BRPI0810401A2 - high speed electrostatic coalescence oil / water separator - Google Patents

Abstract

HIGH SPEED ELECTROSTATIC COALESCENCE WATER / OIL SEPARATOR. The present invention relates to an apparatus for separating water from a water-in-oil mixture having an elongated inlet container with a lower outlet end and an upper inlet end, its length being a multiple of the dimension of the widest cross section of the container. A separating container having an oil outlet and a diverging water outlet has an inlet path in communication with the lower outlet end of the inlet container. At least one electrode is positioned inside the inlet container through which a mixture flowing through it is subjected to an electric field.

Description

Patent Specification Report for "HIGH SPEED ELECTROSTATIC WATER / OIL SEPARATOR".

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the electrostatic coalescence of immiscible components of a mixture, and is particularly related to the separation of water from a mixture of water in oil.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION One of the most useful energy sources in the world is crude oil, 10 derived from underground formations. When crude oil reaches the surface of the earth, it is in the form of a mixture of water in oil. That is, crude oil invariably has water associated with it that must be separated before the oil component can be efficiently refined into useful commercially acceptable products. 15 A common technique for improving the efficiency of oil / water separation is through the use of coalescence - which is a technique of linking smaller water droplets into larger ones that are more readily separated from the mixture. As the water droplet size increases, the gravitational separation dynamics will improve. One method of increasing the droplets' coescence is to subject the mixture to an electric field. The oil, being in a non-polar fluid, acts as a dielectric and droplets of water, being polar, when subjected to an electric field it is coalesced- Coalescence is usually practiced by establishing an electric field between electrodes and passing it a mixture of water 25 in oil through the electric field. Since the water is slightly polar, the water droplets become polarized by the electric field. The polarized droplets are attracted to each other and move and coalesce with each other. The larger droplets tend to gravitate down into the mixture and the oil, having portions of the water removed from it, tends to gravitate upwards into the mixture. Much work has been done in the area of electrostatic coalescence of a mixture to increase the separation of the oil and water components.

Subordinate information regarding the inventive object contained herein can be obtained from the following US patents: I Inventor Title Number Patent

1,116,299 Laird et al. Process of treating cKibben oil emulsions Method of separating associated liquids

1,838,931 | Fisher Device for converting commercial frequency circuits into high frequency circuits

2,120,932 Dillon Dehydrator with high frequency induction

2,849,395 Wintermute Method and apparatus for electrical separation of emulsions

3,772,180 Prestidge Electric treater

3,839,176 McCoy Method and apparatus for removing contaminants from liquids

3,847,775 Prestridge Process for electric water coalescence

4,126,537 Prestridge Method and apparatus for separating fluids with an electric field

4,161,439 I Warren et al. Apparatus for applying electrostatic fields to mix and separate fluids

4,200,516 Pope Electrostatic coalescence system

4,204,934 Warren et al. Process for applying electrostatic fields to mix and separate fluids

4,224,124 Pope Electrostatic coalescence system

4,283,290 Davies Purification using liquid membrane with electrostatic coalescence

4,290,882 l Dempsey Electrostatic phase separation of impurities from extraction 1Liquidjiquid

4.308.127 Prestridge Separation of emulsions with electric field

4.400.253 Prestridge Voltage control system for electrostatic oil handler

4,415,426 I Hsuetal. Electrodes for electrical coalescence of liquid emulsions

4,417,971 i Ferrin et al. Circuit to maintain the resistance of an electrostatic field generated in a fluid mixture of varying dielectric strength

4,469,582 I Sublette et al. Electrically intensified inclined pIac separator

4,479,161 l Henrich et al. Switching type circuit for fuel injector

Number of the Patent Title

4,581,119 Rajani et al. i Apparatus for separating a liquid phase i dispersed from a continuous liquid phase by electrostatic coalescence

4.581.120 I Sublette I Method and apparatus for separating emulsions from | oil field

4,601,834 Bailes et al. i Adjustment of liquid dispersions

4,606,801 Prestridge et al. I Electrostatic mixer / separator

4,702,815 Prestridge et al. I Distributed charge composition electrodes I and desalination system

4,747,921 Balls! Contact 1Liquid4Liquid.

4,767,515 Scott et al. i Surface area generation and I droplet size control in solvent extraction I systems using high intensity electric fields

4,804,453 I Sublette et al. i Resolution of emulsions with multiple electric fields I

5,147,045 | Chieta |. I Particulate separations by electrostatic coalescence I

5,411,651 I Yamaguchi et al. I Method for liquid / liquid electrostatic contactor

5.421972 Hickey et al. l Process and apparatus for removing soluble contaminants from hydrocarbon streams

5,464,522 I MacEdmondson i Electrostatic oil emulsion treatment method and apparatus

5,543,027 I Yamaguchi et al. Apparatus for liquid electrostatic contactor I liquid

5,565,078 l Sams et al. I Apparatus for increasing the coalescence of water in a water-in-oil emulsion

5,575,896 I Sams et al. ! Method and apparatus for separating oil Ieo / water using a centrifugal coalescer | double-electrode

5,643,431 I Sams et al. i Method for increasing water coalescence in a water-in-oil emulsion

5.824.203 I Rowing I Method and devices for changing the characteristics of substances

6,010,634 I Sams et al. I System and method for separating heavier and heavier mixed I components from a liquid flow I

I Inventor Number Patent Title

6,113,765 Wagner et al. Methods for intensified resolution of emulsions or continuous dispersions of hydrocarbons with conductivity modifiers

6,860,979 I Sams Dual frequency electrostatic coalescence

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention provides a method and apparatus for separating water from a mixture of water in oil. The invention is particularly useful for separating crude oil water. A large amount of the energy consumed on earth today is derived from crude oil that is found in underground deposits.

W neos is brought to the surface of the earth by the wells. When crude oil reaches the earth's surface, it is invariably in the form of a water-in-oil mixture. That is, crude oil is usually found in association with water. In order to successfully and economically transport, refine and make use of crude oil, one of the first requirements after crude oil is brought to the surface of the earth is to separate and properly dispose of the water content. Methods and various systems for achieving this are illustrated and described here. An embodiment of this invention includes an elongated inlet container having a lower inlet end and an upper inlet end. The elongated inlet container can typically be in the form of a tube, the diameter of which will be determined by the amount of crude oil to be processed. Although the tube is an example of an elongated container 20 readily available, the cross section of the elongated container can be square, rectangular or otherwise shaped, but for all practical purposes a tube works completely satisfactorily and is readily available and cheap. . A second element composing the apparatus of this invention is a separating vessel that has an upper oil outlet, a lower water outlet and an intermediate inlet path. As with the inlet container, the separation container can, for example, be a length

tube design having a circular cross section and the diameter of the separating container can typically be the same or substantially the same as the diameter of the inlet container. The separating container is typically elongated with respect to the diameter and can typically be about the same in length as the inlet container. At least one electrode is positioned with the inlet container through which a mixture flowing through it is subjected to an electric field. The electrode can, as an example, be in the form of a coil conductor that receives the voltage applied through an insulator 10 on the wall of the input container. The voltage can be applied between the - electrode and the input container itself when the input container is a metallic conductor. The electrode can be isolated or in suitable applications it can be without capping, which is in electrical contact with the mixture liquid flowing through the inlet. 15 The separator works by providing short liquid flow paths. A mixture, after being subjected to an electric field inside an inlet vessel, is immediately passed to a separating vessel where ways are provided for downward flow of dry water and upward flow of oil having a substantial portion of the water 20 extracted from it. The apparatus for separating water from a water-in-oil mixture can be arranged in series by means of which the percentage of water removed from the mixture is increased or can be arranged in a parallel relationship to adjust the varying amounts of crude oil that are being treated. A better understanding of the invention will be obtained from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the attached drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 30 The preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in further detail. Other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with respect to the detailed description.

da, attached claims and drawings in annexes below (not to scale) where: figure 1 is an elevation view of a basic system to practice the essence of the invention, figure 2 is an alternate view of a basic system of the invention here.

Figure 2 shows a tubular inlet container having an electrode in it through which a mixture is subjected to an electrostatic field and different portions of water collection and oil collection in communication with treatment process containers. of oil and the water treatment process, figure 3 is another alternating embodiment of the basic concept of the invention in which the separating container is vertical with an upper product outlet and a lower water outlet, figure 4 is a view on the rise of a modality of the invention showing how the basic systems used to practice the invention can be placed in series to achieve greater total separation of water from the mixture.

Additionally, figure 4 illustrates an input collector and an output collector that can be used, so that the system that extends between the collector can be repeated in parallel to, in this way, adapt the system to increase volume applications, figure 5 shows a desalination method of the invention in which a separation system is used in an application for extracting salt from a mixture, figure 6 shows another desalination system and illustrates how two basic separation systems of the invention can be used in a network to provide water separation and deeper salt removal, figure 7 is a diagrammatic view showing how the basic arrangement in figure 2 can be repeated multiple times as needed by the required dehydration level of the system.

As an example, figure 4 illustrates two basic systems in sequence while figure 7 shows diagrammatically three basic systems in sequence, figure 8 illustrates another embodiment of the invention in which the basic separation system of the invention follows a particularly input structure useful in extracting gas from the inlet mixture and in which two basic separation systems, the first as in figure 2 and the second as in figure 1, are used in series, 5 figure 9 illustrates another embodiment of the invention in Since the separation vessel is oriented at about 22.5 ° with respect to the horizontal, figures 10, 11 and 12 provide cross-sectional views of alternate electrode modalities. Figure 10 illustrates a bar type electrode configuration. Figure 11 illustrates a coil type electrode configuration. Figure 12 illustrates a plate-type electrode configuration, figure 13 is an alternating modality of the basic system for practicing the invention as first described in figure 1. This modality employs a horizontal transition cut between the inlet container and the portion of oil collection to reduce turbulence where the separate water flow diverges from the separate oil flow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS It is to be understood that the invention that is now described is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and arrangement of the parts illustrated in the attached drawings. The invention is capable of other modalities and can be practiced or carried out in a variety of ways. The phraseology and terminology used here are for purposes of description, not limitation. The basic concept of the invention is illustrated in its simplest form in figure 1. Basically the invention includes an elongated inlet container 10 having a lower outlet end 12 and an upper inlet end 14. Positioned within the container Inlet 10 is an electrode 16 that provides an electrostatic field through which an incoming liquid, identified in figure 1 as "food", flows. In figure 1, electrode 16, shown in a dotted outline, is positioned inside container 10, where container 10 is of conductive material, which is metal, so that the electrostatic field is established between the electrode

16 and the wall of the container 10. The inlet container 10 is elongated, that is, it has a measured length from the upper inlet end 14 to the lower outlet end 12 which is a multiple of the widest dimension of the cross section of the container.

In the arrangement illustrated in Figure 1, the inlet container 10 is in the form of a tube, that is, a container that, in cross section, is round.

The length of the container 10 should preferably be about twice the diameter of the container, however, the precise length is not a critical essence of the invention, except that it is important that the container 10 is elongated so that the fluid flows through it is exposed to a minimum length of time of the electrostatic field established by electrode 16. A second basic element of the apparatus of figure 1 is a separation container 18. Container 18 has an upper oil outlet end 20 and a lower water outlet end 22. Additionally, the separating container 18 has an intermediate inlet path 24 that communicates with the lower outlet end 12 of the inlet container.

As the invention is illustrated in figure 1, an inlet flange fitting 26 is secured to the upper inlet end of the inlet container 10 and a similar outlet flange fitting 28 is secured to the upper oil outlet end 20 of the separation container 18. Flange fittings 26 and 28 provide convenient devices for connecting the system of figure 1 to the piping, but are not otherwise involved in the performance of the system.

Similarly, the lower water outlet end 22 of the separating vessel 18 is provided with a pipe fitting 30 through which the water separated by the system can be carried away for further disposal or treatment.

In the embodiment of the invention, as shown in figure 1, a mixture of oil and water, designated as "food", enters the system through the inlet flange fitting 26, where it passes into the inlet container 10. The mixture flows through the inlet container elongated

than is preferably tilted downwards as indicated. Inclining the inlet container helps a high flow of liquid to pass the electrodes. Inside the inlet container, the mixture is exposed to an electrostatic field. If electrode 16 inside the inlet container is covered with insulator, 5 then electricity is not directly directed from electrode 16 to the mixture, but instead, only an electrostatic field is kept inside the container 10 to which the mixture is exposed. Through the use of an isolated electrode 16, the voltage between the electrode and the wall of the container 10 can be significant, so that an electrostatic field is applied to the input mixture. The electrostatic field causes the water droplets within the mixture to quickly coalesce. The mixture, with a significant portion of the water in it, coalesced in the large droplets immediately passes directly to the separating vessel 18, which is preferably at an angle perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the inlet vessel 10. In figure 1, the longitudinal axis of the inlet container 10 is indicated by the number 32, while the longitudinal axis of the separating container 18 is indicated by the number 34. The mixture having been subjected to an electrostatic field and, thus, having passed through an environment where water is rapidly coalesced, it enters the separation vessel perpendicularly

18. Inside the separating vessel 18, the mixture flowing inside is offered an immediate opportunity to separate for the heaviest and lightest components. The heavier component separates from the mixture and flows downwardly into the inclined separating container 18 into a water collection portion 36, which is the portion of the container 18 below the inlet 24. The water within the portion water collection system 36 is maintained at a selected level 38 by means of a water level control 40. The water level control 40 is illustrated diagrammatically, as such devices are frequently and customarily used in oil / water separation and are well known to any professional in the art. A typical water level control system is illustrated in, and will subsequently be described with, reference to figure 8. Basically,

In addition, the water level control 40 operates a valve (not shown) connected to the tube fitting 30 to drain water as it accumulates within the water collection portion 36, so that level 38 remains at a pre-set height. selected within the water collection portion 36. 5 The mixture flowing out of the inlet container 10 through the lower outlet end 12 separates, and the lighter component is loaded upwardly to an oil collection portion 42 of separation container 18. The oil component of the feed mixture having at least a substantial portion of the extruded water there flows through the upper oil outlet tremor 20 to the inlet container 10 and through the flange fitting outlet 28 for transport to a pipeline where it can be moved to a refinery, ie transported to a facility for storage or additional processing.

The system for separating water from a water-in-oil mixture in Figure 1 is of utmost simplicity compared to most of the oil / water separation equipment in use today and is still willing to provide improved performance.

Specifically, a single aspect of the separation system in Figure 1 is that an oil / water mixture is subjected to an electrostatic field and immediately thereafter passes to separation with the water component flowing in one direction and the component. oil flowing in the opposite direction.

In addition, the inclined arrangements of inlet vessel 10 and separation vessel 18 provide immediate assisted gravity separation of a water-in-oil mixture after exposure to an electrostatic field.

The apparatus in figure 1 provides the most immediate and effective separation of oil and water in the simplest possible flow arrangement compared to other known systems.

Figure 1 illustrates the rudiments of the method of applying an electrostatic field to the mixture within the input container 10. A voltage source 44 provides a voltage output between conductors 46 and 48. Conductor 48 is secured to the wall Side of the input container 10 while the conductor 46 is fed through an insulator 50 that extends through the side wall of the container 10 to the electrode 16. The voltage across the conductors 46 and 48 can be an AC voltage, an DC voltage, a pulsed DC voltage or a double frequency voltage. The particular voltage applied to create an electrostatic field within the input container is not a critical element of the invention, as much work has been done to define the advantages and disadvantages of various voltage systems used to increase the voltage. coalescence of water in a water-in-oil mixture. As an example, the US patent

6,860,979 teaches a double frequency electrostatic coalescence system that can be applied to the apparatus of figure 1. Such a double frequency system is better illustrated and will be discussed with reference to figure 6. The basic system of the invention illustrated in figure 1 is susceptible to a variety of modifications. Figure 2 shows an example of a modification of figure 1 in which the inlet container 10, the lower outlet 12, the upper inlet 14, and the electrode 16, all have the same element number and the same purpose as described with reference to figure 1. The lower outlet end 12 is connected in a straight line with a water collection portion 36A that has a water level control 40 to maintain a water level 38 as described with reference to figure 1. A lower water outlet end 22 of the water collection portion in figure 2 connects to the inlet 52 of a water treatment process container 54 which is illustrative of any system that provides treatment and / or disposes of the water extracted from the mixture input. The water treatment process 54 can simply include a disposal of the water extracted from the inlet water / oil mixture or it can represent an additional treatment to remove any residual oil carried from the inlet mixture, such as a hydrocyclone, a separator centrifugal force, gravity separator, corrugated plate separator, flotation cell or filter. In the arrangement in figure 2 the inlet mixture that flows into the system through the inlet flange 26 is subjected to an electric field provided by electrode 16 that works to make the water portion of the inlet mixture coalesce. Coalesced water continues to flow downward

for the water collection portion 36A.

The oil that separates out of the mixture and therefore that remains above the water level 38 returns upwardly and flows into the oil collection portion 42A.

The separated oil flows out of the collection portion 42A through the upper oil outlet 5 end 20 and through an oil outlet 56 to an oil treatment process area indicated by container 58. The treatment process container 58 it is emblematic of any system for additional handling, transportation, treatment or storage of oil separated by the system of figure 2. Typically the oil treatment process 58 can be a storage facility where crude oil having a substantial portion of water extracted from it is stored before being transported for further use, such as to a refinery for processing.

The comparison of figure 2 with figure 1 shows two distinct differences.

First, figure 2 illustrates the water treatment process container 54 and the oil treatment container 58, as emblematic of additional separate oil and water treatment exiting the systems.

Second, figure 2 compared to figure 1 shows a different geometric arrangement of the oil and water flow paths that were separated from a mixture of oil in incoming water.

In both figure 1 and figure 2 the separated oil changes the direction and moves upwards at an angle with respect to the flow path of the inlet mixture.

However, in figure 2, compared to figure 1, the separated water continues in the same flow path as the inlet container. Regardless of these differences, the basic function of the systems in figures 1 and 2 is the same. That is, the oil-in-water mixture flows in a downward direction through an elongated inlet vessel during which time it is subjected to an electrostatic field and a separating vessel has an inlet path communicating with the lower outlet end of the input container.

Figure 2 shows an arrangement in which a mixture of oil in water is subjected to an electrostatic field and immediately thereafter, separate routes are provided through which the separated water and oil flow in different directions.

+ Figure 3 shows another alternate modality of the system of this invention.

In figure 3 the inlet container 10 is elongated and descended inclined, the same as shown in figures 1 and 2. However, in figure 3 the oil collection portion 42B is vertically directed upwards.

The longitudinal axis 32 intersects the longitudinal axis of the separation vessel 34 at an angle of about 45 °. In figure 3 the mixture after having passed through the electrostatic field established by the electrode 16 inside the inlet container 10 turns and enters horizontally to the oil collection portion 42B that is in vertical alignment with the portion 36B water collection system.

The water separated from the coalesced mixture by the action of electrode 16 immediately returns downwardly to the water collection portion 36B and the lighter oil component separated immediately returns upwardly to the oil collection portion 42B and flows to out at the top oil outlet 20. Consequently, as with figures 1 15 and 2, the inlet mixture is subjected to an electrostatic field and immediately thereafter the flow of the inlet mixture introduces a divergent path in which the separated water can flow in a different direction from the separated oil.

In the case of figure 3, the separated water component immediately diverges to a downward path to the water collection portion 36B while the separated oil component flows in the opposite direction, that is, upwardly to the oil collection portion 42 Therefore, figure 3 provides the same unique concept as figures 1 and 2, that is, a mixing inlet through an elongated container in which the mixture is subjected to an electrostatic field followed immediately by the flow paths. divergent for separate water and oil components.

Figure 9 shows another alternate embodiment of the system of this invention.

The inlet container 10, the lower outlet 12, the upper inlet 14, and the electrode 16, all have the same element number and the same purpose as described with reference to figures 1, 2 and 3. The container 30 Inlet 10 is elongated and downwardly inclined, but with flange fitting 26 oriented to receive a vertical feed.

Both the water collection portion 36C and the oil collection portion 42C of the separation vessel 18 are aligned along the longitudinal axis of the separation vessel 34 and oriented at an angle of about 22.5 ° to the horizontal.

The longitudinal axis of the inlet container 32 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the separating container 34. The mixture 5 separates, after having passed through the electrostatic field established by the electrode 16 inside the inlet container 10, and the water separated turn angled downwards to the water collection portion 36C and the separate oil component plus angled back upwards to the oil collection portion 42C and flow out into the top or 20 oil outlet. The outlet flange fitting 28 is oriented so that it can connect to a vertically oriented area of the oil treatment process.

Therefore, with figures 1, 2 and 3 the inlet mixture is subjected to an electrostatic field and immediately after that the flow of the inlet mixture enters a divergent path in which the separated water can flow in one direction divergent from the separated oil.

As suggested by figures 1, 2, 3 and 9, the angle of the inlet container 10 can vary from 0 ° to 45 ° with respect to the vertical and the angle of the separation container 18 can vary from 0 ° to 45 ° with relative to the horizontal.

Each of Figures 1, 2, 3 and 9 can use several electrostatic fields.

In each of Figures 1, 2, 3 and 9, in addition to the electrode 16

- positioned inside the inlet container 10, a second electrode 60 is positioned · - positioned inside the oil collection portion 42, that is, there is a second electrode 60 within the oil collection portion 42 of figure 1, inside oil collection 42A in figure 2, inside oil collection 42B in figure 3, and inside oil collection 42C in figure 9. Each of the second electrodes provides electrostatic fields in the same way as the electrode 16 primer in each modality and serves to additionally assist in the coalescence of any water remaining in the separated oil after the first separation has occurred.

Secondary electrodes 60 can be isolated or if the percentage of water remaining in the mixture within the oil collection portion of the apparatus has decreased, then secondary electrodes 60 can be uncapped electrodes operating at lower voltages.

Figure 4 shows how the basic separation system of this invention can be used in series to more completely separate water from the water-in-oil mixture.

Figure 4 shows an inlet collector 62 through which a mixture of water in oil is fed to a first separation system generally indicated by the number 64 which has the components with the same numerical identification as in figure 1. The output flange 28 of the first separation system 64 connects to an input flange 26A of a second separation system 66. The output flange 28A of the separation system 66 communicates with an output collector 68, whereby , the oil component of the mixture flowing in the inlet manifold 62 is collected.

Accordingly, the first separation system 64 and the second separation system 66 function identically as described with reference to figure 1 in which each has an inlet container 10, a water collection portion 36 and a collection portion of oil 42. Each inlet container has an electrode 16 and each water collection portion 36 has a pipe fitting through which water separated from the feed mixture is transported away from the separation system.

Additionally, there is a second electrode 60 in both separation systems 64 and 66. A difference in figure 4 compared to figure 1 is that a gas outlet is illustrated in communication with each of the inlet containers 10 and IOA .

Each gas outlet 70 and 70A is connected by pipeline 72 through which the gas separated from the system can be taken, for example, to a gas collection facility, a torch and so on.

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of how the separation system in Figure 2 can be connected in series.

Figure 7 diagrammatically shows a separation system 74 which functions as illustrated and described with reference to figure 2 and the identical separation systems 76 and 78 connected in series. This is illustrative of the fact that the separation systems as described here can be connected in series as much as necessary, substantially identical to the separation systems connected in series to achieve the required level of separation.

Referring back to figure 4, this view suggests that the separation systems of that invention can easily be placed in parallel. Figure 4 shows two separation systems 64 and 66 extending in series from an input collector 62 to an output collector 68. It is easy to see that any number of the systems illustrated in figure 4 can be placed side by side , in parallel, each extending from the input collector 62 to the output collector 68. Similarly, the system of figure 7 could easily be placed in parallel with separation systems as much as required according to the volume of a mixture of water in oil to be treated. Figure 5 illustrates how a separation system of this invention can be used in a desalination system. In figure 5, a first separation system 64, as described with reference to figure 1, works to supply separate oil in outlet flange fitting 28 which is connected to a T-fitting 80 having a water inlet for wash

82. The separated oil flowing from the outlet flange 28 mixes with the washing water in the T-fitting 80, and the mixture passes out of the T-fitting through outlet 84, through a mixing valve 86 and through an inlet tube 88 for a desalination container 90. In container 90, an inactive zone is provided allowing the oil and water to separate. The water introduced through the washing water inlet 82 absorbs the salt content in the oil discharged from the first separation system 64. From the desalination vessel 90 the water passes out through outlet 92 and the oil having substantially all the water and substantially all the salt removed from it flows out through the oil outlet 94. The basic concepts of the desalinizer in figure 5 are known, that is, the step of using washing water to mix with oil having salt in it is known and is not the essence of the invention. The significance of figure 5 is that it shows how a separation system 64 of this invention can be used in a desalinator to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the desalinator system. Figure 6 shows a further illustration of how the separation systems of this invention can be used in a desalination arrangement.

A first separation system 64, as illustrated and described with reference to figure 1, supplies separate oil through the outlet flange 24 to the T-fitting 80 having water inlet 82, as described in figure 5. The mixture passes through the mixing valve 86 as described and to another inlet flange fitting 26 of a second separation system 66 which again is the same as the basic separation system in figure 1. The separated oil flowing through the fitting outlet 28A enters a desalination container 90 where the water and oil components of the mixture are separated by gravity with the water having dissolved salt in it and the relatively salt-free oil passing upwards and out of the desalination through the oil outlet 94. Figure 6 shows more details of circuits through which a voltage can be applied to an electrode within a separation system for which a reference will be made subsequently.

Figure 8 shows a way in which the separation systems of this invention can be added in series.

In figure 8 a mixture of oil / water enters through an inlet 96 to a preliminary separator 98, that is, in the form of a vertical container having a gas outlet 100 at the top.

The liquid passes downwardly in the preliminary separator 98 with the water component easily separated, settling at the bottom in a water level 38 maintained by a water level control 40. The control 40 operates a water discharge valve 102 so that the level 38 is kept inside the container 98. A pipe outlet fitting 30 allows to carry water away from the preliminary separator 98. The mixture having gas and water easily separated from it flows into a first separation system 74 like that described in figure 2. As the water is separated from the oil content of the mixture within the separation system 74 it flows downwardly into the water collection portion 36A and finally drains out into the pipe outlet fitting 30. The oil from the The mixture moves upwards through the oil collection portion 42 where it is again exposed to an electrostatic field through the second electrode 60. The separated oil moves through the oil outlet 56 and for a second separation system 64 and through the downwardly inclined inlet container 10 having an electrode 16 in it.

In the separation system 64 the mixture is treated as described with reference to figure 1, that is, in a basic separation system of that invention.

From the inlet container 10, the mixture, after being subjected to the electrostatic field provided by the electrode 16, flows into the separation container 18, the water being channeled downwards into the water collection portion 36 where it mixes with the water drained out of the water collection portions 36A of the separation system 74 and passes out of the system through a pipe outlet 30. The oil that passes out of the inlet container 10 is channeled upwards through from the oil collection portion 42 and out through the outlet flange fitting 28, all in the manner as described with reference to figure 1. Figure 8 is an illustration of how the unique separation system of this invention lends itself to a variety of combinations, all achieved with the basic concepts, as shown in figure 1. In the system in figure 8 the mixture is submitted to the electrostatic field provided by four (4) electrodes.

To achieve a highly efficient separation of water from the oil contained in the mixture, the resistance of the electrostatic field of successive electrodes can be increased since each is in a portion of the system in which the water content of the mixture has been reduced.

As an example, while the electrodes 16 of a separation system 74 can be isolated, electrodes 16 and 60 of the separation system 64 can be non-isolated, that is, without capping.

In addition, as shown by figures 10, 11 and 12, different electrode configurations can be used for electrodes 16 and 60 in order to achieve the desired electrostatic field.

For example, in figure 10, electrodes 16A are in the form of parallel plates.

In figure 11 electrodes 16B are in the form of concentric cylindrical members 16B, while in figure 12 a coaxial electrode 16C is in the form of a bar surrounded by a concentric cylindrical member 16D.

The second electrode 60 can have any cross-sectional arrangements as shown in figures 10, 11 and 12. As mentioned with reference to figure 1, each of the electrodes used in the separation systems described here, is supplied by a voltage potential which can be an AC voltage, a DC voltage 5, a rectified AC voltage, or an AC voltage having selected frequencies and waveforms.

An effective voltage format for use with the electrostatic separation systems of this invention is a dual frequency voltage as described in US patent 6,860,979 entitled "Dual Frequency Electrostatic Coalescence". This patent was published on May 1, 2005, and is hereby incorporated by reference.

Figure 6 shows a basic circuit disclosed in that patent by which a double frequency voltage is applied to electrode 16 of the separation system. 64. In this dual frequency circuit a three-phase voltage source 104 is applied to a rectifier 106 to produce a voltage on a CD bus 15. The voltage of the CD bus 108 supplies a modulator 110 which, through of signal-fed conductors 112, controls a pulser 114 that provides a selectable frequency AC voltage for primary 116 of a transformer 118. Secondary 120 of transformer 118 applies voltage between ground 122 and conductor 124 that 20 supplies voltage passing through insulator 50 to electrode 16. The circuit in figure 6 provides a method of increasing the separation of oil and water components from a mixture that flows through the inlet container 10 by providing a voltage source of AC of a readily selectable frequency Fl which is modulated in intensity at a frequency selected in F2. Figure 13 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the invention compared to the basic embodiment of figure 1. In figure 13 a horizontal transition container 126, typically in the form, as illustrated, of a tube length, interconnects the oil collection container. 42 with the inlet container 10. A T-fitting 128 extends from the bottom of the horizontal transition container 126 and connects to the water collection container 36. Consequently, the separation water in the inlet container 10 and in the oil collection container 42 it sits at the bottom of the horizontal transition container 126 and drains out through the T-fitting 128 into the water collection container 36 although encountering reduced turbulence.

In the drawings, the basic separator configurations of this 5 invention are illustrated in figures 1, 2, 3, 9 and 13. Different systems by which the separation system can be applied are illustrated in figures 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. The figures 5 and 6 illustrate specifically how the separation system here can be used in a desalination system in which washing water is used.

It is important to emphasize that the illustrations of how the separation system of this invention can be modified for various configurations, as exemplified in figures 4 to 8, are examples only and in no way are they illustrated only as arrangements through which the separation system can be employed.

Although the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is clear that many changes can be made in the details of construction and arrangement of components without departing from the spirit and scope of that description.

It is understood that the invention is not limited to the modalities established here for purposes of exemplification, but is to be limited only by the scope of the attached claims, including the entire range of equivalence to which each element of it is entitled.

Reference List 10 Inlet container 12 Bottom outlet end 14 Top inlet end 16 Electrode 18 Separation container 20 Top oil outlet end 22 Bottom water outlet end 24 Inlet port 26 Inlet flange fitting 28 Inlet fitting outlet flange 30 Pipe outlet fitting

32 Longitudinal input shaft 34 Longitudinal axis of separation vessel 36 Water collection portion 38 Water level 5 40 Water level control 42 Oil collection portion 44 Voltage source. 46 Conductor 48 Conductor 50 insulator 52 Water inlet 54 Water treatment process container 56 Oil outlet 58 Oil treatment process container 60 Second electrode 62 Inlet collector 64 First separation system 66 Second separation system 68 Secondary collector outlet 70 Gas outlet 72 Pipe 74 First separation system 76 Second separation system 78 Third separation system 80 T-fitting 82 Wash water inlet 84 Outlet 86 Mixing valve 88 Inlet 90 Desalination container 92 Water outlet 94 Outlet oil

96 Inlet 98 Preliminary separator 100 Gas outlet 102 Valve 5 104 Phase voltage 3 106 Rectifier 108 CD bus 110 Modulator 112 Conductor 114 Pulsator 116 Primary 118 Transformer 120 Secondary 122 SOIO 124 Conductor 126 Horizontal transition vessel 128 T-slot

Claims (22)

1. An apparatus for separating water from a water-in-oil mixture, comprising: an elongated inlet container having a lower outlet end and an upper inlet end, its length being a multiple of the dimension of the widest cross section of the container; a separating container having an oil outlet and a diverging water outlet and an inlet path in communication with said lower outlet end of the inlet container; and at least one electrode positioned within said inlet container through which a mixture flowing through it is subjected to an electric field. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said inlet container is inclined with respect to the horizontal. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said separation container is elongated and inclined and has a longitudinal axis and wherein said inlet container has a longitudinal axis that intersects said longitudinal axis of the separation container . An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said longitudinal axis of the inlet container intersects said longitudinal axis of the container inclined at about a right angle. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said inlet container has a longitudinal length at least twice the dimension of the longest cross section of the container. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said angled inlet container is oriented at an angle of about 45 ° with respect to the horizontal. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one electrode positioned within said inlet container is insulated or non-insulated. Apparatus according to claim 1, including: an electrode positioned within said separation container, whereby, the mixture is subjected to two separate wind fields, supplied by separate electrodes since it flows between said inlet container inlet and said oil outlet from the separating container and in which each said electrode is selected from an insulated electrode and a non-insulated electro-5. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein one of said electrodes is isolated and the other of said electrodes is non-isolated. An apparatus according to claim 1, including a level control of the liquid held to said separating container below said intermediate inlet through which a level of liquid is maintained within the lower portion of said separating container . Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the devices are arranged in series, whereby said top oil outlet from the separating container of a first device is connected to an upper inlet end a second inlet vessel providing a single upper oil outlet and a plurality of lower water outlets. Apparatus according to claim 1, including a horizontal transition vessel interposed between a downwardly tilted inlet container and an upwardly tilted oil collection portion in which the water collection portion is in communication with the horizontal transition container. 13. A method of separating water from a water-in-oil mixture, comprising: flowing the mixture in a confined inlet path from an upper to a lower lift; passing the mixture through an electric field on said confined entry path; and dividing the flow path of the mixture into a fluid flow path predominant in upwardly inclined oil and a flow path predominant in water descending incinerated. A method according to claim 13, including the step of subjecting the mixture to said fluid flow path predominant in upwardly inclined oil to an electric field, thereby increasing the effects of the electric field. - A method according to claim 13, wherein the direction «5 of travel of the mixture flow in said confined inlet path is about 90 ° for the direction of travel of the mixture flow in said predominant flow path in oil. « A method according to claim 13, wherein the direction of travel of the mixture flow in said confined inlet path is about 45 ° with respect to the horizontal. 17. The method of claim 13, wherein said predominant fluid flow path in downwardly inclined water. swimmer communicates with connected water maintained at a selected level. 18. The method of claim 13, wherein the flow directions of said oil-predominant fluid flow path and the water-predominant fluid flow path are substantially perpendicular to each other. 19. The method of claim 13, wherein the flow directions in said oil-predominant fluid flow path and in water-predominant fluid flow path are substantially collinear with each other. 20. Method according to claim 14, wherein said electric field is established at said inlet confined by an insulated electrode and in said fluid flow path predominant in upwardly inclined oil. 21. The method of claim 13, wherein said electric field is established by means of an electrode selected from an isolated electrode and a non-isolated electrode. 22. The method of claim 14, wherein said mentioned first electric field and said mentioned second electric field are each established by an electrode selected from an isolated electrode and a non-isolated electrode.