An Insiders Guide To Desalters And Its Procedures

Having desalter equipment is something that every petrochemical industry requires. Let us take a deep dip into the mechanism and various processes it involves in producing the useable form of crude oil.

• What is a desalter?

As the name suggests, a desalter is a device used to remove inorganic salts, water and other sediments present in the natural state of water or oil. These are majorly found in petrochemical industries, where electrostatic desalters help in obtaining a dehydrated, desalted crude oil with no sediments like clay, rust, and impurities. The aim of this procedure is to eliminate the possibility of excessive fouling of equipment and corrosion that is generated as a result of the production of hydrochloric acid. The desalters perform hydrolysis of the two main chloride salts namely magnesium chloride, and calcium chloride. These salts are necessary to remove as their presence can contaminate the catalysts used in the several oil refinery processes.

• Process

A desalter is a horizontal cylindrical with two electrodes with positive charges. The emulsion of oil and water is poured into this cylindrical vessel with a feeding line. The electrodes are connected to electricity that generates an electrostatic field that attracts similar charges in the emulsion. The brine with all the inorganic salts is separated from the mixture that contains water and crude oil. The settled residue is withdrawn from the bottom of the desalter in the form of sludge.

• Features of a desalter equipment

A well equipped and operated desalter results in 85% removal of inorganic salts in the crude oil. It is also used to purify water. A good desalter will have the following characteristics.

• Cost-saving techniques
• Global service rates
• Free inspections
• Start up and shut down assistance
• Troubleshooting

There are a number of companies that offer great desalting equipment and machinery. Choose a manufacturer that not only optimizes the desalting services but it is also reliable. This machinery requires regular inspections and care. Get desalter material of construction from a manufacturer that has years of experience in the field and improves your asset reliability. There are many companies that promise to offer the best services but do not fall prey to these false promises. Always pick a company on the basis of their performance and customer reviews. Better the reviews, more satisfactory is the services. Also, do not forget to ensure environmental compliance in mind. Choose wisely because it is our responsibility to leave a better world to live in for the generation to come.

Author’s bio: The author is a blogger and the article is about desalters.

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desalters Joined: December 23rd, 2018