Petreco - Electrostatic Dehydrators for Crude Oil Treatment
Petreco Electrostatic Dehydrators present advanced solutions for efficiently removing water and contaminants from crude oil, enhancing preparation for storage, transportation, or refining processes. Utilizing state-of-the-art electrostatic precipitation technology, these systems support oil producers and refiners in meeting precise product specifications with high efficiency, even when dealing with challenging heavy crudes. The core technology is centered around a robust electrostatic separation mechanism where crude oil, mixed with freshwater, enters a pressurized vessel and is exposed to a high-voltage electric field. This accelerates the coalescence of water droplets, promoting their separation and settling due to gravity. Equipped with a three-grid electrode system and horizontal dual-flow distribution, Petreco Dehydrators are capable of achieving up to 99% salt removal in two-stage installations, adapting to a wide range of crude oil densities, and significantly reducing chemical dependencies and operational costs.
Petreco Dehydrators stand as industry-leading solutions for the removal of water and contaminants from crude oil before storage, transportation, or refining.
Leveraging advanced electrostatic precipitation technology, these systems enable oil producers and refiners to consistently achieve stringent product specifications, ensuring operational efficiency and regulatory compliance, even for the most challenging heavy crudes.
Electrostatic Precipitation
- At the heart of the Petreco Dehydrator is a robust electrostatic separation process.
- Produced oil, often laden with water and impurities, enters the dehydrator where it is intimately mixed with freshwater.
- As this emulsion passes into the pressurized vessel, a high-voltage electric field is applied, accelerating the coalescence of water droplets, which then separate and settle out due to gravity.
Three-Grid Electrode System
The design features a unique three-grid electrode configuration and horizontal dual-flow distribution.
This enables:
- Superior oil/water separation
- Maximum throughput and treating capacity per vessel
- Reliable operation across a wide range of crud oil API gravities and viscosities.
Preparation
Crude oil is optionally heated to reduce viscosity.
Water Mixing
Freshwater is mixed to create water-in-oil droplets, entrapping salts and impurities.
Separation
The emulsion enters the vessel and is subjected to a strong electrostatic field. Water droplets coalesce, grow, and rain down out of the oil, removing with them unwanted salts and solids.
Product Removal
Clean, dehydrated oil rises and exits from the vessel’s top; contaminated water with sediments is automatically withdrawn from the bottom.
High Salt and Water Removal Efficiency
Up to 99% salt removal in two-stage installation, routinely achieving low water contents essential for downstream refining.
Versatility
Handles crude oils from extra-heavy (12 API) to light grades (50 API); equally effective in onshore and offshore settings.
Optimized Vessel Design
Dual horizontal flow achieves up to twice the treating capacity per unit volume compared to vertical-flow vessels, making it space-saving and particularly suited for offshore applications.
Reduced Chemical Consumption
The strong electric field reduces dependency on demulsifying chemicals, lowering operational costs and environmental impact.
Minimal Operator Oversight
Designed for reliable, low-maintenance operation with automated controls and long intervals between maintenance cycles.
Compact and Lightweight
Smaller footprint and lower vessel weight are especially advantageous for platform or FPSO use.
Proven Legacy
Over 90 years of installation success worldwide, recognized by industry leaders as the preferred solution for heavy crude dehydration and desalting.