Production method of reference fluids intended for gravitational settlers' efficiency verification tests

Abstract

Crude oil generally reaches the platform in a mixture of crude oil and water, among other components. These products flow through valves and pumps, where agitation leads to the occurrence of emulsions. Their presence is undesirable as they lead to an increase in transportation and oil processing costs. Moreover, water content is a factor employed on the benchmark of crude oil prices. Efficiency verification tests for oil processing plants equipment, such as gravity settlers, usually occur with the use of crude oil emulsions obtained in the field. However, such emulsions are fluids that may exhibit toxic, volatile, and flammable behaviors. In this research, we develop a general method for the synthesis of reference fluids intended for replacing crude oil emulsions in gravitational settlers' efficiency verification tests. This method comprises an extensive procedure for mimicking crude systems and their behavior on gravitational settlers. This is achieved by defining key parameters, characterizing some crude systems in relation to these properties and pursuing reference systems with similar characteristic values through an iterative process. A comprehensive theoretical analysis supporting the procedure is also presented. We have also developed two case studies in which materials, experimental protocols, and emulsification techniques that could be employed are described. Furthermore, the reference fluids obtained in these case studies are benchmarked in relation to their crude systems counterparts. In general, our reference fluid for A-crude systems presented valuable results.