Abstract: An apparatus for separating water from a water-in-oil mixture having an elongated inlet vessel with a lower outlet end and an upper inlet end, the length thereof being a multiple of the largest vessel cross-sectional dimension. A separation vessel having an oil outlet and a divergent water outlet has an inlet passageway in communication with the inlet vessel lower outlet end. At least one electrode is positioned within the inlet vessel by which a mixture flowing therethrough is subjected to an electric field.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating water from an oil-and-water mixture includes at least two elongated separator vessels oriented at an incline and connected to one another so that an upwardly flowing oil predominant fluid passes from the first separator vessel to the second separator vessel where further electrostatic separation of water from the oil predominant fluid occurs. Each vessel has an electrode at its upper end preferably connected to a different voltage source. The inlet to each vessel is located relative to the electrode to provide an up flow or a down flow vessel. Additionally, the first vessel may be at a different elevation than the second vessel. An additional vessel may be included with output from the first vessel bypassing the additional vessel, the second vessel, or both. Baffles may be added in the water collection portion of each vessel to reduce turbulence and settling distance.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating water from a water-in-oil mixture having an elongated inlet vessel with a lower outlet end and an upper inlet end, the length thereof being a multiple of the largest vessel cross-sectional dimension. A separation vessel having an oil outlet and a divergent water outlet has an inlet passageway in communication with the inlet vessel lower outlet end. At least one electrode is positioned within the inlet vessel by which a mixture flowing therethrough is subjected to an electric field.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating water from an oil-and-water mixture includes at least two elongated separator vessels oriented at an incline and connected to one another so that an upwardly flowing oil predominant fluid passes from the first separator vessel to the second separator vessel where further electrostatic separation of water from the oil predominant fluid occurs. Each vessel has an electrode at its upper end preferably connected to a different voltage source. The inlet to each vessel is located relative to the electrode to provide an up flow or a down flow vessel. Additionally, the first vessel may be at a different elevation than the second vessel. An additional vessel may be included with output from the first vessel bypassing the additional vessel, the second vessel, or both. Baffles may be added in the water collection portion of each vessel to reduce turbulence and settling distance.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing the salt content of a crude oil stream includes using a quill to disperse a water stream into the crude oil and then routing the mixed oil/water stream through a plurality of mixing stages. The water stream may include a wash water that has been preconditioned with recycled effluent water. Each mixing stage increases the homogeneity of the mixed oil/water stream. The first and third mixing stages are preferably lower pressure stages relative to the second mixing stage, which provides pressure effective for flowing the mixed oil/water stream through the third and fourth mixing stages. Upon exiting the fourth mixing stage, the mixed oil/water stream is electrostatically treated in a dual frequency separator vessel or a dual polarity separator vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating water from a water-in-oil mixture having an elongated inlet vessel with a lower outlet end and an upper inlet end, the length thereof being a multiple of the largest vessel cross-sectional dimension. A separation vessel having an oil outlet and a divergent water outlet has an inlet passageway in communication with the inlet vessel lower outlet end. At least one electrode is positioned within the inlet vessel by which a mixture flowing therethrough is subjected to an electric field.

Abstract: A hydrocyclone separator for separating oil from water includes a substantially cylindrical first portion with a central overflow outlet and at least one tangential flow inlet, at least one converging section, and a tail portion with a central underflow outlet having a substantial length thereof characterized by a slight taper in the range of 1 to less than 15 degree-minutes.

Abstract: This invention relates to water pollution control and concerns a method for removing dispersed oil droplets from water by contacting oleophilic bodies with an oil-water emulsion before the emulsion is separated in a settling tank. Oleophilic bodies which float on oil are provided in a settling tank into which an oil-water emulsion is introduced downwardly. Oil-free water is drawn off at the bottom of the tank.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for separating flowing immiscible fluid phases of different specific gravities includes an elongate conduit having an inlet for receiving incoming fluids, an outlet for discharging separated fluids, a first end and an open second end. The outlet is formed by the open second end. The inlet is longitudinally spaced away from the outlet on the elongate conduit. A flow assembly is provided for creating cyclonic flow of the fluid from the inlet through the outlet of the elongate conduit in order to centrifugally separate the fluids so that that the separated fluids flow concentrically through the outlet. The separator can include an outer tank surrounding the elongate conduit.

Abstract: A method for improving the injectivity of water injection wells in those formations with a low permeability to water as compared to the formation's absolute permeability by the removal of residual oil from the formation pore spaces in the near injection wellbore area through the injection of an aqueous fluid containing an effective amount of surface-active agent. The surface-active agent has the general formulaRO(C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O).sub.a (C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O).sub.b YXwhere:R is an alkyl group containing about 3 to about 20 carbon atoms or an alkyl phenol where the alkyl portion of the alkyl phenol contains from about 3 to about 20 carbon atoms or a mixture thereof;a has an average value of between 0 and about 10;b has an average value of between about 1 and about 10;Y is a sulfate or sulfonate group; andX is a cation, preferably monovalent.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for reducing formation plugging impurities in a sulfonate surfactant used in enhanced oil recovery operations which comprises contacting said surfactant with an effective amount of an aldehyde having from 1 to about 18 carbon atoms. In a preferred instance, a method is disclosed for the treatment of sulfonate surfactants useful in enhanced recovery processing to substantially reduce the formation plugging impurities, typically inorganic sulfite salts.