Establishment of optimum conditions for petroleum desalting

1. For each petroleum there are optimum values of the processing parameters in a field of power-frequency currents: the field strength, duration of action of the field on the emulsion, and temperature. The optimum value of any of these parameters has a positive effect on petroleum processing. 2. Processing of emulsions at optimum parameters has the following advantages: a) the potentialities of the electrodesalting plant are utilized to the maximum; b) the consumptions of reagents are reduced and in some cases their use is no longer necessary; c) the outlay on the construction of electrodesalting plant is reduced due to cutting down of the number of processing stages, the number of dehydrators, and, in some cases, the capacities of the furnaces, heat-exchangers,etc d) petroleum is obtained at minimum preparation cost. 3. Planning of electrodesalting plant construction must be preceded by determination of the optimum parameters for processing the emulsion in a field of power-frequency current; this will enable planners to take into account the actual conditions for preparing a particular petroleum and thereby eliminate possible inclusion of ineffective equipment 4. The operating efficiencies of existing plants should be checked from the viewpoint of optimum parameters; where necessary, the designs of the electrodehydrators should be brought into line with optimum operating conditions.