Abstract: A method of storing fluid from an oil well includes the steps: providing storage tanks; providing a diversion tank; coupling a fill manifold to the storage tanks and to the diversion tank, the fill manifold having a first control valve controlling flow of the fluid to the storage tanks, the fill manifold having a second control valve controlling flow of the fluid to the diversion tank; associating a sensor with at least one of the storage tanks without accessing a top of any of the storage tanks, the sensor being configured to determine a volume of the fluid within at least one of the storage tanks; associating a control system with the fill manifold and the sensor; and actuating the first and second control valves using the control system in response to at least one detection by the sensor to ensure that the storage tanks are not overfilled.

Abstract: An oil-water emulsion breakup system. In one embodiment, the system includes an oil-water mixture inlet line configured to receive an oil and water liquid mixture, which may be stabilized by hydrophobic nanoparticles, surfactants of low HLB value, or both. A water injection inlet in communication with the oil-water mixture inlet is configured to direct water into the oil-water mixture inlet. A water sensor is in communication with the oil-water mixture inlet to sense percentage of water in the mixture. A water injection valve in the water injection inlet is in communication with the water sensor. A liquid-liquid separator has an inlet configured to receive a combination of the oil and water mixture and the water, with the separator separating liquid into an oil phase and a water phase. An upper leg in communication with the liquid-liquid separator receives oil separated from the separator. A lower leg in communication with the liquid-liquid separator receives water separated in the liquid-liquid separator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for separation of hydrocarbon containing fluids are provided. More particularly, the disclosure is relevant to separating fluids having a gas phase, a hydrocarbon liquid phase, and an aqueous liquid phase using indirect heating. In general, the system uses a first gas separation followed by pressure reduction and then a second gas separation. Indirect follows the second gas separation and then three-phase separation.

Abstract: A petroleum desalting process in which the role played by the oil/bulk-resolved-water interface in the dehydration of the stabilized emulsion which forms in the desalter is recognized. The desalting process is improved by introducing the demulsifier and chemical high voltage electrodes. Water droplets in the mixture coalesce and settle towards the bottom of the vessel. A stabilized emulsion layer formed from the oil and the water with additives into the water phase and/or injecting chemical additives directly in the vicinity of the water/oil interface. This improved methodology that makes the rapid and effective delivery of chemical demulsifiers to the rag layer and/or oil/bulk-resolved-water interface possible. In operation, the desalting is carried out by mixing a crude oil to be desalted with water and passing the mixture of oil and water to the desalter vessel.

Abstract: A petroleum desalting process is improved by introducing the an alkaline compound such as sodium carbonate into the water phase, preferably in the vicinity of the water/oil interface which forms between the oil and water layers. This makes the rapid and effective separation of the oil and water phases from the emulsion layer possible.

Abstract: Provided is an electric desalting and dehydration apparatus, including an oil inlet distributor of an upper electric field, wherein the oil inlet distributor includes an oil inlet distributing pipe and an oil inlet branch pipe. The oil inlet distributing pipe is arranged in a water tray of an electric desalter, and below a ground electrode of the electric desalter. The oil inlet branch pipe is connected to the oil inlet distributing pipe to supply crude oil into the oil inlet distributing pipe. The oil inlet distributing pipe is provided with oil outlets on both sides thereof in a horizontal direction. The distributor can uniformly distribute crude oil in a water tray, thus all of the crude oil is kept in an electric field for an equal time.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus including a central electrode, and an outer periphery electrode, water to be treated being treated by applying a high voltage between the central electrode and the outer periphery electrode to thereby form a discharge in a discharge space between the central electrode and the outer periphery electrode and supplying the water to be treated as water droplets or a water film into the discharge space from above the discharge space, the water treatment apparatus further including a water droplet reformation unit connected to the outer periphery electrode, wherein the water droplet reformation unit captures, as trapped water, a portion of the water to be treated falling in the discharge space, performs water droplet reformation by causing the captured trapped water and gas containing oxygen supplied via a gas pipe to be mixed, and jets out water droplets formed by water droplet reformation into the discharge space.

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: The invention relates to a device for electrostatic coalescence of liquid particles in a flowing fluid mixture, comprising: a tube having an feed opening located at the front side of the tube and a discharge opening located on the opposite side of the tube and a least one arrangement with flow guide vanes arranged in the tube, positioned in between the opened infeed side and an opposite opened outfeed side, for reducing the turbulence or for imparting a rotating movement to the fluid mixture flowing through the tube. The invention also relates to a method for electrostatic coalescence of liquid particles in a flowing fluid mixture.

Abstract: A method for producing hydrogen from organic material. Organic material and hydrogen-producing microorganisms are provided in a completely mixed bioreactor for breaking down the organic material into H2, CO2, fatty acids, and alcohols. H2, CO2, and a first liquid effluent are recovered from the completely mixed bioreactor. The first liquid effluent includes hydrogen-producing microorganisms, fatty acids, and alcohols. The first liquid effluent is provided into a gravity settler for separating the first liquid effluent into a concentrated biomass (including hydrogen-producing microorganisms) and a second liquid effluent (including at least a portion of the fatty acids and the alcohols). The concentrated biomass is provided into the completely mixed bioreactor. An input voltage is applied to at least one of the completely mixed bioreactor and the gravity settler for facilitating an electrohydrogenesis process therein.

Abstract: A method and system for treatment of flow-back and produced water from a hydrocarbon well in which fracturing operations are carried out using a phase separation and creating of positive charge in the water.

Abstract: Electrocoagulation and sludge control apparatus and feed controller assembly for effluent treatment are disclosed, the apparatus including a primary reaction chamber having electrodes mounted therein and a treated effluent output. A sludge chamber is defined below and integrated with the primary reaction chamber and has a selectively openable outlet. The feed controller assembly is intermediate the primary reaction chamber and the sludge chamber and has a length selected for distribution of all effluent feed water across substantially an entire length of the primary reaction chamber.

Abstract: Electrocoagulation effluent treatment apparatus and methods are disclosed, the apparatus including a primary electrocoagulation reactor chamber having treatment electrodes maintained therein and an effluent inlet and treated effluent outlet. An integrated flotation chamber is located above the reaction chamber, a vacuum device connectable with a vacuum source being received in the flotation chamber and including a foam intake and an output. A sludge chamber is defined below and integrated with the primary reaction chamber and has a settled sludge output.

Abstract: The system and method is directed to improved separation or clarification of solids from a solids-laden liquid and removal of entrained gasses. A liquid to be treated is introduced into the inlet of a solid-liquid separator modified to include one or more sources of vibrational energy. The liquid is directed through a conduit within the separator. This conduit can be configured into a tortuous flow path to assist in the separation of solids from the liquid. Vibrational energy is applied to the flow path, preferably through the flow path conduit. As solids fall out of solution, they are collected. The clarified liquid is also collected. A vacuum can be applied to the system to assist in moving the solid-liquid mixture through the system and to provide vacuum clarification. Electrocoagulation electrodes and gas sparging can also be employed along with height adjustable weirs and an oil accumulator.

Abstract: A method and system for treatment of flow-back and produced water from a hydrocarbon well in which fracturing operations are carried out using a phase separation and creating of positive charge in the water.

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: The invention relates to a method for two-step separation of water, salt and particles from a hydraulic fluid by the use of a control unit. The hydraulic fluid is carried into a return oil tank with an electrostatic coalescer provided with a high-voltage transformer with direct current to two electric grids whose electrostatic field gathers water into drops which settle into a collecting tank. The hydraulic fluid is circulated to a filter module for removing any remaining water, salt and particles in filter elements connected in parallel, having hygroscopic cellulose fibers which swell until saturation, the swelling being measured by a sensor measuring the degree of saturation, alternatively conductivity.

Abstract: A vertical electrostatic coalescer comprises a first and second electrode surface and a horizontally disposed foraminous surface. The first electrode surface and horizontally disposed foraminous surface are at ground potential. The first and second electrode surfaces share the same planar orientation relative to the central longitudinal axis of the vessel. The unique arrangement of the vessel and opposing pairs of first and second electrode surfaces provides for a substantially uniform voltage field around a perimeter of the vessel and an effective voltage field for coalescence within a center of the vessel. A circular-shaped distributor pipe or a distributor housing serves to absorb momentum of the incoming emulsion stream and distribute the stream into an interior of the vessel.

Abstract: A multiphase fluid separator comprises coalescer means for increasing droplet size in a liquid having droplets of a first phase carried by a second phase, and fluid collecting means for separating the first and second phases. The coalescer means and the fluid collecting means are configured to have a common liquid level. In another aspect, a multiphase fluid separator comprises a vessel housing a compact electrostatic coalescer, and gas separating means. The gas separating means is configured to separate gas from incoming fluid before the fluid enters the compact electrostatic coalescer.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing an oxygenated fluid. In accordance with various embodiments, a flow of pressurized fluid is established. A flow of oxygen is injected into the flow of pressurized fluid to provide a fluid/oxygen mixture. The mixture is passed through a venturi assembly in the presence of a magnetic field established by an adjacent magnetic assembly. The mixture is next flowed from the venturi assembly to a gas/liquid separation tank, where a liquid component of the mixture is passed downstream with a selected dissolved oxygen content and a gas component is directed back for injection into the pressurized fluid flow.

Abstract: Electrocoagulation and sludge control apparatus and feed controller assembly for effluent treatment are disclosed, the apparatus including a primary reaction chamber having electrodes mounted therein and a treated effluent output. A sludge chamber is defined below and integrated with the primary reaction chamber and has a selectively openable outlet. The feed controller assembly is intermediate the primary reaction chamber and the sludge chamber and has a length selected for distribution of all effluent feed water across substantially an entire length of the primary reaction chamber.

Abstract: An electrical system of an electrochemical purification apparatus is presented. The system includes a plurality of electrodes for deionizing fluids passing through the electrodes, a power supply connected to the electrodes, the power supply providing power to the electrodes while maintaining a predetermined current, a predetermined voltage, or a power within some range, a programmable logic controller, connected to the power supply, for controlling the power supply, and a monitoring device connected to the programmable logic controller for delivering data regarding the system to the programmable logic controller.

Abstract: A water treating device includes a water container for containing water; an electrolyzing chamber for sterilizing water; a water treatment line which couples the electrolyzing chamber with the water container; a sensor for measuring residual chlorine concentration; and a device for controlling the amount of the water to be electrochemically decomposed in the electrolyzing chamber on the basis of the residual chlorine concentration measured by the sensor to keep the residual chlorine concentration of the water to be fed back into the water container within a predetermined range. A bypass line is provided which is branched from the water treatment line upstream of the electrolyzing chamber for sampling the water, introducing the sampled water into the sensor for the measurement of the residual chlorine concentration thereof, and discharging the sampled water into the electrolyzing chamber after the measurement.

Abstract: The present invention includes a micro smooth surface on a stainless steel guitar slide. The micro smooth finish is achieved by a combination of mechanical polishing and electropolishing techniques applied to the surface of a corrosion resistant and durable stainless steel tubular member.

Abstract: The present invention is a liquid-liquid contactor which employs an electrostatic field to mix an organic phase with an aqueous phase and to coalesce the aqueous phase in order to accomplish extraction of a component present in the aqueous phase. The electrostatic field is formed between a rod electrode located within a gaseous phase adjacent the top of the contactor and a plate electrode located within the aqueous phase adjacent the bottom of the contactor by applying a high voltage to the rod electrode. The extraction process consists of an extraction stage where the component is extracted out of the aqueous phase by the organic phase and a subsequent stripping stage where the component is stripped out of the organic phase by ion exchange with a second aqueous phase.