A separation vessel containing a multi-phase mixture comprising oil and water comprises a buoyant thermal energy transfer device. The buoyant thermal energy transfer device further comprises a thermally conductive body and an internal heating element. The buoyant thermal energy transfer device defines a collective specific gravity between about 0.7 and about 1.2, which may be accomplished by adding positioning floats to the buoyant thermal energy transfer device. With such a collective specific gravity, the buoyant thermal energy transfer device is situated in the emulsion layer of the multi-phase mixture, with the internal heating element applying heat to emulsion layer, aiding in the breakage of emulsions. Demulsified oil and water may then be removed from the separation vessel.

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 crude oil demulsification system includes a vessel. A cyclonic separator is disposed outside the vessel. The cyclonic separator is configured to receive and separate phases of a multi-phase fluid stream into a gaseous stream and a liquid stream that includes a first liquid phase and a second liquid phase by inducing cyclonic flow. A heat exchanger is fluidically connected to the cyclonic separator. The heat exchanger is disposed outside the vessel, and is configured to receive the liquid stream and to heat the liquid stream by exchanging heat with a heating medium flowed through the heat exchanger. An electrostatic coalescer is fluidically connected to the heat exchanger and is disposed inside the vessel. The electrostatic coalescer is configured to receive the liquid stream heated by the heat exchanger and to demulsify the liquid stream by causing coalescence of liquid droplets of one of the first or second liquid phases.

A crude oil demulsification system includes a vessel. A cyclonic separator is disposed outside the vessel. The cyclonic separator is configured to receive and separate phases of a multi-phase fluid stream into a gaseous stream and a liquid stream that includes a first liquid phase and a second liquid phase by inducing cyclonic flow. A heat exchanger is fluidically connected to the cyclonic separator. The heat exchanger is disposed outside the vessel, and is configured to receive the liquid stream and to heat the liquid stream by exchanging heat with a heating medium flowed through the heat exchanger. An electrostatic coalescer is fluidically connected to the heat exchanger and is disposed inside the vessel. The electrostatic coalescer is configured to receive the liquid stream heated by the heat exchanger and to demulsify the liquid stream by causing coalescence of liquid droplets of one of the first or second liquid phases.

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.

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.

Systems and methods for crude oil separations including degassing, dewatering, desalting, and stabilization, one method including separating crude oil into a crude oil off-gas and a partially degassed crude oil output; compressing the crude oil off-gas; applying the compressed crude oil off-gas for indirect heating of the partially degassed crude oil output; further heating the partially degassed crude oil output indirectly with compressed low pressure gas; directly mixing with the partially degassed crude oil output a compressed atmospheric pressure gas; separating from the partially degassed crude oil output a low pressure gas for use in the step of further heating; and separating from the partially degassed crude oil output an atmospheric pressure gas for use in the step of directly mixing.

An oil dehydrator, comprising; a vacuum chamber, a vacuum pump arranged at an upper end region of the vacuum chamber for establishing a negative pressure within the vacuum chamber and for fluid transportation of water and air out from the vacuum chamber through an outlet opening, and a pipe for fluid transportation of oil into and/or out from the vacuum chamber, where the pipe is connected to a lower end region of the vacuum chamber, wherein the vacuum chamber at the lower end region has at least one flow channel fluidly connecting the vacuum chamber and the pipe, wherein an orifice check valve is arranged between the vacuum chamber and the pipe for controlling the flow of oil into and out from the vacuum chamber through the at least one flow channel.