4 replies to this topic

Hi everyone,
Please i need your help to tell me what are the different technologies for oil separation and where can i find a good information about them.
Thank you

[Adriaan]

Oil - water separation: it depends on the density of the oil and the respective volumes among other things.

For light oils (lower density than water) draining the storage is the simplest method of removing the water (a common method in small powerplants for the turbine oil). Slightly more advanced is the use of a (n in-line) centrifuge.

For heavy oils the problem is water floating on top of the oil. I am not aware of any simple method of draining the water off.

If the oil actually contains water separating it might be possible using a centrifuge or might require destillation.

[Aram]

Hi,
API separator may help you.There are different kinds of API separation which can be high technology(including,skimmer,degasser,... maybe as produced water package) and the simple type
which is a underground separator(usually concrete).there is an API recommended practice guide which give you good figure regarding your oil content.Unfortunately I can't remember the number.I am trying to find the number.

Hope it could be helpful,
Regards,
Aram

[Zauberberg]

Chemst,

The answer on your question depends on many things, such are:

- Application (upstream/downstream)
- Separation level requirements
- Process conditions
- Presence of other contaminants (solids, surfactants etc.)
- Downstream facilities requirements (which might limit the use of certain demulsifing chemicals)

For more information, visit websites of Natco, Cameron, Tracerco/Synetix, Delta Corporation and you will find a good place to start from.

Regards,

[mbeychok]

Chemist:

To answer your question about available technologies, there are two very good articles in the online Wikipedia:

(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/API_oil-water_separator This one is about a simple API gravimetric separator as well as a parallel plate separator.

(2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dissolved_air_flotation This one is about dissolved air flotation separators