How To Establish a Mathematical Model for the Electrostatic Desalting Process Based on Pilot Plant Studies

Abstract

TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractFor the control of any process it is essential to establish a mathematical model capable to correlate the operational and free variables to the respond variables. Experimental studies conducted at a lab pilot plant with different Brazilian crude oil showed that the performance of the electrostatic desalting process can be simulated by using a semi-empiric mathematical model. After an intermediate validation step, the results obtained from this model were used to determine the proper treatment conditions of several offshore desalting plants installed in Campos Basin -Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The present work shows how the proposed mathematical model was established and its correlation with the data taken from the pilot plant for different crude oils in the range of 15° API up to 30°API. Finally it is shown the correlation relating the data obtained from the proposed model and others collected from processing plants installed in different refineries and offshore production systems.

Quantitative Evaluation of the Efficiency of Water-in-Crude-Oil Emulsion Dehydration by Electrocoalescence in Pilot-Plant and Full-Scale Units

“…18−21 These models were able to reproduce the electrostatic desalination efficiency using a crude-oil-emulsion dehydration pilot plant processing light oils, with densities of 15.7−28.7°API. 18−20 Coutinho 20 proposed a modification of the model developed by Oliveira and co-workers 5,18 by introducing the value of the API density and estimated the parameters for five different oils. This modification improved the ability of the model to predict the crude-oil-emulsion dehydration efficiency.…”

“…Empirical models based on the voltage gradient, electrode spacing, crude-oil volumetric flow rate, transverse sectional area of the separation tank, and oil viscosity and density have been developed. − These models were able to reproduce the electrostatic desalination efficiency using a crude-oil-emulsion dehydration pilot plant processing light oils, with densities of 15.7–28.7°API. − …”

“…Coutinho proposed a modification of the model developed by Oliveira and co-workers , by introducing the value of the API density and estimated the parameters for five different oils. This modification improved the ability of the model to predict the crude-oil-emulsion dehydration efficiency. , …”

Development of Coalescence and Capture Kernels for the Electrocoalescence Process Based on Batch Experiments

“…Several modeling approaches have been proposed to improve the understanding of the desalination/dehydration process. The empirical models have mainly tried to relate the inlet and outlet process variables using statistical models. − Al-Otaibi developed a neural network model to correlate the process variables of salt concentration, the mixing rate of wash water, the heating rate of the emulsion, and the volume of the injected demulsifier to the water/salt content of the treated oil. Cunha proposed a semiempirical model to relate the process variables of the electric field applied to the emulsion, residence time of the emulsion inside the treater, and fluid temperature to the BS&W of the treated oil.…”

Hybrid Modeling of the Electrocoalescence Process in Water-in-Oil Emulsions

“…Other empirical and semi-empirical models have also been developed to predict the behavior of the desalination process. − Despite empirical modeling has achieved some success in describing the dehydration of W/O emulsions by electrocoalescence, the development of first-principle models is desirable.…”