PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRICALLY RESOLVING OIL-CONTINUOUS DISPERSIONS

    公开(公告)号:CA695800A

    公开(公告)日:1964-10-13

    申请号:CA695800D

    Applicant: PETROLITE CORP

    Abstract: Dispersions of particles in oil, as the continuous medium, are removed by passing the oil through an inter-electrode space of large length to gap ratio and applying a high voltage direct current, in which the bulk of the dispersed particles are coalesced and separate out in the early stage, and at a later stage particles are deposited on the electrodes by electrophoresis. Preferably the inter-electrode space is defined by a rod electrode centrally mounted in a tube of length to gap ratio 8 to 30:1 and preferably at least 12 to 25:1. A unidirectional voltage of 6 to 30 k.v. per inch of treating space is applied. A suitable apparatus consists of a cylindrical vessel 10 the cross-section of which is occupied by a cellular electrode assembly comprising tubes of circular or hexagonal or other cross-section 16 and mounted between upper and lower zones 13, 14. Each tube contains a rod electrode 17 suspended centrally therein and attached to a frame 19 connected to a high-voltage source of D.C. The oil dispersion may first be treated to remove coarse suspensions in a high turbulence electric treater 40, and then enters a manifold system 29 discharging streams of the oil through the vertical tube electrodes; spreaders 31 may be used. In the lower region, the oil is submitted to some turbulence and the bulk of the dispersed particles are coalesced, and then enters a quiescent zone 24 of higher voltage gradient, where finer particles are deposited on the tube electrode surface by electro-phoresis. Deposited material sinks slowly downwards on the tube surface to the bottom zone 32. In a modification, the level of the collected dispersed material is arranged to submerge the lower ends of the electrode tubes at L-L and forming a seal, by adjusting level control devices 35 controlling the discharge valve 34. The upper zone 13 may be in the form of a header provided with a collector pipe with openings to receive the rising oil discharged from each tube electrode. The lower inlet zone 14 may also have a series of vertical barrier walls against which the dispersion impinges before entering the tube electrodes, and replaces the manifold 29. The process may be applied to petroleum oils containing dispersed particles of water or caustic soda solution.

    Improvements in or relating to electric treaters for emulsions

    公开(公告)号:GB709626A

    公开(公告)日:1954-06-02

    申请号:GB1640350

    申请日:1950-06-30

    Applicant: PETROLITE CORP

    Abstract: Emulsions of oil and water are resolved in an electric treater, which comprises a substantially sperical container having an upper outlet for treated oil and a lower outlet for separated water, electrodes for establishing a high-voltage field, and an emulsion distributer for discharging a stream of the emulsion to be treated into the electric field. The apparatus may be used to treat a salty crude oil to produce a desalted oil, and may be operated at elevated temperature. Fig. 1 shows a spherical container 10 in which aqueous material 13 settles below the line A-A and is withdrawn through pipe 14, and oil 17 separates above the line B-B and is withdrawn through pipe 18. Figs. 1 and 2 show six electrode structures 20-25 grouped round a central electrode 26. These structures include an upper electrode 28 and a lower electrode 29 of lesser diameter, perforated in its outer zone, and having a central opening 31. The emulsion to be treated is discharged into treating space 34 by distributor 40 which includes a tapered housing 41 and a vertically movable head member 42, which may have a tapered portion 43 which spreads the rising stream of emulsion into the space 34 through a narrow adjustable orifice between member 42 and housing 41. In modifications of the above apparatus, the upper electrode may be similar in structure to the lower electrode, alternatively, the circulation of the oil round the upper or lower electrodes may be restricted by adjustable dampers; the use of a single electrode structure is also described.

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