Distributed charge composition electrodes and desalting system

摘要

A system for removing brine from oil well production (12) in which fresh water (50) or less saline water (50) is passed in counterflow to the oil well production (12) through electric fields established between a plurality of composite electrodes (26). The electrodes (26) are of a laminar construction having a centrally located conductive member (30) surrounded by an electrically nonconductive region (28). With a nonmodulated voltage supply (144) connected to conductive member (30) a plurality of electric fields, some having uniform gradient and others having nonuniform gradient, are established between adjacent composite electrodes (26) in the direction of flow of both the oil well production (12) and the dilution water (50). Composite grids (26) have an inherent current regulating characteristic that reduces the tendency for arcing and suppresses sustained arcing should an arc occur.