Petreco - Electrostatic Desalters for Crude Oil
Petreco Electrostatic Desalters are engineered to efficiently remove salts, water, and sediments from crude oil, optimizing it before refining or transportation. These systems utilize advanced electrostatic coalescence technology, which ensures superior crude quality by preventing corrosion and fouling of downstream equipment. The Petreco desalters feature a unique three-grid electrode system that produces strong and uniform electric fields to enhance water droplet coalescence, securing effective removal of salts and contaminants. Engineered horizontal dual-flow distribution maximizes throughput, significantly outperforming traditional vertical systems. Additionally, the multi-stage capability adds flexibility, with two-stage systems achieving up to 99% salt removal. This technology is crucial for applications such as pre-refinery crude desalting and export specifications, offering a variety of configurations including single and two-stage models. The systems are designed to ensure crude oil meets stringent industry standards across challenging operations.
Petreco Electrostatic Desalters are engineered to remove salts, water, and sediments from crude oil before refining or transportation.
By employing advanced electrostatic coalescence technology, Petreco desalters ensure optimal crude quality, protect downstream equipment from corrosion and fouling, and meet stringent industry specifications.
Petreco desalting systems deliver unmatched reliability and performance across the most challenging crude oil operations.
Petreco’s desalting technology centers on the proprietary design, featuring advanced electrode configurations and optimized flow dynamics:
Three-Grid Electrode System
The unique three-grid design generates powerful, uniform electric fields that accelerate water droplet coalescence, enabling superior salt and contaminant removal.
Horizontal Dual-Flow Distribution
Engineered for maximum throughput and separation eIiciency, the horizontal flow configuration achieves up to twice the treating capacity of traditional vertical designs.
Multi-Stage Capability
Single-stage and two-stage configurations provide flexibility two-stage systems achieve up to 99% salt removal for the most demanding specifications.
Incoming crude oil is heated to reduce viscosity and optimize flow characteristics.
Freshwater (wash water) is injected and thoroughly mixed with the crude, creating an emulsion where salts dissolve into the water phase.
Electrostatic Coalescence
The emulsion enters the desalter vessel where a high-voltage electric field causes water droplets to merge rapidly, growing in size and density.
Coalesced water droplets, now laden with dissolved salts and sediments, settle to the bottom of the vessel by gravity.
Clean, desalted crude oil exits from the top; contaminated brine and sediments are withdrawn from the bottom for safe disposal or treatment.
Up to 99% Salt Removal
Crude oil is optionally heated to reduce viscosity.
Handles All Crude Types
Freshwater is mixed to create water-in-oil droplets, entrapping salts and impurities.
Space & Weight Optimized
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.
Reduced Chemical Consumption
Clean, dehydrated oil rises and exits from the vessel’s top; contaminated water with sediments is automatically withdrawn from the bottom.
Minimal Operator Supervision
Clean, dehydrated oil rises and exits from the vessel’s top; contaminated water with sediments is automatically withdrawn from the bottom.
Proven Global Track Record
Clean, dehydrated oil rises and exits from the vessel’s top; contaminated water with sediments is automatically withdrawn from the bottom.
Pre-Refinery Crude Desalting: Primary treatment to remove corrosive salts before crude enters refinery processing units.
Export and Pipeline Specifications: Ensures crude meets contractual salt content limits for transport and sale.
ORshore Production: Compact desalters for FPSO and platform installations where space and weight are critical.
Heavy Crude Treatment: Specialized solutions for challenging, high-viscosity crudes requiring enhanced separation technology.
Single-Stage Desalters: Cost-eIective solution for moderate salt reduction requirements.
Two-Stage Desalters: Maximum salt removal eIiciency for stringent quality specifications.
Custom Engineering: Vessels sized and configured for specific flowrates, crude characteristics, and operating conditions.
Integrated Systems: Seamless integration with upstream separation equipment and downstream treating packages.