Process for removing water from a water-containing crude oil
First Claim
1. A process for treating a flow of crude oil containing water through an apparatus having an inlet, the process comprising the steps of:
- (a) introducing the flow of the crude oil into the apparatus at the inlet, wherein at least a portion of the water contained in the crude oil is a vapour;
(b) first disrupting the flow of the crude oil in order to separate at least a portion of the vapour from the crude oil to produce a treated oil;
(c) heating the treated oil to produce a heated treated oil; and
(d) recycling a first amount of the heated treated oil to the inlet for mixing with the crude oil, wherein the first amount of the heated treated oil is at least sufficient to heat the crude oil to a temperature such that at least a portion of the water contained in the crude oil forms the vapour.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A process and apparatus for treating a crude oil containing water. An inlet introduces a flow of the crude oil into the apparatus, wherein at least a portion of the water is a vapor. A first separator disrupts the crude oil flow in order to separate at least a portion of the vapor from the crude oil to produce a treated oil. A heater heats the treated oil to produce a heated treated oil. Means for recycling a first amount of the heated treated oil from the heater to the inlet are provided. The first amount is at least sufficient to heat the crude oil to a temperature such that at least a portion of the water forms the vapor. At least one oil outlet removes the treated oil and at least one vapor outlet removes the vapor. Finally, means are provided for producing the flow of the crude oil. The process is preferably conducted using the apparatus.
18 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A process for treating a flow of crude oil containing water through an apparatus having an inlet, the process comprising the steps of:
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(a) introducing the flow of the crude oil into the apparatus at the inlet, wherein at least a portion of the water contained in the crude oil is a vapour; (b) first disrupting the flow of the crude oil in order to separate at least a portion of the vapour from the crude oil to produce a treated oil; (c) heating the treated oil to produce a heated treated oil; and (d) recycling a first amount of the heated treated oil to the inlet for mixing with the crude oil, wherein the first amount of the heated treated oil is at least sufficient to heat the crude oil to a temperature such that at least a portion of the water contained in the crude oil forms the vapour. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification