Configurations and methods of dewatering crude oil
First Claim
1. A method of water removal from crude oil and water mixture, comprising:
- feeding the crude oil and water mixture at a flow rate and a temperature onto an interior separation surface of a cyclone separator as a thin film, wherein the crude oil and water mixture are fed to an inlet at a top of the cyclone separator, wherein the cyclone separator is at least partially disposed within a flash vessel;
flashing at least 20% of the water contained in the crude oil as steam from the crude oil while the crude oil and water mixture is moving on the separation surface in a helical pattern as a thin film;
collapsing foam bubbles on the separation surface of the cyclone separator; and
wherein the separation surface, a pressure in the flash vessel, the temperature of the crude oil in the cyclone separator, and the flow rate are selected such as to allow flashing of the water as steam from the crude oil without foam carry-over into a vapor phase leaving the flash vessel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A process for dewatering crude oil is described. The process includes feeding crude oil onto a separation of a cyclone separator that is at least partially disposed in a flash vessel. The temperature are pressure in the flash vessel are selected such that at least 20% of the water contained in the crude oil is flashed from the crude oil as it moves on the separation surface of the cyclone separator. The flow rate and angle of the crude oil inlet is selected such that the crude oil moves across the separation surface as a film in a helical pattern, providing a substantial foaming-free manner. The vapor that is flashed from the crude oil exits the flash vessel at a top outlet and the liquid crude oil exits the flash vessel at a bottom outlet.
18 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of water removal from crude oil and water mixture, comprising:
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feeding the crude oil and water mixture at a flow rate and a temperature onto an interior separation surface of a cyclone separator as a thin film, wherein the crude oil and water mixture are fed to an inlet at a top of the cyclone separator, wherein the cyclone separator is at least partially disposed within a flash vessel; flashing at least 20% of the water contained in the crude oil as steam from the crude oil while the crude oil and water mixture is moving on the separation surface in a helical pattern as a thin film; collapsing foam bubbles on the separation surface of the cyclone separator; and wherein the separation surface, a pressure in the flash vessel, the temperature of the crude oil in the cyclone separator, and the flow rate are selected such as to allow flashing of the water as steam from the crude oil without foam carry-over into a vapor phase leaving the flash vessel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification