| 摘要 |
<p>An apparatus and method of using the same to separate a heavy crude oil emulsion into gas, brine and oil, as the emulsion flows longitudinally through first, second, and third elongate zones. The crude oil emulsion is heated while in the first and second zone allowing the free brine and gas to separate therefrom, The heated crude oil containing the remaining emulsified brine flows to the third zone to be subjected to a high potential electrical field which coalesces the droplets of brine remaining therein into drops. These larger drops of brine flow downwardly by gravity to the bottom of the third zone, Oil substantially free of brine now in the top layers flows from the third zone over a wall into a reservoir, with the wall serving the dual function of maintaining the liquid level in the third zone at an elevation where the electrodes that supply the high potential electrical field are at all times immersed in the oil, and also preventing brine-free oil in the reservoir from comingling with oil that is being treated in the third zone. Gas separating from the emulsion accumulates in the upper portion of the first, second and third zones and water in the lower portion of the zones, The gas and brine that so accumulate are withdrawn therefrom to desired external location as the treating operation proceeds. Oil may be intermittently or continuously discharged from the reservoir without effecting the liquid level in the third zone.</p> |
