US2277513A

US2277513A - Electric apparatus for treating emulsions

Info

Publication number: US2277513A
Application number: US218681A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harold C Eddy
Original assignee: Petrolite Corp
Current assignee: Baker Petrolite LLC
Priority date: 1937-01-26
Filing date: 1938-07-11
Publication date: 1942-03-24
Anticipated expiration: 1959-03-24

Description

H. C. EDDY March 24, 1942.

ELECTRIC APPARATUS FOR TREATING EMULSIONS Original Filed Jan. 26, 1937 [/v v1v TOR HAROLD C; EDDY ATTORNEK Patented Mar. 24, 1942 ELECTRIC APPARATUS FOR TREATING EMULSIONS Harold C. Eddy, Los Ang eles, Calif), assignor, by

mcsne assignments, to Petrolite Corporation, Ltd., Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Original application January 26, 1937, Serial No.

122.470. Divided 1938, Serial No. 218,681

6 Claims.

My invention relates to a novel electric apparatus for treating emulsions which finds utility in the electric treatment of emulsions regardless of the manner of forming these emulsions or the particular constituents thereof. For instance, while the electric treater herein-disclosed has been found to be very effective in a desalting process such as exemplified in my Patent No. 2,182,145, infra, it is also generally applicable to the dehydration of crude oil emulsions or other emulsions, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel apparatus for electrically treating emulsions.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an electric treater including an upper and a lower live electrode with an intermediate live electrode structure, the emulsion being introduced through a grounded means.

Further objects and adva tages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description.

Referring to the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of the preferred form of electric treater.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the upper and intermediate electrode structure.

' Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the emulsifying valve discharging into the electric field.

In Fig. 1, the emulsion is forced under pressure through a pipe 88 leading to the electric treater 81. This pipe is connected to a distributor means I05 disposed in the electric treater 81 and best shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

Referring to Fig. 3, it will be noted that the pipe 86 carries a primary member I06 which cooperates with a secondary member I01 in forming an annular discharge passage I08. It is often possible to 'movably mount the secondary member I01 resiliently moving it toward the primary member I06 so that the size of the annular discharge passage I08 quantity of the mixture moving through the pipe 86. In accomplishing this result, the secondary member I01'may be provided with a pin I08a guided in a spider I09 and carrying a spacer H at its lower end. A compression spring III is disposed between the spider I09 and the spacer H0 and serves to resiliently move the secondary member I01 downward. When no liquid is moving through the pipe 86, the members I and I01 will be in contact, but as soon as a flow is established, the pressure will force the secondary member I01 upward a slight distance to open the annular discharge passage I00 in degree proportional to the quantity of liquid to be discharged.

The details of one type of treater 81 which I have found particularly advantageous are best shown in Fig. 1. Referring to this figure, this treater 81 provides a tank 5 including a top is dependent upon the and this application July 11,

member 6 and a bottom member II1, this tank being grounded as indicated by the numeral IIII.

Suspended from insulators H9 is a live electrode means, shown as including an upper electrode I20 and a lower live electrode I2I, the latter being supported from and electrically connected to the upper live electrode I20 by rods I22.

Suspended from an insulator I24 and positioned between the upper and lower live electrodes I20 and I2I is an intermediate live electrode structure I25respectively cooperating with the electrodes I20 and I2I in providing an upper treating space I26 and a lower treating space I21. I prefer to form the intermediate electrode structure I52 of two electrodes I28 and I29 connected by a support I30.

The electrodes I20, I2I, I28, and I29 are preferably formed of interstitial character. A form of construction which I have found particularly desirable is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. Referring to the electrode I20, this electrode is shown as including a plurality of inner and outer rings I32 and I33 between which extend rods or pipes I34. Pins I30 depend therefrom and carry a plurality of concentric rings I31, each of which provides a lower edge I38 adjacent which the electric field is very concentrated.

The electrode I28 is similarly formed with rods or pipes I40extending outward from a support I41 and carryingupward-extending pins which, in turn, mount a plurality of concentric rings I43. The rings I43 are preferably disaligned from the rings I31 so that the most intense portion of any electric field established in the treating space I26 is inclined as indicated by dotted lines I44 in Fig. 2. Such an edge-to-edge field is very effective.

The electrode I29 is formed similar to the electrode I28 and provides downward-extending rings I50. Similarly, the electrode I2I is formed similar to the electrode I30 and provides upwardextending rings I5I so that a field is established in the treating space I21 similar to that previously described in the treating space I26. I have found it preferable to form the electrodes I2I and I29 of smaller diameter than the electrodes I20 and I28.

This type of electrode structure ,presents a minimum impedance to gravitational separation in the tank II5,.therings and the supporting means therefor covering only a small fraction of the total cross-sectional area of the tank. Further, the inters'itial nature of these electrodes permits free communication between the electric field and facilitates rapid removal of coalesced water masses, therefrom.

Various means may be utilized for energizing the electrodes to establish electric fields in the treating spaces I26 and I21. In the construclive tion illustrated, all of these electrodes are live, the only grounded portions being the tank and the emulsifying distributor means I05, the latter discharging directly into the treating space I21 to move the emulsion outward therein and suc cessively through the edge-to-edge fields. By proper design of the electrical system, the potential between the intermediate electrode structure I25 and the electrodes I20 and I2I can be made much higher than the potential between any of the live electrodes and ground. In Fig. 1, such a system is shown as including two transformers I60 and IN connected in additive relation. In this connection, one terminal of each secondary winding is grounded as indicated by the numeral I62, the high tension terminal of the transformer IGI being connected by a conductor I 63 to the intermediate electrode structure I25, and the high tension terminal of the transformer I50 is connected by a conductor I64 to the upper and lower live electrodes I20 and I2I. Suitable of electric dehydration of emulsions.

Assuming, for instance, that each transformer develops a potential of 12,000 volts, the potential across the upper treating space I26 will be 24,000 volts, as will also the potential across the lower treating space I21. However, the potential between the emulsifying distributor means I05 and the electrode I29, or the electrode I2I, will be only 12,000 volts. Use of such a system tends to prevent short-circuiting to the distributor means I05 and also permits introduction of the emulsion directly into a field of high voltage. I believe it to be new to utilize upper and lower live electrodes with an intermediate live electrode in this capacity.

The action of the electric fields is to coalesce the dispersed water particles of the emulsion into masses of sufficient size to gravitate from the oil. Thus, after the treater has been in operation for a period, the upper end of the tank I I5 will contain the treated oil and the lower end of the tank will contain a body of separated water. These bodies will separate at a rather definite surface or level, indicated in Fig. 1 by the numeral I10. It is desirable to rather definitely control this level to prevent grounding of the electrode I2I. In this connection, it will be apparent that an electric field will be established in an auxiliary treating space "I between the lower live electrode I2I and the body of water in the bottom of the tank II5. If the level I is carried too high, this auxiliary fieldlrnay short out. However, with proper control of the level I10, this auxiliary field can be utilized to further treat the settling water particles and can be used to break an inverse-phase or reverse-phase emulsion as will be hereinafter described.

To control the water level in the tank I I5, I have shown an automatic system including a pipe I communicating with the upper part of the tank H5 and a pipe I16 communicating with a water draw-oil. pipe I11 which opens on the lower end of the tank H5. The pipes I15 and I16 communicate with a float chamber I18 in which the oil and the water are in surface contact at a level corresponding to the level I10. A properly balanced float I19 is disposed in the chamber I18, being so formed as to float in water and sink in oil. The position of this float will thus change in response to changes in the level I10. This float may be pivoted on a pin I80 connected to an arm I8I which is connected to a valve I82 in the pipe I11 by any suitable means. such as a link I83 connected to an arm I of the valve I82 pivoted at I85 and operatively connected to the-stem I 86 of this valve. If the water level rises, the valve I82 will thus be opened a further distance to drain additional quantities of water from the tank I I5 and thus maintain the water level constant. Various other systems for controlling the position of this water level may be utilized without departing from the spirit switches and control means-limiting the current of the present invention.

The treated oil moves from the upper end of the tank II5 througha pipe200, the flow being controlled by a valve 20I which, in turn, assists in controlling the pressure in the tank II5. It is usually preferable to introduce the emulsion directly into the electric field rather than to introduce the emulsion into the tank II 5 at a point spaced from the field, allowing the emulsion to gravitate thereinto. Sludging tendencies are almost completely eliminated by a direct introduction into the electric field.

Usually, though not invariably, it is desirable to carry a slight pressure in the electric treater 81, this pressure being from atmospheric pressure to approximately 50 lbs/sq. in. or above.

This application is a division of my application Serial No. 66,404, filed February 29, 1936, and its continuation-in-part Serial No. 122,470, now Patent No. 2,182,145.

Various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination in an electric treater includ ing a tank: an upper live electrode in said tank; a lower live electrode in said tank; an intermediate live electrode structure between said upper and. lower live electrodes and cooperating therewith in defining upper and lower treating spaces; means for impressing a potential difierence between said intermediate electrode structure and said upper and said lower live electrodes; introduction means grounded to said tank for discharging a fluid to be treated radially into said lower treating space at a position intermediate the upper and lower ends thereof; and means for insulating said upper, lower and intermediate electrode structures from said tank and grounded introduction means whereby auxiliary electric fields are set up between said grounded introduction means and the live electrodes bounding said lower treating space and between the tank and each of the electrodes.

2. In combination in an electric treater including a tank: an upper live electrode of interstitial character in said tank; a lower live electrode in said tank and providing a central opening; means for electrically connecting said lower live electrode to said upper live electrode and for supporting said electrodes as a unit insulated from said tank; an intermediate live electrode structure of interstitial character between said upper and lower live electrodes; means for supporting said intermediate live electrode structure in spaced relationship with said upper and lower liv-e electrodes to form upper and lower treating spaces and for insulating said intermediate live impressing between said intermediate live electrode structure and said upper live electrode and between said intermediate live electrode structure and said lower live electrode a potential difand said lower portion ference higher than the potential difference between said upper, lower, or intermediate electrode structures and ground; and an emulsiondistributing means grounded to said tank and extending upward through said central opening of said lower live electrode and providing an annular orifice for directing emulsion radially outward between said lower live electrode and said intermediate electrode structure.

3. In combination in an electric treater including a tank: an upper live electrode of interstitial character in said tank and insulated therefrom, said electrode extending horizontally across a substantial portion of the space inside said tank; a lower live electrode insulated from said tank and of substantially smaller size than said upper live electrode and disposed below said upper live electrode; an intermediate electrode structure between said upper and lower live electrodes and providing an interstitial upper portion spaced below said upper live electrode to form an upper treating space and a lower portion spaced above said lower live electrode to form a lower treating space, said upper portion being of a size commensurate with that of said upper live electrode being of a smaller size commensurate with that of said lower live electrode; means for introducing an emulsion into said lower treating space; and means for establishing electric fields in both said upper and said lower treating spaces and for maintaining a difference in potential between said tank and each of said upper and lower live electrodes.

4. In combination in anielectric treater includcluding a grounded tank, the upper portion of which provides a space'for oil and water undergoing gravitational separation and the lower portion of which provides a space for a body of separated water: an upper live electrode in said upper portion of said tank; means for suspending said upper live electrode in said upper portion of said tank, said means including insulating means for insulating said upper live electrode from said tank; rod means formed of electrically conducting material, said rod means being supported by said insulating means and electrically connected to said upper live electrode and extending downward to a position below said upper live electrode; a lower live electrode electrically connected to and supported by said rod means ata position below said upper live electrode but above the surface of said body of water whereby said rod means electrically connects said lower live electrade to said upper live electrode; an intermediate electrode structure; means for supporting same between said upper and lower electrodes to cooperate therewith in defining upper and lower treating spaces, said supporting means including means for insulating said intermediate electrode structure from said tank; means for establishing between said intermediate electrode structure and said upper and lower live electrodes a potential difierence substantially greater than the potential difference between any of these electrode structures and the grounded tank thereby establishing also a field-establishing potential difference between said lower live electrode and said body of water; and means for delivering emulsion to said lower treating space.

5. In combination in an electric treater including a grounded tank, the upper portion of which provides a space for oil and water undergoing gravitational separation and the lower portion of which provides a space for a body of separated water: an upper live electrode in said upper porof which provides a space spaces and between said tion of said tank, said electrode being of interstitial character and providing an opening; means for suspending said electrode in the upper portion of said tank, said means including insulating means for insulating said electrode from said tank; rod means formed of electrically conducting material, said rod means being supported by said insulating means and electrically connected to said upper live electrode and extending downward to a position below said upper live electrode; a lower live electrode of interstitial character insulated from said tank and providing an opening and electrically connected to and supported by said rod means at a position below said upper live electrode but above the surface of said body of water whereby said rod means electrically connects said lower live electrode to said upper live electrode; an intermediate electrode structure of interstitial character between said upper and lower live electrodes and cooperating respectively therewith in defining upper and lower treating spaces; means extending downward through the opening of said upper live electrode for suspending said intermediate electrode in position; an emulsion distributor means grounded to said tank and extending upward through the opening of said lower live electrode and providing orifice means discharging into said lower treating space; and means for establishing electric fields in said upper and lower treating lower live electrode and said body of water in the lower end of said tank.

6.. In combination in an electric treater including a grounded tank the upper portion of which provides a space for 0'1 and water undergoing gravitational separati and the lower portion fora body of separated water: an upper live electrode of interstitial character in said tank, said electrode extending horizontally across a substantial portion of the space inside said tank and providing a central opening; means for suspending said electrode in the upper portion of said tank, said means including insulating means for insulating said electrode from said tank; rod means formed of electrically conducting material, said rod means being electrically connected to and extending downward from the periphery of said upper live electrode and providing inward-extending portions positioned below said upper live electrode; a lower live electrode of substantially smaller size than said upper live electrode and electrically connected to said inward-extending portions whereby said rod means electrically connects said lower live electrode to said upper live electrode: an intermediate electrode structure between said upper and lower electrodes and providing an interstitial upper portion spaced below said upper live electrode to form an upper treating space and a lower portion spaced above the lower live electrode to form a lower treating space, said upper portion being only slightly smaller in size than said upper live electrode to prevent shortcircuiting to said rod means and said lower portion being of a. size smaller than said upper portion and of a size commensurate with that of said lower live electrode; means extending downward through said opening of said upper live electrode to support said intermediate electrode; means for introducing an emulsion into said lower treating space; and means for establishing electric fields in both said upper and said lower treating spaces.

HAROLD C. EDDY.