Abstract: The present disclosure provides for processes for producing light hydrocarbons. In an embodiment, a process includes pressurizing the hydrocarbon feed in one or more pumps producing a pressurized hydrocarbon feed and heating the pressurized hydrocarbon feed in one or more heat exchangers to produce a heated hydrocarbon feed. The process includes mixing the heated hydrocarbon feed with water and separating an inter-stage hydrocarbon feed from interstage water. The process includes mixing the inter-stage hydrocarbon feed with water and separating a desalted hydrocarbon feed from outlet water. The process includes pyrolysing the desalted hydrocarbon feed in a steam cracker.

Abstract: A crude oil desalter unit includes a settler, an inlet manifold fluidly coupled to the settler, and one or more inlet distributors extending from the inlet manifold to discharge a water-in-oil emulsion into the settler. Each inlet distributor includes a riser having a first end, a second end, and an inner flowpath extending between the first and second ends, wherein the riser is coupled to the inlet manifold at the first end, one or more outlet nozzles provided at the second end and in fluid communication with the inner flowpath, and a static mixer positioned within the inner flowpath and defining one or more helical pathways operable to induce rotational flow to a fluid flowing within the inner flowpath.

Abstract: A method includes introducing a crude oil process stream into an electro-kinetic separator (EKS), passing the crude oil process stream through an electric field generated by the EKS, and removing at least a portion of salt and solid particles from the crude oil process stream as the crude oil process stream passes through the electric field. A product stream is discharged from the EKS with reduced salt and solid particle count as compared to the crude oil process stream.

Abstract: A crude oil desalter unit includes a settler, an inlet manifold fluidly coupled to the settler, and one or more inlet distributors extending from the inlet manifold to discharge a water-in-oil emulsion into the settler. Each inlet distributor includes a riser having a first end, a second end, and an inner flowpath extending between the first and second ends, wherein the riser is coupled to the inlet manifold at the first end, one or more outlet nozzles provided at the second end and in fluid communication with the inner flowpath, and a static mixer positioned within the inner flowpath and defining one or more helical pathways operable to induce rotational flow to a fluid flowing within the inner flowpath.

Abstract: Improved separation of oil and water as well as suspended solids from the emulsion layer formed in a petroleum desalter is achieved by injection of demulsifier into the desalter vessel to achieve a higher localized concentration of demulsifier in the emulsion layer so as to promote improved oil/water separation from the emulsion layer. The demulsifier may be injected into the water layer or the oil layer in the region of the emulsion layer or directly into the stabilized emulsion layer.

Abstract: Improved separation of oil and water as well as suspended solids from the emulsion layer formed in a petroleum desalter is achieved by injection of demulsifier into the desalter vessel to achieve a higher localized concentration of demulsifier in the emulsion layer so as to promote improved oil/water separation from the emulsion layer. The demulsifier may be injected into the water layer or the oil layer in the region of the emulsion layer or directly into the stabilized emulsion layer.

Abstract: A petroleum desalting process in which the oil/water emulsion layer which forms in the desalter vessel between the settled water layer and the settled oil layer is separated into the oil and water components by contact with a heated high boiling hydrocarbon to break the emulsion and vaporize water from the emulsion in a flash drum. The vessel has an emulsion outlet for removing an emulsion stream from the emulsion layer and a conduit connecting the emulsion withdrawal port to an inlet of an optional settling drum to effect and initial separation into an oil-enriched phase and a water phase with the oil-enriched phase led to the flash drum.

Abstract: An improved method and process unit for desalting petroleum crude oils in which a portion of the stable emulsion layer which forms in the desalter vessel is withdrawn from the desalter and diluted with a liquid diluent, typically oil or water or both to destabilize the emulsion which is then separated into separate oil and water phases.

Abstract: An improved separator for desalting petroleum crude oils which may be operated in a continuous manner under automatic control; the improved desalter is therefore well suited to modern refinery operation with minimal downtime. A portion of the emulsion layer is withdrawn from the desalter through external withdrawal ports according to the thickness and position of the emulsion layer with the selected withdrawal header(s) being controlled by sensors monitoring the position and thickness of the emulsion layer. The withdrawn emulsion layer can be routed as such or with the desalter water effluent to a settling tank or directly to another unit for separation and reprocessing.

Abstract: An improved method and process unit for desalting petroleum crude oils in which a portion of the stable emulsion layer which forms in the desalter vessel is withdrawn from the desalter and diluted with a liquid diluent, typically oil or water or both to destabilize the emulsion which is then separated into separate oil and water phases.

Abstract: An improved separator for desalting petroleum crude oils which may be operated in a continuous manner under automatic control; the improved desalter is therefore well suited to modern refinery operation with minimal downtime. A portion of the emulsion layer is withdrawn from the desalter through external withdrawal ports according to the thickness and position of the emulsion layer with the selected withdrawal header(s) being controlled by sensors monitoring the position and thickness of the emulsion layer. The withdrawn emulsion layer can be routed as such or with the desalter water effluent to a settling tank or directly to another unit for separation and reprocessing.

Abstract: An improved method and process unit for desalting petroleum crude oils in which a portion of the stable emulsion layer which forms in the desalter vessel is withdrawn from the desalter and diluted with a liquid diluent, typically oil or water or both to destabilize the emulsion which is then separated into separate oil and water phases.

Abstract: An improved separator for desalting petroleum crude oils which may be operated in a continuous manner under automatic control; the improved desalter is therefore well suited to modern refinery operation with minimal downtime. A portion of the emulsion layer is withdrawn from the desalter through external withdrawal ports according to the thickness and position of the emulsion layer with the selected withdrawal header(s) being controlled by sensors monitoring the position and thickness of the emulsion layer. The withdrawn emulsion layer can be routed as such or with the desalter water effluent to a settling tank or directly to another unit for separation and reprocessing.

Abstract: Improved separation of oil and water as well as suspended solids from the emulsion layer formed in a petroleum desalter is achieved by injection of demulsifier into the desalter vessel to achieve a higher localized concentration of demulsifier in the emulsion layer so as to promote improved oil/water separation from the emulsion layer. The demulsifier may be injected into the water layer or the oil layer in the region of the emulsion layer or directly into the stabilized emulsion layer.

Abstract: A petroleum desalting process in which the oil/water emulsion layer which forms in the desalter vessel between the settled water layer and the settled oil layer is separated into the oil and water components by contact with a heated high boiling hydrocarbon to break the emulsion and vaporize water from the emulsion in a flash drum. The vessel has an emulsion outlet for removing an emulsion stream from the emulsion layer and a conduit connecting the emulsion withdrawal port to an inlet of an optional settling drum to effect and initial separation into an oil-enriched phase and a water phase with the oil-enriched phase led to the flash drum.

Abstract: An improved method and process unit for desalting petroleum crude oils in which a portion of the stable emulsion layer which forms in the desalter vessel is withdrawn from the desalter and diluted with a liquid diluent, typically oil or water or both to destabilize the emulsion which is then separated into separate oil and water phases.

Abstract: An improved separator for desalting petroleum crude oils which may be operated in a continuous manner under automatic control; the improved desalter is therefore well suited to modern refinery operation with minimal downtime. A portion of the emulsion layer is withdrawn from the desalter through external withdrawal ports according to the thickness and position of the emulsion layer with the selected withdrawal header(s) being controlled by sensors monitoring the position and thickness of the emulsion layer. The withdrawn emulsion layer can be routed as such or with the desalter water effluent to a settling tank or directly to another unit for separation and reprocessing.