University of Benghazi

Faculty of Engineering & Petroleum-Galo

Department of Petroleum Engineering

Titl: CRUDE OIL DESALTING

Prepared by :
Osama A. Alkaseh 1515
Taha A. Benidris 1534
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
 Oil desalting is the process of removing water-soluble
salts from an oil stream.
 Chlorides hydrolyzed to hydrochloric acid cause severe
corrosion.
 CaCl2 + H2O → Ca(OH)2 + HCl
 They crystallize and may either remain suspended in the oil
or form scale within the heat-exchange equipment.
 IMPURITIES
 Most crude oil is produced with some entrained water, which
normally contains :
 chlorides of sodium, calcium, and magnesium.
 sand
 iron oxide
 sulfur
 carbon
SCALING IN HEAT EXCHANGER
DESALTING PROSSES
 A typical salt specification would be 10 pounds per thousand barrels (10
PTB).
 The process of desalting will also remove portions of these
solids from the oil.
 Deposition of salts in equipment results in loss on :
1. stream time.
2. reduced production.
3. increased cost from shutdowns.
4. clean-out operations.
OPERATING CONDITIONS
A. Level
B. Pressure
C. Temperature

A. Level :
 Operating level of water must be maintained below electrode.
 Conductivity of water cause electric current flow and could shut down the
electric system.
 If level is allowed to raise it will carry over the interface with crude to the
tower causing tower upset and exchangers fouling as well.
 Low level cause carry over of crude with effluent water.
OPERATING CONDITIONS
B. Pressure:
 H i g h pressure k eep s s y s t e m from boiling.

 R e c o m m e n d e d pressure 50-2 5 0 p s i.

C.Temperature:
■ Decrease in temperature increase the viscosity m a k in g
settling of salts a n d water difficult a n d vice versa.
■ Temperate limit is from 9 0 o C to 1 5 0 o C varying from
crude to crude.
 Desalting Gives these Benefits
Increased crude
throughput by:
 Running at maximum
capacity
 Less time for maintenance
Less plugging, scaling of:
 Exchangers
 Furnaces
Less corrosion due to
sulfur, salts and
organic acidity in:
 Exchangers
 Receivers and lines.
Improved products
because of:
 Better operational
control
 Less salt and solids in
residual fuel
 TYPES OF DESALTER

 Natural Desalter

 C h e m i c a l Desalter

 Electrostatic Desalter
SINGLE-STAGE DESALTING
TWO-STAGE DESALTING
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