The distribution system also allows for aggressive mixing

with a specialty valve of the wash water and crude oil

so that when coalescence occurs, more impurities are
removed with the water and cleaner treated product is
realized. The strong electric field is also less dependent on
chemicals for coalescence, so lower chemical consumption
is typical.
Clean oil, freed of contaminants, continuously rises to
the top of the vessel and flows out, while the accumulated
water and sediment mixture is automatically withdrawn
from the bottom of the vessel for disposal. The dual
horizontal distribution system gives the BILECTRIC desalter
significantly better treating capacity than a conventional
desalter and enhances the control of interface emulsion.
Data Sheet | TC9814-041
PETRECO

BILECTRIC

Dehydrators/Desalters
State-of-the-art efcient systems
Technologically advanced electrostatic dehydrators/desalters for the treatment of crude oil prior to storage,
transportation or refining.
Overview
Camerons dehydrators/desalters are electrostatic
precipitators used to remove salt and other contaminants
from crude oil. The BILECTRIC design utilizes a unique
three-grid electrode system and horizontal emulsion
distribution for superior oil/water separation performance.
The BILECTRIC desalter has been recognized by refining
industry leaders as the first choice for heavy crude oil
processing. PETRECO has over 90 years of history with
successful installations. In two-stage installations, salt
removal efficiencies up to 99% are routinely achievable.
Operating Principle and Key Features
In electrostatic desalting, crude oil may be heated to
decrease the viscosity. The crude oil is intimately mixed
with fresh water, which is dispersed in the crude oil as small
droplets. The water-in-oil dispersion is then introduced
into the pressurized desalter vessel where a high voltage
electrical field accelerates separation of the water laden
with salt and other contaminants combined in the oil.
Distributors feed the crude and emulsified water in two
parallel horizontal radial streams between the three
electrodes. The oil emulsion streams flowing outward from
the distributor encounter optimal conditions for rapid
coalescence. As coalescence proceeds, water droplets grow
large enough to overcome the viscosity of the crude and
fall due to gravity. They descend in a rain-like pattern
out of the flowing oil into the non-turbulent pool of
water below. Electrodes are engineered to maximize the
performance of the dual horizontal distribution system.
PROCESS SYSTEMS
Conventional
Desalter
BILECTRIC
Transformer
Mudwash
Heater
Transformer
LC
Outlet
Inlet
Mix Valve
Outlet
Collector
Efuent Water
Mudwash Pump
LCV
Distributor Header Distributor
Distributor
Header
BILECTRIC Design
O I L
2010 Cameron | PETRECO and BILECTRIC are registered trademarks of Cameron | Printed in USA | 07/10 TC9814-041
PROCESS SYSTEMS
LOCATI ONS
United States of America
11210 Equity Dr., Suite 100
Houston, TX 77041 USA
TEL +713.849.7500
United Kingdom
Cameron House
61-73 Staines Road West
Sunbury-on-Thames
Middlesex, UK TW16 7AH
TEL +44.1932.732000
Singapore
2 Gul Circle (Gate 2)
Jurong, Singapore 629560
TEL +65.6861.3355
OTHER LOCATI ONS
Abu Dhabi
Australia
Brazil
Calgary
Colombia
France
Japan
Mexico
Saudi Arabia
Russia
www. c- a- m. com
Product Range
Cameron designs equipment to meet
the specific needs of our clients. Our vast
experience includes some of the following:
Crude oil in Venezuela and Canada of 12
API up to 50 API Saudi crudes
Single unit flow rates from 160 m
3
/day to
47,700 m
3
/day (1000 BPD to 300,000 BPD)
with the ability to combine multiple units
BS&W down to 0.2% typically
Benefits and Advantages
These units have proven reliable experience
of more than 20 years and there are
thousands of units operating worldwide in a
wide variety of applications.
Throughput flexibility
Feedtype flexibility
High quality crude outlet
High quality water output
Reduced operation and maintenance costs
Reduced chemical dependency
Excellent flow distribution
Rapid coalescence with minimal electrical
power consumption
Interface emulsion control
BILECTRIC
The BILECTRIC desalter permits the
maximum throughput, flexibility and
reliability for any given vessel size, handles
a wide range of crude oil gravities and
viscosities and works with minimum operator
supervision. The dual flow configuration
provides up to twice the capacity per unit
volume of vessel than that of vertical flow
desalters. The BILECTRIC design holds water
level high, near mid-vessel, to allow maximum
residence time for oil to separate from
effluent water. The smaller size and weight
are also particularly advantageous in offshore
applications.
Applications
Oil production
Onshore and offshore
FPSOs
Installations Examples
Arctic - Russia, Canada
Jungle - Nigeria, Venezuela
Desert - Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait
Offshore - North Sea, Brazil, Gulf of Mexico
Onshore - Worldwide
Emulsifying Valve
(Blends added wash water with
impurities in the crude through
a shearing action which forms
ne, emulsied water droplets)
Electrode
(Three Tiers)
Crude Inlet
Efuent Water Outlet
Inlet Distributors
Header
Inlet Distributors
Outlet Collector
Insulators
Transformers
Crude Oil Outlet
Level Control
Valve