Process for desalting crude oil

Abstract

The invention provides a process for desalting crude by combining water and raw crude oil in a mixer to produce a mixture. Desalted crude oil and a brine mixture are separated from the mixture. The water is obtained as a byproduct of a Fischer-Tropsch plant.

1 . A process for desalting crude comprising: 
 a) combining water and raw crude oil in a mixer to produce a mixture;    b) separating from the mixture a desalted crude oil and a brine mixture;    wherein the water is obtained as a byproduct of a Fischer-Tropsch plant.    
   
   
       2 . The process of  claim 1 , further comprising preheating the water and/or the raw crude oil before combining them.  
   
   
       3 . The process of  claim 1 , further comprising adding a demulsifier to the mixer.  
   
   
       4 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the process occurs at an oil producing site.  
   
   
       5 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the process occurs at an oil refining site.  
   
   
       6 . The process of  claim 4 , further comprising re-injecting the brine mixture into a hydrocarbon formation at the oil producing site.  
   
   
       7 . The process of  claim 1 , further comprising processing the brine mixture for reuse.  
   
   
       8 . The process of  claim 1 , further comprising processing the brine mixture for discharge.  
   
   
       9 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the process occurs on a movable platform.  
   
   
       10 . A process for desalting crude comprising: 
 a) forming an emulsion of crude oil and Fischer-Tropsch water; and    b) breaking the emulsion to obtain a desalted crude oil and a brine mixture.    
   
   
       11 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the Fischer-Tropsch water contains less than 1% inorganic salts.  
   
   
       12 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the Fischer-Tropsch water contains less than 0.5% inorganic salts.  
   
   
       13 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the Fischer-Tropsch water contains less than 0.01% inorganic salts.  
   
   
       14 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the desalted crude oil contains less than 40 wppb inorganic salts.  
   
   
       15 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the desalted crude oil contains less than 10 wppb inorganic salts.