An Overview Of Crude Oil Desalting Process In Refinery

In a refinery, crude oil will go through a chain of treatments before moving into the distillation vessel. The process, also known as desalting, has an aim to separate specific particles from another. The raw mineral contains a large number of unwanted impurities, such as inorganic salts, mud, polymer, and corrosion byproducts. Petroleum companies join hands with Desalter unit suppliers to get various equipment and provisions for removing salts from the oil.

Need for desalting

The presence of salt in crude oil can develop corrosive elements when the oil is heated. The saline substance may also create sediments in the solution, which can result in a foul smell. This is why the desalting process is essential for reducing the risk of corrosion in the distillation chamber and other downstream units in the facility. The removal of impurities can speed up the process while transporting the products from one unit to another.

How it works

The recycled water that contains debris and sediments enters a water dispenser to enhance the surface layers of both liquids. Wash water is used for altering the device to improve the tangency between oil and water in a mixing unit. Now, the crude oil is siphoned into the cold preheat containers. The water droplets are polarized by an external electric source.

In the desalter, when the crude oil is heated and mixed with a few volumes of freshwater, the water will dilute the dissolved salts. The mixed substance is then pumped into a tank where the separation process takes place. The fluid is then down into components, separating the oil from water using an electric field.

Benefits of crude oil desalting

Since the discovery of fossil fuels, oil and gas companies have been adopting various methods and techniques for refining the raw mineral. The process is crucial because the result determines the quality of the final product. When the desalting is successfully carried out, the volume of oil can increase its outcome. The process ensures less corrosion in the units such as exchanger, fractionators, pipelines, valves, exchanger, furnace, and pumps deployed in the refinery units. The technique also helps save oil from being wasted due to the presence of impurities.

Desalting needs to be performed in a unit that is well-equipped with high-quality replacement parts for all types of Desalter process units and tanks from the suppliers. The facility needs strict monitoring and proper management to avoid leaks and accidents with proper Desalter operations training.

Author’s Bio- The writer is an online blogger and the article is about the Desalter unit.

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desalters Joined: December 23rd, 2018