GB709626A - Improvements in or relating to electric treaters for emulsions - Google Patents

Abstract

<PICT:0709626/III/1> <PICT:0709626/III/2> Emulsions of oil and water are resolved in an electric treater, which comprises a substantially sperical container having an upper outlet for treated oil and a lower outlet for separated water, electrodes for establishing a high-voltage field, and an emulsion distributer for discharging a stream of the emulsion to be treated into the electric field. The apparatus may be used to treat a salty crude oil to produce a desalted oil, and may be operated at elevated temperature. Fig. 1 shows a spherical container 10 in which aqueous material 13 settles below the line A-A and is withdrawn through pipe 14, and oil 17 separates above the line B-B and is withdrawn through pipe 18. Figs. 1 and 2 show six electrode structures 20-25 grouped round a central electrode 26. These structures include an upper electrode 28 and a lower electrode 29 of lesser diameter, perforated in its outer zone, and having a central opening 31. The emulsion to be treated is discharged into treating space 34 by distributor 40 which includes a tapered housing 41 and a vertically movable head member 42, which may have a tapered portion 43 which spreads the rising stream of emulsion into the space 34 through a narrow adjustable orifice between member 42 and housing 41. In modifications of the above apparatus, the upper electrode may be similar in structure to the lower electrode, alternatively, the circulation of the oil round the upper or lower electrodes may be restricted by adjustable dampers; the use of a single electrode structure is also described.