Methods of treating a fluid mixture include performing a first treatment on the mixture with electrochemically produced ions to separate an aqueous phase and a hydrophobic phase and performing a second electrochemical treatment on the separated aqueous phase to thereby remove aqueous contaminants from the aqueous phase wherein substantially laminar flow of fluid occurs between electrodes in the second electrochemical treatment.

Methods of treating a fluid mixture include performing a first treatment on the mixture with electrochemically produced ions to separate an aqueous phase and a hydrophobic phase and performing a second electrochemical treatment on the separated aqueous phase to thereby remove aqueous contaminants from the aqueous phase wherein substantially laminar flow of fluid occurs between electrodes in the second electrochemical treatment.

Systems and methods for treating a rag layer in a gas oil separation plant. The method includes withdrawing the rag layer from a vessel proximate an oil water interface, conveying the rag layer to a separation device, and recycling separated oil from the separation device back to the gas oil separation plant process.

Systems and methods for treating a rag layer in a gas oil separation plant. The method includes withdrawing the rag layer from a vessel proximate an oil water interface, conveying the rag layer to a separation device, and recycling separated oil from the separation device back to the gas oil separation plant process.

A desalter/dehydrator system that comprises a pressure vessel, and first and second distribution headers disposed within the pressure vessel. The first distribution header is configured to inject an oil/water emulsion at a location within an electric field generated within the pressure vessel. The second distribution header is configured to inject the oil/water emulsion at a location below an electric field generated within the pressure vessel.

A desalter/dehydrator system that comprises a pressure vessel, and first and second distribution headers disposed within the pressure vessel. The first distribution header is configured to inject an oil/water emulsion at a location within an electric field generated within the pressure vessel. The second distribution header is configured to inject the oil/water emulsion at a location below an electric field generated within the pressure vessel.

A power supply device includes a power conversion circuit configured to generate an output voltage from an input voltage, and a controller coupled to the power conversion circuit and configured to control the power conversion circuit to generate the output voltage for causing or enhancing coalescence of a multi-phase liquid mixture when the output voltage is applied to the multi-phase liquid mixture. The controller is configured to control generation of the output voltage in accordance with a synchronization signal. The controller is further configured to generate the synchronization signal and transmit the synchronization signal to another power supply device, or receive the synchronization signal from another power supply device.

An electrostatic coalescer apparatus for separating water from a crude oil emulsion comprises a vessel housing having a cavity, an inlet for receiving a crude oil emulsion and outlets for water and purified crude oil. First and second pairs of electrodes are positioned in the vessel cavity. A first Scott-T transformer circuit is coupled to the first pair of electrodes and a second Scott-T transformer circuit is coupled to the second pair of electrodes. The first and second Scott-T transformer circuit receive as an input a 3-phase power supply and output a 2-phase high voltage signal pairs of electrodes. The 2-phase voltage generated between the first pair of electrodes is of the same amplitude and phase as the voltage generated between the second pair of electrodes via the respective Scott-T transformer circuits. A method comprises steps performed during operation of the apparatus.

An electrostatic coalescer apparatus for separating water from a crude oil emulsion comprises a vessel housing having a cavity, an inlet for receiving a crude oil emulsion and outlets for water and purified crude oil. First and second pairs of electrodes are positioned in the vessel cavity. A first Scott-T transformer circuit is coupled to the first pair of electrodes and a second Scott-T transformer circuit is coupled to the second pair of electrodes. The first and second Scott-T transformer circuit receive as an input a 3-phase power supply and output a 2-phase high voltage signal pairs of electrodes. The 2-phase voltage generated between the first pair of electrodes is of the same amplitude and phase as the voltage generated between the second pair of electrodes via the respective Scott-T transformer circuits. A method comprises steps performed during operation of the apparatus.

The present invention relates to a process of desalting crudeoil, in particular a process for desalting a crude oil which comprises an ionic liquid, an organic acid and any resulting organic salt.