METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BREAKING A STABLE EMULSION

摘要

An emulsion treating apparatus for separating an emulsion of emulsified produced water droplets and oil, comprising a generally horizontal and elongate vessel (10) constructed and arranged for longitudinal flow of emulsion therethrough and comprising an emulsion inlet (12), an oil outlet (22), a water outlet (24), and at least one coalescer element (18) supported within the vessel (10), and an outlet for a stable emulsion (R) forming in the region of an interface (I) between emulsion (E) and water (W) when the apparatus is in use. The outlet for the stable emulsion is connected via a fluid line (30) to a separator vessel (34; 32) having an inlet and further comprising an oil outlet (36) and a water outlet (38) and means (26; 28; 32) for breaking the stable emulsion (R). The means for breaking the stable emulsion may comprise an electrostatic element (26), a heating element (28) or an electrostatic coalescer (32).