Demulsifiers and Desalters
Demulsifiers and Desalters
DEMULSIFIERS AND DESALTERS
Westhaven Energy Company Ltd. manufactures a wide variety of demulsifiers and desalters used in the oil , gas and refining industries. Westhaven Energy Company Ltd.’s range of advanced and unique chemistries can improve operations, reduce corrosion and improve other key areas of performance in our client’s operations and refining.
SERVICE AND TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
Frequently, demulsifiers are custom designed for the specific oil and application. This may require Bottle Testing in the client’s oilfield operations to help determine the most effective and economical product. Based on this test and field simulation, we will recommend a specific product.
DEMULSIFIERS AND DESALTERS - GENERAL DISCUSSION
Westhaven Energy Company Ltd. demulsifiers include a variety of components to help break the emulsion rapidly. Dosage rates depend on many factors, including temperature, retention time, water cuts, tightness of the emulsion, contaminants, etc. Typical dosage rates are considered to be 10 - 50 ppm, but for some heavy oils and tight emulsions, the dosage rates can be as high as 500 ppm, whereas for light oils, the dosage rates can be as low as several ppm.
Crude oil desalting is one of the most critical steps in the refining process. Westhaven Energy Company Ltd. desalting chemicals have been proven through experience to provide excellent desalting performance in refinery operations by removing salt and other contaminants and separating any re-emulsified water from the crude oil.
The graph below shows how different demulsifiers can perform with time. Some demulsifiers achieve their water break within a se time and then do no more (blue line). Others, achieve the bulk of their performance quickly, and then gradually continue to drop water with additional time.
Sample Emulsion Breaking Curve % Water Drop versus Time
The graph below shows how different demulsifiers can achieve the same final water drop, but at different dosage rates.
The graph below shows how the remaining salt in the crude levels can vary be demulsifiers that appear to have the same water drop. This “finishing” can be very important, especially in refinery operations.
The graph below shows how different demulsifiers can perform versus dosage rates. Some demulsifiers will drop the water very quickly and at low dosage rates (Product D below). These demulsifiers may however be very sensitive to increases in the dosage rate and may overtreat the crude oil when dosage rates are excessive.
Other demulsifiers may take higher dosage rates to achieve the desired results, but are less sensitive to overtreating (Product A below).
Your Westhaven Energy Company Ltd. representative will help to determine the product choice based on the specific types of separators and operating conditions at your facilities.
APPLICATIONS:
Most demulsifier applications utilize continuous injection of the demulsifier. Occasionally, after a plant upset or some downhole work, or acidizing, the treater or separator may have an emulsion pad and a specialized slug treating compound may be necessarily batch treated.
DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY
The information in this bulletin is believed to be accurate but all recommendations are made without warranty, since the conditions of use are beyond Westhaven Energy Company Ltd. control. The listed properties are illustrative only and not product specifications. Westhaven Energy Company Ltd. disclaims any liability connection with the use of the information. The use of these products being beyond the control of the manufacturer, no guarantee, expressed or implied, is made as to the effects of such or the results to be obtained if not used in accordance with directions or established safe practice. The buyer must assume all responsibility, including injury or damage, resulting from its misuse as such, or in combination with other materials.