Vertical Crude Oil Desalting Vessel with Interface Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing crude oil desalting and dehydration processes are cumbersome and costly due to the need for large vessels and complex piping, especially in space-constrained environments like production platforms, where high salt and water content in crude oil interferes with transportation, storage, and refinement.

Innovation Solution

A vertically oriented separation vessel system that uses a first distributor for crude oil and a second distributor for a wash fluid, with an interface level controller to maintain the oil-water interface, allowing for efficient separation and removal of salt and water by countercurrent flow, optionally enhanced with packing, coalescers, and electrostatic devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional horizontal separation vessels are used for crude oil desalting and dehydration, then separation effectiveness is achieved, but device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation effectivenessVSAvoidvessel complexity and piping

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from conventional horizontal separation vessels to a vertical orientation. The separation vessel is positioned with its axis substantially vertical rather than horizontal, allowing countercurrent flow of wash fluid and crude oil in the vertical direction. This dimensional change enables more efficient use of space and simplifies the overall system configuration while maintaining effective separation of salt and water from crude oil.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If large vessels and complex piping are used for desalting and dehydration, then separation capacity is sufficient, but space consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation capacityVSAvoidspace consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By orienting the separation vessel vertically rather than horizontally, the patent maximizes the use of vertical space available in production platforms. The countercurrent flow arrangement in the vertical direction allows for compact sizing while maintaining adequate separation capacity for handling crude oil with high salt and water content.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the desalting and dehydration functions into a single vertical separation vessel, eliminating the need for separate horizontal vessels and complex interconnecting piping. The wash fluid is distributed at the top and flows downward countercurrent to the crude oil, integrating multiple separation mechanisms in one compact unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If conventional desalting processes are used, then salt and water removal is achieved, but equipment wear increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesalt and water removalVSAvoidequipment wear

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical separation methods with a countercurrent flow system where wash fluid is distributed at the top and flows downward through the separation vessel. This substitution reduces mechanical stress and wear on equipment by eliminating the need for aggressive mechanical mixing and handling, while still achieving effective salt and water removal from the crude oil.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system effectively reduces salt and water content in crude oil, improving its quality and reducing equipment wear, while minimizing space and cost through a compact, efficient design.

Implementation Method 1

The mixture comprises crude oil, water, dissolved salts, free salts, or combinations thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDensity difference: Density Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a separation vessel defining a cavity extending along a central axis having a substantially-vertical orientation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitational settling: Gravitation

Implementation Method 3

an interface level controller configured to detect an interface between an oil phase and an aqueous phase and to maintain the interface within a predetermined range within the cavity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInterface detection: Density Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS12134739B2Systems and methods for crude oil desalting and dehydration in a vertical vessel

Publication Date: 2024.11.05 VME PROCESS INC

AI summary

A system for crude oil desalting and dehydration includes a separation vessel defining a cavity extending along a central axis having a substantially-vertical orientation. The separation vessel comprises a first distributor configured to distribute a mixture within the cavity of the separation vessel, and a second distributor configured to distribute a wash fluid within the cavity of the separation vessel. The mixture comprises crude oil, water, dissolved salts, free salts, or combinations thereof, and the wash fluid comprises an aqueous fluid. The first distributor is disposed within the cavity below the second distributor, and an interface level controller is configured to detect an interface between an oil phase and an aqueous phase and to maintain the interface within a predetermined range within the cavity.