	US 12,134,739 B2
	Systems and methods for crude oil desalting and dehydration in a vertical vessel
Terrance John Larry Trofimuk, Calgary (CA); Fiona McGregor, Calgary (CA); and Michael Thomas, Tyler, TX (US)
Assigned to VME PROCESS, INC., Tyler, TX (US)
Filed by VME Process, Inc., Tyler, TX (US)
Filed on Aug. 2, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/364,372.
Application 18/364,372 is a division of application No. 17/859,890, filed on Jul. 7, 2022, granted, now 11,767,476.
Prior Publication US 2024/0010930 A1, Jan. 11, 2024
Int. Cl. C10G 33/00 (2006.01); B01D 17/02 (2006.01); B01D 17/04 (2006.01); B01D 17/06 (2006.01); C10G 31/08 (2006.01); C10G 33/02 (2006.01); C10G 33/06 (2006.01); C10G 33/08 (2006.01)

CPC C10G 33/08 (2013.01) [B01D 17/0214 (2013.01); B01D 17/045 (2013.01); B01D 17/06 (2013.01); C10G 31/08 (2013.01); C10G 33/02 (2013.01); C10G 33/06 (2013.01); C10G 2300/1033 (2013.01); C10G 2300/201 (2013.01); C10G 2300/4056 (2013.01)]

18 Claims

1. A method of desalting and dehydrating crude oil, the method comprising:

distributing a mixture within a cavity of a separation vessel, wherein the mixture comprises crude oil, water, dissolved salts, free salts, or combinations thereof, wherein the separation vessel defines the cavity extending along a central axis, wherein the central axis has a substantially-vertical orientation;

distributing a wash fluid within the cavity of the separation vessel, wherein the wash fluid comprises an aqueous fluid, and wherein the mixture is distributed within the cavity below the wash fluid;

detecting an interface between an oil phase and an aqueous phase; and

maintaining the interface within a predetermined range within the cavity,

wherein an interface level is configured to maintain the wash fluid as a continuous phase in the cavity and to maintain the mixture as a dispersed phase within the continuous phase in the cavity.