Crude oil desalting

Benefits of our centrifuges

• Separators as core, guaranteeing effective separation of oil, water, and solids.
• Designed to handle diverse process conditions, even challenging oil qualities.
• Reduction of chemical use and operational expenses.
• Systems offer adaptable configurations, including side or full stream, stationary or mobile, and pre-dehydration options.
• GEA centrifuges operate with high g-forces (4,000 - 6,000 x g), enabling efficient separation without being sensitive to oil conductivity and higher water cuts.
• Treatment systems are equipped to process crude oils as heavy as API 12.

Understanding the importance of crude oil desalting in refining

Crude oil desalting is a critical step in the oil refinement process, aimed at removing salt and other contaminants from crude oil before it undergoes further processing. The presence of water, salts and solids in crude oil can cause significant issues in downstream equipment, leading to corrosion, fouling and other operational challenges. Therefore, desalting is not only a matter of product quality but also a necessity for maintaining the efficiency of the entire refining operation.

Transforming crude oil desalting with GEA's high-efficiency centrifuges

The desalting process typically involves mixing the crude oil with water, which helps to dissolve and extract the water-soluble salts. The mixture is then subjected to a separation process, where the oil is separated from the salty water-phase and solids. This separation can be achieved through various methods, with centrifugal separation being one of the most efficient and advanced technologies.

GEA provides advanced crude oil desalter centrifuges that operate at high g-forces (4,000 - 6,000 x g). These systems are effective regardless of oil conductivity and can handle high water cuts, processing oils with an API gravity as low as 12, making them ideal for heavy and salt-charged crude oils.

Exploring GEA's range of crude oil desalters

GEA's crude oil desalters come in different capacities, such as the GEA crude oil Desalter 80, 120, and 200, to meet various operational needs. These units feature direct or flat belt drives, erosion protection, and high-grade materials to resist corrosion. They ensure that the content of basic sediment and water (BS&W) as well as water-soluble salts is brought to pipeline or refinery quality, meeting industry standards. In terms of environmental impact, GEA’s desalting technology reduces the need for chemical additives and minimizes waste, aligning with environmental standards and promoting more sustainable oil refining practices.

For environments where mobility is crucial, GEA offers modular systems and containerized solutions. These allow for easy transportation and installation of the treatment systems. They can be used as standalone installations or integrated into existing setups, providing flexibility and adaptability to different operational scenarios.

Why desalting is essential for oil refining

In summary, crude oil desalting is an indispensable process in the oil industry, ensuring that crude oil is free from harmful contaminants before further refining. With advanced technology like GEA's centrifugal desalters, oil companies can achieve efficient and reliable desalting, enhancing the overall performance and profitability of their operations.