Wemco Depurator Systems

Proven Efficient Separation Systems

Highly effective mechanically

induced gas flotation units for
the secondary removal of oil
and solids from produced water.
Overview
Wemco Depurator Systems use mechanically
induced air/gas flotation (IGF) to remove oil and
solids from produced water. After the produced
water enters the Depurator, motor driven rotors
induce a re-circulating flow of air or blanket gas
into the mixture. This disperses small bubbles
throughout the tank volume and oil droplets and
solids are carried to the surface in a rising gas froth
where they are recovered by skimming. The
original IGF design is still the standard for many
applications while the new pressurized version,
available in two cell up to five cell types, provides
a real advantage for the oil and gas industry.

Operating Principle & Key Features

All Wemco Depurators use the froth flotation
process to remove oil and solids from produced
water. The key component is the mechanical
aeration assembly that uses motor driven rotors to
constantly disperse gas bubbles into the produced
water. The oil and/or solids adhere to the bubbles
and then rise with them to the surface of the cell,
forming a froth. Because the contaminated water
and the floating froth are constantly being
subjected to re-introduced gas it is impossible for
the floating materials to
settle into the now
cleaner water below.

Performance
The overall removal efficiency of the two cell
design is 94% with a 2.5 minute residence time per
cell. The four cell unit has approximately a 95%
removal efficiency with only a 1.0 minute residence
time per cell. The Dual Cell configuration is
specifically suited to offshore applications where
deck motion influences the liquid surface in the
cells. This unit will operate satisfactorily during
conditions of general motion and under pitch and
roll conditions in particular.

Product Range
Individual units for flow rates of 1,700 BPD to
177,000 BPD (270 m3/day to 28,140 m3/day)
Operating pressure from atmospheric to 15 PSIG
Separation efficiency up to 98% or more

Benefits & Advantages

Proven reliable experience of more than 35
years and more than 5,000 units operating
worldwide in a wide variety of applications
High mixing efficiency
Wide operating flexibility
Available from two cell up to five cell
configurations
Lower amounts of flotation chemicals required
Suitable for onshore, offshore, and motion
sensitive applications
Good retrofit capability

Depending upon the

type of Depurator, the
froth is removed either
by mechanical
skimmers or a hydraulic
skimming process. The
water then moves into
the next cell where the
process is repeated. In
the final stage the now
cleaned water goes
through a de-gassing
discharge chamber
and then exits the unit.

Proven Experience Reliable Operation Superior Performance

Wemco Depurator Systems

Options & Types
IGF Original Tank Design
Cylindrical Design
Dual Cell design for motion
sensitive applications
Two to Five Cell designs for fixed
applications

Installation Examples
Production: 1,000,000 BWPD
(158,990 m3/day) in twelve 144X
Machines, Bakersfield, CA
producing 0.8 - 2.0 PPM effluent in
heavy oil
Production: 1,700,000 BWPD
(270,280 m3/day) in ten 144X
Machines, Nigeria Terminal
Production: 290 PSIG Design
Pressure Dual Cell Machines for
130,000 BWPD (20,670 m3/day)
FPSO, Offshore Angola

Applications

Refining: 860,000 BWPD (136,730

m3/day) Refinery Waste Water,
Siberia, Russia

Oil production

Refining: Many units in continuous

operation since 1970, USA

Refinery and petrechemical waste

water

Onshore
Offshore (fixed and floating)

Metals casting and steel refining

waste water

1. OVERSIZED TAPERED
ROLLER BEARINGS

2. BEARING HOUSING

SHAFT
UPPER PORTION OF ROTOR
DRAWS AIR/GAS DOWN
STANDPIPE FOR DISPERSION
IN LIQUID

BELT DRIVE
MOTOR

3. DUAL SEALS

DISPERSER
HOOD
SKIMMER
PADDLES

4. ONE-PIECE
OVERSIZE SHAFT

STANDPIPE
AIR/GAS INTAKE

DISPERSER BREAKS AIR

INTO MINUTE BUBBLES

OVERFLOW LIP

LAUNDER

5. HEAVY GAUGE ROTOR

ROTOR
PERMANENT SKIDS

LOWER PORTION
OF ROTOR DRAWS
SOLIDS UPWARD
THROUGH ROTOR

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Copyright 2003, Petreco International Inc. All rights reserved. POV003-03/21/2003