TREATMENT OF INTERFACE RAG PRODUCED DURING HEAVY CRUDE OIL PROCESSING

摘要

A method for treating aninterface rag includes the steps ofremoving a volume of rag at a controlledrate from an upstream rag source andpassing the rag through a high pressurepump and a heater. The heater heats therag to a temperature of at least 350°F tothermally decomposing any chemicalsthat had been added to the interface ragto promote separation. Diluent is thenmixed with the heated rag to cool therag to a temperature less than 300°F andproduce a 30 API rag. The cooled dilutedrag is then treated in an electrostatictreater or sent directly to a hydrocyclonecluster. The electrostatic treater ispreferably a vertical electrostatic treaterwith a conical-shaped lower portion anda means for agitating the solid-ladenwater within the treater to prevent thesolids from settling on the bottom of thetreater.