Optimum Electrostatic Desalting Efficiency of Alfulla Crude Oil

Abstract

The main variables that impact the crude oil desalting process were analyzed by developing mathematical models that represent the variation of Alfulla crude oil density, conductivity and viscosity as function of different parameters. An increase or decrease of these parameters has two opposite effects. First, a decrease in oil density and viscosity implies a significant increase in the settling rate of water to be processed. This decreases equipment depreciation; on the other hand, crude oil conductivity increases exponentially with some parameters such as temperature, which implies a higher rate of power consumption. This study was developed to determine the optimum parameters at which a maximum desalting efficiency and a maximum economic benefit occurs. It was concluded that the optimum parameters are, Crude Oil flowrate is 80 % of the feed, Pressure is 1.1 MPa, temperature is 135 0C, amount of washing water is 3% of the feed, interface level at 580 mm, differential pressure is 60 MPa, amount of demulsifier is 70 ppm and distributed water is available capacity of the tanks.