi-component performance liquid to a stream comprising crude oil and water, and allowing the treated stream to separate into an oil phase and an aqueous phase.