Oil processing is a complex and challenging process, which involves separating contaminants such as water and gas from the oil. Water-in-oil emulsions are a common type of contaminant, which can damage the quality of oil and make it difficult to transport and store.
The invention presented in this document consists of a device for destabilizing water-in-oil emulsions. The device is capable of introducing an additional destabilization mechanism, by means of a “soft shear force”, which is different from the gravitational force and electrostatic forces present in the equipment used to treat oil.
The device is inserted downstream of the gravitational separator and upstream of the electrostatic treater. The equipment is applied directly to the more stable water-in-oil emulsion layer coming out of the gravity separator.
The soft shear force is applied to the emulsion by means of a rotor, which rotates at a controlled speed. The rotation of the rotor causes shear flow of the emulsion, deforming the water droplets. These deformations open up free spaces on the surface of the droplets, which encourages the coalescence of other droplets in the vicinity. Coalescence, in turn, implies gravitational segregation, which leads to the separation of the water droplets from the oil.
Patent title:
Device for destabilizing oil emulsions
Deposit Number:
BR 10 2020 021250 8
Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro – PUC-Rio
Rua Marquês de São Vicente, 225, Gávea
Rio de Janeiro, RJ – Brasil
Zip code: 22451-900
Postal box: 38097
Phone:
+55 (21) 3527-2155