8 replies to this topic

[shan]

Hi Everybody,

Could you tell me the API code for a electrostatic desalter design?

[daryon]

Hi Shan,

I've looked, but I don't think there is one for electrostatic coalescers or desalters.

[shan]

Thank you Daryon for your efforts. I think the most applicable one is API-14L "Specification for Vertical and Horizontal Emulsion Treaters".

[Qalander (Chem)]

Dear shan Hello/good Morning,

Although principally you are almost right, but I feel another way of looking at desalting process is

"Coalesces"i.e. agglomeration of smaller droplets of a phase under the influence of electrical field applied and movement consequent to this;

till final gravity induced phase separation(s).

Now accordingly the Code(s) standards related to this may be of use to you,I assume!

[Profe]

Hi Shan

About your question, I think that you read the article: How to buy and operate desalters by Dong W. Choi from Hidrocarbon Processing, probably 2005 may, june or july.

In this article the author directs about Mechanical requirements: "The desalter is a pressure vessel that must meet the local pressure vessel codes and ASME Section VIII in most cases. Usual parameters for pressure vessel design include pressure, temperature, material, corrosion allowance and nozz1es, and must be specified."

The next pdf file of Iranian Standards I thik also: http://www.nioc.org/...pr/e-pr-700.pdf '> http://www.nioc.org/...pr/e-pr-700.pdf

I hope that little bit of information will be useful.


Good luck.

[shan]

Thank you Profe for presenting the IMP code. Although the code is relevant technically, it is difficult to convince our US client to accept their equipment built per a code from “Iranian Ministry of Petroleum”. When the technical meets political, you know who will be winner. Do you?

[Profe]

Hi Shan

I really don't know.
Good luck.

[Art Montemayor]

Shan:

The way you phrased your original question, it would seem you believe there is an API RP, Standard, or "code" that deals with the design or operation of electrical desalters for crude oil pre-treatment. I say this because I frankly believe there is none - and there hasn't been one.

I've worked for companies that designed, built, and sold electrical desalters and I know personally that most of the design employed in each design is proprietary - even though a lot of fabricators have "borrowed" from each other throughout the years since the 1940's - 50's. Every major oil company that deals with crude oil treating has its own methods and preferences as to salt and water removal from crude and has developed its own norms and/or specifications. If you are located in Houston or the USA, then your client should have proprietary ideas or methods on how to apply and operate electrical desalters. If that is not the case, then you have the major, recognized electrical desalter designers and fabricators - such as Natco, and a host of others - that you can consult with on what norms and or specifications to apply in your case.

Basically, the electrical desalter is - as has already been stated - an ASME VIII pressure vessel with surge or capacitance volume built into it and an electrical grid to impose an electrostatic field that presumably induces small oil droplets to coalesce and form larger ones, stimulating a separation of the oil and water layers. A proper temperature control of the vessel also helps in carrying out the separation - very much as a field "Heater-Treater" does.

I hope this helps you out.

[Qalander (Chem)]

Dear Respeted Art,

Thanks for comprehensive& compact reply;saying it all.
We do expect to continue to get a lot like this from you,pray for your good health,life.