The present invention relates to a system for the separation of oil/water emulsions by electrocoalescence having a fluid conduction means or tubing, at least one cathode, at least one electrode, at least one anode, at least one power source and at least one spark gap for a cathode and a spark gap for the anode. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a method for the separation of oil/water emulsions by electrocoalescence carried out by a system according to the invention.

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.

Embodiments described herein provide a method of tuning an electrical liquid separator, comprising providing a liquid mixture to a separator; electrically coupling a power unit to the liquid mixture inside the separator; applying a time-varying voltage from the power unit to the liquid mixture; increasing a voltage applied to the liquid mixture from the power unit from a first voltage to a second voltage; detecting an inflection point in a current from the power unit; setting a voltage output range of the power unit to encompass a voltage at which the inflection point was detected.

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.

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.

The invention relates to devices for purifying hydraulic and dielectric fluids (oils and fuels) of mechanical impurities. Electric filter for purifying hydraulic and dielectric fluids comprises a housing with an inlet pipe and outlet pipe, high-voltage power supply, composite unit disposed inside the housing and consisting of current-carrying plates and dielectric spacers with apertures for current-carrying and heavy-duty fastening elements, a front plug and rear plug, and current-carrying and heavy-duty fastening elements, wherein the surface of the current-carrying plates is provided with a porous ceramic dielectric coating. The technical result consists in: increasing the efficiency of purifying dielectric fluids; stabilizing the electromagnetic field of the electric filter; increasing the surface area of the electric filter by creating a developed surface of current-carrying filter elements without changing the filter size and mass; improving reliability and ease of use; and reducing the materials consumption.

A power supply device includes a power conversion circuit configured to convert an input voltage into an output voltage, a controller, and an output switch. The controller is coupled to the power conversion circuit and configured to control the power conversion circuit to generate the output voltage for causing electrical coalescence of a multi-phase liquid mixture when the output voltage is applied to the multi-phase liquid mixture. The output switch is coupled between an output of the power conversion circuit and a terminal of the power supply device. The output switch is switchable among a first position at which the output of the power conversion circuit is coupled to the terminal, a second position at which the output of the power conversion circuit is grounded, and a third position at which the output of the power conversion circuit is electrically isolated from the terminal and the ground.

Electro-coalescer systems herein may include a vessel, a base plate separating a process chamber and an electric enclosure, rod-shaped ceramic insulated electrodes, and a sealing assembly. An end of the electrodes is located within the electric enclosure. The electrodes traverse respective through-holes of the base plate into or through the process chamber, where a second portion is supported by a spacer, configured to maintain a position of the electrodes while allowing fluid passage. The sealing assembly forms a seal between the through-holes and the rod-shaped insulated electrodes, preventing fluid traversing from the process chamber into the electric enclosure. The sealing assembly may include: a metal fitting disposed around the rod-shaped insulated electrode; metal o-rings; metal seats; and a closing nut. The metal fitting has a coefficient of thermal expansion similar to that of the ceramic insulator, thereby preventing breakage of the electrodes during use.

The present invention relates to a system for the separation of oil/water emulsions by electrocoalescence having a fluid conduction means or tubing, at least one cathode, at least one electrode, at least one anode, at least one power source and at least one spark gap for a cathode and a spark gap for the anode. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a method for the separation of oil/water emulsions by electrocoalescence carried out by a system according to the invention.

A high temperature high pressure electrostatic treater and method of use are described for removing water from heavy crude oil. The electrostatic treater is comprised of a vessel with a wet bitumen inlet and water outlet in the upper portion of the vessel, a dry bitumen outlet in the lower portion of the vessel, a plurality of electrodes on an electrically isolating support inside the vessel, an entrance bushing, and an interface control to regulate the flow of water through the water outlet. The water outlet is located above the dry bitumen outlet. The electrostatic treater and method reduce the amount of diluent needed to process the heavy crude when compared to the prior art.