PETRECO Bilectric Desalters

State-of-the-art efficient systems.

OIL

Advanced electrostatic desalter for desalting crude oil prior to storage, transportation or refining.

Overview
Camerons desalters are electrostatic precipitators used to
remove salt and other contaminants from crude oil. The
BILECTRIC design utilizes a unique three-grid electrode
system and horizontal emulsion distribution for superior
oil/water separation performance.
The BILECTRIC desalter has been recognized by refining
industry leaders as the first choice for crude oil processing.
In two-stage installations, salt removal efficiencies up to
99% are routinely achievable.

Operating Principle and Key Features

In electrostatic desalting, the crude oil is intimately mixed
with fresh water, which is dispersed in the crude oil as small
droplets. The water-in-oil dispersion is then introduced
into the pressurized desalter vessel where a high voltage
electrical field accelerates separation of the water laden
with salt and other contaminants combined in the oil.
Distributors feed the crude and emulsified water in two
parallel horizontal radial streams between the three
electrodes. The oil emulsion streams flowing outward from
the distributor encounter optimal conditions for rapid
coalescence. As coalescence proceeds, water droplets grow
large enough to overcome the viscosity of the crude and
fall due to gravity. Electrodes are engineered to maximize
the performance of the dual horizontal distribution system.
The distribution system also allows for aggressive mixing,
with a specialty valve, of the wash water and crude oil so
that when coalescence occurs, more impurities are removed
with the water and cleaner treated product is realized. The

strong electric field is also less dependent on chemicals for

coalescence, so lower chemical consumption is typical.
Clean oil, freed of contaminants, continuously rises to the
top of the vessel and flows out, while the accumulated
water and sediment mixture is automatically withdrawn
from the bottom of the vessel for disposal. The dual
horizontal distribution system gives the BILECTRIC desalter
significantly better treating capacity than a conventional
desalter and enhances the control of interface emulsion.

BILECTRIC Design
Transformer

Outlet
Transformer
LC
Distributor

Outlet
Collector

Distributor

Header

Mudwash
Heater

LCV

Inlet

Conventional
Desalter

BILECTRIC

Mudwash Pump
Mix Valve

Effluent Water

Data Sheet | AD01120P

Product Range

BILECTRIC

Cameron designs equipment to meet the specific needs

of our clients. Our vast experience includes some of the
following:

BS&W down to 0.2% typically

The BILECTRIC desalter permits the maximum throughput,

flexibility and reliability for any given vessel size, handles
a wide range of crude oil gravities and viscosities and
works with minimum operator supervision. The dual flow
configuration provides up to twice the capacity per unit
volume of vessel than that of vertical flow desalters. The
BILECTRIC design holds water level high, near mid-vessel,
to allow maximum residence time for oil to separate from
effluent water. The smaller size is also advantageous in
refinery applications with limited available plot size.

Benefits and Advantages

Applications

These units have proven reliable experience of more

than 20 years and there are thousands of units operating
worldwide in a wide variety of applications.

Refinery desalting

Throughput flexibility

Arctic - Russia, Canada

Feedtype flexibility

Jungle - Nigeria, Venezuela

High quality crude outlet

Desert - Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait

High quality water output

Onshore - Worldwide

Crude oil in Venezuela and Canada of 12 API up to 50

API Saudi crudes

Single unit flow rates from 160 m3/day to 47,700 m3/day

(1000 BPD to 300,000 BPD) with the ability to combine

multiple units

Installations Examples

Reduced operation and maintenance costs

Reduced chemical dependency

Crude Oil Outlet

Excellent flow distribution

Transformers

Rapid coalescence with minimal electrical

power consumption
Interface emulsion control
Insulators
Outlet Collector
Inlet Distributors
Electrode
(Three Tiers)

Level Control
Valve

Emulsifying Valve
(Blends added wash water with
impurities in the crude through
a shearing action which forms
fine, emulsified water droplets)

Inlet Distributors
Header

Effluent Water Outlet

Crude Inlet

L O CATI O NS
United States of America
11210 Equity Dr., Suite 100
Houston, TX 77041
USA
Tel 1 713 849 7500

United Kingdom
5 The Heights, Brooklands
Weybridge
Surrey, KT13 0NY
United Kingdom
Tel +44 (0)1932 45200

O T H E R L O C AT I O N S
Singapore
2 Gul Circle (Gate 2)
Jurong, Singapore 629560
Tel 65 6861 3355

Australia

France

Norway

Brazil

Japan

Russia

Canada

Malaysia

Saudi Arabia

Colombia

Mexico

UAE

www.c-a-m.com
2013 Cameron | PETRECO and BILECTRIC are registered trademarks of Cameron | Printed in USA | 10/13 AD01120P